Georgia sits at a crossroads. Three international airports, two land borders open to rental cars, and a road network that connects the Black Sea coast to the Caucasus mountains and the Armenian highlands within a single itinerary. For travellers planning a multi-country trip or arriving by land rather than air, knowing exactly where you can pick up and drop off a rental car changes what is possible.
This guide covers every airport and border delivery point that StarCar serves — how pickup works at each one, what documentation you need, and which car to choose.
Tbilisi is Georgia's main international gateway. Direct flights operate from across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and beyond. In peak summer season the arrivals hall is busy — multiple flights landing within the same window, international rental desks processing queues simultaneously.
StarCar delivers to Tbilisi airport with a minimum of 24 hours notice. The operator meets you at the arrivals exit beyond the neutral zone with an A4 board showing the StarCar logo. No desk, no queue, no shuttle bus. Contract signing takes around 10 minutes on the spot.
Because StarCar's main office is in Kutaisi rather than Tbilisi, delivery to Tbilisi airport takes longer than Kutaisi in cases where a vehicle needs to be brought to the airport last-minute. Advance booking is the reliable option. In peak season — July, August, and Georgian public holidays — book several days ahead.
From Tbilisi airport the city centre is 20 to 30 minutes by car. Every major Georgia destination is within a day's drive.
For car rental tbilisi airport — book direct, no deposit, meet and greet at arrivals.
The most operationally straightforward airport in Georgia for car rental. StarCar's office is 20 minutes from the terminal. The operator is at arrivals, the car is ready, and the contract takes 10 minutes. If you land at Kutaisi and need a car immediately, this is the fastest process available anywhere in Georgia.
Kutaisi airport is served by Wizz Air, Ryanair, and a range of low-cost European carriers — making it a practical entry point for travellers from Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, and much of eastern Europe. For western Georgia itineraries — Batumi, Svaneti, Borjomi — Kutaisi is the better starting point than Tbilisi.
Same-day delivery without advance booking is sometimes possible at Kutaisi — contact via WhatsApp on arrival. In peak season, advance booking guarantees availability.
For car rental kutaisi airport — 20 minutes from the office, fastest pickup in Georgia.
Batumi airport is 15 km south of the city centre on the coastal road. It handles Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, FlyDubai, Wizz Air, and seasonal charters — significant volume in summer from Turkey, the Gulf, and Europe.
StarCar delivers to Batumi airport with 24 hours notice. The operator meets you at arrivals with a name board. Payment at the airport is in cash — EUR, USD, or GEL. Card payment is available at the office with a 2% processing fee.
Batumi airport arrivals is a single hall — easier to navigate than Tbilisi. Your operator is straightforward to find at the exit.
For car rental batumi airport — coastal delivery, direct to arrivals, no deposit.
| Tbilisi Airport | Kutaisi Airport | Batumi Airport | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office distance | Further — book in advance | 20 minutes — fastest | 15 km from city |
| Same-day walk-in | Possible but not guaranteed | Often possible | With notice |
| Peak season queue risk | Higher | Low | Moderate |
| Best for | Eastern Georgia, Kakheti, Kazbegi | Western Georgia, Svaneti, Batumi | Black Sea, Adjara, Batumi |
| Contract signing | 10 minutes | 10 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Deposit | None | None | None |
The primary land crossing between Georgia and Armenia. Located in the Kvemo Kartli region of Georgia, 80 km south of Tbilisi — approximately one hour on the main road via Marneuli.
The Georgian side of the crossing is called Sadakhlo. The Armenian side is Bagratashen. The crossing is open 24 hours. For EU, UK, US, and most other Western passport holders, the process is straightforward — standard document check on both sides.
Wait times vary. Weekday mornings are typically faster. Weekend afternoons, particularly on Georgian and Armenian public holidays, can involve queues of an hour or more. Plan accordingly.
What you need at the Sadakhlo crossing:
The cross-border permit must be requested at least one week before your rental pickup. Contact the operator via WhatsApp with your travel dates and intended crossing. In some cases the permit can be arranged faster — confirm with the operator for your specific dates.
Georgian insurance does not apply in Armenia. Ensure your travel insurance covers vehicle-related incidents in Armenia before crossing.
From the crossing, Yerevan is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours south through the Debed Canyon — one of the most scenic drives in northern Armenia, passing the UNESCO monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin.
Recommended vehicle: Sedan or crossover for the standard Tbilisi–Yerevan route.
The secondary crossing between Georgia and Armenia, located in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of southern Georgia. Less frequently used than Sadakhlo but practical for travellers whose Georgia itinerary includes Akhaltsikhe, Borjomi, or the Goderdzi Pass area before entering Armenia.
The Georgian side passes through the Javakheti plateau — a high, open landscape at around 2,000 metres altitude. The road is paved but exposed. In winter the plateau can be cold and affected by snow. In summer and autumn it is a straightforward drive with interesting landscape.
