Kutaisi International Airport (KUT) is Georgia's busiest gateway for budget airlines, with flights arriving from across Europe on Wizz Air and other low-cost carriers. If you're flying into Kutaisi to explore western Georgia, renting a car right at the airport is the easiest way to get started.
This guide covers how pickup works, what to expect on price, your insurance options, and the best routes to take once you're behind the wheel.
Kutaisi Airport sits about 14 km west of the city center, and public transport from there is limited. A taxi or marshrutka can get you into town, but having your own car opens up the whole region from the moment you land.
Western Georgia holds some of the country's best destinations: Martvili Canyon, Prometheus Cave, Okatse Canyon, and the Black Sea coast among them. Many are genuinely hard to reach without a car. Picking one up at the airport means you skip the trip into Kutaisi entirely and head straight for wherever you're going.
Rates at Kutaisi also tend to run lower than in Tbilisi. If you've flown in on a budget carrier, pairing that with an affordable rental keeps your overall trip cost down too.
Most rental companies at Kutaisi Airport don't have a physical desk inside the terminal. Instead, the process looks like this.
Reserve your car online before you fly. This matters most from June through September, when demand peaks and vehicles book out fast. At StarCar, you can browse the fleet, compare prices, and confirm a booking in a few minutes.
Once you've landed and collected your bags, head out through the main terminal exit. Your rental provider will be waiting in the parking area right in front of the airport. StarCar sends a confirmation message with your driver's contact number before your flight lands, so coordinating the handover is straightforward.
Before you drive off, walk around the car with the representative. Check the body for existing scratches or dents, test the lights and wipers, and confirm the spare tire is where it should be. It's worth taking photos from all four sides too. That takes about thirty seconds and gives you clear proof of the car's condition at pickup.
You'll need a valid driving license (an International Driving Permit is recommended if yours isn't in Latin script), your passport, and the card you used to book. Start to finish, from landing to driving away, usually takes fifteen to twenty minutes.
Rates vary by season, vehicle type, and how long you're renting. Here's roughly what to expect this year.
Economy cars like a Hyundai i10 or Toyota Yaris run $25 to $35 a day in low season, rising to $35 to $50 in peak summer. Compact and midsize options such as a Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra cost $35 to $45 in low season and $50 to $70 in summer. SUVs and crossovers, a Tucson or RAV4, run $55 to $75 off-season and climb to $75 to $110 in summer. Minivans like a Toyota Sienna sit at $70 to $90 a day, a good fit for families or groups of five or more.
Longer bookings almost always bring the daily rate down. A seven-day rental can run 20 to 30 percent cheaper per day than a three-day one. Check StarCar's fleet page for current prices and availability.
Standard agreements at Kutaisi Airport typically include basic third-party liability. Beyond that, a few options are worth knowing.
A Collision Damage Waiver, or CDW, reduces what you're liable for if the car is damaged, and it's the add-on most people choose for peace of mind on unfamiliar roads. Theft Protection covers you in the unlikely event the car is stolen; Georgia is generally safe, but this removes any financial worry on that front. Full coverage combines both with a zero or minimal excess, meaning you pay little or nothing out of pocket if something goes wrong. It costs more per day, but it takes the financial risk off the table entirely.
Read the terms before you sign. Pay attention to what's excluded: damage to tires, the windshield, and the undercarriage often falls outside basic CDW coverage.
Once you've got your car, western Georgia is genuinely open to you. Here are the routes people take most.
Getting into Kutaisi itself is quick: 14 km and about 15 to 20 minutes on a well-signed, well-maintained highway heading east.
Batumi is roughly 150 km away, about 2.5 to 3 hours via the southern route through Samtredia and Kobuleti. It's one of the most popular drives for travelers heading to the coast.
Tbilisi sits about 230 km out, a 3 to 3.5 hour drive on the main east-west highway, which is a modern dual carriageway for most of the distance. If you'd rather not double back, StarCar also offers a one-way rental from Kutaisi to Tbilisi.
Martvili and Okatse Canyons are the closest natural attractions, just 50 to 60 km away and about an hour's drive. They're among the most visited spots in western Georgia, and nearly impossible to reach conveniently without a car.
Book early if you're arriving in summer. July and August bring the highest demand, so reserving at least two weeks out usually gets you a better rate and more choice.
Ask about flight delay policies before you commit. If your flight lands late, you'll want to know your rental company will still be there. StarCar tracks flight arrivals and adjusts pickup times automatically, with no extra charge for delays.
The fuel policy is worth knowing too. Most rentals run full-to-full: you get the car with a full tank and return it the same way. The nearest gas stations sit along the main road toward Kutaisi, a few minutes from the airport.
If manual gearboxes aren't your thing, request an automatic when you book. They're available, but supply is tighter, so reserve early.
And if you're planning to cross into Turkey or Armenia, confirm that's allowed under your rental agreement and check what extra documentation you'll need.
The return process mirrors pickup. Drive to the airport parking area, meet the representative, and go through a brief inspection together. Return the car with the same fuel level you started with, and make sure you've grabbed all your belongings first.
If your departure flight is very early, arrange the return time in advance. Most providers, StarCar included, can accommodate early drop-offs when you flag your schedule at booking.
Can I pick up a car at Kutaisi Airport and drop it off in Tbilisi? Yes. One-way rentals are available with most providers, including StarCar. A one-way fee may apply depending on the route and vehicle type.
Is there a minimum rental period at Kutaisi Airport? Most companies set a one-day (24-hour) minimum, though some offer half-day rates during low season.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent at Kutaisi Airport? Generally, no, if your license is issued in a country that uses Latin script. If it's in Cyrillic, Arabic, or another non-Latin script, you'll need an IDP alongside it.
What's the minimum age to rent a car at Kutaisi Airport? 21 years old for most vehicle categories, rising to 23 or older for some. Our guide on age requirements for car rental in Georgia has the full breakdown by vehicle type.
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