Georgia has become one of the most popular destinations for Indian students pursuing MBBS abroad. Affordable tuition fees, English-medium instruction, and globally recognized degrees make Georgian medical universities highly attractive. However, in addition to tuition and living costs, one of the most significant aspects that students and parents often overlook is travel expenses from India to Georgia.
Unlike studying within India, international medical education requires multiple trips between home country and university every year. This includes the initial journey for admission, yearly trips during vacation, and occasional emergency visits. Travel costs may seem small compared to tuition, but over six years, they add up to a considerable sum.
This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of travel expenses from India to Georgia for MBBS students, helping families budget realistically before making the decision.
Students studying in Georgia spend nearly six years abroad. Unlike tuition, which is fixed, travel costs vary depending on flight routes, seasons, and individual lifestyle. For example, a student flying during Diwali or Christmas will pay significantly higher airfare than one traveling during off-season months.
Ignoring travel expenses can lead to sudden financial pressure, especially since parents often expect yearly home visits. Therefore, calculating an average yearly travel budget is essential.
The travel cost for MBBS in Georgia is not limited to the air ticket. It involves several interconnected expenses:
Airfare (India to Georgia and back)
Visa and residence permit-related travel costs
Airport transfers in Georgia
Domestic travel within India (to reach departure airports)
Local travel within Georgia (city-to-university movement)
Baggage and excess luggage charges
There are no direct flights between India and Georgia. Most students travel via connecting flights, with popular routes being:
Delhi/Mumbai → Dubai/Doha/Istanbul → Tbilisi or Batumi
Kolkata/Chennai → Sharjah/Abu Dhabi → Tbilisi
Bangalore/Hyderabad → Istanbul → Tbilisi
One-way airfare: ₹25,000 – ₹40,000
Return airfare (round trip): ₹50,000 – ₹75,000
Peak season (festivals/summer): ₹70,000 – ₹90,000 round trip
Off-season (February, March, October): ₹45,000 – ₹55,000 round trip
Since most students travel once or twice a year, the annual airfare budget comes to:
Minimum: ₹50,000
Average: ₹65,000
Maximum (multiple visits): ₹1,20,000
Initial visa application fees: ₹8,000 – ₹12,000
Documentation & courier costs: ₹2,000 – ₹3,000
Travel to embassy/consulate (Delhi): ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 depending on city of residence
Students must renew their residence permit annually in Georgia, which may require travel to government offices within the country. While not a huge cost, local transport charges and paperwork expenses add ₹5,000 – ₹8,000 per year.
After landing at Tbilisi International Airport or Batumi Airport, students need transportation to their respective universities.
Taxi/Private Transfer: ₹2,000 – ₹4,000
University-arranged pickup (often mandatory for freshers): ₹5,000 – ₹8,000
Group transfers (if arranged by agencies): ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 per student
In the first year, universities usually insist on a pickup service for security, but from the second year onward, students often manage on their own at lower costs.
Before leaving for Georgia, students must travel from their hometown to international airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, or Kolkata.
Train travel to major city: ₹2,000 – ₹5,000
Domestic flight to metro city: ₹4,000 – ₹10,000 depending on booking time
Local transport (cabs/buses): ₹1,000 – ₹2,000
On average, domestic travel adds ₹6,000 – ₹10,000 per international journey.
Although this is not directly related to India-to-Georgia airfare, students spend a considerable amount on intra-city travel for:
Daily commute (hostel to university): ₹1,000 – ₹2,000 per month
Long-distance travel (visiting nearby cities or tourist trips): ₹10,000 – ₹15,000 yearly
Over six years, this adds up significantly and should be included in the travel budget.
Airlines usually allow:
Check-in luggage: 23–30 kg (one or two bags depending on airline)
Cabin luggage: 7–10 kg
However, most MBBS students carry more than the allowance, especially in the first year.
Extra baggage charges per kg: ₹700 – ₹1,000
Additional luggage cost (20 kg extra): ₹15,000 – ₹20,000
First-time students usually end up paying for extra baggage since they carry cooking utensils, books, and personal items.
Parents often overlook emergency travel expenses. Situations like health issues, family emergencies, or academic requirements may force students to travel unexpectedly.
Emergency one-way ticket: ₹40,000 – ₹60,000
Short-notice return ticket: ₹70,000 – ₹1,00,000
Families should ideally keep a ₹50,000 contingency fund per year for unexpected travel.
Now, let’s calculate how much a student typically spends on travel during the entire MBBS course:
| Expense Category | First Year | Annual (2nd–6th Year) | 6-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airfare (round trip) | ₹60,000 – ₹80,000 | ₹50,000 – ₹70,000 | ₹3.1 – ₹4.2 lakh |
| Visa + Permit Travel | ₹20,000 | ₹5,000 – ₹8,000 | ₹45,000 – ₹60,000 |
| Airport Transfers | ₹5,000 – ₹8,000 | ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Domestic Travel in India | ₹10,000 | ₹6,000 – ₹8,000 | ₹40,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Extra Luggage | ₹15,000 – ₹20,000 | ₹5,000 | ₹40,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Local Travel in Georgia | ₹15,000 | ₹10,000 – ₹12,000 | ₹65,000 – ₹75,000 |
| Emergency Travel Fund | — | ₹50,000 | ₹2.5 – ₹3.0 lakh |
Grand Total over 6 Years: ₹7 lakh – ₹9 lakh on travel expenses alone.
Book tickets early – Airfare drops significantly when booked 2–3 months in advance.
Use student discounts – Many airlines offer student fares with extra baggage allowance.
Choose budget airlines – Flights via Air Arabia, Flydubai, or Azerbaijan Airlines are cheaper than premium carriers.
Carry essentials smartly – Instead of paying for excess luggage, buy certain items in Georgia.
Plan yearly travel – Fix one annual trip home instead of multiple visits to save on tickets.
Use student groups – Traveling in groups often reduces pickup and domestic travel costs.
Georgia: ₹7–9 lakh (over 6 years)
Russia: ₹6–8 lakh (flights are slightly cheaper from India)
Kazakhstan: ₹5–6 lakh (closer and less expensive)
Uzbekistan: ₹4–5 lakh (lowest due to short distance)
Philippines/China: ₹9–12 lakh (longer flights and higher airfare)
Thus, Georgia falls in the mid-range when it comes to overall travel expenses.
Travel expenses from India to Georgia form a crucial part of the total MBBS cost structure. On average, students spend ₹7–9 lakh across six years on air tickets, visas, domestic transfers, and local travel. The first year is usually the most expensive due to visa applications, extra luggage, and university pickup services.
By planning smartly, booking flights in advance, using student discounts, and limiting trips home, Indian students can save a significant amount. Parents should always include travel costs in the financial planning for MBBS in Georgia, ensuring smooth and stress-free education abroad.