Subaru Forester 2019
$23.80per day · $167 for 7 days
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Driving in Georgia
Yes, you can drive in Georgia as a visitor: the main highways are paved, and a hire car is the easy way to reach Kazbegi, Kakheti, Svaneti and the coast. Skip it only for a stay inside Tbilisi, and keep country roads to daylight.
Key points
- A licence issued in the UK is valid in Georgia for up to one year, and so is one issued in the EU if it is in Latin script with an English translation; a hire desk may still ask for a 1968 International Driving Permit with a UK-issued licence, and it cannot be bought outside the UK.
- Pick up where the route starts: Tbilisi for Kazbegi, Kakheti and Borjomi, Kutaisi for Svaneti and the west, Batumi for the coast.
- A 4x4 is optional: the main highways are paved. Under the booking partner's terms of 2 October 2026 rental cars stay on paved public roads and may not go to Tusheti, over the Goderdzi Pass or into Turkey.
- Winter tyres are compulsory from 1 December to 1 March, and the Jvari Pass on the Kazbegi road is 2,379 m high.
- Since 1 January 2026 visitors need health and accident insurance of at least 30,000 GEL.
Should you hire a car in Georgia?
If you land in Tbilisi and want to be in Kazbegi the next day, hire a car; if you are staying in the city, skip it. On the road a car lets you stop where you like.
The roads ask more of you than the distances do: outside the cities there are cows, uneven surfaces and poor lighting, so the long legs go best in daylight.
| Your trip | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Tbilisi only: Old Town, Sololaki, Rustaveli | Skip the car you can walk these districts, so start the rental on the day you leave the city. |
| Tbilisi with Kazbegi, Kakheti or Borjomi | Hire all three start from Tbilisi on paved highways. |
| Tbilisi to Batumi through Kutaisi | Hire split the long leg and consider a one-way return. |
| Svaneti and Mestia | Hire in summer the road beyond Mestia to Ushguli is open to rental cars only from May to September, and only with the designated travel option. |
| Tusheti, the Goderdzi Pass, Turkey | No rental car the booking partner's terms close these routes to rental cars. |
For a first trip with Kazbegi or Kakheti, start with car hire in Tbilisi. If you land in Kutaisi, car hire in Kutaisi is the base for the west and Svaneti.
Will your driving licence work in Georgia?
You reach the hire desk with your licence in hand, and the country that issued it decides what else you need. Licences issued in the UK and the EU are valid in Georgia, and for UK- and Canadian-issued licences an International Driving Permit (IDP) is worth having too.
Where should you pick the car up: Tbilisi, Kutaisi or Batumi?
Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi sit along one east-west road: Tbilisi to Kutaisi is about 215 km, and Tbilisi to Batumi about 355 km. Choose the city nearest your first stop.
| Your route | Pick up in | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kazbegi, Gudauri, Kakheti, Borjomi | Tbilisi | The Georgian Military Road to Kazbegi and the roads to Telavi and Borjomi all start in the capital. Collect at Tbilisi airport or in the city. |
| Svaneti, Imereti, then the coast | Kutaisi | From Kutaisi it is about 220 km to Mestia and about 150 km to Batumi. Compare Kutaisi airport and car hire in Kutaisi. |
| Black Sea coast | Batumi | Collect at Batumi airport or in Batumi and drive the coast from there. |
| Fly in at one end, out at the other | Both ends | A one-way hire from Tbilisi to Batumi saves the 355 km drive back. Ask the desk what the one-way fee is. |
| Pick-up place | Offers | From, per day | Typical, per day | Automatic | No deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi | 1,663 | $21 | $53.92 | 99% | 81% |
| Kutaisi | 1,526 | $24.50 | $66.58 | 99% | 84% |
| Batumi | 1,117 | $30 | $70.29 | 99% | 83% |
According to Autalo's daily price check of 1,663 rental offers in Tbilisi on , a 7-day rental starts at $21 per day, and a typical car costs about $53.92 per day. 99% of these offers are automatic and 81% need no deposit.
The road to Svaneti is the rough one: the 136 km highway between Zugdidi and Mestia was rebuilt in 2011 for US$25 million and is described as rough and occasionally frighteningSource [4]. Start that leg in the morning with a rested driver.
Car use in Batumi is very high, and congestion and pollution have become serious problems thereSource [4]. Leave time for the city streets when you collect or return a car in Batumi.
What are the roads really like?
Roads are generally good in Tbilisi and the major cities and uneven in the countryside. Rural roads are sometimes poorly maintained, with uneven surfaces and raised or sunken manholes, and signs can be missing or written only in Georgian. Fatal accidents are frequentSource [3].
Outside city centres roads are often badly lit, and stray livestock can be a hazard. Road markings and the right of way can be confusing, many cars are poorly maintained and driving can be erraticSource [1].
Rules worth knowing
Traffic keeps to the right. For a car without a trailer the limits are 60 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on other roads and 110 km/h on motorwaysSource [5].
Do you need a 4x4 in Georgia?
