On a relatively small territory of the state, where friendly, hospitable and proud people live, beautiful landscapes are spread. Georgia creates a special charm among travelers with its exoticism. This is facilitated by the inaccessible and majestic Caucasus Mountains, covered with snow-white caps of eternal glaciers and snows, massive rocks framed by evergreen forests, healing mineral springs, river valleys, as well as the sunny Black Sea coast.
Where can you go
Each traveler will certainly pass along one of the most picturesque highways of the planet – the Georgian Military Highway. At one time, it served as the main artery supplying the army of the Russian Empire during the Caucasian wars of the 19th century.
The military purpose of the overpass was successfully completed. Now the road is 208 kilometers among majestic mountain ranges covered with forests and washed by rivers. In the distance, in the middle of gorges and passes, you can see many interesting ancient architectural structures – churches, towers, fortresses and castles.
15 kilometers from Tbilisi is the first and oldest capital of Georgia, founded in the 5th century BC – Mtskheta. This small town with stone-paved streets is cut by a rocky cliff at the confluence of two mountain rivers Aragvi and Kura.
The area is famous for its religious shrines. The oldest monasteries and temples lined up here, for which Mtskheta is called the “Second Jerusalem”. They store many Orthodox relics, among which the most important Christian value is the Chiton of the Lord.
The cave city of Vardzia, located a four-hour drive from the capital of Georgia, makes a grandiose impression on tourists. A whole complex of halls with a total capacity of about 20 thousand people is carved in a longitudinal rocky strip 500 meters long.
These are churches, chapels, warehouses, stables, residential apartments and even baths. The central part of Vardzia is the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, located in the middle of the gorge. The walls of the shrine are decorated with frescoes from the 12th century.
On the Rioni River stands the second largest city in Georgia – Kutaisi. After three hours by car, travelers can visit the Gelati Monastery, included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Churches built in the 13th century rise on the territory of the monastery.
A 30-minute journey from Kutaisi, there are kilometer-long karst caves of Prometheus with constant ups and downs. A bewitching view is created by the most beautiful stalactites, illuminated by multi-colored lights.
The Georgian miracle of nature is located in the vicinity of Kutaisi. This is the Martvili canyon, which is a narrow channel of the Abash arm, lying between high rocks with trees sprouting from above.
Walking trails, surrounded by dense thickets, lead to several picturesque waterfalls of different heights, the waters of which fall on massive cobblestones. Here you can rent a rubber boat and sail the entire valley about three kilometers long. During the walk, huge rocks hang over the heads of travelers.
The wine-growing region of Kakheti deserves attention, where tourists are invited to get acquainted with the ancient Georgian rite of making wine. The blessed drink is aged in large clay jugs underground.
With this method, the wine matures at a constant temperature, which gives it its exquisite taste. The center of the Kakheti region is the city of Telavi, replete with historical monuments of architecture. These are medieval monasteries, temples and fortifications.
The city of Borjomi, located two hours drive from Tbilisi at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level, should be a must-see for travelers. This place is famous for healing mineral springs with a slight taste of hydrogen sulfide, a national reserve and a pleasant mountain atmosphere.
People purposefully come to Borjomi for the sake of rest in the silence of sanatoriums away from the bustle of the city. The resort is one wide street, along which dozens of hotels and boarding houses are located.
An exciting experience promises a trip to the village of Stepantsminda, lying at the foot of Mount Kazbek, covered with eternal glaciers and snows. Its height is 5,000 meters above sea level. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations. The road from Tbilisi takes about three hours.
The views of tourists offer grandiose views of the majestic mountain peaks. Moving along the Georgian Military Highway, it is impossible to miss the Ananuri Fortress, which has served as a defensive structure from enemies since the 16th century. Powerful ancient walls and towers of the citadel rise on the banks of the Zhinvali reservoir, surrounded by picturesque hills with dense forests.
If a trip to Georgia is planned at the height of the summer season, then fans of relaxing and sunbathing on the well-groomed pebble beaches of the warm Black Sea are definitely recommended to visit the city of Batumi. Over the past decades, the main resort center of the country has changed so much that even the most sophisticated tourist will be pleasantly surprised by the grandiose changes in the appearance of the capital of Adjara.
