Seven days is the right amount of time to see Georgia properly by car. Enough to cover the main regions without rushing, enough to slow down where it deserves it. This itinerary runs from Tbilisi east to Kakheti, north to Kazbegi, west across the country to Kutaisi and Batumi, with a flexible return. It is the route most experienced Georgia travellers would recommend.
Book your rental car before you book anything else. Seven days in Georgia means driving across the full width of the country — vehicle choice matters, and availability in peak season is limited.
For this itinerary a crossover is the recommended minimum. It handles every route described below comfortably. If you plan to add Ushguli or any serious off-road detour, upgrade to an SUV and confirm with the operator.
Pickup is available at Tbilisi airport, Kutaisi airport, and Batumi. If you are flying in and out of different airports, a one-way rental with no drop-off fee covers the full circuit.
Book at starcar.ge at least 24 hours before pickup.
Land in Tbilisi, pick up your car at the airport, and drive into the city. The drive from Tbilisi airport to the old town takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Day one is for Tbilisi. Park near the old town and walk — the distances are short and the streets are not designed for cars. Narikala Fortress above the old town gives the best overview of the city. The sulphur bath district (Abanotubani) is a 10-minute walk from there. The cable car from Rike Park to the fortress is a good shortcut up.
Dinner in the old town. Most of the restaurants worth eating at are within a 15-minute walk of each other.
Drive today: Airport to old town — 25 minutes.
A half-day trip from Tbilisi that covers two of the most important historical sites in Georgia, both within 30 minutes of the city.
Mtskheta is Georgia's ancient capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in the town centre is the main draw — a living cathedral built in the 5th century, significantly expanded in the 11th. Jvari Monastery sits on the ridge above the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers, 10 minutes by car from the town. The view from Jvari is the one most associated with Georgia in travel photography.
Return to Tbilisi for the afternoon. Use the time for the National Museum, the Dry Bridge flea market, or simply walking Rustaveli Avenue and the surrounding streets. Tbilisi rewards time on foot more than almost any other Caucasus city.
Drive today: Tbilisi — Mtskheta — Tbilisi. 60 km total, under 1 hour driving.
Head east into Kakheti — Georgia's primary wine region. The main route runs east on the S5 toward Rustavi, continuing to Telavi in around 1.5 to 2 hours. The scenic alternative goes via the Gombori Pass — forested, winding, and worth taking if you are not in a hurry.
Telavi is the regional capital — a working town rather than a tourist destination, which is part of its appeal. Batonis Tsikhe fortress is in the town centre. The 900-year-old plane tree near the fortress is genuinely remarkable.
From Telavi, drive south through the Alazani Valley. Alaverdi Cathedral — one of the tallest medieval churches in Georgia, with a working monastery winery — is 18 km northeast of Telavi. Tsinandali estate, 10 km from Telavi, is the oldest European-style winery in Georgia with good grounds and a museum.
End the day in Sighnaghi — a walled town on a ridge above the Alazani plain with views toward the Caucasus. Stay overnight in Sighnaghi or a guesthouse in the valley below.
Drive today: Tbilisi — Telavi — Sighnaghi. Around 160 km, 2.5 to 3 hours driving.
An early start is worthwhile today. Drive back toward Tbilisi and continue north on the Georgian Military Highway — the S3 running up through the Caucasus foothills toward Russia.
Stop at Ananuri Fortress (75 km from Tbilisi), a 17th-century fortress complex directly on the shore of the Zhinvali Reservoir. Allow 45 minutes. Continue north through increasingly dramatic mountain scenery to Gudauri — Georgia's main ski resort at 2,200 metres. The plateau views here are some of the best on the highway.
The road continues to climb before descending to Kazbegi (officially Stepantsminda) at 1,750 metres. The Gergeti Trinity Church sits on the ridge above the town — the most photographed image in Georgia. It is reachable by foot (steep, 3 to 4 hours return) or by 4x4 track. In good weather, the view from the church of Mount Kazbek (5,047 metres) is extraordinary.
Stay overnight in Kazbegi. Book accommodation in advance in summer — the town fills up.
Drive today: Sighnaghi — Tbilisi — Kazbegi. Around 280 km, 4 to 4.5 hours driving. Long day — leave Sighnaghi early.
Return south from Kazbegi on the Georgian Military Highway and turn west onto the E60 toward Kutaisi. The drive from Kazbegi to Kutaisi takes around 4 to 4.5 hours.
