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📍 Mtskheta: the ancient capital of Georgia, roughly 20–25 km north of Tbilisi, at the meeting of two rivers.
Is a Car Worth It in Mtskheta?
Mtskheta is compact and its sights near the centre are walkable, but Jvari Monastery sits on a hill above the town, and Zedazeni and the road north are best by car. Many visitors do it as a half-day trip from Tbilisi.
Our advice: stay a night if you want the churches without crowds, and ask the agency to deliver the car to your hotel or collect it in Tbilisi.
Drive Times from Mtskheta
Times are approximate and depend on traffic; use live navigation for the real figure.
| Destination | Approx. distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi centre | ~20–25 km | about 30–45 min |
| Tbilisi Airport (TBS) | ~35–40 km | about 40–60 min |
| Jvari Monastery | ~5 km | about 10–15 min |
| Ananuri | ~45–50 km | about 1 hour |
| Gudauri | ~100 km | about 1.75–2.25 hours |
Parking at the Churches and the Highway Junction
Parking near Svetitskhoveli is limited and fills with tour buses around midday; arrive early or use the car parks at the edge of the old centre. The road to Jvari is a narrow climb with a small car park at the top. The junction with the main highway is fast and busy with lorries.
- Arrive before late morning in summer
- Dress for the churches and keep valuables out of sight in the car
- Fines from police and cameras are sent to the agency, which charges you after the rental
Pick-Up and Delivery
Pick-up is usually delivered to your hotel in Mtskheta, or collected in Tbilisi or at Tbilisi Airport (TBS). Use the "Specify location" option in the search to choose, and check the car card for any fee. Do not rely on a named office unless it is written on the car card. If you arrive late, give the provider your flight number.
Documents and Age
- Valid driving licence, usually held for at least a year; minimum age is typically 21 (23 or 25 for larger or premium cars)
- International Driving Permit (IDP) may be required or advised depending on where your licence was issued — many visitors can use a national licence for a limited period, but the rules change, so ask the agency exactly what you need before you travel
- Passport and the booking voucher
- A payment method that matches the offer: many agencies block the deposit on a credit card; use the No deposit or No credit card filter if you need an alternative
Insurance and Deposit Explained
With basic insurance the excess — your share of any damage — can be large and the agency blocks a deposit. Full coverage brings the excess close to zero and, with many local agencies, means no deposit. Typical exclusions are tyres, glass, the underbody, interior damage and lost keys, and the cover is not valid off-road. Fines and parking are billed separately, and cover is void in the occupied regions. Photograph the car with the agent at pick-up and return and make sure all damage is in the acceptance document.
Driving in Mtskheta: Roads and Habits
Lorries and minibuses use the highway at speed, and drivers merge abruptly at junctions. In town, pedestrians cross freely around the churches.
- Traffic drives on the right; overtake on the left and give way as signed at roundabouts
- Local driving is fast and assertive: expect sudden lane changes, tailgating, overtaking on blind bends and horns used freely — keep a large gap and stay calm
- Speed limits are signed (typically 60 km/h in towns and higher on main roads and motorway sections); speed cameras and police checks are common
- Strict drink-driving limit with heavy penalties — the safest rule is zero alcohol before driving
- No handheld phone; seatbelts are compulsory and children need a suitable seat
- Cows, sheep, pigs, dogs and horses wander onto roads, often at night and around bends — avoid driving after dark outside towns
- Mountain roads (Military Highway, Gudauri, Kazbegi, Svaneti) can have snow, ice, landslides and closures from about November to April; carry chains or winter tyres and check road status before you set out
- Do not take the car off the paved road: insurance is not valid off-road
- Do not enter Abkhazia or South Ossetia: entry from Georgian-controlled territory is illegal, dangerous and makes your rental insurance void
- Cross-border trips (for example to Armenia, Turkey or Azerbaijan) are allowed only with the agency's written permission