Car Rental in Georgia
I’ve been to Georgia many times and I will definitely come again. And of course, I’ve always rented a car whenever I flew into Tbilisi. Because without a car, traveling in Georgia is really depressing. Honestly.
Minibus (marshrutka) and taxi are basically the only ways to get between cities. Taxis aren’t a problem in Tbilisi and Batumi – there’s Bolt (like Uber), and the language barrier isn’t an issue. But traveling by marshrutka can bring a lot of difficulties: schedules aren’t always precise, there are routes with only one trip per day, you end up sitting three hours practically on a stool, and in the heat it’s really uncomfortable. And the main thing – very few people in Georgia understand English.
And think about what sights people miss when they travel by bus! For example, the Georgian Military Road. But you won’t see anything like this if you go by minibus.
And just think how many colorful characters and events you’ll come across.
So I strongly recommend – if you have a driver’s license, rent a car in Georgia. The stories about insanely cool roads and dangerously hot Georgian drivers are spread by the locals themselves, just to make money off tourists.
Don’t be a tourist – be a traveler!
I’ll tell you where and how it’s best to rent a car, what you need for it, as well as the specifics of driving, gas prices, gas stations, and parking in Georgia.
What you need to rent a car in Georgia
To rent a car, you only need two documents – your passport and driver’s license.
A bank card is needed to pay the deposit. But in Georgia, this can also be handled with cash. You can even rent a car without a deposit.
For navigation, I recommend the Google Maps app.
During the trip, you might need the internet or have to make a call, and for that it’s best to use an eSIM, my choice Yesim.
Which car to choose
If it’s your first trip to Georgia, you’re most likely planning to see the main sights along the route Tbilisi – Stepantsminda – Mtskheta – Borjomi – Kutaisi – Svaneti (Mestia) – Batumi – Kakheti. For this, any regular car is enough.
Traveling to regions like Ossetia, Abkhazia, Ushguli, Omalo, Tusheti, Khulo is prohibited by all rental companies, regardless of the type of car.
After that, choose based on your preferences and budget – compact, SUV, premium.
On one of my trips, we rented this little beast for 2 days. It handled off-road just as well as a Pajero. Every Georgian looked at this tiny monster in horror.
Where it’s best to rent a car in Georgia
In Georgia, there are several international rental chains, dozens of regional private companies, and many individual entrepreneurs who rent out cars.
I always book a car through LocalRent – the service connects all Georgian rental companies, and you can choose in one place what suits you by car type, price, and conditions. All the terms are visible right away – insurance, the option to add a child seat. What’s especially interesting is that you can find cars with or without a deposit, and even pay in cash (in case you don’t have a card).
How much does it cost to rent a car
The earlier you book a car, the more choices you have and the cheaper it is. In summer, there are fewer options and prices are higher.
Parking in Georgia
Paid parking is available in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi. You pay at the machines installed near the parking lots. Sometimes near supermarkets or popular spots, you’ll see guys in yellow vests with batons, directing you where to park. These are some pensioners doing extra work – give them 1 lari, don’t be stingy.
Gas stations and fuel in Georgia
All gas stations have attendants, so you don’t need to get out of the car. Just tell them how many liters or how much money you want to fill. They’ll pump the gas and settle the payment on the spot. You can pay by card everywhere. Only once did we encounter a station that didn’t accept cards, but it looked so sketchy that we preferred to drive to the next one.
Driving in Georgia
Traffic rules, signs, and signals in Georgia are the same as everywhere else in the world. You’ll find reckless drivers everywhere, and in Georgia, there might be a few more due to the passionate temperament. It’s worth following a few rules:
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Follow the signs and stick to the speed limit (your captain). Let people overtake you; don’t give in to the temptation to speed up a little.
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When leaving the highway or making a turn, slow down gradually and make sure there’s no one behind you or that they’re far away. Remember to use your indicators. Check your rearview mirrors more often.
I once turned left at an intersection from the second lane, the first lane was empty, I put on my indicator, and a guy coming from far behind decided to overtake me on the left, cutting into the intersection. And he even honked.
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If you’re driving a car with non-Georgian plates, be ready for everyone to try to overtake you, no matter what speed you’re going. It’s probably their way of asserting themselves. Stay calm.
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Police cars on highways always have their lights on. That’s normal. If you get stopped for speeding or a traffic violation – don’t even think about giving a bribe.
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If a truck is on the highway and has a line of cars behind it, people will overtake it even where signs prohibit it, across solid lines, or on blind curves. Most likely, you’re not in a rush, so don’t do that! And if you see a truck coming in the opposite lane, be ready for someone overtaking it to fly towards you – keep to the right.
We recently traveled around Georgia too—absolutely stunning country! For fuel, we just used Wissol and Gulf, prices seemed pretty much the same everywhere. As for driving there, just be alert and keep your distance, especially in smaller towns and villages.