Stop in Gori (2 hours from Kazbegi) — the Stalin Museum is one of the more unusual experiences in Georgia and takes around 1.5 hours. Gori Fortress above the town is free and gives good views over the Mtkvari valley.
Arrive Kutaisi in the afternoon. Kutaisi is Georgia's second city and significantly underrated. Bagrati Cathedral on the hill above the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gelati Monastery, 11 km from the centre, is arguably the most important monastic complex in Georgia — the Academy of Gelati was the intellectual centre of medieval Georgian culture.
Stay overnight in Kutaisi.
Drive today: Kazbegi — Gori — Kutaisi. Around 350 km, 4.5 to 5 hours driving including the Gori stop.
A shorter driving day with time to explore before moving to the coast.
Morning in Kutaisi: Prometheus Cave (20 km from the city centre) is one of the most visited attractions in Georgia — a large active cave system with stalactites, underground lakes, and optional boat rides inside. Allow 2 hours including the drive.
Sataplia Nature Reserve, closer to the city, has preserved dinosaur footprints in limestone and a glass-floor canopy walkway. Good for families and worth an hour.
Drive west and south to Batumi on the Black Sea coast — around 2.5 hours from Kutaisi. Batumi is Georgia's main coastal city: a mix of Soviet-era architecture, modern towers, a long seafront boulevard, and a genuinely good restaurant scene. The botanical garden above the city is one of the largest in the Caucasus.
Stay two nights in Batumi if your schedule allows — day 7 works well as a Batumi rest day or short excursion.
Drive today: Kutaisi — Batumi. 150 km, 2.5 hours.
Day 7 is flexible depending on your flight schedule and how you want to finish.
Option A — Batumi day. Explore the seafront, take the cable car to the Anuria fortress above the city, visit the botanical garden, or drive north along the coast to Kobuleti or Ureki (black magnetic sand beach, 30 km north).
Option B — Return to Tbilisi. The direct E60 route from Batumi to Tbilisi takes around 4 to 4.5 hours. If you have a morning flight from Tbilisi the next day, an evening drive back makes sense. The road is good and well-lit.
Option C — Drop off in Batumi. If you are flying out of Batumi or continuing by other means, drop the car at Batumi. No drop-off fee applies on one-way rentals from Tbilisi or Kutaisi.
| Day | Route | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Airport — Tbilisi old town | 25 km | 30 min |
| 2 | Tbilisi — Mtskheta — Tbilisi | 60 km | 1 hour |
| 3 | Tbilisi — Kakheti (Telavi, Sighnaghi) | 160 km | 2.5–3 hours |
| 4 | Sighnaghi — Tbilisi — Kazbegi | 280 km | 4–4.5 hours |
| 5 | Kazbegi — Gori — Kutaisi | 350 km | 4.5–5 hours |
| 6 | Kutaisi — Batumi | 150 km | 2.5 hours |
| 7 | Batumi (local) or return to Tbilisi | 0–300 km | flexible |
| Total | ~1,025 km | ~20 hours |
What is the best car for a 7-day Georgia road trip?
A crossover covers this full itinerary without difficulty. All routes described are on paved roads in good condition. If you plan to add Ushguli or serious off-road detours, upgrade to an SUV and confirm with the operator.
Can I do this itinerary in reverse — starting from Batumi?
Yes. Pick up in Batumi or Kutaisi and reverse the route — Batumi, Kutaisi, Gori, Kazbegi, Kakheti, Mtskheta, Tbilisi. Drop off at Tbilisi airport. One-way, no drop-off fee.
Is 7 days enough to see Georgia?
Seven days covers the main highlights comfortably without rushing. Ten days allows you to add Svaneti, extend Kakheti, or explore western Georgia further. For a first visit, 7 days is a solid itinerary.
What is the minimum rental period at StarCar?
Three days. For a 7-day trip the rate is calculated by the day — longer rentals bring the daily rate down.
Do I need to book accommodation in advance?
In Kazbegi, yes — always book ahead in summer. In Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi there is more capacity but peak season (July–August) and Georgian public holidays fill up quickly.
Cross-country, one-way or return — book the right car for the full circuit at starcar.ge. No deposit, unlimited mileage, age 20 and over accepted.
Pickup at Tbilisi airport, Kutaisi airport, or Batumi. WhatsApp available 24/7.
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