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Car rental in Georgia is, in practice, the fastest way to see the country properly in a week — the wine villages of Kakheti, the hairpin bends of the Georgian Military Highway, the frescoes of Gelati and the beaches of Adjara. Mini-buses don't connect these dots, taxis into the mountains get expensive on every bend, and tour transfers tie you to someone else's timetable.
Most of our visitors are independent European travellers — UK, German, Polish, Czech, Italian, French and Israeli passport holders, plus a steady stream of Wizz Air arrivals through Kutaisi. Couples, friends and families who book their own flights and want to cover as much of the Caucasus as possible in 5–10 days. The vast majority pick up at the airport and drop off at the airport.
A couple from Manchester met our host by flight number last May. Contract signed on the bonnet, five minutes, and they were on the road to Kazbegi. The queue at the global chains' desks was still waiting for the shuttle.
Around 1,000 cars sit with our local hosts country-wide — roughly 90% in Tbilisi, the rest in Batumi and Kutaisi, often delivered from the capital by a driver who heads back the same day. The Georgian rental market is mature and competitive: you can find a Prius for next to nothing, a Mustang convertible for a long weekend, or a Subaru Forester ready for the mountains.
Rental prices in Georgia
Georgia is still one of the most affordable destinations in the region. In low season, the baseline is from $22 a day for a recent hybrid like a Ford Fusion 2020 or a Toyota Prius, which works out to roughly $170–180 for a week with airport delivery at most local hosts. A Toyota Camry 2016 sits around $28 a day, a Jeep Compass 2019 around $29, and an older Ford Escape from $24.
In high season, especially July and August, prices shift up: the same economy cars climb to $35–45 a day, and demand for SUVs and convertibles peaks in Batumi. The premium tier is real — Mini Cooper, Mustang Cabriolet and Mercedes AMG land in the $200–600 a day range, with the occasional Porsche 911 and rare cars like the Lamborghini Urus.
Mid-July last year the cheapest car left across our entire Tbilisi fleet was a Hyundai i30 automatic at $52 a day. Gone by Friday lunchtime. Book 4–6 weeks ahead in summer or you'll only see premium.
The minimum hire is one day, but real value kicks in from five days — the per-day rate at local hosts drops noticeably. Prices in Georgia are easier on the wallet than in Western Europe, but not free: for a decent car in decent condition you still pay sensible money.
A natural starting point by location is car hire in Tbilisi: that's where the main fleet, best choice and most competitive prices live.
Most tourists in Georgia start their trip here
Which car to choose
If you want one practical pick, it's a Subaru Forester or a Toyota Prius — both are local classics. The Forester rules in the mountains: full-time AWD, decent ground clearance, and an enormous local fleet. Some hosts run up to 70 identical Foresters, with the spare-parts economy built around the model. The Prius is the city and motorway car: hybrid, cheap to fuel, forgiving in Tbilisi and Batumi traffic.
Stick to petrol. Diesel quality in Georgia is unstable, and even diesel-car owners are reluctant to send them on long mountain trips. Japanese cars (Prius, Corolla, Fit) take 95-octane petrol only: anything lower triggers a dashboard error and the trip turns into a service call.
Heading into the mountains? Take a Forester or a Crosstrek. Clearance and real AWD matter more than any 4×4 sticker on the back of a crossover.
Part of the economy fleet is imported from Japan and converted to left-hand drive. You can spot them by the wing mirror still on the right wing. For city and motorway runs they're fine, and car rental in Kutaisi is often built on this kind of fleet.
A guest filled a Toyota Prius with 92-octane near Gori last summer. Three hours later it was on a flatbed back to Tbilisi. The host now puts a "95 only" sticker on every fuel cap.
Economy cars don't always look new — that's normal here. What matters is that the car runs reliably, not how it looks in the showroom.
Honda Insight in Georgia
very good company, thanks
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport in Georgia
everything went smoothly, I picked up the car when I was supposed to drop it on november 3rd in the morning, but I left it the night before because I didn’t need it anymore since I arrived earlier at destination. They accepted it and then everything was set. I got the car with full fuel tank, left it in the same manner.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport in Georgia
We've rented the Mitsubishi Outlander, everything went good and simple. Day before the picking up the car, the owner texted and said that the car needs some maintenance and replaced it with better one car for the same price , which was surprisingly good. Everything was very good and hoping to rent car again with them
Subaru Forester in Georgia
The rented vehicle was good and recommendable. The only issue was that I couldn’t get the vehicle I chose at first. But all thanks to the takecars support staff, I was given a fine alternative.
