Landing at Tbilisi or Kutaisi Airport and walking straight into a rental car — no queue, no surprises, car ready in the car park — is entirely possible. But it requires knowing how Georgia's airport rental market actually works.
Both airports have grown rapidly. Tbilisi International handles over 4 million passengers a year; Kutaisi has become a major low-cost hub, with Wizz Air and other carriers making it a popular entry point for budget travellers across Europe. With that growth has come a rental market that ranges from excellent local operators to opportunistic desks with opaque pricing and aggressive upsells.
This guide tells you exactly what to expect at each airport, which tactics to watch out for, and how to get your car within 20 minutes of landing.
Tbilisi is Georgia's main hub and has a well-developed rental market. You'll find both international brands (Sixt, Europcar, Hertz) and strong local operators (StarCar, others) — the latter often with significantly lower prices and more flexible policies.
Kutaisi is a smaller, no-frills airport — but it's one of the most active low-cost gateways into Georgia. The rental market here is almost entirely local operators, which means more competitive pricing but also less regulatory oversight.
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Which airport is easier for car rental? Kutaisi is actually more straightforward — smaller, less crowded, and you're often at your car faster than at Tbilisi. The risk is that with less competition, some operators here take more liberties with pricing. Book online and confirm rates in writing before you travel. |
We'll be direct: the majority of Georgia's rental operators are honest and professional. But a minority use tactics that cost unsuspecting travellers money. Here are the ones worth knowing.
You've booked online at a confirmed rate. At the desk, the agent tells you that the base price "doesn't include real insurance" and pushes a CDW upgrade at $20–$30/day. Sometimes this is legitimate — base rates often do exclude CDW. But sometimes it's a pressure tactic applied even when CDW is already included.
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How to handle it: Before travel, confirm in writing exactly what your booking includes. At the desk, ask the agent to show you the insurance coverage document. If CDW is listed on your booking confirmation, you don't need to buy it again. |
You return the car. The agent points to a scratch that was there when you picked it up — but it wasn't documented. Without photos, you have no defence, and repair charges in Georgia can be $100–$500 for minor bodywork.
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Prevention: Do a full walk-around at pickup. Photograph every panel, bumper, wheel, and the windscreen — with timestamps. WhatsApp or email the photos to yourself immediately. This takes 4 minutes and is your best protection. |
Car is handed over with a gauge that reads "full" — but the tank is actually at 7/8. You return it genuinely full, the agent claims you owe a top-up charge. Alternatively: you're told the car has a full tank but it's actually at 3/4, and charged for the difference at return.
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How to handle it: Photograph the fuel gauge immediately at pickup. If it's not full and the booking says full-to-full, point it out before you leave the lot. Ask the agent to note the actual level on the agreement. |
Some operators add a "concession fee", "airport surcharge", or "facility fee" at pickup that doesn't appear anywhere in the online booking. This is especially common at Kutaisi where terminal space is informal.
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How to handle it: Ask for an itemised invoice before signing. If a charge appears that wasn't in your booking confirmation, ask for its written justification. Reputable operators will not add undisclosed fees. |
You've booked a sedan. At the desk you're told "your car isn't available" and offered an upgrade at an extra daily charge — even though the replacement is roughly equivalent. This happens most on busy summer mornings when the desk is overbooked.
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How to handle it: If the car substituted is genuinely equivalent or better, an upgrade fee is not justified. Ask to see what cars are available and what the pricing difference is. If the substitute is clearly superior (e.g. sedan → SUV), a modest charge may be reasonable — but it should be your choice. |
The difference between a smooth airport pickup and a 90-minute ordeal usually comes down to three things: booking method, documentation, and knowing where to go.
Walk-up desk rates at Georgian airports are 20–40% higher than online prices. More importantly, availability at the desk is unpredictable — especially for SUVs and 7-seaters. Book online, get a confirmation number, and you'll move through pickup far faster than someone negotiating a rate on the spot.
StarCar monitors flight arrivals in real time. When you provide your flight number, the agent knows exactly when you're landing and has the car ready before you reach the car park. If your flight is delayed, the car is held — no extra charge, no calls required from you.
The pickup process slows down when travellers are unprepared at the desk. Have these ready before you reach the agent:
Even with a trustworthy operator, always photograph the car before you leave. It takes 3–4 minutes and means you can return the car with zero anxiety about disputed damage.
At Tbilisi Airport, most local operators park vehicles in the designated short-stay car park, a short walk from arrivals. StarCar agents will meet you at the arrivals exit or the car park directly — you'll receive a WhatsApp message with the agent's location as soon as you land.
