Tbilisi or Kutaisi Airport: Where to Rent a car for a Georgia Road Trip (2026)

Tbilisi vs Kutaisi airport: how do they compare?

Which airport is best for your route?

Svaneti (Mestia and Ushguli)

Kutaisi. Georgia Travel estimates 4 hours 20 minutes from Kutaisi to Mestia and 7 hours 10 minutes from Tbilisi. Its Kutaisi page gives 3 hours 30 minutes from Tbilisi to Kutaisi. These are planning times; winter journeys take longer. For Ushguli, obtain written permission for your chosen rental vehicle and travel dates, or arrange local transport from Mestia. A 4×4 does not automatically give you permission to use a restricted road.

Kazbegi and the Georgian Military Highway

Tbilisi. Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) is about 155 km north of Tbilisi, typically 3–4 hours without stops on the Georgian Military Highway via Ananuri, Gudauri and the 2,379 m Jvari Pass. Snow and avalanche risk can close the pass in winter.

Kakheti wine region

Tbilisi. Georgia Travel estimates 1 hour 55 minutes from Tbilisi to Telavi and 1 hour 40 minutes to Sighnaghi. Allow longer for stops and traffic.

Batumi and the Black Sea coast

Kutaisi or Batumi. Georgia Travel estimates 2 hours 15 minutes from Kutaisi to Batumi. Batumi also has its own airport: compare Batumi Airport car rental.

A full loop of Georgia

Fly into Kutaisi and out of Tbilisi (or the reverse) to avoid crossing the country twice. A typical one-way route runs Kutaisi → Mestia → Batumi → Borjomi → Vardzia → Tbilisi → Kazbegi → Tbilisi.

Can you rent a car one way between Kutaisi and Tbilisi?

Some suppliers offer collection at one airport and return at the other. Enterprise offers domestic one-way rentals, subject to availability and its terms. When you compare, enter both locations so any fee appears in the total price. If you're spending several days in Tbilisi without a car, two separate rentals may work out cheaper.

Airport or city pick-up?

Many international flights land in Tbilisi in the middle of the night. Check that your supplier's desk is staffed at your arrival time.

What does car rental in Georgia cost?

Compare the total for your dates and itinerary, including any one-way charge, insurance and extra equipment. An SUV or 4×4 may suit your route, but make sure the supplier allows the mountain roads you plan to use.

Enterprise’s published Georgia terms give a deposit of US$500–800, depending on the car group, plus estimated rental charges. Leave enough available credit on the main driver’s card for the required hold.

Do you need a 4×4 in Georgia?

Not for the main highways in summer. A 4×4 or high-clearance SUV is useful for mountain side roads, gravel sections and routes into Svaneti and Tusheti. It's more important to check which roads your rental agreement allows: some suppliers prohibit specific mountain roads even in 4×4s.

Driving in Georgia: what to expect

• Livestock: cows and sheep regularly stand in the road, even on main routes. Slow down on bends
• Overtaking: expect fast overtaking, including on blind bends. Leave plenty of space
• Road surfaces: mountain roads can switch from tarmac to gravel with little warning
• Winter: check road status with the Roads Department of Georgia before crossing high passes
• Drink-driving: Georgia's code penalises blood alcohol above 0.3 per mille (0.3 g/l). Don't drink and drive.
• Child seats: families often bring their own, as hiring several seats for a long trip adds up