Book a car at Kutaisi airport or in the city through Localrent and access local rental companies, delivery to hotels, and options without upfront deposit requirements.
Localrent connects you with local Georgian rental companies operating in Kutaisi and at the airport. The process starts online: you enter your dates and pick-up point in the widget above, compare offers from several providers, and complete the booking with an advance payment. The voucher arrives by email with full details of your reservation and the contact information of the rental company.
Pick-up formats depend on the company you choose. Kutaisi International Airport (KUT), the Wizz Air hub located 20 km west of the city centre, is the most common pick-up point. Many local providers have meet-and-greet service in the arrivals hall or a desk inside the terminal. Some companies offer hotel delivery in Kutaisi or nearby towns - specify your address during booking and the provider will confirm the meeting point. A few operators maintain a downtown office if you prefer to collect the car from the city.
The voucher states the exact pick-up location, the rental company's phone number, and any delivery fees if applicable. If you booked airport pick-up, the driver or company representative will wait in arrivals with a name board. For hotel delivery, they will call you before arrival. Return works the same way: drop the car at the agreed location or arrange for the company to collect it from your accommodation.
KUT is Georgia's second busiest airport, with low-cost carriers from Europe. Car rental desks open for flight arrivals, but book ahead during ski season.
E60 connects Kutaisi to Tbilisi in three hours and Batumi on the Black Sea in two and a half hours. Road is paved and maintained year-round.
Prometheus Cave is 30 minutes north, Martvili Canyon 45 minutes. Mestia and Svaneti take four to five hours, with snow and steep sections in winter requiring 4x4.
Bakuriani is two hours via Borjomi; Gudauri is three hours through Tbilisi. Both operate from December to April with groomed runs and rental facilities on-site.
Kutaisi itself stays mild, around 5-10C. Mountain roads require winter tyres, which all cars in Localrent listings include during cold months. Check weather before driving to high passes.
Enter your dates and pick-up location in the Localrent widget. The search returns offers from local companies operating in Kutaisi. Each listing shows the car class, insurance options, and what is included.
Select an offer and fill in driver details. Pay the booking advance online - this reserves the car and confirms your reservation. The amount varies by company and is stated before payment.
The voucher arrives in your inbox with the rental company's name, pick-up instructions, and the balance due at collection. The balance is paid to the rental company at pick-up as stated in the voucher.
Present your voucher, driving licence, and passport at the pick-up point. The company checks the documents, explains the insurance coverage, and hands over the keys. Drive off when you're ready.
Local companies on Localrent list several categories suited to different trips from Kutaisi. Choose according to the number of passengers, luggage, and the type of roads you plan to take.
| Class | Typical models | Suits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto | City driving, short trips | Manual, front-wheel drive, enough for Kutaisi and nearby caves |
| Compact | Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo | Couples, highway journeys | Better comfort on E60 to Tbilisi or Batumi |
| Standard sedan | Kia Cerato, Hyundai Elantra | Families, longer distances | Larger boot, stable on open roads |
| SUV | Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Creta | Mountain roads, ski gear | Higher clearance, suitable for Bakuriani and Borjomi routes |
| 4x4 | Mitsubishi Pajero, Suzuki Jimny | Svaneti, remote passes | Essential for Mestia in winter; some companies require mountain-driving experience |
Kutaisi sits at the intersection of several routes: the Black Sea coast, the ski resorts near Tbilisi, and the mountain valleys of Svaneti. Distances are manageable for day trips or weekend loops.
| Destination | Distance | Drive time | Road type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prometheus Cave | 30 km | 30 min | Paved, well-marked |
| Martvili Canyon | 50 km | 45 min | Narrow sections, scenic |
| Batumi | 150 km | 2 h 30 min | E60 highway, flat |
| Tbilisi | 230 km | 3 h | E60 motorway |
| Bakuriani ski resort | 150 km | 2 h | Via Borjomi, winter tyres required |
| Gudauri ski resort | 260 km | 3 h 30 min | Through Tbilisi, high pass, chains advised |
| Mestia (Svaneti) | 230 km | 4-5 h | Mountain road, 4x4 essential in winter |
Some local providers listed on Localrent offer car rental in Kutaisi without the need to leave a deposit at the counter. Instead of blocking funds on a credit card, you pay a small daily insurance supplement that covers potential damage or theft. The conditions and coverage are detailed in the voucher before you confirm.