Toyota Rav4 in Georgia
I enquired about a vehicle to rent (RAV4 or Pathfinder) on your website and the response was quick and accurate. The vehicle (Rav4) was delivered exactly as per arrangement by a very friendly and helpful gentleman. The vehicle was clean and in very good mechanical state. Really a pleasure to drive and to explore almost any road in Georgia. Collection of the vehicle was again without any hassle. All of this for a very reasonable price and I was always assured that if something did go wrong, I will have support. Thanks for great service. Rgds Willem.
Hyundai Elantra in Georgia
Everything went well! the car matched the description! Thanks for the service!
Toyota Rav4 in Georgia
Thank you very much, we were very pleased with the service provided. Everything went very well. The next time you visit Georgia, we will definitely contact you and use your services. We will also recommend you to friends. We liked everything) ... the only issue about fuel consumption, a little incorrectly indicated, the car spends more on average. And so in general, everything is fine. I would like you to have some kind of bonus system, i.e. subsequent rental discounts) is this possible?) It would not be bad.
Subaru Forester in Georgia
All perfect. Car as described.
Toyota Prius in Georgia
it was very nice and smooth with everything; website is made good and understandable 👌
Ford Escape in Georgia
It was really great Great service
Toyota Prius in Georgia
Everything was fine
Jeep Grand Cherokee in Georgia
Renting the car was very straightforward. Iya was very helpful and responsive to our requests. The car itself performed perfectly, and there were roads in Georgia where we were glad to have a 4x4. Overall, I can wholeheartedly recommend renting a car from Iya.
Toyota Prius in Georgia
Accepting a car: The voucher letter had irrelevant information. It was clearly not written that I needed to pay in cash, but the manager said that I needed a cache, which I did not have. Usually when renting a car there is no problem to pay through the terminal. In the end, we were able to pay via QR code with additional commission, but we spent time and nerves. In addition, the car had a flat tire, if we had not noticed it, it could have been a problem. In the end we went together with the manager to the service station and everything was done, but also minus time and plus inconvenience. On the positive side, thank you for the delivery of the car to the address and willingness to solve problems from the manager, well, and in general we understand that everything happens. Delivery of the car: At the address of delivery was an apartment building and in general it is not clear whether we arrived correctly or not. We had to call to clarify, which is also an inconvenience. In addition, we had to wait about an hour for a person who will take the car, although the time was agreed in advance. Minus time, minus nerves. Also, the manager said that the car should be washed, although in the voucher about it is not specified, he called again to clarify and he himself had to convince that the fine for washing us to take unfair. On the plus side, the manager's attitude was very human and he really wanted to help solve problems. In addition, the deposit was refunded more, which covered the transfer fee. In general, we got the service, the car is fine and a lot of inconveniences were compensated. There are a lot of questions about the service, there is a lot of work to do, we have rented cars in different countries and we have never had such a hassle anywhere, usually the processes are well established.
Take Cars in Georgia
Georgia gives us one of the densest networks of local hosts in the region — small, often family-run fleets where every customer counts, and a free upgrade to the next class is still a normal gesture rather than a once-a-year marketing trick.
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Real reviews on the actual car
Each listing shows feedback from previous renters of that specific vehicle, not just the company average.
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Free upgrade when your class is sold out
If the car you booked is taken, local Georgian hosts often hand over the next class up at no extra charge.
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Direct chat with the host before booking
Message your host on the platform to confirm delivery time, child seats, roof boxes and anything else in writing — well before you pay.
Documents and insurance
EU and UK licences are accepted without an IDP — the licence just needs to be in Latin script. Drivers with a non-Latin-script licence should bring an IDP. Minimum age 21, one year on the licence.
Travel medical insurance is mandatory. Georgia introduced the rule on 1 January 2026 and it's in force: minimum cover 30,000 GEL (~$11,000). Buy the policy before you fly; without it, border guards can turn you back.
Third-party liability is included. Basic CDW covers most bodywork but not the windscreen, tyres or underbody. Super CDW adds glass and underbody — the most common claims on mountain roads. Tyres are excluded by almost every insurer in Georgia.
Deposit
A Georgian peculiarity: many economy cars come with no deposit at all. When a deposit is required, it's typically 600–900 GEL (~$220–330) in cash on collection, refunded in full on return.
A couple took the basic CDW in March, then clipped a stone on the Batumi road. Windscreen wasn't covered. The repair cost almost as much as the rental.