You can get to Batumi in 5 hours. This is a great place for pleasant walks along the wide embankment with growing palm trees and contemplation of modern architectural buildings and structures.
Batumi is literally full of a huge number of diverse attractions that attract both adults and children. The streets and squares abound with sculptural compositions, bizarre buildings, graceful and monumental fountains, and cozy parks.
Advantages
Traveling by car in Georgia allows tourists to experience absolute freedom of movement without burdening themselves with studying the optimal type of public transport and its schedule. An independent trip makes it possible to choose the desired route, comfortably get to interesting and natural sights of the country at any distance, as well as stop freely on picturesque sections of the road without time limits.
The program of viewing Georgian beauties can be expanded by visiting restaurants to try delicious local cuisine. Railway communication is developed at a high level. High-speed branded trains with comfortable carriages carry out regular intercity flights.
However, this mode of travel excludes the change of direction of travel, which is common for auto travelers. By car, the planned route is adjusted easily and without complications – halts and stops in beautiful places in Georgia are possible at any time of the day.
The most common budget public transport are buses and minibuses. They run to the most popular tourist destinations. Only a few private companies are engaged in passenger service at the European level with an exact schedule of departure and arrival.
Often, passenger transportation is carried out by minibuses without the usual schedule. Drivers wait for the filling of the car, after which they set off. The condition of the minibuses leaves much to be desired. Cramped cabins are not equipped with comfortable seats, which causes excessive fatigue from a long trip.
Going to see the sights on buses, tourists will be forced to carry heavy luggage with them or limit themselves to a minimum number of things. A trip by car promises to stock up on everything you need in the trunk and walk freely without backpacks and bags, enjoying the picturesque surroundings and architectural monuments.
Road trips or group tours
Any voyage begins with budget planning. Taking into account their financial capabilities, tourists can calculate the approximate cost of an independent trip to interesting places in Georgia on a rented car in comparison with group organized excursions. To do this, you should take into account the distance of the routes, the price of fuel (1 liter of gasoline is about $ 1) and the cost of renting a car.
The city of Mtskheta, which is the first capital of Georgia, is located 20 kilometers from Tbilisi. The average cost of renting a car is $45 per day. For a trip, it will be enough to spend about 5 liters of gasoline, which will total $ 5.
By car, you can leisurely explore the surroundings of Mtskheta – visit the ancient monasteries of Jvari and Samtavro, as well as the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. It is important to know that there are no bus services to the shrines. A trip with a group of tourists will cost a family of four $60. It will be more expensive than exploring the city on your own in a rental car.
To get to the resort region of Adjara and its main city of Batumi, you need to overcome more than 350 kilometers and spend 40 liters of fuel for $38. The local area of Georgia is famous for its fertile beaches, national parks with abundant green forests, botanical gardens and waterfalls.
The budget for a trip by car, taking into account a two-day rental of transport and gasoline consumption, will total $ 134, when at the same time the price of an excursion program for four family members will cost around $ 200. The benefits of traveling to Batumi with a rented car are obvious.
A group voyage with a professional escort to the highlands of Stepantsminda will cost $120 (for four people). The village is located at a distance of 160 kilometers from Tbilisi. The car will need more than 20 liters of gasoline costing $18. The winding road runs through mountainous scenic areas.
In total, a trip by rental car will cost tourists $68. Driving around the village of Stepantsminda, you can see grandiose landscapes – the Caucasus Mountains covered with eternal snows, the Darial Gorge, constrained by majestic rocks, and the Gveleti waterfall 25 meters high.
It is quite acceptable to visit the birthplace of the famous mineral spring “Borjomi” by rental car for $50 per day. The average budget for a day trip, including fuel (20 liters), is only $70. A group visit to the city of Borjomi will cost a family of four $ 100, which will be more expensive than the cost of an independent trip.
Tourists will meet with a wonderful place, sandwiched by huge mountain ranges with coniferous and deciduous forests. An independent trip from excursion programs will allow you to enjoy a relaxing walk through the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, rich in flora and fauna.
