Many international travelers balk at the thought of renting an affordable car. Sometimes the reasons even seem somewhat legitimate: associating lower cost with instability, fearing a cheaper vehicle may not be as reliable as a more costly option. However, in most cases that is blatantly untrue. Here’s a short guide from Starcar about situations where renting a budget car is not just as good as an expensive one, but outright preferable.
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While there are situations where renting a more costly option is certainly beneficial (e.g. you should definitely go for a sturdy big SUV if planning to drive on mountain roads), in others, an affordable option is a much smarter way to go.
We’ll break down the basics, discuss the options, and give you some easy helpful tips and tricks that’ll make using a car rental service in Georgia significantly easier.
Here are some of the benefits to consider, if you’ve yet to be convinced that on many occasions hiring a low-cost car is the way to go.
Firstly, it’s better for your pockets. Think of all the other fun stuff you could do with your travel budget instead, like dining, sightseeing, or even extending your stay. On a more serious note, while you shouldn’t cut pennies on necessities, overspending on every line item isn’t a smart use of your money either.
Secondly, a smaller vehicle may simply be a better fit for your planned route. While an SUV is best for rocky, challenging terrains found aplenty in Georgian mountains, if you’re planning to stick to urban areas, they’ll be a hurdle, not a help. The more affordable options are also frequently the smaller, lither models that are better suited for navigating busy city streets.
Thirdly, do remember that a vehicle comes with further expenses. You’ll be the one responsible for filling up the tank and cleaning it up as long as you’re using it. A budget car hire typically means lower fuel consumption. It can, in turn, lead to further savings, especially during long trips or when fuel prices are high.
And last but not least, it reduces the financial risk associated with potential damages (like a crash or theft), as these models generally come with lower insurance costs. Renting a smaller vehicle can do a lot for your peace of mind when weighing risks.
Obviously, hiring an affordable model isn’t always the best solution, and when you do hire one, consider several factors to ensure you get the best value for your buck.
Choose the vehicle with the main characteristics of your trip in mind. How big is your travel group? How much luggage do you plan to have? What is the route you’ll be driving through? Sometimes a low-cost option can be a lifesaver, but in others, it may complicate things. If you're traveling with a large group or have a lot of luggage, you might need a larger model. Ditto if you plan to drive into mountainous regions. A larger model can still be cost-effective depending on which rental service in Georgia you choose, but that’s another conversation.
Consider how long you plan to rent. Do you have a strictly set return date or is there a chance your trip will be extended? How set are your plans? Is there a chance you might upend your plans and venture into unplanned areas? In the first case, it might be more economical to rent a vehicle for a week or more from the get-go. But if you think you may need to drive across rocky terrains, it might be best not to take a chance, and go for a sturdier option.
Some of the most popular routes in Georgia can easily be covered safely in an affordable vehicle. Which is what most locals do every day.
Here are a few trip options, popular among tourists, that don’t call for an SUV, a minivan, etc.:
Tbilisi to Batumi and back is about 370 kilometers long. But the highways are well-paved and well-maintained with any vehicle (including the smallest models) easily able to cover the distance in a few hours without a single hitch.
Kutaisi is another fan-favorite destination. Both Tbilisi to Kutaisi and Batumi to Kutaisi are easy routes for smaller and lighter vehicles, with drives predominantly on flat, well-paved surfaces.
Starcar is an affordable car rental from Kutaisi with a large catalog of vehicles available for hire. Look around our website, choose the car that fits your budget, and get in touch!
