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Most Georgian road trips start in Tbilisi. Shota Rustaveli International is the country's main air gateway, with direct flights from across Europe, the Caucasus and the Gulf. Nine out of ten rental agreements in Georgia are signed here — the airport is simply where the country begins for most visitors.
Car rental reviews in Tbilisi
The reason is structural: around 90% of Georgia's rental fleet is concentrated in the capital. That means the widest choice of cars, the sharpest competition between suppliers and the lowest starting prices in the country. If you fly into Kutaisi or Batumi and book locally, the car is often driven in from Tbilisi anyway — and the delivery tends to raise the total.
The Tbilisi market is the densest in Georgia. Hundreds of suppliers, thousands of cars. For the traveller that translates into one thing: you pick the car you actually want, not whatever happens to be free in the smaller cities.
Tbilisi itself is compact and walkable. For getting around the centre, a car is more a nuisance than a help — narrow lanes in the Old Town, climbs up Mtatsminda, a chronic shortage of parking. But no Georgian itinerary stops at Tbilisi: Mtskheta, Kakheti, Kazbegi, Borjomi, the Davit Gareja monasteries, Sighnaghi are all one-to-three-day loops from here, and those are the trips that actually need a car.
Guests often ask when to collect the car — on arrival day or the next morning. The answer is always the same: arrival day. If you plan to go anywhere beyond Mtatsminda, a day without the car is a day essentially lost.
Where to collect your car in Tbilisi
There are three practical pickup options — the airport, delivery to your hotel, or a visit to the supplier's office in the city. Most travellers choose one of the first two.
Shota Rustaveli Airport is the most common pickup point. International chains (Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Budget) operate desks directly in the arrivals hall. Local suppliers and aggregators meet you at the exit of arrivals with a name board — the car is parked 50 metres away. The meeting is coordinated by flight number; no shuttle buses, no waiting on the tarmac.
We meet clients by flight number and complete the contract quickly. They check the car and drive off while passengers at the international chain counters are still waiting for the shuttle to the remote parking lot.
Hotel or apartment delivery is the right choice after a late flight or if you simply don't want to drive straight off the plane. Within the centre it's usually free; outlying districts incur a $10–20 delivery fee. The supplier arrives at an agreed time and place, inspects the car with you and completes the contract on the bonnet.
City offices are the third option for travellers who prefer to pop in rather than be met. Suppliers cluster in four districts. Vera and Vake are closer to the centre, with many small family-run operators. Saburtalo sits next to the metro and major shopping centres. Didube is near the intercity bus station and popular for travellers who change their route on the ground.
Some guests are surprised when we drive them from the airport into a city office. The logic is simple: the supplier wants to show the car in daylight, at a proper location, and the renter wants to check everything calmly without the noise of a terminal.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport in Georgia
Everything was fine except I didn't get my $600 deposit back.
Toyota Prius in Georgia
Everything was great. I wanted the Car to be delivered at Bakuriyani and within few hours of time Mr. Giorgi deliver the car from Tbilisi to Bakuriyani. Car was cleaned and in very good condition. Most importunely the communication was great and he was always available thru what's app and calls. on my last day in Tbilisi he helped me with city parking tickets. as I wasn't able to download the parking application to my mobile phone. Over all it was a great experience. I would highly recommend this company for Car Rental In Georgia. Thank you Giorgi...
Toyota Highlander in Georgia
We booked a Toyota Highlander, but problems arose with it before our arrival, and instead offered a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. The car is far not new, but for its price is excellent and fully arranged. The only disadvantage in the service is that you need to wash the car before returning. In European companies there is no such requirement, unless, of course, the car is completely dirty :)
Mitsubishi Pajero Io in Georgia
I rented a jeep for a day, the car was clean, no problems. Rental supervisors are always in touch, detailed contract, highly recommended 👍🏾.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class in Georgia
All ok ，i write no problem。
Hyundai Sonata in Georgia
All was fine. I did damage a wheel - then payed the repair experiences, and they gave me another car - better one (SUV), to go to mountain region.
Toyota Prius in Georgia
I am completely satisfied with the rental, with the exception of one but significant malfunction, namely climate control
Toyota Prius in Georgia
Everything was more than good. Price and communication. The car is a bit old but in good condition. I have already recommended to friends
Toyota 4 Runner in Georgia
We recently rented a Toyota 4RUNNER from this company for an 8 day trip and our experience was excellent. Communication with the company was smooth and efficient, mainly via WhatsApp
Subaru Forester Limited in Georgia
In general, I was satisfied with the service, but the condition of the car was 3/5. Grigol was always in touch, for which many thanks to him.
Subaru Forester in Georgia
Everything's great, thanks
Mitsubishi Outlander in Georgia
Everything was great. on time and convenient
Chevrolet Equinox in Georgia
It went great.
