Which Cars Should You Rent in Kutaisi?

Kutaisi itself is an interesting city, and if you take the time to explore it on foot, you will find plenty of worthwhile sights and places to visit.

Statistics show that most travelers rent a car in Kutaisi to explore the surrounding area. Over the years of working in Georgia, Naniko Rent a Car has conducted surveys among tourists. Most customers who rented a car spent no more than two days in the city, and only occasionally stayed for three. This does not mean that Kutaisi has little to offer. Quite the opposite — the city has several interesting attractions worth visiting, including the Kutaisi Botanical Garden, Bagrati Cathedral, built in the 11th century, and the Colchis Fountain in the city center. If you take the time to look around, you can also find plenty of other interesting places in Kutaisi itself.

But there is another side to it. Many travelers visiting Georgia for the first time plan their routes well in advance. For example, when they fly into Kutaisi International Airport and rent a car, 95% of them already know how much time they want to spend exploring the city and which destinations they want to visit first. With this in mind, we have put together a list of car types that are best suited to different kinds of trips.

What to Rent for Kutaisi and Trips Around Western Georgia

Of course, some visitors come to Kutaisi for personal reasons or business. In these cases, a compact economy car or a comfortable standard sedan, such as the budget-friendly Renault Logan, can be more than enough.

But what if you want to visit Sataplia, explore its unique caves, take a trip to Martvili Canyon, or continue on to Okatse Canyon, located about 50 km from the city? In that case, a comfortable crossover such as the Hyundai Creta is a better choice. And if you are traveling with a large family, a minivan such as the Hyundai H1 can be a practical option.

When it comes to mountain routes, choosing the right vehicle becomes much more important, especially for your own safety. Weather conditions in the mountains can be unpredictable. Modern weather apps may provide accurate forecasts, but they are not always reliable in mountainous areas. A sudden rainstorm can quickly turn an otherwise manageable road into a muddy and difficult route.

In these conditions, it is strongly recommended to avoid driving a low-clearance sedan. A better option is a vehicle such as the Renault Duster, which is a popular choice among travelers. Its good ground clearance and four-wheel drive make it much better suited to rough roads and changing weather conditions.

When Even a Rental Car Is Not the Right Choice

Georgia is a beautiful country with a huge variety of interesting destinations, but it also has remote and difficult-to-reach areas. One example is the road to Tusheti through Abano Pass, which is more than 400 km from Kutaisi but still attracts adventurous travelers and explorers.

No matter how experienced you are behind the wheel, driving there in a rental car on your own is not recommended. Routes like this can be extremely dangerous, and road conditions depend heavily on the weather and the time of year. If you still want to visit Tusheti, it is much safer to hire a local driver or travel with someone who knows the road and is familiar with the local conditions.

It is also worth familiarizing yourself with the driving rules in Georgia in advance, especially if you plan to drive around the country on your own.

How to Choose a Car for Your Route

When choosing a car for a trip around Western Georgia, you should consider not only the number of passengers and the amount of luggage, but also the type of roads you plan to drive on. Sometimes a few extra centimeters of ground clearance can be much more important than a small difference in fuel consumption, especially if your plans include destinations away from the main tourist roads.

It is also worth thinking about how much time you will spend behind the wheel. A regular sedan is perfectly suitable for short trips between cities, while a comfortable crossover can make longer journeys through mountainous and rural areas much easier.

Ultimately, the best car is not necessarily the cheapest or the most attractive one. The right choice is the vehicle that matches the places you plan to visit and the roads you will need to take to get there.