Georgia
Car rental in Stepantsminda
Stepantsminda, also known as Kazbegi, is a village beneath Mount Kazbek, 145–155 km from Tbilisi. There is no airport, and most people drive up from Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Road over the Jvari (Cross) Pass. You can also get a car in the village itself, delivered to you, from $28 a day.
from $22 per day
- Kazbegi, car delivered to you
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A live catalogue with prices and availability for your dates. The rental contract and payment are handled directly with the rental company at pick-up.
Where to hire a car for Kazbegi
The simplest option is Tbilisi — at the airport or delivered to your hotel. From there it is 2.5–3 hours, and the drive is half the point of the trip. If you reached the village another way and need a car there, you can order one with delivery from $28 a day; rental companies give little detail about handovers in Stepantsminda, so agree the meeting point when you book.
For the climb to Gergeti, take an all-wheel-drive crossover with an engine of 1.6 litres or more.
What is the drive over the Jvari Pass like?
The Georgian Military Road is tarmac all the way: Tbilisi to Ananuri is about 65 km, Ananuri to Gudauri about 60 km, and Gudauri to Kazbegi about 38 km. It is a permitted route for hire cars. A new road bypassing the pass, Kvesheti–Kobi, is being built, but for now traffic uses the old one.
On the hairpins, local drivers often overtake on blind bends, sometimes two cars at once. Keep right, take your time and ignore the horns. Mobile signal drops out in the mountains, so download offline maps before you leave.
Driving to Kazbegi in winter
From 1 December to 1 March, winter tyres are compulsory on the mountain sections designated by the government: they must carry the snowflake symbol and have at least 3 mm of tread, and police can require chains on the driven wheels. Breaking the rule costs 100 lari and 5 penalty points, and you can be turned back. Ask for winter tyres when booking.
In winter the Jvari Pass is sometimes closed for a day or two because of snow and avalanches — check the road before setting off and leave a spare day before your flight.
Where to go from Stepantsminda
Gergeti Holy Trinity Church stands on the mountainside above the village, about 6 km by road. On foot, the round trip is 6.4 km and takes about 2.5 hours. The Gveleti waterfalls are about 7 km north of the village, with a 4 km return walk from there.
The Truso valley is open to hire cars only as far as the village of Almasiani. Sno village is fine, but beyond it, to Juta, is not — people go on with locals in 4x4s. The full list of restricted roads is on the car rental in Georgia page.
The border is close, but not for a hire car
Stepantsminda is not far from the Upper Lars border crossing, but hire cars may not leave Georgia, and permission is not given even for an extra fee. If your route continues into Russia, the car has to be returned in Georgia. The best time for the mountains is summer and early autumn.
Prices by class
Prices by class are a guide based on the lowest city prices; on the coast and in summer they are higher, in winter roughly a quarter lower. The final amount for your dates is calculated by the rental company.
Economy
town driving and the Tbilisi–Kutaisi–Batumi main roads
from$22per day
Compact and saloon
4–5 people with luggage, often a Toyota Prius hybrid
from$24per day
Crossover
Kazbegi, Gergeti, the Adjara mountains — engine from 1.6 litres
from$28per day
Large SUV and people carrier
families or groups with luggage
from$35per day
Premium and convertible
roughly twice the price of economy
BMW 5 and 3 xDrive, Mercedes SLK
from$45per day
By city
Common questions
Can I hire a car in Stepantsminda itself?
Yes, with delivery, from $28 a day. But most people hire in Tbilisi and drive up: 145–155 km, 2.5–3 hours along the Georgian Military Road.
Am I allowed to drive a hire car to Kazbegi?
Yes. Tbilisi–Kazbegi is a permitted route and it is tarmac all the way. What is not allowed are the unpaved roads beyond: Truso past Almasiani and Juta past Sno.
What car do I need to drive up to Gergeti?
An all-wheel-drive crossover with an engine of 1.6 litres or more. The church is about 6 km by road; if you would rather walk, the round trip is 6.4 km and about 2.5 hours.
Do I need winter tyres for Kazbegi?
Yes. From 1 December to 1 March they are compulsory on the mountain sections designated by the government, and police can also require chains. The fine is 100 lari and 5 penalty points, and you can be turned back.
Does the Jvari Pass close in winter?
Sometimes, because of snow and avalanches, usually for a day or two. Check the road before you leave and do not plan to drive back from Kazbegi on the day of your flight.
Can I drive a hire car through Upper Lars?
No. Hire cars may not leave Georgia, and permission is not given even for an extra fee.
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