This option suits travellers who prefer not to have several hundred dollars or euros held for the rental period. Not every company in Kutaisi provides it, but the no-deposit filter in the Localrent search shows which ones do. Read more about how the system works on the no-deposit page.
You need a full driving licence held for at least one year - some companies require two years for SUVs and 4x4s. An international driving permit is officially required if your licence is not in Latin script; bring both the IDP and your original licence. Most local providers accept EU and US licences without additional permits, but check the terms in your voucher.
Minimum age is usually 21, with a young-driver surcharge for those under 23. Upper age limits vary by company; a few restrict drivers over 70 or require a recent medical certificate. A passport is needed for identity verification at pick-up. A credit card in the driver's name is necessary if the rental includes a deposit hold; debit cards work for no-deposit offers.
Picked up a Hyundai Creta at Kutaisi airport in January. The company met me on time, explained everything clearly, and the car had good winter tyres. Drove to Gudauri and back without issues. Return was quick.
Booked through Localrent for a week in Kutaisi. Delivery to the hotel worked perfectly, and the no-deposit option saved me from freezing funds. Visited Prometheus Cave and Martvili Canyon - roads were fine.
Got a Mitsubishi Pajero for a trip to Mestia in December. The local company checked my experience with mountain driving and gave tips on the route. Snow was heavy but the car handled it well.
One-way rentals between Kutaisi and Tbilisi are available from some local companies on Localrent. The fee depends on the provider and is shown during the booking process. Confirm the drop-off location in your voucher.
Yes. All cars rented through Localrent in Georgia during winter months come with winter tyres fitted. For high mountain passes like Gudauri, check weather forecasts and consider renting an SUV or 4x4 if snow is forecast.
Not necessarily. Prices on Localrent depend on the rental company, season, and demand. Airport pick-up is often more convenient because most international flights arrive at KUT, and meet-and-greet service is included by many providers.
Each offer in the search results states the insurance type: basic third-party, collision damage waiver, or full coverage. The voucher lists what is covered and what excess applies. Additional options can often be added at pick-up.
Most Georgian rental companies do not allow cross-border travel without prior approval, and some prohibit it entirely. If you plan to leave Georgia, contact the rental company through the details in your voucher before the trip and request written permission.
Two to three weeks ahead is sensible for December through March. Demand rises when flights from Europe increase, and the number of cars available from local companies is limited. Booking early through Localrent also locks in better rates.
Traffic in Kutaisi is light compared to Tbilisi. The city centre has narrow streets with some cobblestone sections, but most routes are paved and signposted in Georgian and English. Drivers follow right-hand traffic rules. Speed limits are 60 km/h in town, 90 km/h on regional roads, and 110 km/h on the E60 motorway. Police set up checkpoints occasionally; keep your licence, passport, and rental documents within reach.
Parking in the centre is mostly street-side and free outside marked zones. Some cafes and hotels have small lots; ask when you arrive. Kutaisi International Airport has a free car park directly in front of the terminal - convenient for short pick-ups or returns. When driving to mountain areas, fill the tank in Kutaisi because petrol stations become sparse beyond Tskaltubo.
Winter driving from Kutaisi to ski resorts or Svaneti requires attention. Mountain roads have hairpin bends and limited barriers. Check weather reports before setting out, and if snow is falling heavily, postpone the trip or switch to a 4x4. Local drivers are used to these conditions and drive fast; keep to the right and let them overtake. Mobile signal is strong on main routes but drops in remote valleys, so download offline maps before leaving the city.
Compare offers from local Georgian rental companies at Kutaisi airport and downtown through the Localrent widget at the top of this page. Enter your dates, review the listings, and secure your car with an online advance payment. Your voucher with pick-up details will arrive in minutes.