Car rental in Georgia — Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, airport pick-up

Car rental requirements in Georgia

Documents are the main source of problems. Georgia is not a party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, so Russian, Ukrainian and Kazakh national driving licences are formally not valid.

• International Driving Permit (IDP) — mandatory for citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus. Issued at an MFC office for 1600₽, valid for 10 years. Without an IDP reputable rental companies will refuse, and the insurance won't pay out in an accident.
• International passport — the only document that proves a foreigner's identity in Georgia. Russian internal passports are not accepted.
• Visa/Mastercard bank card — for the ₾500–1000 deposit. Mir cards are not accepted for the deposit. Only a handful of companies take UnionPay.
• Minimum age — 21–23 years. Drivers aged 21–25 pay a surcharge of ₾15–25/day. At least 1 year of driving experience.

Car rental prices by city

Prices depend on the city, the season and the car class. In summer (June–September) they are 30–50% higher.

Tbilisi is the cheapest city to rent in: the most competition between rental companies. Batumi is slightly more expensive, and Kutaisi more so because of its smaller fleet.

Insurance and deposit

Insurance is the key thing not to skimp on.

• TPL (basic) — included in the rental price. Covers only third-party damage. Damage to the rental car is at your expense.
• CDW (full) — ₾20–50/day. Covers damage to the car, glass and tyres. Strongly recommended for mountain routes.
• No deposit — possible on when you take full insurance. Saves ₾500–1000 on your card.
• Green Card — only needed if you drive to Armenia or Turkey. From ₾30 for 15 days. More in our insurance guide.

A ₾500–1000 deposit is blocked on your card (not charged). It is released 3–14 days after you return the car. Cash is not accepted.

I rented a Kia Sportage through Localrent for 6 days — Tbilisi → Kazbegi → Kakheti → Batumi. No deposit, with full insurance. The car was delivered to my hotel in Tbilisi and I dropped it off in Batumi. Perfect for a route across Georgia.

Traffic rules in Georgia

Georgian traffic rules are similar to Russia's, but there are differences that can cost you money.

Speed limits

Key rules

• Right-hand traffic — same as in Russia
• Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers — ₾40 fine
• Phone in hand — ₾150 fine. Hands-free only
• Alcohol — zero tolerance. Fine of up to ₾1000 + licence suspension
• Child seat — mandatory for children under 7
• Daytime headlights — outside built-up areas from 1 November to 1 March
• Cameras — on all main roads. The fine goes to the rental company → charged to your card

Petrol, gas and filling stations

Fuel in Georgia is more expensive than in Russia but cheaper than in Europe.

Wissol, Socar, Gulf and Lukoil stations are on all main roads. Cards accepted. There are no filling stations in the mountain areas (Tusheti, Upper Svaneti, Khevsureti) — fill up in the last town. For a trip to Omalo a full tank is a must.

Georgia's roads: where you need a 4×4

Main roads — good-quality asphalt

• Tbilisi — Batumi (360 km, ~5 h) — motorway via Khashuri, good asphalt. 110 km/h limit on the motorway.
• Tbilisi — Kutaisi (230 km, ~3 h) — motorway, the best road in the country.
• Tbilisi — Kazbegi (160 km, ~3 h) — the Georgian Military Road. Good asphalt, but switchbacks over the Jvari (Cross) Pass (2379 m). A regular car can manage it.
• Tbilisi — Kakheti (90–120 km, ~1.5–2 h) — a good road over the Gombori Pass. Any car.

Routes that require a 4x4

• Tusheti (Omalo) — one of the most dangerous mountain roads in the world. 70 km of dirt track with sheer drops. Only a high-clearance 4x4 and an experienced driver. The road is open June–October.
• Upper Svaneti (Ushguli) — partly unpaved. A 4x4 is a must. The road from Mestia to Ushguli is 45 km of dirt track with river fords.
• Goderdzi Pass (Adjara) — partly asphalt, with unpaved sections. A 4x4 is advisable, especially after rain.
• Khevsureti (Shatili) — dirt road, 4x4 required. Open June–October.

Picking up a car in Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the main rental hub. The widest choice and the lowest prices. A detailed guide with prices, parking, rental offices and the airport is in a separate article.

More about Tbilisi

Prices by class, parking in the centre, the airport, specific rental companies — all in the detailed guide.

Guide with a car or a rental

An honest comparison for different situations:

Rule of thumb: Renting pays off for long routes (5+ days) and large groups. A guide is better for short trips, mountain routes and when you want to taste wine.

The best strategy for a 7-day trip: first 2 days — Tbilisi on foot + a guided trip to Kazbegi or Kakheti. Days 3–7 — rent a car for a self-drive route Tbilisi → Batumi with stops in Borjomi and Kutaisi. That way you get a guide's expertise on the tricky routes and the freedom of the open road.

Need a tour in Georgia?

Timur — private tours rated 4.9/5. Private tours from ₾98/person.

Find out more in our guide to car rental in Georgia.