It’s getting easier and easier to plan a trip to Georgia. But when it comes to intercity transport, things are not so straightforward.
Marshrutkas (fixed-route minivans) are cheap but uncomfortable and inflexible, while trains only cover a small section of the country. Hiring a car and self-driving in Georgia is often the best option, but it’s not for everyone.
After almost a decade of travelling around Georgia (and living here), I’ve found myself using GoTrip Georgia again and again for long drives, time-sensitive transfers, and day trips.
It offers the same flexibility as a hire car, but without the stress of navigating the roads or dealing with the local driving style.
With GoTrip, you can plan your route online, get a fixed price upfront, and add as many stops as you’d like along the way for no extra cost. Drivers are vetted and reviewed, and the platform provides an extra layer of support if anything goes wrong.
This service makes life so much easier for travellers. I wish every country had a GoTrip!
I’ve been working with GoTrip for more than six years now, and I know the team behind the platform personally – which gives me a good sense of how it operates behind the scenes. In this short guide, I explain exactly how GoTrip works, and answer frequently asked questions.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.
Transparency: This review was originally created in partnership with GoTrip, who hosted my transfer from Tbilisi to Kazbegi in 2020. I have since used GoTrip dozens of times and always pay my own way. As always, all opinions and recommendations are 100% my own.
Should you use GoTrip in Georgia?
When GoTrip makes sense:
If you want a flexible journey with stops along the way, or a safer and more comfortable trip by road. It’s also a good choice for airport transfers. Drivers are just that – drivers, not full guides – which suits independent travellers who want flexibility without a structured tour.
When it doesn’t:
For short transfers or solo budget travel, you’re usually better off with shared transportation. For a longer and more complex itinerary where you move around every day, you’re better off hiring your own car.
What is GoTrip and how does it work?
GoTrip.ge is a web platform that connects travellers with private drivers in Georgia. You could think of it as a long-distance Uber – only you get complete flexibility when it comes to stops, and total control over who drives you.
Prices are transparent, drivers are vetted for safe-driving and held to high standards, and unlimited stops with free waiting time are included.
You can use GoTrip in a variety of ways:
- Transfer from the airport to your hotel or anywhere else in Georgia (great if you’re arriving late at night)
- Round-trip day trip (for example Tbilisi to David Gareja Cave Monastery and back)
- Scenic drive with lots of photo stops (for example the Georgian Military Highway to Kazbegi)
- Multi-city transfer with sightseeing along the way (for example from Tbilisi to Kutaisi via Gori)
- Long drive across the country (for example from Tbilisi to Mestia)
- Challenging route that requires an experienced driver (for example from Tbilisi to Tusheti)
- Multi-day transfer of up to 10 days (for example driving around Kakheti Wine Region)
GoTrip works 24/7 for both advanced reservations and same-day bookings, and it operates all over Georgia and in neighbouring Armenia (cross-border trips are also available).
The price you see is for the whole car (not per person), and is fixed in advance – so you know exactly how much the trip is going to cost.
No fielding offers from freelance drivers, no back and forth negotiating, and no nasty surprises when it comes time to pay.
The booking process is simple:
- Enter your start and end point
- Add stops along the way
- Filter results based on car type & language spoken
- Choose a driver & read past reviews
- Book & pay online (with card) or later (in cash)
After you book, you will receive a confirmation email. You can then use the link to chat with your driver via the GoTrip website.
I always recommend messaging your driver 24 hours ahead of the pick-up time to reconfirm your address and details.
Key advantages of using GoTrip
Compared with shared transport (marshrutkas and trains), GoTrip is far more flexible and comfortable. You travel door-to-door on your own schedule, and you can stop anywhere along the way. Naturally, you pay for that convenience – GoTrip is pricier than shared transport, but it’s still very affordable in the scheme of things.
Compared with booking a freelance driver, the advantages are similar to using a ridesharing app instead of hailing a street taxi: No need to negotiate fares, less risk of miscommunication, and an added layer of support.
Here are some of the main benefits of using GoTrip to get around Georgia.
Plan your route in advance
GoTrip works well for straightforward A to B transfers, but it really comes into its own for multi-stop routes, day trips and multi-day itineraries. When booking, you can add in any cities, towns, villages or nature spots you want to visit along the way.
To incorporate extra stops, simply add more places in the Trip Planner.
If a destination doesn’t appear in the system, add it in the notes section so your driver can check the address in advance. Alternatively, you can contact GoTrip and ask them to add it.
GoTrip is great for reaching random villages and nature spots where shared transport is infrequent or non-existent.
For a place like Kakheti, you can even ask your driver to call ahead to wineries to confirm they’re open – just include a link or phone number in your notes.
Transfers can be one-way or round-trip, pick-up and drop-off points are fully customisable (hotel, airport, train station, etc.), and drivers are available 24 hours a day.
Unlimited stops
Spot a great photo opportunity? Need a break, a bathroom stop, or a quick churchkhela? Just ask your driver to pull over.
With GoTrip, you can make unlimited stops along the way at no extra cost. The only condition is that single-day trips must be completed within 24 hours.
The driver usually stays with the car, so it’s generally safe to leave your luggage in the vehicle while you’re out exploring.
Fixed fares & cash payment
GoTrip works similarly to a taxi in that you pay per vehicle, not per person. The price is displayed at the time of booking and doesn’t change, so you know exactly what you’ll pay.
