Tips for Renting a Car in Georgia: A Helpful Guide

This is a guide for anyone planning to rent a car for a trip through Georgia: what documents you’ll need, how to pick the right vehicle for your route, and what to know about insurance and driving conditions. Having your own car is still the most convenient way to see the country — the mountains, wine regions and coastline all sit within a single day’s drive of each other.

Documents You’ll Need to Pick Up the Car

The minimum driver age is 21, and you’ll need a valid national driving license. Depending on which country issued your license, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may also be required. Requirements vary by country, so it’s worth checking in advance — that saves time when you actually pick up the car.

Choosing the Right Vehicle for Your Route

Compact cars work well in the city — they’re easy to maneuver and cheap to run. Crossovers offer more luggage space over medium distances. But what if Kazbegi or Gudauri is on your itinerary? Elevation changes there exceed 2,000 meters and the road winds through switchbacks in places, so it makes more sense to take an SUV with higher ground clearance — a regular sedan will feel out of its depth on those climbs. For groups of 5–7 people, a minivan is the more practical choice.

Roads and Navigation

Highways between major cities are constantly being upgraded, road signs are posted in both Georgian and Latin script, and navigation apps reliably show fuel stations and parking. Traffic in central Tbilisi gets heavy during rush hour, while things are noticeably calmer outside the city. On mountain roads, allow extra time — even 100 km of switchbacks can take two to three hours.

Many travelers start their trip by getting to know the capital. Renting a car in Tbilisi lets you head straight out of the city whenever you’re ready, then continue on to Kakheti, Mtskheta, Borjomi or Kazbegi in the same vehicle.

Driver Service and Guided Routes

Self-drive isn’t the only option. For travelers who’d rather not get behind the wheel, Naniko can also arrange a personal driver along with the car, plus help you put together an itinerary — useful if you’re not familiar with the roads, or you’d simply rather watch the scenery than navigate it. A local guide can be added as well for trips that go beyond the standard route.

Insurance

By default, Naniko includes basic insurance in the rental price. When booking, you can add extended Full Cover protection, which removes the deductible on minor damage. Is it worth paying extra for? If your route includes mountain roads or long drives, it usually is — it means fewer complications when you return the car.

Planning a Multi-Region Route

If your trip isn’t limited to a single city, car rental in Georgia makes it possible to combine several destinations in one journey — from Tbilisi through Kakheti and Kazbegi to Borjomi and the coast — without being tied to public transport schedules. The distance from Tbilisi to Kutaisi is about 230 km, and from Tbilisi to Batumi around 370 km, journeys that typically take roughly 4–5 hours on the road with stops.

Returning the Car in a Different City

Not every trip is a loop. Naniko allows customers to pick up a car in one city and drop it off in another, which suits travelers arriving via Tbilisi and departing from Kutaisi or Batumi, cutting down on unnecessary driving for a one-way itinerary.

Inspecting the Car Before You Set Off

Before hitting the road, walk around the vehicle with a company representative, check the windows, mirrors, wheels and interior, and confirm that any existing damage is already noted. It’s also worth getting familiar with the mirrors, seat position and navigation system while the car is still parked.

Seasonal Conditions

Spring and autumn are comfortable seasons for most regions, while summer brings heavier traffic to the coast. In winter, higher elevations — Gudauri, Kazbegi — can see snow and icy roads, so all-wheel drive comes in handy, and it’s worth checking the forecast before you set out.

Parking and Fuel

Central districts of larger cities have paid parking zones, and hotels and shopping centers usually offer their own parking as well. Fuel stations line all the main highways, but before heading into the mountains, it’s sensible to fill up in the last major town — the next station could be several hours away.

Western Georgia and the Coast

Some travelers begin their trip on the coast instead. Batumi’s biggest draw is its sunsets over the Black Sea, and rental cars in Batumi give you access not just to the sea but also to nearby national parks and the mountain areas of Adjara, with easy onward routes toward Guria, Samegrelo, or back to the center of the country. Naniko has operated a branch here for years, which makes it a straightforward place to start or end a longer road trip.

There’s another way to start a trip: through the airport in Kutaisi, one of the country’s oldest cities. In ancient times it was the seat of Georgia’s kings, and more recently it was home to the country’s parliament for several years before that moved back to Tbilisi. Naniko has operated a branch here since 2012, and car rental services in Kutaisi are popular with travelers heading to Svaneti, Racha, and the canyons and caves of western Georgia — places that are hard to reach by public transport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you always need an SUV? No — if your route runs between major cities on paved roads, a sedan or crossover is more than enough. An SUV earns its keep on mountain passes and unpaved stretches.

How much time should you allow between stops? Navigation apps give fairly accurate estimates on flat terrain, but on mountain switchbacks it’s worth adding a 30–50% buffer.

Can you cover the whole country in one car? Yes — over a week, it’s realistic to combine Tbilisi, Kakheti, Kazbegi, Borjomi, Kutaisi and the coast. What matters more than total distance is the type of roads along the way.

Additional Tips: What to Bring

Offline maps for areas with weak signal, water for the hot season, a phone charger, and a well-thought-out list of stops all make each day of the trip easier. Booking a car ahead of time, especially during peak season, gives you more choice of vehicle class and features, including a child seat if you need one.