Georgia Road Trip in 7 Days: Tbilisi to Batumi by Car (plus 3- and 5-Day Versions)
A week is the perfect time to drive across Georgia from Tbilisi to the sea: the Kazbegi mountains, Kakheti wine country, the canyons around Kutaisi and the beaches of Adjara. The easiest plan is to pick up the car in Tbilisi and drop it off in Batumi before your flight home — no need to drive back.
How to plan it
- Land in Tbilisi and collect the car at the airport.
- For rentals of 7 days or more, delivery in Tbilisi is free.
- Drop the car in Batumi — at our office or at the airport before your flight.
- Unlimited mileage, insurance included, pay on pickup.
Check free cars and the final price for your dates on the booking page.
Day 1. Tbilisi and Mtskheta
Collect the car and drive 25 km to Mtskheta, Georgia's ancient capital: Jvari Monastery above the meeting of two rivers and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Spend the evening in old Tbilisi.
Day 2. Kakheti: Sighnaghi and wineries
About 110 km to Sighnaghi, the "city of love" overlooking the Alazani Valley. On the way — Bodbe Monastery; further on — Telavi, Alaverdi Monastery and winery tastings. Stay in Sighnaghi or Telavi. The driver should skip the tastings.
Day 3. The Georgian Military Highway and Kazbegi
About 160 km and 3 hours on one of the most scenic roads in the Caucasus: Zhinvali reservoir, Ananuri fortress, Gudauri, the Friendship Monument and Stepantsminda with Gergeti Trinity Church under Mount Kazbek. Stay in Stepantsminda.
Important: under the rental agreement the Truso and Juta valleys are off-limits — insurance does not apply there. Stepantsminda and the road to Gergeti are open.
Day 4. Via Gori and Uplistsikhe to Kutaisi
The longest drive, about 330 km: back towards Tbilisi and west on the new Rikoti highway. Stop at the Uplistsikhe cave town near Gori. Evening in Kutaisi.
Day 5. Around Kutaisi
Prometheus Cave, the turquoise Martvili Canyon, Gelati and Motsameta monasteries — all within an hour's drive.
Day 6. To the sea: Kutaisi to Batumi
About 150 km. Stop at the black magnetic-sand beaches of Ureki and Maltakva, then walk the Batumi boulevard in the evening.
Day 7. Adjara and your flight
Morning at Makhuntseti waterfall and Queen Tamar's bridge or Gonio fortress, then the Botanical Garden. Drop the car in Batumi and fly home. More ideas around Batumi: places to visit near Batumi.
5-day version
- Day 1: Tbilisi and Mtskheta.
- Day 2: Kazbegi via the Military Highway.
- Day 3: to Kutaisi via Uplistsikhe.
- Day 4: canyons and caves around Kutaisi.
- Day 5: Batumi and car drop-off.
3-day version
Short on time? Pick one half of the country:
- East: Tbilisi — Mtskheta — Kazbegi — Kakheti, return the car in Tbilisi.
- West: fly into Kutaisi — canyons and caves — Batumi, return the car in Batumi.
Which car to choose
- In summer a regular sedan handles all these roads.
- In winter and for the mountains — an AWD crossover: the Kazbegi pass can close during snowfall, so check the forecast.
- For families and groups — a 7-seat minivan or crossover.
How much the trip costs
Petrol costs over 4 GEL per litre (2026). The whole route is roughly 1,000 km — about 80–90 litres for an economical car. Rental starts at $35 a day for longer rentals; the exact price depends on the season and model.
FAQ
Can I pick up in Tbilisi and drop off in Batumi? Yes — it is the most popular option for this route.
Do I need an International Driving Permit? Usually not if your licence has Latin letters — see our IDP guide.
How much driving per day? From 25 to 330 km; the longest day is the east-to-west transfer.