If anything happens to the car, even a small scratch, call the host immediately — without that call no insurance will pay out, no matter the package.
Car hire in Batumi is often handed over with no deposit: the car is delivered from a host in Tbilisi and collected at the end of the trip.
Most international Visa and Mastercard cards work in Georgia for ATM withdrawals — the balance after prepayment is paid in cash, in USD or GEL.
Routes and mountain roads
Around 80% of Georgia's postcard places are reachable in a saloon or a crossover. The Georgian Military Highway up to Kazbegi is fine in a saloon in any weather short of heavy snow. Kakheti, Borjomi and the Adjarian coast are standard tarmac drives.
Since 2024–25, Svaneti has changed: Mestia–Ushguli handles a saloon, and the Zagaro Pass to Lentekhi is now sealed. Tusheti and the Abano Pass are a different world: most hosts ban rentals on these routes, fit GPS trackers and can recall a car remotely. Shatili, Trusso and Juta belong in the same group — take a local Mitsubishi Delica share with a driver instead.
Winter in the mountains
From 1 December to 1 March winter tyres are mandatory on mountain roads. Hosts swap them in advance; if you book in March for Gudauri, Bakuriani or Kazbegi, confirm tyres at booking. Snow chains are often needed for Svaneti.
A guest followed Google Maps off the Lentekhi road last September and ended up parked at a sheep farm overnight. Pulled out at six in the morning with a tractor.
If the tracker shows a client has gone onto a banned route, we call and ask them to turn back. Insurance doesn't apply there and recovery costs are on the driver.
On any mountain road, switch on dipped headlights and use the horn before blind bends. Locals do it, and it isn't superstition.
Outside the cities at night, expect cows, donkeys and sheep on the road, especially in Kakheti — keep your distance and your speed sensible.
Airport waits, car swaps, free upgrades
What goes wrong and how to prevent it.
Top routes renters actually drove.
and When to Pick Each One
Real stats, honest reviews, and practical tips from verified renters.
Rules, fines and borders
Speed limits are 50 km/h in town, 90 on rural roads and 110 on the Tbilisi–Batumi motorway. Cameras trigger from +10 km/h over the limit. The average speed or parking fine is about 50 GEL (~$18) — the main thing is to avoid being towed.
The drink-drive limit is 0.3‰, stricter than most of Europe. A glass of wine in Kakheti is already over. The fine is about 700 GEL (~$255) plus possible disqualification. There are no tolls or motorway vignettes in Georgia.
Parking
Tbilisi parking is mostly paid and settled through an app; your host sets it up or pays on your behalf via a code. In summer, central Tbilisi and the Old Town have very few free spots.
Borders
You can drive a Georgian rental into Turkey (via Sarpi), Armenia and Azerbaijan with a notarised authorisation from the host (2–3 working days). Tbilisi car rental with a cross-border option should be booked well ahead to leave time for the paperwork.
A guest from Tashkent tried to tip a traffic cop near Avlabari station last summer. The cop laughed and pointed to the bank terminal across the street.
Cash never changes hands with the police in Georgia — every fine is paid through a bank or a terminal. That's part of the country's reform reputation, and trying to settle on the spot only makes things worse.
A one-way Tbilisi–Batumi rental usually costs around $110 (300 GEL): the driver delivers the car and heads straight back to the capital.
Parking in central Tbilisi and the Old Town is the headache of summer. If your host has a paid parking subscription, ask for the access code when you collect the car.
Rates in Georgia vary throughout the year depending on the season and the rental length in days.
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How expensive is renting a car in Georgia: average daily rates for a one-week car rental, across all car classes. Delivery across Georgia not included.
Frequently asked questions
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 day-by-day.
Yes. In Georgia some economy cars (most often the Toyota Prius) are rented out with no deposit at all — that's a regional peculiarity. 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 must be in Latin script — which most European licences are. Drivers whose licence is in non-Latin script 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 prepayment online, and ATMs are widely available. The balance after pickup is settled in cash, in USD or GEL, on the spot. 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 is fine in a saloon, and Mestia–Ushguli has been suitable for a saloon since the 2024–25 resurfacing. A 4×4 is justified 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, so allow extra time on 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 — on Georgia's mountain roads these are the most common claims. 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 them 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. There are fewer hosts in Kutaisi than in 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 tour, it can be cheaper to fly through 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 is already over the line. The fine is about 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 any risky sections and suggest safe alternatives.