Car Rental in Georgia: How Much It Costs, What's Included, and How to Avoid Overpaying

Renting a car in Georgia in 2026 costs anywhere from $25 to $100+ per day — depending on the vehicle class, season, and what's actually included in the price. A small economy car runs $25–35/day; a full-size SUV starts around $70–80. Here's a full breakdown: by category, by conditions, and by what actually saves you money versus what just sounds like it does.

Prices by Vehicle Class

Current daily rate benchmarks for 2026, high season:

These are market ranges — not minimums or ceilings. In low season (November–February) the same cars run 20–30% cheaper. In June–August prices push toward the top end, especially if you're booking a week out.

What's Included — and What Isn't

This matters more than the headline rate, because "cheap" on the listing and "cheap" at pickup can look very different.

Usually included:

• Third-party liability insurance (TPL) — most companies include it in the base price
• Maintenance and seasonal tyres
• Replacement vehicle in case of breakdown (with reputable companies)

Usually extra or not included:

• CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) — covers damage to the rental car itself. Reduces your liability in an accident. Adds roughly $5–15/day
• Full Coverage / SCDW — zero excess. Costs more upfront, but means no out-of-pocket if something goes wrong
• Additional driver — $3–7/day at most companies
• Child seat — $3–5/day
• GPS navigator — $5–10/day (your phone does it better anyway)
• Vehicle delivery to your hotel — often paid with international chains, often free with local ones

Mileage limits deserve special attention. Many companies cap you at 150–200 km/day, with each extra kilometre costing $0.10–0.20. If you're planning to drive from Tbilisi to Kazbegi, Batumi, or Sighnaghi — make sure your rental comes with unlimited mileage. It's not a small detail.

For more on rental conditions and common questions, check our FAQ.

The Deposit: How Much, and How It Works

The deposit is either held in cash or blocked on your card at the time of pickup. It's released after the car is inspected on return.

• Economy class: $100–200
• Mid-size and crossovers: $200–400
• Premium and large SUVs: $400–600+

The size of the deposit depends not just on the car, but on your insurance: the more comprehensive your coverage, the lower the deposit. Some companies offer zero deposit if you take out Full Coverage.

On payment methods: most local rental companies accept cash (USD or GEL). International Visa/Mastercard works everywhere.

Seasonality: When to Rent for Less

Georgia works year-round for road trips, and prices reflect that:

• June–August — peak season. Cars go fast and prices are at their highest. Book 4–8 weeks in advance
• April–May and September–October — the sweet spot. Great weather, open roads, prices 15–20% below summer rates. Best time to visit
• November–March — low season, maximum savings. If you're heading into the mountains (Kazbegi, Mestia) in winter, make sure winter tyres are included

One more thing: picking up your car on a Wednesday or Thursday can work out cheaper than Friday–Sunday — weekend demand tends to push prices up by 10–15%.

Documents You Need to Rent

The standard checklist for international visitors:

1. Driver's licence — valid, category B. Most companies require at least 2 years of driving experience; this is stricter for large SUVs and premium vehicles
2. Passport
3. Card or cash — for payment and deposit

A note on licences and scripts: if your licence is written in a non-Latin alphabet — Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese, Georgian, etc. — you'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside it. Most Georgian rental companies require this. If your licence already includes Latin transliteration, you're fine without one. More details in our article about IDPs for Georgia.

Minimum age is 21 at most companies; for large SUVs it's typically 23.

5 Ways to Actually Save Money

1. Book early. In high season — 4–6 weeks ahead. You get a better rate and your choice of car.

2. Rent for several days. Daily rates for 5–7 day rentals are noticeably lower than for 1–2 days. Most companies offer better pricing from 3–5 days onward.

3. Go for unlimited mileage — even if you think you won't need it. Georgia is bigger than it looks on the map. Kazbegi round trip is already 220 km; Batumi is 300 km from Tbilisi.

4. Choose your insurance honestly. Full coverage with zero excess costs more upfront but removes every what-if. If you're driving mountain roads or gravel tracks, it's worth it.

5. Compare total price, not just the daily rate. On MY.DRIVE you can see cars from different companies with the full cost shown upfront — insurance, delivery, no surprise fees at the end. That's more useful than opening ten tabs and doing the maths yourself.

Planning your route? Check out Places for practical waypoints, distances, and road notes across Georgia.

Bottom Line

Car rental in Georgia is one of the most affordable in the region — from $25–30/day in low season to $60–80 for a decent crossover in summer. The key is to look beyond the daily rate and check what's actually included: mileage, insurance, deposit. Transparent conditions matter more than the lowest number in the listing. Book early, get unlimited mileage, match your insurance to your itinerary — and the trip will go exactly the way you planned it.