Updated: August 1, 2024
Everything about the driving license, precautions when renting a car, prices, road conditions and local driving style.
If you are going to travel to Georgia on your own, the best way to get around is to drive a car.
However, you will find a lot of information or people who will discourage you, they are partly right, but It's not as serious as they make it out to be.
Therefore, I have written this guide in detail so that you know what you are going to encounter, based on my experience of living in Georgia for 1 year until a few months ago.
If you are already clear that you are going to drive and you don't want to read the entire guide, I recommend this search engine to rent a car serious and cheap local companies.
Georgian way of driving
The first thing you have to know is that Georgians behind the wheel are a little crazy. 😜
The way Georgians drive is fast and reckless.
In Georgia you will see multiple crazy things behind the wheel, such as overtaking on curves or other places with poor visibility, sometimes more than one car or truck and of course without signaling. In addition, an endless number of prohibited maneuvers.
However, Accidents are not as frequent as you might imagine.
What I do like about Georgians when driving is that they don't like to honk constantly, which is nice.
This fact may seem like they are patient people, but believe me, When behind the wheel, few if any Georgians are patient.
Therefore, if you have a Georgian behind you and you want to drive calmly, let them pass. They are always in a hurry and love to overtake other drivers. 😅
In short, the only way to drive in Georgia is with a lot of patience and keeping enough distance. If you have years of experience behind the wheel and can stay calm, you won't have any problems.
Road and traffic conditions
The roads in general are quite good, except for specific places where they may be in very poor condition or are dirt roads that, depending on the season, become impassable.
In Georgia they invest a lot in the roads and over the years it shows.
For example, until not so long ago in Kazbegi, the road from Stepantsminda to the Gergeti Trinity Church could only be done by 4×4, Now you can go up with a car.
Below I leave you a list of some roads that you have to be careful with:
military road
It is the road that goes from Tbilisi to the border with Russia at the Zemo Larsi – Verkhnij Lars border crossing.
The condition of the road is good, but as is the only road linking Georgia with Russia, There are trucks circulating all day and sometimes there is quite a bit of traffic.
Furthermore, this is the only land connection point for Turkey and Armenia with Russia.
The biggest drawback is at dusk, which There is usually more movement of trucks entering Georgia, if you can avoid that time to return from Kazbegi to Tbilisi.
Zugdidi to Mestia
The road is paved and in relatively good condition, but it is the most dangerous road in the country and where driving is least recommended.
This winding road has narrow areas and animals are frequent, which I tell you about below.
Furthermore, to all this we must add ice, from mid-autumn to mid-spring.
Another drawback of this road in winter is that can be blocked by snow in winter, like other mountain roads.
If you are going to drive to Mestia when there is ice, it is best to do it with a 4×4, chains and a lot of caution, the rest of the year you can arrive with a normal car.
Note that the alternative road passing through Martvili is not in such good condition.
Mestia to Ushguli
If you are going to drive in Georgia on this road, yes or yes You will need a 4×4 and be very careful, especially in unpaved areas.
Tsageri to Ushguli
The most common way to get to Ushguli is from Mestia, however there is also a road from Tsageri which is in very poor condition.
I recommend you avoid it at all costs because it is worse than the one that reaches Mestia from Zugdidi.
Chiatura to Zestaponi
This It's the worst road in Georgia., with huge sinkholes, although they were already repairing it. As Pau, a reader, told me, it is already repaired.
Of course, the section near Chiatura is a narrow and curvy road, so be careful and avoid it at night, because there is no lighting.
Another alternative to visit Chiatura is to take the road from Gomi to Sachkhere.
Although, if you want to visit the Katskhi pillar, you will have no choice but to drive along that stretch of road.
Batumi to Akhaltsikh
If I'm honest I never tried this road, but according to the comments of Georgians it is better to avoid it because it is a mountain road and it is not in such good condition like the E60 that passes near Kutaisi.
Rustavi to Jandari
For about 10 km it is paved, then it is about 20 km of dirt road, where under normal conditions you will not need a 4×4, but it is a road that takes longer to travel.
Of course, when it rains a lot, mud forms and makes it impossible to pass through some sections unless you go in a 4×4 and when it snows it is impossible to travel.
