Kutaisi Car Rental

Kutaisi is one of the most visited destinations in Georgia. This large city has a small-town feel and plenty of historical and natural attractions. The majority of landmarks are on the eastern side of town, across Rustaveli Bridge and around the city’s main square and Kutaisi Park.

In this area, you’ll find Colchis Fountain, whose elaborate golden statues are particularly eye-catching in the evenings once the light display is on. Nearby is Meskhishvili Theater, an opulent neo-classical building worth visiting even if you’re not going to a show.

A few blocks away is the Kutaisi State Historical Museum, which contains a vast collection of artifacts and displays related to Georgian culture. Other museums and cultural venues worth visiting include David Kakabadze Art Gallery and the Wine Museum in Tskaltubo, a 30-minute drive from Kutaisi.

Across the Rioni River is another cluster of tourist attractions, including Bagrati Cathedral, built during the 11th century and the city’s botanical gardens. Travelers with children can join local families on the cable car ride to Besik Gabashvili amusement park, also on the western side of town.

With your own wheels, you can drive to the monasteries in Gelati and Motsameta, located in the lush hills that surround Kutaisi. Gelati is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a definite must-see while in the region.

There are various natural attractions within a short drive of downtown Kutaisi. The caves with dinosaur footprints at Sataplia Nature Reserve are a great family friendly option. In Martvili National Park, a spectacular canyon offers ziplining and boating adventures. The area around the canyon offers other attractions, including Kaghu waterfall, Nogha fortress and several wineries along the way.

Back in Kutaisi, you can reward yourself with a traditional Georgian meal. You’ll find several riverside restaurants near White Bridge, many of which also offer live entertainment. More cafés, fast food restaurants and tea houses can be found near the main square.

Large shopping malls like Grand Mall and Kutaisi Plaza are located on the outskirts of town, so having a rental car is very convenient. The exception is Karvasla Mall, centrally located only steps away from Colchis Fountain.

If you’re in the city in May, don’t miss one of the biggest annual celebrations in town. Kutaisoba brings music and dance performances to the streets, as well as gastronomic events and markets. Bear in mind that Georgia is an Orthodox country, so Christmas and Easter celebrations are held a week later than in other countries.

Road conditions are usually good in central Kutaisi. If you’ve picked up a rental car or van in Kutaisi and intend to enjoy day trips, plan the trip ahead to avoid being on the road after dark since roads are poorly lit, and this can make it difficult to spot hazards like potholes or animals on the road.

Local drivers don’t always follow traffic rules. Expect tailgating, sudden lane changes without using turn signals, and failing to yield when required. When driving in the city, it’s common to stop for pedestrians who are crossing outside of designated areas. Downtown, there are several narrow one-way streets, which are usually signposted.

The weather can present additional hazards. Heavy rain and snow in late winter and early spring can cause roadblocks, landslides and delays, though this is more common in rural areas. Flooding can happen during the summer due to thunderstorms, so always check the forecast and talk to locals before taking your rental van in Kutaisi to mountainous areas in Sataplia and Martvili.

Georgia is strict about driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as the legal limit for blood alcohol content is 0.02%. Higher fines for this type of offense were recently introduced and can reach hundreds of euro.

Coming from the airport, the main road into town is the M15, which eventually becomes Shota Rustaveli Avenue, one of the city’s main thoroughfares that connect the eastern and western sections of Kutaisi. There are no tolls or freeways in the Kutaisi area, so speed limits are 60 km/h in urban areas and 80–90 km/h on other roads. In practice, the safe speed may be much lower when driving in mountainous areas.

Paid parking and parking restrictions are indicated with blue signs and broken white lines. Free street parking is also possible, but it’s best to avoid leaving your car on narrow streets, where there's a higher chance of your vehicle getting damaged.