Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) is Georgia’s main gateway, situated about 18 kilometres from the capital city. Georgia is experiencing a tourism boom – and it’s easy to see why. This Caucasus country offers extraordinary mountain scenery, one of the world’s oldest wine cultures (claims suggest 8,000 years!), incredible food, and hospitality that makes visitors feel genuinely welcome. Picking up a hire car at Tbilisi Airport is the best decision you can make – it opens up a country of incredible diversity, from the cobblestone streets of the old capital to dramatic mountain passes.
Why Hire a Car at Tbilisi Airport?
Georgia is a country best explored by car. While Tbilisi has good public transport, the country’s real attractions lie outside the capital – in the mountains, wine regions, and ancient monasteries that are impractical to reach any other way. With your own vehicle, you can wake up in Tbilisi, drive to a medieval monastery for lunch, and be swimming in the Black Sea by evening (if you want to, though it takes a while).
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Day Trips from Tbilisi
Kazbegi (3 hours)
The drive to Kazbegi is one of the world’s great mountain roads – the Georgian Military Highway winds through dramatic passes, past waterfalls and villages, to the town of Stepantsminda. From there, the Gergeti Trinity Church sits perched on a hilltop, with views of Mount Kazbek (5,047 metres) that will take your breath away. The area is spectacular year-round – hiking in summer, skiing in winter.
Kakheti Wine Region (2 hours)
Georgia is the birthplace of wine – literally. Archaeological evidence suggests wine production here goes back 8,000 years. The Kakheti region is Georgia’s main wine-producing area, with dozens of family wineries offering tastings. The qvevri method – fermenting and storing wine in large clay jars buried in the ground – is unique to Georgia. The drive through the region is beautiful, with vineyards, medieval towers, and villages that feel untouched by time.
Mtskheta (30 minutes)
Just half an hour from Tbilisi, Mtskheta is Georgia’s ancient capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is one of the most sacred sites in Georgia – according to tradition, Christ’s robe is buried here. The Jvari Monastery sits on a hill above town, offering panoramic views. It’s an easy half-day trip from the capital.
Vardzia (5 hours)
For the adventurous, Vardzia is a cave monastery carved into a cliff face in southern Georgia – an astonishing feat of engineering dating from the 12th century. The complex includes hundreds of rooms, churches, and tunnels. The drive takes you through varied scenery, and you can combine it with a visit to the nearby town of Akhaltsikhe.
Driving Tips for Georgia
Georgian driving can be an adventure. Roads vary dramatically in quality – main highways are generally good, but rural and mountain roads can be rough, narrow, and challenging. The Georgian Military Highway to Kazbegi is spectacular but demanding – take your time and drive carefully.
For non-EU visitors, an International Driving Permit is strongly recommended alongside your home licence.
The local currency is the Georgian Lari (GEL), which is very affordable for visitors. Fuel stations are widely available, though some rural areas have limited options.
Speed limits are 60 km/h in urban areas, 80-90 km/h on open roads, and 100-110 km/h on motorways. Speed cameras are common.
Car Hire at Tbilisi Airport with 365CarHire
At 365CarHire, we make it easy to find cheap car hire at Tbilisi Airport. Compare prices from trusted suppliers, book with confidence. Georgia awaits – start your adventure today.