Which car works best in Tbilisi
For the city and day trips
If the car is only for Tbilisi and single-day lowland trips (Mtskheta, Sighnaghi, Davit Gareja), a saloon is enough — Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Fusion. An automatic matters more than the class: manual gearboxes on the climbs up Mtatsminda and in the Chavchavadze Avenue traffic wear you down.
The Tbilisi fleet mirrors the entire Georgian market. It's hard to think of a car class you can't find here. The only real limit is availability on a specific date, not the model itself.
For mountains and rough tarmac
For Kazbegi, Kakheti with an overnight, Borjomi and Svaneti in shoulder season a crossover or a 4x4 is more comfortable. Subaru Forester remains the signature Georgian rental: price, capability, reliability. Starts at around $30 per day in low season and is stocked by almost every Tbilisi supplier.
Subaru Forester is the workhorse of Georgian tourism. At some Tbilisi suppliers it makes up 70–90% of the fleet. For mountains, weather and patchy tarmac it's the optimal call without paying for a premium segment.
Fuel and one common mistake
The most frequent technical mistake in Tbilisi is filling a Japanese hybrid (Prius, Aqua) with 92-octane instead of 95. The dashboard throws an error immediately and sometimes the car refuses to drive. Stick to 95 — it's available at all SOCAR, Gulf, Wissol and Rompetrol stations, which cover the entire capital and the motorways.
Wrong fuel is the top-of-the-list avoidable error in Tbilisi. We always ask renters to check the nozzle: yellow label for 95, green for diesel. That single habit saves us dozens of cars every season.
Further afield — in the same car
Most Tbilisi itineraries continue beyond the capital. Car hire in Georgia is the country-level overview with borders, seasons and general conditions. Car hire in Batumi is the Black Sea finish for travellers heading coastward. Car hire in Kutaisi suits those flying out on a European low-cost carrier. One-way drop-off across the country is a standard option.
What it costs to hire in Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the most competitive market in Georgia, and starting prices are lower than in Kutaisi or Batumi. In low season an economy car starts at $17–22 per day, a hybrid such as a Prius at $22–28, a crossover like a Jeep Compass from $29.
In July and August prices climb 40–80% and free cars have to be booked a month or two ahead. March and November are the sweet spot: good weather, fewer travellers, minimum prices.
Georgia has an old saying: the price of a car is whatever you negotiate with the owner. Online booking ends that game — the voucher locks in everything in advance, and there are no surprises at pickup.
Deposits on economy cars in Tbilisi are often zero; a saloon asks $100–300, a crossover $300–500. The online deposit accepts any Visa or Mastercard, the balance is settled in lari or US dollars, cash or card.
When Tbilisi hits peak season, there may simply be no cars left for the coming weekend — at any price. Book four to eight weeks out, earlier around New Year.
Below — the average daily rental price in Tbilisi by month.
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Средняя цена аренды в сутки (в местной валюте - лари)
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Mtskheta and Jvari monastery
Mtskheta, 20 km from Tbilisi, is Georgia's first capital and a classic first-day outing. Tarmac all the way to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral — any car will manage. Jvari monastery sits on the hill opposite: a crossover makes the climb easier, but a saloon also handles it.
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Kakheti: Sighnaghi and Telavi
The classic wine loop for 1–2 days with an overnight in Sighnaghi. Good tarmac, around 110 km from Tbilisi. Any automatic saloon is enough — switchbacks are few, but the climbs up to Bodbe monastery benefit from a reliable gearbox.
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Kazbegi on the Military Highway
160 km of sealed road via the Jvari Pass to Stepantsminda, 3–4 hours each way. Any saloon manages in dry weather. From 1 December to 1 March winter tyres only — reputable suppliers fit them free of charge during the season.
Driving and parking in Tbilisi
How driving works in the city
Traffic in Tbilisi is dense, spirited and occasionally chaotic. Sharp lane changes, overtaking on the solid line, the odd cut-in at Avlabari metro — all part of the local rhythm rather than aggression. For a first-time visitor the best tactic is a steady pace and not taking other drivers' moves personally.
Don't attempt the Old Town by car. The lanes between Sioni and Mtatsminda are barely passable in places, and at rush hour getting back out is harder than getting in. Park on the edge of the historic centre and walk — it's the only sensible strategy.
The first hour driving in Tbilisi feels like a shock. The second hour is adjustment. By the third, you are weaving through Rustaveli Avenue no worse than a local taxi driver. People adapt quickly.
Paid parking via the app
Tbilisi runs a unified paid-parking system. The Tbilisi Parking app is free to install and links your plate number and passport details. Rates are 1–3 GEL per hour depending on zone. Payment is only through the app or by SMS.
