Car rental in Tbilisi
Most trips around Georgia start in Tbilisi. Collect your car in the airport arrivals hall or have it brought to your hotel, then head for the Caucasus, the wine villages of Kakheti or the spa town of Borjomi.
Freedom Square, TbilisiPhoto: georgia.travelWhat to rent in Tbilisi
Prices are approximate, in US dollars per day, for 2026. July and August cost more; longer rentals cost less per day. We can quote in GEL or EUR.
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0Small, thrifty hatchbacks for city streets and paved day trips.
Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0Higher seats and all-wheel drive for broken tarmac, gravel and snow.
Photo: Raf24~commonswiki, CC BY-SA 4.0Real off-roaders with low range for mountain tracks and passes.
Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0Seven or eight seats for families and small groups, self-drive or with driver.
Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0Sprinters, Transits and coaches with a professional driver for groups.
Where to pick up the car
About 17 km from the centre, 25 to 40 minutes by car. Rental desks and meeting points are in or just outside the arrivals hall. Many flights land at night, so tell us your flight number and the car will wait.
Local firms bring the car to your address anywhere in Tbilisi and pick it up there at the end. Handy if you want to skip city driving on your first days.
Trips from Tbilisi by car
Distances one way, with the type of car we suggest.
Driving in and around Tbilisi
Tbilisi has the widest choice of rental cars in Georgia: international brands at the airport and dozens of local firms in town, from small hatchbacks to seven-seat Land Cruisers. Local firms usually ask for a smaller deposit and will deliver to a hotel or flat at no or little extra cost.
Driving in the capital itself is the hardest part of a Georgian road trip. Traffic is heavy at rush hour, lane discipline is loose and parking in the old town is tight. Many travellers spend their first days in Tbilisi on foot and by Bolt, and take the car only on the morning they leave the city.
- Pick up the car on the day you leave Tbilisi, not on arrival, and save two or three days of rental and parking.
- Street parking in central Tbilisi is paid in most zones. Ask your hotel for a space or a nearby car park.
- Fill up before the Jvari Pass and before Kakheti's back roads; stations get sparse in the mountains.
What you need to rent
From 21 with most local firms, from 23 to 25 with international brands. Young drivers may pay a surcharge or a higher deposit.
Usually held for at least one or two years, depending on the firm. Licences in Latin letters are usually accepted; for other scripts bring an International Driving Permit too.
Passport and the original driving licence of every person who will drive.
About $0 to $300 with local firms, $500 to $1,500 with international brands, returned when you hand the car back.
Many firms allow trips to Armenia if you ask in advance. Crossing into Azerbaijan by land is not possible for most visitors at present.
From December to March, ask for winter tyres for any mountain road. Chains can be required on the Jvari Pass.
Renting in Tbilisi: FAQ
Can I pick up a rental car at Tbilisi Airport at night?
Yes. Many flights to Tbilisi land between midnight and 6 am, and most rental firms meet night flights if they have your flight number. Late hand-overs are usually free or carry a small fee, shown in the offer.
Do I need a car in Tbilisi itself?
Not really. The old town is best on foot, and taxis through Bolt or Yandex Go are cheap. A car pays off once you leave the city for Kazbegi, Kakheti or the west.
Which car do I need for Kazbegi from Tbilisi?
In summer any car manages the paved road to Stepantsminda. A crossover or 4x4 helps for the gravel side valleys such as Truso and Juta, and in winter on the snowy pass above Gudauri.
Can I drive from Tbilisi to Armenia or Azerbaijan in a rental car?
Some firms allow Armenia with extra papers for a fee; Azerbaijan is usually not allowed. Tell us your route and we only send offers that permit it.
