We analyzed every review left on TakeCars by customers who rented a car in Georgia. Here's what they loved, what went wrong, and what you should know before booking.
Since TakeCars launched in Georgia, over 1,400 travelers from 50+ countries have left a review. We read every single one — the glowing five-star praise, the frustrated one-star complaints, and everything in between. This article is the honest summary.
The numbers
Out of 1,453 reviews for Georgia:
- 81% rated their experience 5 out of 5
- 11% gave 4 stars
- 5% gave 3 stars
- 3% gave 1 or 2 stars
The average rating works out to 4.7 out of 5. For context, that's higher than most traditional car rental companies operating in the region.
Reviewers came from over 50 countries. The most common: Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Poland, Israel, UAE, Germany, Belarus, Lithuania, and Czech Republic. Languages split roughly 60% Russian and 40% English.
What travelers love most
We tagged every review by theme. Here's what comes up again and again in positive reviews:
Helpful car owners (mentioned in 185+ reviews)
This is the single biggest differentiator from traditional rental companies. Travelers consistently praise the personal touch — owners who meet you at the airport at 3 AM, text you tips about local restaurants, or drive two hours to swap a car when something goes wrong.
"I think we were lucky to find George's car rental company, because in all our vacations, the process of payment, car insurance, pickup, and return has never been as fast, convenient, and enjoyable." — Michal, Czech Republic
"The owner of the car is very helpful and informative not only about the rental car but also some nice-to-know about your trip in Georgia." — Anantaporn, Thailand
Good car condition (120+ reviews)
Most renters report that cars match their listing photos and descriptions. The fleet skews toward reliable Japanese and Korean models — Toyota Prius, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Elantra — practical choices for Georgian roads.
On-time delivery (113+ reviews)
Airport pickup is the most common arrangement, and the vast majority of reviews confirm that the owner or their representative was waiting on time — even when flights were delayed.
"The car was waiting for us at the airport, although our flight was 2 hours delayed." — Maciej, Poland
Good value for money (100+ reviews)
With daily rates starting from around ₾65 ($24), Georgia remains one of the most affordable car rental markets in the region. Multiple reviewers compare prices favorably to traditional agencies.
"For 16 days, we paid 1,200 GEL — about $27 a day. Considering it was July high season, that's essentially nothing." — Andrej, Czech Republic
The routes our customers drive
Place names pop up constantly in reviews, painting a picture of the most popular road trips:
Tbilisi (mentioned in 64 reviews) — the starting point for most rentals. Airport pickup at TBS is the default.
Kutaisi (32 reviews) — a popular pickup point thanks to low-cost Wizz Air flights into KUT airport. Many travelers start here and drive east to Tbilisi or north to Svaneti.
Batumi (24 reviews) — the Black Sea coast destination. Some travelers pick up here; others do a one-way rental from Tbilisi.
Mestia and Svaneti (15 reviews) — the most-discussed mountain destination. Travelers who went praise the scenery but warn about road conditions.
"From sunny weather in busy Kutaisi to snow and ice on mountain roads near Mestia: the car took us everywhere without any problems." — Virginie, Netherlands
Gudauri (11 reviews) — Georgia's main ski resort, frequently mentioned in winter rental reviews. Winter tires are essential.
Ushguli, Omalo, Vashlovani — the adventurous routes. A handful of travelers took 4x4 vehicles to these remote areas and loved it.
"The car is a proper 4x4, we have been to Ushguli, Omalo, and Vashlovani with no problems at all." — Maciej, Poland
Cross-border to Armenia (6 reviews) — some travelers arranged permission to drive into Armenia, covering routes through Borjomi, Giumri, and Yerevan.
"We drove from Kutaisi via Borjomi, Giumri, and Yerevan to Goris close to the border with Iran, then back via Sevan, Tbilisi, and Gori. More than 1,500 km in 3 days." — Piotr, Poland
What goes wrong — and how often
Only 7% of reviews are 3 stars or below. But when things go wrong, they tend to fall into a few patterns:
Car condition issues (37 reviews)
The most common complaint. Some renters received cars with excessive scratches, worn tires, or minor mechanical problems. A few cases involved dashboard warning lights that the owner dismissed.
Our take: Always inspect the car thoroughly at pickup. Take photos of every scratch and dent. If warning lights are on, don't accept the car — contact TakeCars support to arrange an alternative.
Mechanical breakdowns (22 reviews)
A small number of renters experienced breakdowns during their trip — flat tires, dead batteries, engine issues. In most cases, the owner arranged a replacement vehicle, though response time varied.
Our take: Breakdowns can happen with any rental car, anywhere. What matters is the response. Most owners on TakeCars resolve issues within hours. Save the owner's phone number and TakeCars support contacts before you start driving.
Older vehicles (33 reviews)
Some travelers were surprised by the age of their car, even though it matched the listing. Cars in Georgia tend to be older than what you'd find in Western European rental fleets.
Our take: Check the year on the listing before booking. Age doesn't always equal poor condition — a well-maintained 2014 Subaru Forester can handle Georgian mountain roads better than a brand-new city car. Focus on the owner's rating and reviews rather than the model year.
Cleanliness (15 reviews)
Some cars were delivered less clean than expected. Interior cleanliness especially.
Our take: If the car isn't clean at pickup, mention it to the owner immediately. It's fair to ask for a quick clean before accepting the car.
Deposit or refund disputes (13 reviews)
A small number of travelers had issues getting deposits back or disagreed about damage charges.
Our take: Photograph the car before and after your rental. The deposit amount and conditions are shown on every TakeCars listing — check them before booking. If a dispute arises, TakeCars support can mediate.
Practical tips from real renters
We picked out the most useful advice that travelers shared in their reviews:
On parking: "The manager didn't explain how to pay parking in Tbilisi — that was essential." Several renters mention being caught off guard by Tbilisi's paid parking system. Download the city parking app or ask your car owner to explain it at pickup.
On tires: Multiple reviews mention tire condition. If you're driving to mountain areas, especially in winter, confirm that the car has winter tires and carry chains. Check the tread before you accept the car.
On fines: "We got two fines — turning in the wrong place (20 GEL) and speeding (50 GEL)." Speed cameras are active on Georgian highways. Fines are issued automatically and the car owner will be charged — which means they'll deduct it from your deposit.
On off-road driving: Several travelers were warned about restricted routes but drove them anyway. If the listing says you can't take the car to Ushguli or Tusheti, take it seriously — insurance won't cover damage on unauthorized roads, and you'll be liable for any repairs.
On communication: "If you don't speak Georgian, keep in mind that communication might be tricky." Most owners speak English or Russian, but not all. WhatsApp is the standard communication channel. If language is a concern, check the owner's reviews for mentions of communication quality.
On Japanese imports: Georgia has many ex-Japanese cars with steering wheels converted from right to left. This means turn signal and wiper stalks may be swapped. It takes a few minutes to adjust — not a real issue, just something to expect.
The bottom line
Georgia is one of the best countries in the world to explore by rental car — the roads are improving, the distances are manageable, and the scenery is extraordinary. The peer-to-peer rental model through TakeCars means you get a personal experience that traditional agencies can't match: an owner who knows the roads, sends you tips, and picks up the phone at midnight if something goes wrong.
Is every car perfect? No. Is every experience flawless? The 7% of lower-rated reviews show it's not. But with 81% of travelers rating their experience 5 out of 5, the odds are strongly in your favor — especially if you check the owner's reviews, inspect the car at pickup, and communicate clearly about your route.
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