No, even for Kazbegi: the Military Road is paved, like the roads to Kutaisi, Batumi, Kakheti and Borjomi, and the booking partner's terms let rental cars use paved public roads only.
In winter, on the mountain roads that rental cars may use, the traction and clearance of an AWD SUV help.
A body-on-frame 4x4 such as a Land Cruiser Prado or a Pajero adds low-range gearing and higher clearance, and is less comfortable on long paved stretches. Compare both under 4x4 and AWD car hire in Georgia.
Gergeti Trinity Church above Stepantsminda shows the difference. A concrete road leads up to it, so an ordinary car is enough, and under the partner's terms rental cars may not take the old unpaved approach. If you would rather not drive up, 4x4 taxis and marshrutkas wait on the square in StepantsmindaSource [4].
4x4 and AWD cars for winter mountain roads
Subaru Forester 2018
$24per day · $168 for 7 days
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Subaru Forester 2018
$24.48per day · $171 for 7 days
See conditions →Where is a rental car not allowed to go?
Under the booking partner's general terms of 2 October 2026, a rental car is not allowed to go to Tusheti, over the Goderdzi Pass or into Turkey. The same terms let it reach Armenia and Ushguli only with the supplier's permission or travel option.
| Route | Rule |
|---|---|
| Tusheti over the Abano Pass, and Juta | Not allowed a 4x4 does not lift the ban. |
| Akhaltsikhe to Batumi over the Goderdzi Pass | Not allowed the pass is closed to rental cars. |
| Turkey | Not allowed the general terms exclude it. |
| Mestia, Ushguli and Lentekhi | Conditional only from May to September and only for a car with the designated travel option. |
| Armenia | Conditional written permission from the supplier and the required papers; an Armenia travel option exists. |
| Unpaved public roads | Not allowed rental cars use paved public roads only, and that includes the old track to Gergeti church. |
Another supplier's list can differ, so before paying, find the lines for Ushguli, Armenia and the Goderdzi Pass in that offer's route restrictions.
Tusheti is the remote one on this list: its road was built only in 1978–82, and the way in starts from the village of Kvemo AlvaniSource [4].
What changes in winter?
In winter mountain roads need snow tyres or chains, and the Kazbegi road over the Jvari Pass is the one to plan around. The Tbilisi to Kutaisi road crosses a much lower pass.
Heavy rain, flooding and snow at higher altitudes can make travel difficult or impossible, particularly in remote areas, and landslides are commonSource [1]. Check the road on the morning you drive up to Kazbegi or Gudauri.
Winter in Svaneti can last up to eight monthsSource [4]. That is far beyond the 1 December to 1 March tyre period, so on the road to Mestia treat the compulsory dates as a minimum.
Car hire prices in Tbilisi by month
Lowest and typical (median) price per day for a 7-day rental starting mid-month, as currently listed. Months far ahead have fewer cars listed yet.
- Nov$55from $21.84 · short notice
- Dec$54from $21
- Jan$55from $22.47
- Feb$55from $22
- Mar$50from $22
- Apr$45from $22
- May$50from $27
- Jun$50.71from $27
- Jul$55from $27.72
- Aug$55from $27.72
- Sep$55from $38
- Oct$47from $30
Typical / dayLowest / day
Show the numbers
| Month | Lowest / day | Typical / day | Cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | $21.84 | $55 | 1,552 |
| December 2026 | $21 | $54 | 1,399 |
| January 2027 | $22.47 | $55 | 1,182 |
| February 2027 | $22 | $55 | 1,164 |
| March 2027 | $22 | $50 | 997 |
| April 2027 | $22 | $45 | 408 |
| May 2027 | $27 | $50 | 412 |
| June 2027 | $27 | $50.71 | 409 |
| July 2027 | $27.72 | $55 | 406 |
| August 2027 | $27.72 | $55 | 410 |
| September 2027 | $38 | $55 | 27 |
| October 2027 | $30 | $47 | 28 |
What about Abkhazia and South Ossetia?
Stay out of both regions: they are not part of any self-drive route, and the motorway signs to Tskhinvali on the S1 near Gori name a town across an administrative boundary line.
The UK advises against all travel to South Ossetia and Abkhazia and against all but essential travel to the areas next to the boundary lines. Your travel insurance could be invalid if you go anywaySource [7].
Boundaries and checkpoints
Canada advises against all travel within 5 km of a boundary line, with Highway E60 the exception. The lines are poorly defined and change frequently, so cross only at official checkpoints and, because of landmines, stay on main paved roadsSource [3].
Georgian law bars entering these regions without the government's authorisation, and unauthorised entry can carry up to five years in prisonSource [2].
How do you plan a first route?
Use two or three bases and split the long legs: Tbilisi, Stepantsminda and back, then Kutaisi and Batumi.
| Leg | Road distance (km, about, centre to centre) |
|---|---|
| Tbilisi to Telavi | |
| Tbilisi to Stepantsminda | |
| Tbilisi to Borjomi | |
| Tbilisi to Kutaisi | |
| Kutaisi to Batumi | |
| Tbilisi to Batumi |
The Stepantsminda leg is a mountain road, so carry chains in winter. Tbilisi to Batumi is the longest leg: split it with a night in Kutaisi instead of driving it in one go on roads you do not know.