The famous cave city of Vardzia is located 250 kilometers from Tbilisi. An organized tour will cost the family $140. It is possible to go to this historical and attractive settlement by car. The average travel budget for a rental car, including fuel costs, is $80.
There is no direct road to the cave complex. The route passes through the picturesque ancient city of Akhaltsikhe, on the territory of which the 13th century fortress Rabat rises.
Tourists can get acquainted with the city of Kutaisi using rental vehicles. The trip will require more than 25 liters of fuel. The approximate cost of the trip will be $70. It's $20 cheaper than organized tours.
In addition, an independent voyage will allow you to see all the iconic places around Kutaisi without fuss – monasteries, caves, as well as the Sataplia Nature Reserve, which is the Georgian Jurassic Park with dinosaur figures.
What to look out for
Slowly admiring colorful Georgia with its impressive beautiful landscapes and centuries-old buildings is possible only during an independent trip by car. Tourists can use the services of special car rental companies. To do this, you will need a passport, a driver's license, as well as documentary financial capabilities to pay for the lease agreement, a deposit (deposit) and fuel costs.
Rent companies, guided by international practice, require from customers the amount of a deposit (deposit) that guarantees the return of the car. Thus, organizations impose on tenants a minimum responsibility for the safety of the vehicle. The amount of the deposit depends on the cost of the respective car class and the financial policy of the rental company.
Many tourists refuse to pay a deposit for a rented car. For such clients, there is an option that involves exemption from the deposit, but for an additional fixed daily fee.
An important aspect is the search for a reliable office that provides safe and comfortable transport. To go on an exciting voyage by car, you need to take into account some of the nuances regarding local traditions, customs and established foundations.
Which class to choose
The right choice of car is the basis for a safe and comfortable journey through the picturesque regions of Georgia. When drawing up a rental agreement, it is worth paying attention, in addition to the price, insurance and the amount of the deposit, to the characteristics of the vehicle.
It is important to take into account the engine size, interior capacity, trunk size and equipment of the car with additional options (for example, air conditioning, power steering, power mirrors, etc.).
A trip on budget small cars will not provide complete travel comfort. A car with a low-power engine will have difficulty overcoming mountain serpentines and steep climbs. In addition, the small volume of the trunk is not designed to carry more than two travel suitcases.
For a family trip, a seven-seater minivan is ideal. This all-wheel drive vehicle is equipped with a powerful engine, which will allow you to comfortably drive through the mountainous landscapes of Georgia.
One of the most optimal and versatile car classes is an SUV that can be rented at an affordable cost. Jeeps overcome any off-road and obstacles, and also provide fairly easy maneuverability with their large dimensions in city traffic. The presence of all-wheel drive, an impressive volume of the luggage compartment, as well as a spacious and roomy interior give confidence on trips over long distances.
Insurance conditions
According to generally accepted international rules, all rental cars are subject to insurance. Without this item of expenditure, not a single reputable rental company will provide a car to a client. There are several types of insurance policies in Georgia.
Each traveler, evaluating his driving skills, has the right to independently choose the type of contract. Experienced and cool-headed drivers who are accustomed to deftly maneuvering in a stream of cars and who know how to drive a vehicle in mountainous terrain can take out ordinary OSAGO insurance.
This is a mandatory and standard type of insurance, the price of which is included in the rental price. The policy only covers damages to the affected third party and does not compensate for the driver's own losses. The responsibility for damage to the car lies with the tenant.
Tourists can purchase voluntary car insurance – CASCO. It implies full financial protection against unforeseen random factors that occur on the roads (accident, theft, fire, natural disasters, falling trees, etc.). The insurance compensates for all damage to the car, except for a punctured tire, a broken windshield mirror and the bottom.
Only SuperKASKO protects the rental car from absolutely all damages. This type of insurance is ideal for travelers who want to spend a relaxing holiday without any worries and nervous breakdowns. In Georgia, there are some places where it is forbidden to drive even on an all-wheel drive SUV.
These are separate sections of the road that are not used even by local residents. Travel on them is not covered by any type of insurance. Also, the insurance policy is canceled if the driver has alcohol in his blood.
In the event of a traffic accident, you must call the rental office and call the police at the scene of the accident at number 112. It is forbidden to move the car from the scene of the accident.