The Armenian side of this crossing connects to the Gyumri area — Armenia's second city — rather than directly toward Yerevan. Factor this into your routing if you are using this crossing.
Recommended vehicle: Crossover in winter. Sedan or crossover in summer and autumn.
The main land crossing between Georgia and Azerbaijan. Located in the eastern Kakheti region of Georgia near the town of Lagodekhi — approximately 180 km from Tbilisi, 2 to 2.5 hours on the main road east through Kakheti.
The crossing is known colloquially as Red Bridge (Tsiteli Khidi) on the Georgian side. The Azerbaijan side connects to the Qazakh district.
The crossing is open 24 hours. For passport holders from most European, American, and many Asian countries, visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to Azerbaijan is available — check the current entry requirements for your nationality before travel as these change.
The Lagodekhi area itself is worth time if your itinerary allows — the Lagodekhi Protected Areas are a well-regarded nature reserve with hiking trails in the Caucasus foothills, rarely visited by international tourists.
What you need at the Red Bridge crossing:
Recommended vehicle: Sedan or crossover for the standard route. The roads between Georgia and Baku are paved and in reasonable condition.
The cross-border permit applies to both Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is a letter of authorisation issued by StarCar that legally allows you to drive the rental vehicle across the Georgian border into the named country.
It is not insurance. Georgian car insurance ends at the Georgian border. The permit is legal permission to cross — nothing more. Travel insurance covering vehicle-related incidents in the destination country is your responsibility to arrange separately.
Timeline:
Countries covered: Armenia and Azerbaijan only. Cross-border permits are not available for Russia or Turkey.
Combined itineraries: If your route includes both Armenia and Azerbaijan, the permit covers both — confirm this when booking. Note that the land border between Armenia and Azerbaijan is closed. You must return to Georgia between visits.
StarCar's one-way rental policy covers the main airport pairs with no drop-off fee:
For one-way rentals that include a border crossing — picking up at Tbilisi airport and returning at a border crossing point, for example — confirm the arrangement when booking. Terms depend on the specific route.
The most common cross-border one-way request is: pick up at Tbilisi airport, drive into Armenia, return to Georgia and drop off at Tbilisi or Kutaisi airport. This is available — confirm the permit and return logistics when booking.
Arriving to start in Tbilisi or Kakheti: Tbilisi airport. Direct road access to the city, Mtskheta, and the Georgian Military Highway north.
Arriving to start in western Georgia, Svaneti, or Batumi: Kutaisi airport. Faster pickup process, central location for western itineraries, and the best starting point for Svaneti.
Arriving to start on the Black Sea coast: Batumi airport. 15 minutes to the city. Logical for itineraries focused on Adjara and the coast before moving inland.
Arriving overland from Armenia via Sadakhlo: The crossing is 80 km south of Tbilisi. If you are starting your Georgia itinerary at the border, the car can be arranged to meet you near the crossing — confirm the logistics with the operator in advance.
Arriving overland from Azerbaijan via Red Bridge: The crossing is in eastern Kakheti. A car meeting you at or near the crossing and driving west through Kakheti toward Tbilisi is a natural start to a Georgia itinerary from this direction.
Documents to have ready at every pickup:
Payment: Cash at airport pickups — EUR, USD, or GEL. Card at the office with a 2% processing fee.
SIM card: A Georgian SIM is available at Tbilisi and Kutaisi airports in the arrivals area. Useful for navigation and WhatsApp contact with the operator. Georgian SIM cards do not work in Armenia or Azerbaijan without roaming — check with your provider or purchase a local SIM at the border.
Navigation: Google Maps works well across Georgia and in Armenia and Azerbaijan on main routes. Download offline maps for your full itinerary before crossing any border — mobile data roaming adds cost and coverage varies.
Cash: Georgian lari (GEL) is the currency in Georgia. Armenian dram (AMD) in Armenia. Azerbaijani manat (AZN) in Azerbaijan. Exchange is available at major border crossings. ATMs are available in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi airports.
Can I pick up at one airport and drop off at another?
Yes — one-way rentals between Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi airports are available with no drop-off fee. Confirm when booking.
How do I find the StarCar operator at the airport?
The operator will be at the arrivals exit beyond the neutral zone with an A4 board showing the StarCar logo. Your flight is tracked — if your arrival is delayed, the operator adjusts accordingly.
Can I pick up the car at the Georgia–Armenia border?
Yes — with advance arrangement. Contact the operator to confirm logistics for your specific crossing and dates. The cross-border permit must be arranged at least one week before pickup.
Does StarCar deliver to Azerbaijan border crossings?
Yes — to the Red Bridge / Lagodekhi crossing with advance notice and a cross-border permit. Confirm when booking.
What if my flight is delayed?
The operator tracks your flight. If your arrival is significantly delayed, contact via WhatsApp — the operator will adjust. There is no penalty for flight delays when you have booked in advance.
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