Parking in Tbilisi: zones, rates and how to pay
Tbilisi is a big city with a busy centre, and street parking is paid almost everywhere. The good news: the system is simple and an hour is cheap. Here's how to pay and avoid a fine.
How the paid zones work
The centre uses hourly zonal parking. Each zone is marked with a code on the sign (e.g. "A722") that you need when paying. The rate is about 1 GEL per hour. Zones are officially split into A, B and C (1, 2 and 3 GEL/hour), but in practice you'll almost always see zone "A" at 1 GEL. The first 15 minutes are free — handy for a quick stop.
How to pay
Payment is tied to your licence plate — there are no coin meters. Options:
- The "Tbilisi Parking" app (iOS/Android): top up, then enter your plate and the zone code from the sign.
- Bank terminals: orange BOG Pay and blue TBC Pay boxes stand next to parking spots and take cash and cards.
- Online via bogpay.ge — handy if a foreign card is declined at the terminal.
Passes
For longer stays a zone pass is cheaper: about 20 GEL a day or 300 GEL a month. There's also a cheap annual municipal permit (around 50 GEL), but it only covers areas outside the central A/B/C zones and doesn't replace hourly payment in the centre.
Old Town: go on foot
Old Tbilisi (Kala, Abanotubani, Betlemi) has narrow lanes, steep climbs and almost no spaces. Don't drive into the very heart — park near Freedom Square or Meidan and walk.
Garages and malls
The calm option is covered garages and mall car parks (East Point, Tbilisi Mall, City Mall, Galleria): plenty of space, and the first hours are often free or credited against a purchase.
Fines and towing
An unpaid-parking fine is usually around 50 GEL (with a discount if you pay early and a surcharge if you delay). Parking on the pavement, a crossing, under a no-parking sign or blocking traffic gets you towed — which costs more and takes longer. Follow the signs and markings, not "everyone parks here".
We'll help you sort it out
Rent with Cartome and we'll help you set up the parking app, show you how to pay by plate, and tell you where it's easiest and cheapest to park in your area. No need to figure out the local system yourself — just ask.