Rental methods
You can order a car in advance through the popular Myrentacar.com service, which groups advantageous offers from a large number of rental companies. The convenience lies in the fact that, according to the given characteristics of the car class you like, the system compares the pricing policy and the terms of the lease agreements of all offered companies.
No need to waste time manually monitoring landlords individually. The Rentalcars service requires from its customers a high deposit for a car in the amount of $300 to $1,000. At the same time, the cost of full insurance of the selected vehicle is cheaper than in the offices of rental companies, where tourists apply directly.
The disadvantage of using the Rentalcars website is that customers do not book a specific car model, but only a class with certain characteristics and options. There are representatives of several international car rental companies in Georgia, such as Sixt, Avis, Hertz and Budget. They have established themselves as reputable professional organizations with a wide range of cars and vast experience in the car rental industry.
Tourists should pay attention to the study of the terms of rental agreements for each office separately. Turning to the services of international organizations, customers need to be prepared to pay a considerable amount of collateral (up to $ 2,500), as well as pay a high price for additional options.
Firms do not give the opportunity to choose a specific car you like. You can only give preference to the class of the car.
Local rental companies offer a small selection of cars, but for reasonable rental conditions and reasonable prices. And you can still try to bargain and get a good discount for it. The cost of services of local offices in Georgia is 30% cheaper than the conditions in international companies with “promoted” brands.
Often, local organizations do not have office space. Contracts are concluded literally on the knee. There is a risk that the car will not meet the expectations of the guest of Georgia. Landlords may not bring the car that the tourists wanted to book. This is due to the fact that the chosen car broke down or other travelers gave more money for it.
Sravni.ru – medical insurance for a trip to Georgia
Rent on Myrentacar.com
It is possible to rent a car from Georgian distributors without risks through the company Myrentacar.com, which is an intermediary between consumers and lessors. The service cooperates exclusively with proven and reliable local companies that have a high-quality and technically sound fleet of vehicles with their own repair shops and trained technical staff.
The system combines all the offers of local car rental companies, comparing quite acceptable vehicle rental prices. On Myrentacar.com, the client can order a specific brand of the car he likes with the necessary characteristics and additional options, even specifying the body color and type of air conditioner.
The online assistant is guaranteed to provide travelers with exactly the car that was previously selected. When booking a car, only an advance payment is made, and a deposit, which is only $ 100-200, is paid upon receipt. This is a significant advantage compared to international companies.
Pricing formed by distributors is absolutely transparent and understandable.
The final calculation of the cost of the lease agreement is known before placing an order. The customer clearly understands how much he will pay for the entire rental. When driving a rental car, the driver pays for refueling with gasoline or gas, parking and fines.
The aggregator provides services free of charge. There are no unpleasant surprises here, such as changes in the cost of services due to associated costs associated with additional options, insurance or branded premiums.
For advice, you can contact the customer support service. Managers will answer any questions by phone 8 800 350 15 14 or through social networks. When booking a car on the Myrentacar.com website, the client chooses the host country – Georgia.
Further, he indicates in the search engine the necessary additional information – the city, the place of delivery and return of transport, the estimated date of rent, as well as the type of car transmission. You can also use the advanced search and sort the offers of lessors by the desired rental price, engine size, type of fuel and year of manufacture of the car.
According to the relevant requirements, the service provides all relevant and available machines at a given time within a few seconds. The display shows a list of specific brands of cars, divided into four main categories: economical subcompacts with small dimensions, medium compactness with acceptable roominess and luggage space, executive cars with an increased level of comfort and powerful SUVs with all-wheel drive.
You can study in detail the characteristics of the car and the price calculation by clicking on the image of the vehicle you like. It is worth knowing that the longer the duration of the rental, the cheaper the daily cost will be. For example, for a three-day rental of a middle-class car, a tourist will pay $45 per day. If you rent a car in Georgia for 15 days, it will cost $40 per day.
After the final choice of a car with all additional options, the driver proceeds to the direct booking of the car. Accurate information is entered regarding the time and place of the provision of transport, as well as its return to the lessor.
After that, you should fill in your personal data. First name, last name, phone number and e-mail address are indicated. The site uses technology that provides customers with the security of transmitted confidential information.