This road is to go to David Gareja and take the opportunity to see Jandari Lake first, alternatively you can go to David Gareja on the roads towards Sagarejo and then towards Udabno.
Road to the Rainbow Mountains or Red Mountains
To get to these mountains you will have to drive on the dirt roads that lead to the Mravaltskaro reservoir that don't even appear on Google Maps.
The area just before the reservoir usually becomes impassable with very little rain, so you will have to walk a few kilometers to get to the reservoir and then see the mountains.
National parks and protected areas
In most of these places you will need to drive a 4×4 to be able to circulate, if you can't find yourself in trouble like for example in Tusheti.
Animals on the roads (livestock)
If you are going to drive in Georgia you are going to find animals on the roads, mainly cows, some pigs and rarely a horse.
In Georgia, they let The animals walk freely, they are released in the morning and they return alone at dusk.
Although both departure and return times are when they are most present on the roads, you can also find them during the day.
Then in mountain areas at some times you can find groups of sheep or goats with the shepherd.
Therefore, it will be your turn Drive carefully, keep your distance and be patient.
Driving in cities and parking
Tbilisi
Traffic in the Georgian capital is a real chaos, where there are traffic jams at any time of the day in the central areas of the city.
If you are going to drive you will have to be patient.
If not, stay in the center and you will have most of the emblematic places nearby and then you can get around by public transport, in this article I will tell you How to get around Tbilisi.
Batumi
Batumi is a city that changes a lot from the high season in summer to the rest of the year, In summer, you can hardly circulate through the center.
First because there are many cars and then because the streets are very narrow.
Therefore, it is best that you get around there by public transport or walking. At the end of this article about Batumi I will tell you how to move.
Kutaisi
Although Kutaisi is one of the most important cities in Georgia, it is the only one where you will not have many problems getting around by car.
As in any city there can be some traffic jams, especially when there is construction on a street, apart from this, it is much quieter than the other two cities.
Park
In all three cities there are free and paid parking, however, in Tbilisi it is almost impossible to find something free.
Driving license and requirements
To drive in Georgia legally, your Spanish driving license is not enough, you need to make a sworn translation into English.
If not, the most practical alternative is to apply for an international driving permit, which will cost you cheaper. You can apply at the DGT electronic headquarters and costs 10.51 euros.
Other requirements
In order for them to rent you the car, they will ask you to You are over 23 years old and have had a driving license for at least 3 years.
Then to drive in Georgia too you must carry your passport with you.
Important information when driving
- The driving in Georgia is on the right, although there are cars with the driver's seat on both the right and the left.
- The speed limits are: 60 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on highways and between 100 and 110 km/h on highways. Although Georgians tend to skip these limits quite a bit, keep in mind if you do, you may be fined because there are quite a few speed cameras.
- The traffic signs and lights are the same to which we are accustomed.
- On the roads, the signs with the name of the town are written in Georgian and with Latin characters, you will have no problems understanding them.
- Seat belts are only mandatory in the front seats., for the driver and the passenger seat.
- A common practice on the road is use the emergency light to alert other drivers to dangers, including livestock.
- Georgia has very strict rules on drinking and driving, where the legal alcohol limit for driving is 0.03%.
- Mobile phone use is prohibited when driving, if you are going to use it as a navigator you will need a device to carry it hands-free.
- Good news is that There are no tolls in Georgia..
- Many roads near small towns are very poorly lit., so it is best to avoid driving at night.
Where to rent a car in Georgia?
To rent a car in Georgia you can do it in traditional international companies that cost between 35 and 40 euros per day. In Georgia, These prices are well above those of local companies.
Then, you have the option of local companies, the thing is that you have to know who you rent to because There is a lot of lack of seriousness.
Some of the most common problems are that they tell you that the price includes insurance, but they fail to explain to you what it covers and in the end you don't know if it really covers anything.
Also, you will find cars without a spare tire, a jack or signs in case something happens, nothing at all. 🤦♀️
Therefore, to rent a car in Georgian lands it is best this search engine, which only works with serious local companies, so you don't take risks.
