Georgia is a beautiful country where old and new things mix. One of the best ways to see Georgia is by taking a car trip from Tbilisi, the big city where many people live, to Batumi, a fun city by the sea. On this trip, you’ll see many different things like hills, big mountains, and small villages. You’ll also learn about Georgia’s nature and meet friendly people.
Source: Photo by Denis Arslanbekov on Unsplash
Getting to Georgia
Most people who visit Georgia fly to Tbilisi International Airport. Many big airlines fly here from Europe and the Middle East. When you arrive, you’ll be close to the center of Tbilisi and ready to start your trip.
Visa Rules
Georgia makes it easy for many people to visit. If you’re from certain countries, you can stay for up to one year without needing a special permit called a visa. But it’s important to check the rules before you go because they can change. Some people might need to ask for an e-visa on the government’s website before they travel.
Best Time to Visit
The best time for your car trip depends on what you like and what you want to do. Here’s what you can expect in different seasons:
Spring (April to May)
This is a great time to visit. The weather is nice and not too hot. Flowers are blooming everywhere. You might still see snow in the mountains, which looks very pretty.
Summer (June to August)
If you like going to the beach in Batumi, summer is perfect. But other parts of Georgia can be very hot. Many tourists come at this time, so that things can be more expensive and crowded.
Fall (September to November)
This is another good time for a car trip. The weather is nice, and the trees in the mountains change color, which is very beautiful.
Winter (December to March)
The weather is mild near the sea, but mountain roads can be hard to drive on because of snow. If you like skiing or other snow activities, this is a good time to come.
How Much It Costs
Traveling in Georgia can be cheap or expensive, depending on how you like to travel. Here’s how much things might cost each day:
- Renting a car: $30-$60
- Gas for the car: $30-$50 (depending on how far you drive)
- Place to sleep: $30-$100
- Food and drinks: $15-$40 for each person
- Things to do and see: $10-$30
Plan to spend about $100-$250 each day for a nice trip. Remember that things can cost more in Tbilisi and Batumi during busy times.
Rules for Driving and Helpful Tips
Driving in Georgia can be exciting but sometimes tricky. Here are some important things to know:
- In Georgia, you drive on the right side of the road.
- In cities, you can usually drive up to 60 kilometers per hour. On big roads between cities, you can generally drive up to 90 kilometers per hour.
- Always carry your driver’s license, car papers, and car insurance papers with you. If you don’t have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP), get one because you’ll need it.
- Some roads, especially in the countryside, might not be very smooth.
- Mountain roads can be narrow and have many turns. Drive slowly and carefully.
- Some people in Georgia drive fast and might not follow all the rules. Be very careful and patient.
It’s advisable to familiarize yourself with local traffic signs and regulations before driving in Georgia to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
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Car Rental in Georgia
You can rent a car from big international companies or local Georgia car rental companies. It’s a good idea to book your vehicle before you arrive, especially if you’re coming in summer when many people visit. You can find various car rental locations in Georgia. You can usually pick up your car at the airport in Tbilisi or in the city center. If you plan to drive on country roads or in the mountains, it’s better to get a bigger, stronger car like an SUV.
Things to Bring on Your Trip
Here are some important things to pack:
- A GPS or maps you can use without the internet (because you might not have a good phone signal in some areas)
- A first-aid kit
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Comfortable shoes for walking
- A light jacket or sweater (even in summer, it can be cool in the mountains)
- A water bottle you can refill
- A power bank to charge your phone
- A small book or app to help you learn some Georgian words
Now, let’s start our trip from Tbilisi to Batumi!
Tbilisi: Where Old and New Meet
Source: Photo by Great_bru
Your adventure starts in Tbilisi, the big and exciting capital city of Georgia. When you walk on the old stone streets in the Old Town, you can feel how old the city is. You’ll see very old churches next to houses made of wood with beautiful balconies. You’ll also see very new, modern buildings.
Start by visiting Narikala Fortress. It’s on a hill high above the city. You can walk up or take a cable car. From the top, you can see all of Tbilisi. You’ll see the Mtkvari River flowing through the city, the big golden dome of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the Peace Bridge that looks like it’s made of glass.
When you go back down to the Old Town, walk around the narrow streets. You’ll smell fresh bread and spices from small bakeries and restaurants. Visit one of the old bathhouses in the Abanotubani area. People have been coming here for hundreds of years to relax in the warm water that smells like eggs because of the minerals in it.
In the evening, go to Rustaveli Avenue. This is the main street in Tbilisi where lots of things happen. You’ll see the big, beautiful Georgian National Opera Theater. It looks like a building you might see in a country like Morocco. Near here is the Georgian National Museum , where you can see very old things from Georgia’s history, even gold from thousands of years ago.