The fine for unpaid parking in Tbilisi is 50 GEL, a bus-lane violation is 100 GEL. Video enforcement runs around the clock in the centre. Towing adds 150 GEL on top of the fine, so paying through the app is always cheaper than a day wasted retrieving your car.
At pickup we help the renter install the app and cover the first hours ourselves if something goes wrong. It's basic service — nobody wants a guest to end their first day with a parking fine.
Where to park for free
There is almost no free parking in central Tbilisi. Beyond the ring road — Saburtalo, Gldani, Samgori — parking is freer and often free of charge, but the centre is 10–20 minutes away. Hotels and apartments in the centre usually provide a parking space for guests — confirm when booking accommodation, this saves up to 10 GEL per day.
Some of our suppliers include city-centre parking in the rental rate — you park anywhere in a permitted zone and payment runs automatically. Convenient if you're in Tbilisi for more than two days and don't want to keep checking the app.
Pedestrian zones and traffic cameras
Rustaveli Avenue and Aghmashenebeli Street are partially pedestrianised at weekends — entry is blocked by signs. Traffic lights in Tbilisi often run in tandem with cameras: crossing on red triggers a 150 GEL fine. Extra care at Freedom Square, the TSUM junction and the station interchanges.
Tbilisi cameras don't forgive chance errors. Crossed the intersection on amber and the light turned red as you passed — the fine is already in the system. Easier to wait for green calmly than to argue with video evidence later.
Frequent Questions
International chains (Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Budget) operate desks inside the arrivals hall. Local suppliers and aggregators meet you with a name board at the exit of arrivals, with the car parked 50 metres away. The meeting runs by flight number — no shuttle buses and no long waits. The meeting zone works 24/7, including night flights.
A supplier representative waits with a name board at the exit of the arrivals zone. The car is parked 50 metres away. The meeting runs by flight number, so a delayed plane is tracked automatically — you don't need to call ahead. Contract and inspection take 10–15 minutes, and you're on your way.
Economy cars start at $17–22 in low season (March, November), hybrids such as a Prius at $22–28, crossovers at $29 and up. In peak season (July–August) rates climb 40–80%, with availability sharply reduced. Premium category starts at $120 per day. Tbilisi is Georgia's most competitive market, with lower starting prices than Kutaisi or Batumi.
Yes, almost the entire city centre is a paid zone. Payment goes through the Tbilisi Parking app: plate linked, zone selected, 1–3 GEL per hour charged. At pickup the supplier helps install the app, and if something doesn't work, pays on your behalf and invoices you at the end. Many international cards work in the app — confirm during installation.
Download Tbilisi Parking from the App Store or Google Play. Register with a phone number, link your plate, passport and payment card. The zone is detected by GPS and charges deduct automatically. At pickup the supplier helps with setup if something doesn't work — most international cards are accepted.
Economy cars often have no deposit at all — a Georgian market peculiarity. Saloons $100–300, crossovers $300–500, premium from $1,000. Cash in US dollars or Georgian lari is standard practice; card pre-authorisations are the alternative. Deposit is returned on the spot at drop-off if there are no fines or damage.
Yes, this is the second most popular pickup option after the airport. Within the centre it's usually free; outlying areas $10–20. The supplier arrives at the agreed time, inspects the car with you and completes the contract on the spot. Convenient after a late flight or when you'd rather settle in before driving.
The first hour feels unfamiliar — traffic is dense, drivers are spirited, road markings patchy in places. But within a couple of hours a rhythm appears, and by day two you're moving through Rustaveli confidently. For new drivers, start with hotel delivery and an exit to a day-trip first, rather than an airport-centre run in evening rush hour.
Around 400 km and 6 hours on Georgia's only expressway (speed limit 110 km/h). It is Georgia's busiest intercity route. With stops in Gori, Ureki or Kutaisi the journey extends to 7–8 hours. Dropping the car in Batumi (one-way) is a standard option at $30–80 extra.
Yes, one-way into major cities is a standard option. The surcharge is $30–80 depending on route and supplier. The busiest legs are Tbilisi → Batumi, Tbilisi → Kutaisi airport and Tbilisi → Kakheti. With us, the one-way fee is always displayed on the car card when you book.
Call the supplier first. There are two impound lots in the city — staff will direct you. You need the rental contract, your passport and 150 GEL cash for towing plus the original fine. The process takes 1–2 hours. Never attempt to pay an officer off the books — in Georgia this is a criminal offence.
Fines are issued to the registered car owner — the supplier. They deduct the amount from your deposit or card. If paid within 10 days, a 20% discount applies. Ask the supplier to pay quickly: you save money. You can also check outstanding fines yourself at video.police.ge using the car's plate number.
Got questions?
How to get to Tbilisi
