Georgia Itinerary: The Best Routes for 7 and 14 Days
- 7 days: Tbilisi, Kazbegi and Kakheti – the classic in the east, easy with a driver or rental car.
- 14 days: plus Kutaisi, Svaneti (Mestia) and Batumi on the Black Sea.
- An open-jaw flight saves time: e.g. arrive in Tbilisi, fly home from Kutaisi.
- Driving times are longer than the distances suggest – allow plenty of time in the mountains.
- Best time for both routes: late May to June and September to mid-October.
Georgia is small, but distances are long: mountain roads, passes and villages take time. A good route therefore plans few bases with two nights each. Here are two tried-and-tested routes – 7 days in the east and 14 days across the country – with driving times and tips.
Route 1: Georgia in 7 days (east)
Tbilisi, the Georgian Military Road to Kazbegi and the Kakheti wine region – the perfect first trip.
| Day | Stage | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Tbilisi, evening in the old town | Tbilisi |
| 2 | Tbilisi: cable car, sulphur baths, Rustaveli | Tbilisi |
| 3 | Military Road via Ananuri and Gudauri to Stepantsminda (about 3 hrs pure driving) | Kazbegi |
| 4 | Hike to Gergeti Church or to Juta | Kazbegi |
| 5 | Back towards Tbilisi, on to Kakheti (Sighnaghi, driving time estimated 4–5 hrs) | Sighnaghi |
| 6 | Wineries, Bodbe Monastery, supra in the evening | Sighnaghi |
| 7 | Drive back to Tbilisi Airport (estimated 2 hrs) | – |
Good to know: Lufthansa from Munich lands in Tbilisi at night – day 1 is then an arrival day. More on Tbilisi and Kazbegi: Tbilisi travel guide and Kazbegi travel guide.
Route 2: Georgia in 14 days (east and west)
The grand tour: first the east, then via Kutaisi into the mountains of Svaneti and finally to the Black Sea.
| Day | Stage | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Tbilisi | Tbilisi |
| 3–4 | Military Road and Kazbegi | Kazbegi |
| 5–6 | Kakheti: Sighnaghi and wineries | Sighnaghi |
| 7 | Drive west to Kutaisi (Tbilisi–Kutaisi about 3.5–4 hrs) | Kutaisi |
| 8 | Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave | Kutaisi |
| 9 | Drive to Mestia (about 5.5–6 hrs) | Mestia |
| 10 | Mestia: defence towers, museum, hike | Mestia |
| 11 | Day trip to Ushguli (by SUV or 4×4, according to guides 3–4 hrs each way) | Mestia |
| 12 | Long drive to Batumi | Batumi |
| 13 | Batumi: boulevard, botanical garden, beach | Batumi |
| 14 | Flight home (with a connection from Batumi or via Kutaisi) | – |
Good to know: Wizz Air flies direct from Kutaisi to Germany – so for route 2 an open-jaw flight is ideal: fly into Tbilisi, fly home from Kutaisi (leave Batumi earlier on day 13). Which routes exist: Direct flights to Georgia.
Driving times at a glance
| Route | Driving time (guide value) |
|---|---|
| Tbilisi – Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) | about 3 hrs |
| Tbilisi – Sighnaghi | about 2 hrs (estimated) |
| Tbilisi – Kutaisi | about 3.5–4 hrs (bus), just under 3 hrs (train) |
| Kutaisi – Mestia | about 5.5–6 hrs |
| Mestia – Ushguli | 3–4 hrs, SUV or 4×4 |
| Tbilisi – Batumi | about 5 hrs (train) |
Pure driving times without breaks, according to 2026 travel guides. In the mountains, in rain and with photo stops it takes longer.
Rental car, driver or public transport?
- Rental car: flexible and quite manageable in the east. For Ushguli and mountain tracks only with an SUV or 4×4 and the rental company's permission. Everything about it: Car rental in Georgia.
- Driver: relaxed, especially for Svaneti. You pay per route or per day.
- Marshrutka and train: cheapest, but less flexible – no stops along the way.
Tips for your round trip
- Two nights per place: leaves time to arrive and for excursions.
- Plan a buffer: weather, roadworks and closures can lengthen stages.
- Book early: in high season good guesthouses in Kazbegi and Mestia fill up quickly.
- Cash for the mountains: in villages and marshrutkas you often pay cash only.
- Mind the season: when each region is accessible: Best time to visit Georgia. What the trip costs: Georgia travel costs.
Frequently asked questions
Are 7 days enough for Georgia?
For the east, yes: Tbilisi, the Military Road to Kazbegi and the Kakheti wine region fit well into a week. For Svaneti and the Black Sea coast you need at least 10 to 14 days.
Round trip by rental car or with a driver?
Both work. A rental car is flexible and quite manageable for Tbilisi, Kakheti and Kazbegi. For Svaneti and mountain roads a driver with local knowledge is more relaxing. Many combine: cities without a car, mountains with a driver.
What is the best way to get to Mestia?
A marshrutka leaves Kutaisi for Mestia every morning (about 6 hours), alternatively via Zugdidi. With a driver or rental car it is about 5.5 hours from Kutaisi. From Tbilisi the journey takes 8 to 10 hours.
When is the best time for a round trip through Georgia?
Late May to June and September to mid-October. Tbilisi is not too hot then and the mountain roads are open. For high-mountain hiking in Svaneti, July to September is best.
Sources: Wander-Lush: Tbilisi to Svaneti (2026) · GT Tours Georgia: How to Get to Svaneti · Wander-Lush: Georgia Road Trip Itinerary · georgia.travel: from Kutaisi to Tbilisi. All information without guarantee; rules can change at short notice.