For dinner, try a restaurant in the Old Town. Order some Georgian food like khachapuri (bread filled with cheese), khinkali (dumplings filled with meat or cheese), and mtsvadi (meat cooked on a stick). Drink some Georgian wine with your food. People have been making wine in Georgia for thousands of years!
Where to Stay in Tbilisi
Stamba Hotel: This is a fancy hotel in an old building that used to be where they made books and newspapers. It costs about $200 for one night.
Fabrika Tbilisi: This is a cool and cheap place to stay. It used to be a factory where they made clothes. You can get a private room for about $50 or a bed in a shared room for about $15.
Leaving Tbilisi: The Trip Begins
When you leave Tbilisi, you’ll drive west on the big E60 road. You’ll see less and less city and more green hills and forests. Your first stop is a place called Mtskheta, which is only 20 kilometers from Tbilisi but feels very different.
Mtskheta: A Very Important Old City
Source: Photo by Albert Canite on Unsplash
Park your car and walk around the quiet streets. You’ll see small shops selling things made by local people and a sweet called churchkhela that looks like a candle and is made from grape juice and nuts. You might smell incense from the churches and hear bells ringing.
Mtskheta used to be the capital of Georgia a long time ago. It’s where two rivers, the Mtkvari and Aragvi, come together. As you get close, you’ll see the big Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. It was built about 1000 years ago and has a tall, pointy roof. This church is very important to Georgian people and is so special that the United Nations says it must be protected.
Walk up the hill to Jvari Monastery. This small church was built about 1500 years ago on top of a mountain. From here, you can see all of Mtskheta and the beautiful land around it. When the sun starts to go down, the view is amazing, and you’ll understand why people have loved this place for so long.
Where to Stay near Mtskheta
Mtskheta is so close to Tbilisi that many people go back to Tbilisi to sleep. But if you want to stay in Mtskheta:
Napareuli Boutique Hotel: This is a nice small hotel with a pretty garden. It costs about $60 for one night.
Going West: The Georgian Military Highway
From Mtskheta, you’ll drive north on a road called the Georgian Military Highway. This is one of the most beautiful roads in Georgia. It goes through the big Caucasus Mountains and used to be the main road between Georgia and Russia.
About 70 kilometers from Mtskheta, you’ll stop at a place called Ananuri. This is an old fort from about 400 years ago. It’s next to a big lake called the Zhinvali Reservoir. The old stone towers of the fort look beautiful, reflected in the blue-green water. You can climb the walls of the fort to see the mountains all around.
Source: Photo by Ajeesh Vijayan on Unsplash
As you keep driving north, you’ll see bigger and bigger mountains. There will be cliffs on both sides of the road, and you’ll start to see mountains with snow on top. You’re now entering a place called Kazbegi, which is one of the most beautiful parts of Georgia.
Kazbegi: Big Mountains and Old Churches
Kazbegi is the name of a small town, but people also use this name for the area around it. The town is very small compared to the huge mountain next to it called Mount Kazbek. This is one of the tallest mountains in this part of the world.
Source: Photo by Somil Gupta on Unsplash
The most famous thing to see here is Gergeti Trinity Church. This church is on top of a hill with a big mountain behind it. It’s a very beautiful view. You can walk up to the church if you want, but it’s a long climb. Many people pay a local driver with a strong car to take them up the steep, bumpy road.
When you get to the church, take some time to look around. The air is very clean and fresh. It’s very quiet except for the wind and sometimes you can hear bells ringing far away. Inside the church, you can see very old paintings on the walls that tell stories about religion and history.
Where to Stay in Kazbegi
Rooms Hotel Kazbegi: This is a nice hotel that looks like a big wooden house. The windows are very big so you can see the mountains. It costs about $150 for one night.
Going East to Kakheti: Where They Make Wine
From Kazbegi, you’ll drive back south and then east to a place called Kakheti. This is where most of the wine in Georgia is made. Here, you’ll see lots of gentle hills covered with grape plants as far as you can see.
The first place you should stop in Kakheti is a town called Sighnaghi. Some people call it the “City of Love” because it’s so pretty. This town is on top of a hill and has old walls around it from about 300 years ago. From here, you can see the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus Mountains far away. Walk around the old streets and look at the pretty houses with colorful balconies. You can try different kinds of wine in many small wine shops.
Source: Photo by a_medvedkov
Just outside Sighnaghi, visit Bodbe Monastery. This is a very important church for Georgian people. Inside is the grave of St. Nino, a woman who taught people in Georgia about Christianity about 1700 years ago. The garden at the monastery is very peaceful, with lots of roses and cypress trees that smell nice.
