Rent a car in Georgia

In low season, from $22 a day for an economy hybrid (Ford Fusion, Toyota Prius); a Camry from $28, crossovers from $29. In peak July and August, prices climb 30–50%, and premium classes go up by multiples. A weekly hire from a local host is usually better value than booking day by day.

Yes. In Georgia, some economy cars (most often the Toyota Prius) are rented out with no deposit at all — a regional quirk. When a deposit is required, it's around 600–900 GEL (~$220–330) in cash, refunded in full as soon as you return the car.

EU and UK driving licences are accepted in Georgia for tourist stays without an IDP. The licence has to be in Latin script — which most European ones are. Drivers with a non-Latin-script licence should bring an IDP to be safe. Carry your passport with the licence.

Yes. Georgia introduced the rule on 1 January 2026 and it's in force. Minimum cover 30,000 GEL (~$11,000). Without it, border guards can turn you back. Any reputable European insurer issues a compliant policy — buy it before flying.

Most international Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted for the online prepayment, and ATMs are widely available. The balance on collection is settled in cash, in USD or GEL. Small petrol stations and family-run shops outside the cities sometimes don't take cards — keep some lari on hand.

In most cases, no. The Georgian Military Highway up to Kazbegi handles a saloon, and Mestia–Ushguli has been fine for a saloon since the 2024–25 resurfacing. A 4×4 makes sense in winter and for tracks beyond Ushguli. Tusheti is a separate story — see below.

With nearly every host, no. The Abano Pass, Shatili, Trusso and Juta are listed as banned routes; insurance doesn't apply there and GPS trackers will flag the trip. The standard alternative is a local Mitsubishi Delica share with a driver from Omalo or Telavi.

Technically yes, with a notarised authorisation from the rental company (2–3 working days to issue). Not every host offers this option, so confirm at booking. Border queues can be long in peak summer — allow extra time for the day of the crossing.

Turkey via the Sarpi border is the most common cross-border route from Georgia, with a notarised letter from the host. Azerbaijan is also possible from a smaller pool of hosts. Both options need to be flagged at booking, since the paperwork takes 2–3 working days.

Basic CDW (collision damage waiver) covers most bodywork damage but excludes the windscreen, tyres and underbody. Super CDW adds glass and underbody — the most common claims on Georgia's mountain roads. Tyres are almost never insured in Georgia.

A large share of economy cars is imported second-hand from Japan — Toyota, Honda, Subaru. Some are formally converted to left-hand drive; you can spot the conversion by the wing mirror still on the right wing. For city and motorway driving they're fine; on long trips you may notice some ergonomic quirks.

Yes. Fewer hosts work out of Kutaisi than Tbilisi, but cars are delivered from the capital straight to the terminal. If your route is Kutaisi — Borjomi — Tbilisi, pick up locally; for a Kakheti or Kazbegi trip, it can be cheaper to fly back via Tbilisi instead.

Yes. Long-term hire is a separate segment in Georgia, with monthly rates from around $400–700 depending on car class and season. Useful for ski seasons in Gudauri, summer-long stays on the coast, and remote workers in Tbilisi. Most hosts offer additional discounts beyond a month.

0.3‰ — stricter than most countries in Europe. A glass of wine at a tasting already puts you over the line. The fine is around 700 GEL (~$255) plus a possible disqualification. For wine tours in Kakheti, take a driver or a taxi rather than risk it.

Off-road and gravel tracks of any kind — insurance doesn't apply there, and most hosts fit GPS trackers. Specifically, Tusheti (the Abano Pass), Khevsureti (Shatili), Trusso and Juta are banned. Run your route past the host on collection — they'll flag risky sections and suggest safe alternatives.