Probably your trip in Georgia will include least 2 or 3 cities. Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi are often found in the same bucket list. But is renting a car what you’re looking for? Let’s find out.
1. The road condition
Many of the roads are not in a good condition. That doesn’t mean it is dangerous, but will rather take more time. It is very usual to fall into puddles on the asphalt.
2. Steering wheel position
Some cars have the steering wheel on the right side. You’ve been warned before renting a car. Not everyone is familiar with it. This happens because they import cars directly from countries that drive on the left. Although, all cars in Georgia drive on the right.
3. Road constructions
There is a lot of construction going on. Many parts of the roads are being maintained and other parts are being built. If you take the highway from Kutaisi to Tbilisi, or reverse, you will find new tunnels that are followed by not-so-new asphalt.
4. Animals
You may encounter cows, pigs and horses. They may cross the street or they may eat grass on the side. They are familiar with cars, but in any case you must be extra careful while driving.
What are the transportation means of Georgia?
In Tbilisi the metro and bus network can take you anywhere. Also you can take taxis or use services like Bolt, that are cheap, if compared to European rates. If you need to get from a city to another, you can take a Marshrutka. These are mini vans that depart from central stations, but not exclusively from bus stations. They accept cash only and their schedule is not fixed. As a result, you cannot find them online and you have to ask for their exact location. Another mean is the train, it has fixed routes that connect major cities, but from my experience, it can be hard to navigate on their website in English. And of course, there are coaches from/to the airport. Note that you can take a coach from a city to another city’s airport.
So, is renting a car in Georgia your best option?
It’s up to you to decide, if you’ll rent or use local transportation. Both are possible. You just have to weight the pros and cons of each.
Share this with the friend you’ll travel together to Georgia!
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