Car rental · Georgia
Car rental in Tbilisi
Georgia's roads are the reason to rent: the Military Highway to Kazbegi, the wine roads of Kakheti and the long climb to Svaneti. The catch is the driving culture and the right-hand-drive imports — both manageable if you know in advance.
Compare prices across every desk
International brands and local companies side by side — deposits and cover included.
Which car, and what it costs
| Class | Per day | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | $20–40 | Tbilisi, Mtskheta and Kakheti wine country |
| Compact | $28–55 | The Military Highway in summer |
| 4x4 (Prado, Pajero, Delica) | $50–120 | Svaneti, Tusheti, Kazbegi in winter — not optional |
| Automatic | included | Most Georgian rental cars are automatic |
The rules in Georgia — the part the aggregators skip
| Drives on the | RIGHT |
|---|---|
| Speed limits (town / open road / expressway / motorway) | 60 / 90 / 110 km/h |
| Tolls | None. |
| Vignette | None. |
| Winter rules | No legal date; the Military Highway and the road to Mestia close for snow several times each winter. Rent a 4x4 from November to April. |
| Taking the car across borders | Armenia is possible with paperwork and a fee from some companies; Azerbaijan and Russia are not. The occupied regions are off-limits entirely. |
| Local quirks | Georgia drives on the right, but many cars are right-hand-drive Japanese imports — insist on a left-hand-drive car. Speed cameras are everywhere and fines follow the plate. Local companies via Localrent are cheaper and more flexible than the international desks. |
| Currency | Georgian lari (GEL) |
Airport or city desk
Tbilisi airport is 17 km from the centre; local companies deliver to the airport or your hotel for free, which makes the 'airport desk' question moot. Meet the car where you sleep.
Local companies or international brands
This is Localrent country: dozens of small Georgian companies with 4x4 fleets, low deposits and flexible drop-offs, at half the international price. The international brands are worth it only for one-way rentals to Kutaisi or Batumi airports.
Five things visitors get wrong
- Insist on a LEFT-hand-drive car. Georgia drives on the right, but many rentals are right-hand-drive Japanese imports, and overtaking a lorry on the Military Highway blind is no way to see the Caucasus.
- Speed cameras are dense and fines land on the plate; the rental company passes them on with a fee. 60 in towns, 90 outside, and the cameras average speed between gantries.
- The Military Highway to Kazbegi closes for snow and for lorry queues at the Russian border; check the road status before an early start.
- Svaneti (Mestia) and Tusheti (Omalo) need a real 4x4 and experience on gravel. The Abano Pass to Tusheti is rated among the most dangerous roads in the world — hire a driver.
- Dashcams are universal here for a reason. Ask for one, or bring your own.
Common questions
How much does it cost to rent a car in Tbilisi?
from $20 a day out of season, $35–90 a day in July and August. Automatics and SUVs carry a premium; book two to four weeks ahead in summer.
How big is the deposit?
Typically $200–700; local companies often less, blocked on a credit card and released a week or two after the return. Debit cards are refused by most desks.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
Bring one. It costs little, takes minutes to obtain at home, and both the police and the insurer may ask for it alongside your licence.
Can I take the rental car out of Georgia?
Armenia is possible with paperwork and a fee from some companies; Azerbaijan and Russia are not. The occupied regions are off-limits entirely.
Is the minimum age a problem?
Minimum age is 21. Under-25 drivers usually pay a daily young-driver surcharge and may be barred from the larger classes.
Airport or city pick-up?
Tbilisi airport is 17 km from the centre; local companies deliver to the airport or your hotel for free, which makes the 'airport desk' question moot. Meet the car where you sleep.