If your loop ends in the west, car hire in Kutaisi and car hire in Batumi let you return the car in a different city from where you started in Tbilisi.
What should you check at the rental desk?
Read the contract before the day rate: deposit and excess, the roads it allows, and who is named as a driver.
| Confirm | Why |
|---|---|
| Deposit and insurance excess | They set what is held on your card and what you pay if the car is damaged. |
| Allowed roads, including unpaved sections | Cover can exclude off-road driving, unmarked tracks and water crossings, and the route has to be allowed as well as insured. |
| Every driver named on the agreement | Only named drivers may drive. |
| Tyres, lights and existing damage | Record anything on the hand-over form with the supplier. |
| Return point, opening hours and a phone number for problems | Save them before you leave the desk. |
To avoid a deposit on your card, compare car hire with no deposit and read which excess applies instead.
No-deposit cars from Tbilisi
Toyota Prius
$21per day · $147 for 7 days
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Ford Focus 2017
$21.84per day · $153 for 7 days
See conditions →
Ford Focus 2017
$21.84per day · $153 for 7 days
See conditions →What if the car breaks down, you have an accident or a fine?
Get everyone to safety, then call 112 and your rental company. The "112 Georgia" mobile app reaches emergency services in EnglishSource [3].
Save the rental company's own emergency number as well. Many local drivers have no insurance, and after a crash without agreement between the parties, vehicles can be immobilised until the dispute is settled. Full insurance is recommended, and so is avoiding mediation without police presentSource [2].
Alcohol and fines
Do not drive after any alcohol. Georgia has a zero-tolerance policy on drinking and driving, and the penalties include heavy fines, detention and a driving ban of several months or yearsSource [3].
Pay any traffic fine before you fly: with unpaid fines you may be refused exit until they are paidSource [1].
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in Georgia with a UK licence?
Yes: a licence issued in the UK is valid in Georgia for up to one year. A hire desk may also ask for a 1968 International Driving Permit, which you cannot buy outside the UK.
Is an EU driving licence valid in Georgia?
Yes, for up to one year from entry, provided the licence is in Latin script and has an English translation, printed on it or an official one you carry.
Do I need an International Driving Permit for Georgia?
Bring one with a UK-issued licence: hire desks may ask for it and you cannot buy one outside the UK. Canada recommends one for Canadian-issued licences too, because some rental agencies and insurers may require it.
Do I need a 4x4 to drive in Georgia?
No, not for the paved highways or the concrete road to Gergeti church. Four-wheel drive helps on permitted mountain roads in winter, and it does not replace winter tyres.
Can I take a rental car to Tusheti, Armenia or Turkey?
Not to Tusheti, over the Goderdzi Pass or into Turkey. Armenia needs the supplier's written permission and the required papers. These are the booking partner's general terms of 2 October 2026, and other suppliers differ.
Do I need winter tyres in Georgia?
Yes in winter: winter tyres are compulsory from 1 December to 1 March, and mountain roads need snow tyres or chains.
Can I drive into Abkhazia or South Ossetia?
No. The UK advises against all travel to both regions and says your travel insurance could be invalidated. Do not follow motorway signs to Tskhinvali.
Is it worth hiring a car in Georgia?
Yes, if your trip leaves Tbilisi: the roads to Kazbegi, Kakheti, Borjomi, Kutaisi and Batumi are paved, and a car lets you stop on the way. For a stay inside Tbilisi alone, rent on the day you leave.
Which city should I pick the car up in?
In the city where your route starts: Tbilisi for Kazbegi, Kakheti and Borjomi, Kutaisi for Svaneti and the west, Batumi for the coast. If you fly in and out at different ends, compare one-way hire from Tbilisi to Batumi.
Can an unpaid fine stop me leaving Georgia?
It can. With unpaid fines you may be refused exit until they are paid, so settle any fine before your flight.
Sources (8)
- [1] UK Foreign Office: Georgia safety and security, road travel gov.uk · Checked Back to the text: 1234
- [2] Spanish Foreign Ministry: Georgia travel recommendations exteriores.gob.es · Checked Back to the text: 1234
- [3] Government of Canada: Georgia travel advice travel.gc.ca · Checked Back to the text: 1234567
- [4] Bradt Travel Guides: Georgia (destination text) bradtguides.com · Checked Back to the text: 12345
- [5] Law of Georgia on Road Traffic, Legislative Herald of Georgia matsne.gov.ge · Checked Back to the text
- [6] Georgian National Tourism Administration: The most beautiful road passes of Georgia georgia.travel · Checked Back to the text: 12
- [7] UK Foreign Office: Georgia travel advice, warnings and insurance gov.uk · Checked Back to the text
- [8] Government of Georgia resolution on compulsory health and accident insurance of tourists entering Georgia matsne.gov.ge · Checked Back to the text