In this article we will tell you where and for how much you can rent a car in Tbilisi.
When traveling in Georgia, it is impossible not to use a rental car. There are many different options, including organizing your vacation through a travel agency, trips to excursions on set days or a simple solution, arrange with a local cab driver and go somewhere closer.
If you are a tourist with a claim to deep knowledge of the country, to visit interesting places, as well as if you want to get to where it is most interesting, the best way is to get acquainted with the information about the country and to rent a car. Then spend the time according to your plan, and fully enjoy the sights of the country.
Features of rent a car in Tbilisi
You must have heard about Georgian hospitality. In Georgia, everyone is ready to help you. Also, you can very easily find a car, for all tastes. Here offer cars for rent from individuals, from local and international companies.
What documents are required to rent a car
Your foreign passport
(exception for those citizens who have the right to enter Georgia with an internal passport)
Driver's license
The peculiar thing is that when interacting with foreigners driving a car, the police will first ask for the passport and later the driver's license. They will check your entry with the passport and the validity of your driver's license (valid for 1 year from the date of entry into the country) for driving with foreign licenses in the country.
Age and driving experience restrictions
Most car rental companies in Georgia restrict renters, stating that the minimum age to rent a car should be 21 years and a minimum driving experience of 2 years. However, there are companies that offer car rentals in Tbilisi without any additional age or driving experience requirements.
Payment for car rental
All payments for car rentals are made in the local currency. It is advisable to exchange money in advance. The exchange rate is the same everywhere, with minor differences, and there are no currency exchange fees.
Life hack: the exchange rate at Tbilisi Airport is also excellent.
If a car rental company accepts payment in dollars or another currency, it means they are not operating honestly and evading taxes. Any official car rental in Tbilisi will not accept foreign currency as payment.
You can also make payment with a credit card. Just make sure that it works in Georgia, which you can confirm with your bank.
Renting a car without a deposit
Most companies will offer to rent a car in Tbilisi by leaving a small deposit for the vehicle (around $100 - $500). The deposit is a sum that will not be refunded in the event of an incident with the car. However, for a small fee, you can get a car without a deposit and with full insurance coverage.
As an example, we took a quote from one of the car rental companies in Tbilisi, RACE. The deposit for a budget class car like the Nissan Versa is only $100 (280 GEL at the time of testing), and for just $35, you can purchase full insurance coverage for the entire rental period (10 days).
Both the insurance and the deposit are very affordable compared to Europe, where renting a similar car with full insurance would require a deposit of 250 euros and an additional payment of 140 euros for comprehensive coverage.
Car Rental Prices in Tbilisi
It cannot be said that car rental prices in Tbilisi vary significantly among different companies, but we have found some specific features.
International Companies:
Prices are very high, usually 2 times higher than local companies and 4 times higher than in Europe.
Mostly provide new cars, but there are also older ones.
Local Car Rental Companies:
Prices are moderate and almost the same across the board.
Cars are not new, but decent enough for trips.
Private Individuals:
Prices are cheap, about 10% cheaper than local companies.
Often, you may come across a car with torn seats or a dirty interior.
How to Rent a Car Cheaper in Tbilisi
For those who prefer budget travel and want to explore the country, the best option is the off-season. During this period, not only accommodation but also car rentals become cheaper. After reviewing the prices, we found super offers on race.com.ge. In the autumn of 2019, the company offers cars for as low as $10 per day. For $10, you can rent not only a budget class car but also an SUV or even a convertible.
Requirements to get a car at this price:
Advance booking.
You have rented a car from this company before.
Look for good deals as there are many. Inquire about early booking discounts and special conditions.
Discounts on Car Rentals in Tbilisi
In Georgia, it is possible to get a discount on car rentals. In addition to the standard reduction in price for longer-term rentals, additional options are offered, such as:
Free delivery of the car to your address.
Tolerance for a slight delay in returning the car.
Good discount for early booking.
Extra discount for online payment.
A significant discount for early booking was found on the hire-auto.biz website, almost 30% for certain options. Race.com.ge offers a discount for online payment.
Features of Cars in Georgia
Car imports are highly developed in Georgia. That's why most rental cars are not purchased new from official dealers but imported from Japan, Europe, and the USA.
Typically, when you rent a car, you get a vehicle that is 2-3 years old with mileage up to 100,000 km and in fairly decent condition. Of course, there are also cars with poor interiors and technical conditions.
Take the time to check the condition of the car on websites like race.com.ge.
Where You Can Go
There are no specific restrictions on travel in Georgia. However, there are certain roads that you should avoid or rental companies may restrict you from traveling in those areas.
