Kakheti is the reason many people rent a car in Georgia in the first place. The wine, the monasteries, the landscapes — none of it works as well from a tour bus. You need to be able to stop when you want, take the side road to a family winery, and leave when you are ready.
This guide covers the full Kakheti road trip from Tbilisi — route, stops, road conditions, and which car to take.
Organised tours to Kakheti are cheap and easy to book in Tbilisi. They are also rigid. You get 20 minutes at Alaverdi Cathedral, a fixed lunch stop, and no say in the wineries you visit.
With a rental car, Kakheti becomes a completely different trip. The region is compact enough to cover key highlights in a day, but rewarding enough to justify two or three nights if you have the time. Roads are well-paved on all main routes, parking is easy, and driving from Tbilisi takes roughly 1.5 hours.
The main route from Tbilisi to the heart of Kakheti runs east on the S5 highway toward Rustavi, then continues to Telavi — the regional capital. The drive is around 120 km and takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic leaving Tbilisi.
An alternative and more scenic route goes via the Gombori Pass — a mountain road that connects Tbilisi to Telavi through forest and ridge views. The pass road is paved and manageable in a standard sedan or crossover in good weather. In winter or after heavy rain, a crossover or SUV is the safer choice.
For the standard Kakheti circuit — Telavi, Sighnaghi, Alaverdi, the main wineries — a sedan or hatchback is perfectly adequate. Roads are paved and well-maintained.
If you plan to visit smaller family wineries on gravel tracks, or if you are travelling in spring when unpaved roads can get soft, a crossover gives you more clearance and confidence without the fuel cost of an SUV.
A full SUV is not necessary for Kakheti unless you are combining the trip with routes further east toward Vashlovani National Park — which is a different kind of road entirely and requires a conversation with the operator beforehand.
Browse the full fleet at starcar.ge/cars — sedans, crossovers, and SUVs all available with unlimited mileage and no deposit.
Telavi is the natural base for a Kakheti road trip. It is a working regional town rather than a tourist destination, which is part of the appeal. The old town, the Batonis Tsikhe fortress, and the 900-year-old plane tree in the central square are all within easy walking distance of each other.
From Telavi, the main wine route runs south through the Alazani Valley — the flat agricultural plain that produces the majority of Georgian wine.
Roughly 18 km northeast of Telavi, Alaverdi is one of the tallest medieval churches in Georgia and still an active monastery. The complex includes a working winery — the monks produce wine using traditional qvevri methods, and tastings are available on site.
The road from Telavi to Alaverdi is straightforward and fully paved.
The Tsinandali estate, around 10 km from Telavi, is the former home of poet Alexander Chavchavadze and one of the oldest European-style wineries in Georgia. The grounds are well-kept, the museum is genuinely interesting, and the wine is good.
Sighnaghi sits on a ridge above the Alazani plain and is probably the most photographed town in Kakheti. The cobblestone streets, the 18th-century city wall, and the views across to the Caucasus range on a clear day make it a worthwhile stop.
The drive from Telavi to Sighnaghi takes around 45 minutes on the main road. The town itself is small — you can walk the full circuit of the walls in under an hour.
A few kilometres below Sighnaghi, Bodbe is the burial site of Saint Nino and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Georgia. The monastery gardens are quiet and well-maintained. It is worth combining with a Sighnaghi stop rather than making a separate trip.
For those willing to add a short detour, Nekresi sits above the village of Shilda, northwest of Telavi. The road up is unpaved and steep — a crossover handles it without difficulty in dry conditions. The monastery itself dates to the 4th century and looks out over the entire Alazani Valley.
Depart Tbilisi early via the Gombori Pass. Stop at Alaverdi Cathedral, continue to Tsinandali for a tasting, drive to Sighnaghi for lunch and a walk along the walls, visit Bodbe Monastery below the town, then return to Tbilisi via the direct S5 route. Allow around 9–10 hours total including stops.
Day one: Tbilisi to Telavi via Gombori Pass. Afternoon at Alaverdi and Tsinandali. Overnight in Telavi or a guesthouse in the valley.
Day two: Morning at Nekresi, drive to Sighnaghi, Bodbe Monastery, one or two smaller wineries on the way back. Return to Tbilisi via S5.
As above, with a full day dedicated to winery visits — Khareba, Twins Wine House, and smaller family producers around Napareuli and Shilda are all worth the time. A three-day itinerary gives you room to slow down, which is how Kakheti is best experienced.
Main roads throughout Kakheti — the routes between Telavi, Sighnaghi, Alaverdi, and Gurjaani — are paved and in reasonable condition. You will encounter some rough patches and occasional potholes on secondary roads, but nothing that requires an SUV on the standard circuit.
Side roads to smaller monasteries and family wineries vary. Nekresi's access road is the most demanding on a typical itinerary — steep and unpaved, but short. In wet conditions, a crossover is preferable to a sedan.
The Gombori Pass road is paved throughout but narrow in sections with steep drops on one side. It is straightforward for any experienced driver in normal conditions. In winter, check conditions before attempting it.
Spring (April–June) is arguably the best time — the landscape is green, the weather is mild, and the roads are clear. Rtveli (the grape harvest) in late September and October brings the most atmosphere to the wineries, with activity across the valley. Summer is hot and busy. Winter is quiet but some mountain roads require extra care.
StarCar offers a 15% seasonal discount in spring and autumn — worth factoring into your booking.
How far is Kakheti from Tbilisi by car?
The main route to Telavi is around 120 km and takes 1.5 to 2 hours. The scenic Gombori Pass route is slightly shorter in distance but takes longer due to the winding mountain road.
Do I need an SUV to drive in Kakheti?
No. A sedan or crossover is sufficient for all main Kakheti routes, including Telavi, Sighnaghi, and Alaverdi. A crossover is recommended if you plan to visit Nekresi or smaller wineries on unpaved tracks.
Can I do Kakheti as a day trip from Tbilisi?
Yes, a one-day itinerary covering Alaverdi, Sighnaghi, and Bodbe is realistic if you leave early. Two days gives a much more relaxed experience and allows time for winery visits.
Is there a minimum rental period at StarCar?
Yes — the minimum rental period is 3 days. If you need a car for 1 or 2 days, the 3-day rate applies.
Can I pick up the car in Tbilisi and return it in Kutaisi or Batumi?
Yes. StarCar offers one-way rentals between Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi with no drop-off fee.
A sedan is the right choice for most Kakheti itineraries. If you are combining with mountain routes or travelling in a larger group, a crossover or minivan gives you more flexibility.
Book direct at starcar.ge — no deposit, unlimited mileage, age 20 and over accepted. Airport pickup available at Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi with 24 hours notice.
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