In addition, you will not pay more either, the most economical cars depending on the season They cost less than 18 euros per day with third-party insurance included and some do not ask for a deposit.
👍 Friend's tip: in Georgia You can only rent a car leaving from the largest cities or airports. In small towns there are not always cars available to rent, so I recommend checking beforehand.
Driving from Georgia to neighboring countries
If you are going to travel to Georgia and want to take advantage of visiting neighboring countries, there are some things that you should keep in mind, because the situation is very diverse:
Armenia
This is the country that It is more common to combine the trip to Georgia because at the border you will not find difficulties to cross.
Between Georgia and Armenia there are 3 border crossings:
- Bagratashen – Sadakhlo,
- Gogavan – Guguti and
- Bavra – Ninotsminda.
Yes, to enter you will need Armenian insurance that you can hire from the insurance companies that are on the border, this does not matter if it is your car or a rental one.
The good thing is that the search engine that I recommended to you before does not have a large extra cost if you want to rent a car to visit both countries, renting in one and returning in the other.
The driving of Armenians is very similar to that of Georgians, but the roads in Armenia are in worse condition.
Azerbaijan
The land borders between Georgia and Azerbaijan are closed at least until October 1, 2024. After that, we'll have to wait and see what the Azerbaijani authorities decide.
Azerbaijan put this measure in place during the pandemic and have been extending it every few months, supposedly due to COVID.
Right now, the only way you can visit Azerbaijan from Georgia is by plane. There are flights from Tbilisi to Baku.
Türkiye (Turkey)
If you travel with your car you can continue the trip to Türkiye without problems.
Instead, If you rent a Georgian car you will not be able to enter TurkeyAccording to Turkish law, only Georgian residents driving a vehicle registered in Georgia can enter.
The most common border crossing is Hopa – Sarpi, which is only 18 km from Batumi, it is also the busiest border between those two countries where it may take you a while to cross it.
If not, you can opt for the other two border crossings between Turkey and Georgia, which are less known and also less crowded: Posof – Vale and Cildir – Aktas.
Russia and occupied territories
- Russia: There is only one border crossing at the end of the military road, it is Zemo Larsi – Verkhnij Lars. Relations between Georgia and Russia have deteriorated with the War in Ukraine, but as a tourist you can cross, yes, it is better that you do it by bus and that you inform yourself well before doing so.
- Republic of Abkhazia: This is a republic only recognized by Russia and 3 other countries, in fact when you enter there are local officials and Russians. To visit this territory You can only cross border posts on foot, not by vehicle.
- South Ossetia: This is a occupied territory with closed borders with Georgia and you cannot enter under any circumstances. The only way to visit that region is from Russia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, I don't recommend it. I have talked about this with the Georgians, they themselves see it as something dangerous, that says it all.
That's why, In Georgia it is not very common that you see people driving motorcycles or scooters. In big cities you can see some scooters that are mostly delivery people.
The most popular and widespread service stations in the country are Wissol, Gulf, Socar, you will find them everywhere.
Likewise, Check Google Maps to see if there are any service stations in small towns or remote areas. that you want to visit.
For example, in Chiatura there are none, except at the entrance to the city, arriving from Sachkhere.
In Georgia, fueling is cheaper than in Spain, at this moment it is almost a cheaper 30%.
However, with the current situation this can change quickly, that is why I leave you a link where you can consult the updated fuel price in Georgia.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide how to rent and drive a car in Georgia It will help you make a decision, as you have seen it is not for everyone, but it is not that dangerous either.
You can continue reading more of my articles about this fascinating country in this Georgia Travel Guide travel on your own, they are organized there.
If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘
More about Georgia and the Caucasus
- What to do in Tbilisi: 24 must-visit places.
- Soviet architecture in Tbilisi: 16 best buildings and mosaics
- What to do in Kutaisi: 19 essentials
- Georgia Road Trip (country): 10 and 14-Day Itinerary
- Route through Armenia: 1 week itinerary
Hello, I’m Andrea, the creator and writer of Viajeros Activos (Active Travelers). I’m a nomad, so I consider myself a full-time traveler. I’m passionate about good food and always looking for new adventures.