Further, using a bank card, an advance payment is made, the amount of which is usually 15% of the total rental price. You will receive a confirmation of payment by e-mail, as well as a car reservation voucher, which contains all the rental information.
In case of unforeseen circumstances, the customer has the right to cancel the reservation no later than 7 days before the start of the car rental period. In this case, the prepayment amount is returned back to the card.
Receipt and return
An employee of the rental company will deliver the car on the day and hour appointed by the tourists. The vehicle must comply with the selected characteristics. The representative of the rental office must present identification documents and a voucher (printed or electronically).
Before signing a rental agreement for one driver, it is necessary to make a thorough inspection of the car. Any external damage to the body and internal flaws in the interior must be recorded in the act of transfer of the car. It is recommended to take pictures of the transport from all sides in order to avoid disputes after its return.
Customers should carefully read all the clauses of the terms of the contract, after which they can sign the document with the distributor. Then the remaining payment of the rental price (85%) and the amount of the agreed deposit are paid. The customer is handed the keys to the car, one copy of the contract, contact numbers of insurance companies and the distributor. The whole procedure takes no more than 15 minutes.
At the end of the rental period, the tenants are obliged to return the car to the place of transfer agreed in advance. The car must be filled with the same number of liters of gasoline as when it was received.
The representative of the lessor's company will inspect the transport and, if all the conditions of the lease are met, will return the deposit amount left in cash or by removing the blocking from the deposit on the bank card. Unblocking funds can be delayed for up to 30 days, so you should ask for a confirmation receipt for this operation.
Travel Features
Surprisingly beautiful Georgia captivates tourists with the grandiose mountains of the Lesser and Greater Caucasus, picturesque landscapes, ancient architectural monuments, as well as the hospitality of the locals.
Traveling by public transport will not bring much pleasant experience due to being tied to bus schedules, time restrictions and freedom of movement. In addition, buses do not run to many interesting places in Georgia.
The best option for a full-fledged trip is to travel on your own or rented vehicle. Going on a journey, tourists are required to carefully study the features of local life, norms and rules of conduct.
It is necessary to foresee in advance the features of the travel conditions, the observance of which is necessary for a practical and favorable rest:
Roads
The length of Georgia's highways is more than 20,000 kilometers. Of these, only 8,000 km are paved. There are several main highways of excellent quality connecting the Eastern and Western regions of the country. But drivers should not lose vigilance – unexpected potholes, pits and potholes can meet on their way. There are no tolls in Georgia. There is not a single toll section of the highway here.
Often, local roads are unpaved unpaved roads. Given the mountainous terrain with narrow serpentines of transport routes, special care must be taken when traveling. Snowfalls and rockfalls are not uncommon, creating a danger to the movement and life of travelers. There are places that can only be reached by four-wheel drive jeeps.
The roads that direct travelers to popular tourist destinations are quite suitable for passenger cars. One of the features of the national color of Georgia is livestock running out onto the roadway or grazing around the roads. Drivers should be extremely careful and careful so that the trip leaves only pleasant emotions.
parking
You can park your car for free in any place suitable for this, where there are no prohibition signs. In small towns, there are much more free parking lots than in cities. There are mandatory paid parking spaces in the three largest and most famous places in Georgia – Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi.
They are indicated by a dashed white line along the curb and a corresponding “P” sign. Signposts inform drivers how to park the car – parallel or at an angle. Parking spaces can be located on the left or right side of the road.
Free parking is provided by hotel complexes or hospitable hosts who receive guests. Every major city has its own municipal parking service. Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi are served by the following companies: City parking, Batumi parking, Parking service.
Pay for parking for an hour or less will not work. The minimum billed period is a day, the estimated cost of which is $ 0.42. Payment is valid throughout the city. You can pay for parking a vehicle through special terminals in which you enter the car number and registration certificate. After payment, the machine issues a receipt.
You should keep the ticket under the windshield of the car so that the checking employees of the road service can see the date and time. It is also allowed to pay online on the official websites of parking companies. In this case, the check will not be needed, since the data about the car is entered into a single registry database. “Parking attendants”, dressed in bright vests, are not employees of companies.