As you drive through Kakheti, stop at some of the places where they make wine. Many of these places will show you how they make wine and let you taste it. In Georgia, they have a special way of making wine where they put the grape juice in big clay jars and bury them in the ground.
Where to Stay in Kakheti
Schuchmann Wines Chateau: This is a fancy hotel where they also make wine. You can learn about how they make wine and taste different kinds. From the hotel, you can see the Caucasus Mountains. It costs about $150 for one night.
Going South: Towards Kutaisi
After Kakheti, you’ll drive back towards the middle of Georgia to a city called Kutaisi. This is a very old city that used to be the capital of Georgia a long time ago. There are many old and interesting things to see here.
Source: Photo by Ivars Utināns on Unsplash
Start by visiting Gelati Monastery. This is a very old and important church that was built about 900 years ago. The United Nations says it must be protected because it’s so special. Inside the main church building, you can see very old and beautiful paintings on the walls.
Next, go to Prometheus Cave. This is a big cave with amazing rock shapes hanging from the ceiling and growing up from the floor. These are called stalactites and stalagmites. A guide will take you through the cave, which has lights to make it look pretty. At the end, you can take a short boat ride on a small river inside the cave.
Where to Stay in Kutaisi
Best Western Kutaisi: This is a new hotel in the middle of the city. The rooms are comfortable, and they give you a good breakfast. It costs about $70 for one night.
The Last Part of the Trip: To Batumi
The last part of your trip takes you southwest towards the Black Sea and the city of Batumi. As you get closer to the sea, you’ll notice that there are more trees and plants. It feels more like a warm, tropical place.
Batumi: Fun by the Sea
When you get to Batumi, you’ll see that it’s a mix of old and new things. There’s a long path by the sea where you can walk. It has palm trees and interesting statues. In the evening, you can walk here and watch the sun go down over the Black Sea. The sky turns beautiful orange and pink colors.
In the old part of the city, you’ll see buildings from about 150 years ago with pretty balconies. You’ll also see very new, tall buildings. In Europe Square, there’s a statue of a woman called Medea holding something called the Golden Fleece. This is from a very old story in this area.
Source: Photo by Great_bru
Visit the Batumi Botanical Garden. This is a big garden that was started about 140 years ago. Here, you can see plants from many different parts of the world. You can also see beautiful views of the sea from the garden.
End your trip by eating a special food from this area called Adjarian khachapuri. This is bread shaped like a boat, filled with cheese and butter, with a raw egg on top. As you eat this rich food, think about all the different things you’ve seen on your trip through Georgia.
Where to Stay in Batumi
Radisson Blu Hotel, Batumi: This is a tall, modern hotel where you can see the sea from your room. There’s also a bar on the roof. It costs about $100 for one night.
Questions People Often Ask
Is it safe to drive in Georgia?
Usually, yes. But some roads might not be very smooth, and some people might drive in ways you’re not used to. Be very careful, especially on mountain roads.
Do I need a special driving permit?
It’s a good idea to get an International Driving Permit before you go, as well as bring your normal driver’s license.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Georgia?
In Georgia, people drive on the right side of the road.
Are there roads you have to pay to use in Georgia?
No, right now, there are no roads you have to pay to use in Georgia.
How fast can I drive in Georgia?
In cities, you can usually drive up to 60 kilometers per hour. On big roads between cities, you can usually drive up to 90 kilometers per hour. But always look for signs that tell you how fast you can go.
Should I book places to stay before I go?
In summer and during holidays, it’s a good idea to book places to stay ahead of time. This is especially true in popular places like Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kazbegi.
What kind of car is best for this trip?
A medium-sized car is good for most of the trip. But if you want to go to more remote places or drive on mountain roads, it’s better to get a bigger, stronger car like an SUV.
How long should I take for this trip?
To see everything without rushing, plan to take at least 10-14 days.
Do many people in Georgia speak English?
In Tbilisi and other places where many tourists go, you’ll find people who speak some English. In small villages, more people might speak Russian. People will be happy if you learn a few words in Georgian.
What should I do if my car breaks down?
Most companies that rent cars will help you if your car breaks down. Make sure you have their phone number before you start your trip. It’s also a good idea to buy a local SIM card for your phone so it’s easier to call for help.
This car trip from Tbilisi to Batumi lets you see many different parts of Georgia. You’ll see busy cities, big mountains, fields where they grow grapes for wine, and sunny beaches. You’ll learn about Georgia’s long history and meet friendly people. Get ready for an exciting trip through this beautiful country!