Places You Should Not Go
Tusheti
This place has the top 3 most dangerous roads in the world. The roads are only open to off-road vehicles, and even then, only for a couple of months a year. Almost every week, a local resident driving a car dies here as the vehicle falls off a cliff or gets hit by rockfall or landslides from the mountains. It is extremely dangerous for tourists to drive in this area.
Road from Mestia to Ushguli
About 20% of the road has been repaired, but the remaining 80% is still a rough dirt road that causes strong vibrations. That's why you are advised to switch to local transportation in Mestia.
Trans-Adjara Highway
It offers breathtaking views, but the road itself is terrible. Driving a sedan here can damage the engine and transmission, and even an off-road vehicle will face difficulties with its suspension.
8 Driving Recommendations in Georgia
Always carry both your driver's license and passport with you.
Do not drink alcohol while driving. You will lose your license and be fined a significant amount (around $300-$500).
Always wear your seatbelt. It is mandatory for the front seats.
There are no specific requirements for child car seats. It is your right to use boosters or child seats.
If you are stopped by a police officer:
Stay inside the car and keep your hands on the steering wheel until the officer approaches. Otherwise, it may be considered an attack on the police officer, and they may open fire.
Do not unfasten your seatbelt until the police officer approaches you.
Be polite and communicate respectfully. They are generally friendly towards tourists and will forgive minor offenses if you acknowledge your mistake.
Every police officer has a body camera and a camera in their car, recording is constantly in progress. Do not attempt to deceive them.
Do not offer bribes to the police officer; you will be taken to the police station immediately.
It is advisable to stop at intersections, even if you have the right of way. Some drivers ignore this rule.
Talking on a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, except when using Bluetooth.
Adhere to speed limits. The radar systems automatically monitor not only the speed at the moment of passing but also the average speed between cameras.
5 Recommendations for Car Rental in Tbilisi
Book your car in advance to have a better chance of getting the vehicle you want.
Prepare local currency or a credit card for rental payment.
Inspect the car upon pick-up and take photos of all sides of the vehicle.
Clarify the comprehensive list of payment or additional charges for services.
Request a return act for the car upon its return.
Airport Car Rental
If your trip involves flying, one convenient option is to rent a car at Tbilisi Airport. There are two options for car rental upon arrival:
Rent a car at the rental desk.
However, the desired car may not always be available, and the prices are often higher compared to pre-booking. Rental companies have to compensate for the high cost of operating in the airport.
Arrange for car delivery to the airport.
This requires advance booking. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with a sign, guided to the car, and shown all the necessary details.
If you prefer not to rent a car at the airport but want to reach the city first and then rent a car locally, the best option to get from the airport is:
Take the bus, which runs every 30 minutes from the airport to the city.
Take the train to the railway station. The train operates only a couple of times a day.
Airport taxi, but it can be expensive.
Local taxis, which are cheaper than airport taxis but still more expensive than in the city.
VIP Car Rental in Tbilisi
When you need a prestigious car or a unique vehicle, such as a convertible, car rental or transfer services can be very helpful. Transfer services can be arranged through luxury hotels or car rental agencies.
Here are some interesting car rental options we found at race.com.ge:
Mercedes S-Class
$70 for 24 hours if rented for 1 day.
Jeep Wrangler
Convertible with a removable roof, only $65 per day. A great opportunity to drive a convertible SUV in the mountains.
Mercedes SLK
Convertible, only $65 per day for a 1-day rental or $55 per day for rentals of 8 days or more.
Which Car to Rent?
This is the most popular question among tourists who are visiting Tbilisi for the first time and planning to explore interesting places.
In most locations, a simple sedan will work perfectly, especially if you are visiting Georgia during the warm seasons. If you plan to venture into the mountains, consider renting an SUV, crossover, comfortable compact SUV, or a full-size off-road vehicle.
If you choose a car with high ground clearance and all-wheel drive, even if it's only automatic engagement, it would be an ideal option. However, if budget is a priority, go for an economy class car rental.
Car Parking
Parking your car in Georgia is not a problem. Payment can be easily made at a terminal or at a bank with the assistance of a local.
Our observation: RACE offers free parking for your car in one of the cities, as the company covers the parking fees for you!
Life Hacks from Reviews
All reviews about car rental in Georgia come down to a few key life hacks:
The traffic can be hectic - but don't worry, it's just a matter of getting used to it within a couple of days.
Find out the rental conditions and costs in advance before your trip.
Thoroughly inspect the car and take several photos.