They supervise parking spaces on their own initiative and come to the aid of drivers when parking. Rewarding these volunteers is a voluntary right of tourists. Compliance with proper parking and its payment is monitored by the police, as well as inspectors from the municipal company. Parking in the wrong place guarantees a monetary penalty of $ 5.
Road police
Thanks to the implementation of large-scale reforms in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the traffic police of Georgia, a new police force was formed, which is trusted by 90% of the population. The personnel of law enforcement officers consists of decent, fair and physically trained officers who undergo a difficult competitive selection.
The traffic police are friendly to tourists. Without good reason, they will not stop the car. The police are always ready to help travelers who get lost or are looking for the right address. It is better not to abuse a loyal attitude and strictly follow the rules of the road.
It is strictly forbidden to argue, be rude, prove one's case, and even more so to offer a bribe to a representative of law and order. Criminal liability awaits violators for dishonest behavior.
Patrol cars ply with lights on.
On expressways, the traffic police monitors the traffic situation, being in cars without identification marks of the civil service, equipped with video recording equipment and radars.
traffic rules and fines
Traffic rules in Georgia comply with the generally accepted international standard. Experienced motorists will not discover anything new for themselves. Movement is carried out according to signs, dividing lanes and traffic lights.
Safe travel by car depends on drivers complying with the following conditions:
- Transportation of children under three years of age is allowed only in special chairs. It is unacceptable to leave children in a car in parking lots without parental supervision. Failure to follow these rules will cost $18;
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Those who wish to throw garbage out of the windows of the car while driving will be fined $124.
Police officers at the scene of the violation draw up a protocol and issue a fine, which must be paid within 30 days. You can pay the fee through the bank. If foreign citizens traveling in a rented car did not deign to pay on time, then the amount of fines is charged from the deposit left in the rental company.
In parallel with monetary punishment in Georgia, a point system for non-compliance with traffic rules has been introduced. Each driver is awarded 100 points annually, which will be reduced in case of illegal actions on the roads. After resetting the points, a deprivation of rights for a year follows. This innovation also applies to tourists.
Fuel prices
It is a pleasure to use Georgian gas stations. You don't even need to get out of the car. I drove up to the dispenser, told the employee: how much and what, waited for the end of refueling, paid. If you pay by card, a portable terminal will be brought directly to the car.
Probably because no one gets out of the cars, Georgian gas stations are usually just gas stations. You will not find shops and mini hotels there. Regarding the quality of fuel, travelers unanimously advise to avoid “outbred” gas stations (without the logo of a well-known company), and use network ones: Gulf, Wisson, Lukoil, Socar, Rompetrol.
In Georgia, gas stations have:
- 92 gasoline (Euro Regular) – $0.8109
- 95 petrol (Premium) – $0.8912
- 98 petrol (Super) – $0.9437
- Diesel (Diesel) – $0.8143
- LPG – $0.6659
Internet and mobile communication
It is difficult to imagine modern travel without cellular communication and presence in the mass media network. The Internet and telephone have become indispensable companions during a long voyage.
Tourists should first of all take care of the functioning of their own means of communication in order to maintain contact with relatives, close friends and, if necessary, be able to call for help. Expensive roaming is not an affordable luxury for most vacationers. Therefore, it is better to use a mobile card of local operators.
Georgia offers its guests the following main telecom operators with acceptable coverage throughout the country: Beeline, GeoCell and Magti. The points of sale of tariff packages are located at the airport, in the offices of companies and in city kiosks in the markets.
The cost of a mobile card reaches an average of $ 2.5.
There are no special problems with the Internet and free Wi-Fi zones. All guest houses and hotels both in large cities and in mountain villages have access to the network.
Where to go outside the country
To broaden their horizons and diversify such an exciting journey through the enchanting places of Georgia, tourists have the opportunity to go to neighboring states. It will be quite easy to get to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey. Offices that provide rental cars must give permission to travel outside the country.
If approved, the rental company issues a power of attorney to the driver. Registration of the document is paid separately. Yerevan is only 350 kilometers away. You will have to drive twice as far to Baku – 600 km. As many as 1,300 kilometers of roads await travelers wishing to visit Ankara.