At Kutaisi Airport, the car park is adjacent to the terminal building — the agent typically meets you outside the arrivals door within minutes of your landing.
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Detail |
Information |
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IATA code |
TBS |
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Full name |
Tbilisi International Airport (Shota Rustaveli) |
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Distance from city centre |
18 km east of Tbilisi city centre (~25 min by car) |
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StarCar pickup method |
Agent meets you at arrivals exit or delivers to kerb |
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Pickup time |
15–20 minutes from landing to keys |
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Operating hours |
24/7 — all flights covered |
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Car park |
Short-stay car park, 5 min walk from terminal |
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International brands on-site |
Yes — Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, Budget |
Tbilisi Airport is operational 24/7 and handles overnight arrivals from the Gulf, Central Asia, and European late-night flights. If you're arriving on a red-eye, your StarCar agent will be there — just provide your flight number and expected arrival time at booking.
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Getting into Tbilisi from the airport: The E60 highway connects directly to the city centre. Journey time is 20–35 minutes depending on traffic. Avoid the airport at rush hour (8–10am and 5–7pm on weekdays) if possible. |
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Detail |
Information |
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IATA code |
KUT |
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Full name |
David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport |
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Distance from city centre |
16 km west of Kutaisi city (~20 min by car) |
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StarCar pickup method |
Agent meets you at arrivals exit — car 3 min walk |
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Pickup time |
Under 20 minutes from landing to keys |
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Operating hours |
All scheduled flights — advance booking required |
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Car park |
Adjacent to terminal — very short walk |
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International brands on-site |
No — local operators only |
Kutaisi has become one of Georgia's busiest entry points for European budget travellers. The airport is small and efficient — but the rental market is almost entirely local, which makes pre-booking even more important here. StarCar's 20-minute delivery guarantee at Kutaisi is one of the only formal service commitments available at this airport.
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Getting to Tbilisi from Kutaisi Airport: Many travellers fly into Kutaisi and want to go straight to Tbilisi — 220 km, approximately 2.5–3 hours on the S1 highway. This is one of Georgia's best roads and an easy drive. A one-way rental from Kutaisi to Tbilisi is available with no drop-off fee. |
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Factor |
Online pre-booking |
Walk-up at desk |
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Price |
Confirmed rate — no surprises |
20–40% higher, negotiable but not always |
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Car availability |
Guaranteed — your car is held |
Depends on stock — SUVs often sold out |
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Pickup time |
15–20 minutes |
30–90+ minutes on busy days |
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Insurance clarity |
Confirmed in writing before travel |
Decided under pressure at the desk |
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Deposit risk |
No deposit (StarCar) |
May require card hold of $200–$500 |
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Flight delays |
Car held automatically |
Desk may give car away if you're late |
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Skip the queue. Book your airport car online. StarCar delivers to Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi airports. Your car is ready when you land — no desk queues, no surprises, no hidden fees. → Book airport pickup at starcar.ge/cars |
How long does car rental pickup take at Tbilisi Airport?
With a pre-booked reservation and StarCar, the process typically takes 15–20 minutes from the moment you land to driving out of the car park. This includes the walk from arrivals, document check, walk-around inspection, and payment. Walk-up bookings without a reservation take longer — 30–90 minutes depending on queue length and whether your preferred car is available.
Is there a StarCar desk inside Tbilisi or Kutaisi Airport?
StarCar operates as a meet-and-greet service rather than a static airport desk. At Tbilisi Airport, the agent meets you at the arrivals exit or at the car park. At Kutaisi Airport, the agent meets you directly at the arrivals door. You'll receive a WhatsApp message with the agent's exact location as soon as your flight lands.
What documents do I need for airport car rental in Georgia?
You need your original driving licence (not a photocopy), passport or national ID, a payment card in your name, and your booking confirmation. If your licence is in a non-Latin script, bring an IDP or certified translation. Processing at pickup is faster when you have all documents ready before reaching the agent.
Can I book a one-way rental from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi?
Yes. StarCar offers one-way rentals between Kutaisi and Tbilisi (and Batumi) with no drop-off surcharge. The drive from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi is approximately 220 km on the S1 highway — a comfortable 2.5–3 hour journey. Book online and specify your drop-off location when making the reservation.
What should I do if I'm charged a fee at pickup that wasn't in my booking?
Ask the agent to explain the charge in writing and show where it appears in your rental agreement or the original booking confirmation. If the charge is not disclosed in your booking, you are not obligated to pay it. Take note of the agent's name, photograph the invoice, and if the issue is not resolved, contact the rental company's head office or leave a detailed review. Pre-booking with a written confirmation is your best protection against undisclosed fees.