In most cases, fares are significantly lower than organising a private driver independently.
Payment is either made online by card in advance, or in cash (Georgian lari) directly to the driver at the end of the trip. If you don’t have lari, your driver can stop at an ATM or exchange office along the way.
→ Check prices here on GoTrip.
Quality cars & high road safety standards
Before booking, you can view both the driver’s profile and real photos of the vehicle. Cars are required to be clean, comfortable and well-maintained, with working seat belts and AC.
Depending on your group size and route, you can choose from sedans, minivans, and in winter, 4WD vehicles or cars with snow tires for mountain travel.
Unlike marshrutkas, luggage space isn’t an issue – you have the entire vehicle to yourself. Drivers can also assist with loading heavier bags if needed.
GoTrip enforces clear safety standards. Drivers must follow local road rules and undergo training, and there is a strict zero-tolerance policy for unsafe driving.
All vehicles are non-smoking, and child safety seats are available on request. Many cars also offer small extras such as bottled water and WiFi, depending on the driver. Pet-friendly cars are also available.
Local drivers
GoTrip works exclusively with local drivers, most of whom have years of experience. This is reassuring from a road safety perspective, but it also gives you the chance to interact with someone along the way.
Drivers aren’t guides, but most will happily chat or answer questions if you’re interested. Every GoTrip driver I’ve ever had has been more than happy to narrate a bit of history along the way. A good tip is to ask your driver to take you to their favourite spot for lunch/dinner – locals always know best!
All drivers are rated and reviewed by previous travellers – some have hundreds of reviews – so you can vet them before you decide who to travel with. You can also filter results by language spoken to find a driver who shares your language (Georgian, English or Russian).
Last-minute bookings & free cancellation
It’s best to book in advance for the widest choice of drivers and the best prices – ideally a few weeks ahead.
That said, GoTrip also works well for last-minute travel. Drivers are based all over the country, so it’s often possible to arrange a ride with just a few hours’ notice.
On one occasion, I found myself at Kutaisi Airport late at night with no taxis available. I booked a GoTrip driver and he was there within 45 minutes.
If your plans change, you can cancel at any time without penalty.
What’s improved recently (and where adjustments could still be made)
GoTrip has made a few notable improvements in recent years that address some of the platform’s earlier limitations.
Communication is now more streamlined, with an in-built chat function on the website. This removes the need to message or call directly with the driver via WhatsApp, which I wasn’t a huge fan of before.
If there’s ever an issue with your booking – for example if you can’t get in touch with your driver – you can always contact GoTrip staff by phone or messaging app. They also have a live chat box on the website.
The booking system has also been updated to include vehicle details – including the make, colour and number plate – making it much easier to locate your driver.
And GoTrip now offers more flexibility around payment, with online card payment possible in addition to paying cash on the day. If you have a Georgian bank account, you can also transfer directly to the driver.
A dedicated GoTrip app for travellers is still on my wishlist! (At the moment, the app available in the App Store is designed for drivers rather than passengers.) Bookings can only be made on the website.
Best routes to use GoTrip in Georgia
Some routes are particularly well-suited to GoTrip.
Tbilisi to Kazbegi
The Georgian Military Highway is a textbook example of a great GoTrip route. There are plenty of stops to make on the way (see this post for 12 must-sees), plus all the random views and mosaics that might catch your eye. Marshrutka vans do not stop for sightseeing, and shared taxis/tours only make limited stops – so short of hiring your own car, GoTrip is by far the best option for this drive.
→ View my suggested GoTrip itinerary with stops.
Kakheti (Sighnaghi or Telavi) to Kazbegi
You can also arrange a transfer between Kakheti and Kazbegi that takes the back road instead of driving through Tbilisi – a great time-saver. There is no shared transport available on this route, so hiring a driver is the only way to travel.
Kakheti Wine Region
Georgia is quite strict when it comes to drink driving rules, so if you’re planning to tour the Wine Route in Kakheti and visit the vineyards and monasteries spread across the valley, it pays to have your own driver.
→ View my suggested GoTrip itinerary with stops.
Kutaisi or Tbilisi to Mestia (Svaneti)
If you need to go directly to Svaneti, this long road journey is much more tolerable when broken up with stops along the way.
Tbilisi to Tusheti or Khevsureti
The roads to Tusheti and Khevsureti are only open seasonally and are quite challenging as far as mountain roads go. GoTrip serves both these locations, offering proper vehicles and skilled drivers.
→ View my suggested GoTrip itinerary (Tbilisi to Omalo).
Kutaisi to Zugdidi
One of my favourite drives in Georgia, the Monument Route from Kutaisi to Zugdidi is dotted with cool mosaics, memorials and other remnants of the Soviet era. Hiring a GoTrip will allow you to hop between the towns and villages on the route without having to negotiate multiple marshrutka schedules.
GoTrip FAQs
Here are answers to some of the questions I get asked most often.
Is GoTrip Georgia reliable?
Yes – in my experience, GoTrip is very reliable. I use it regularly, at least once every few months.
I’ve used it for late-night airport transfers, for sightseeing with my dad when he visited Georgia, and for solo trips. My husband and I also use it for short weekend getaways and airport transfers.
Is GoTrip safe for solo female travellers?
In my experience, yes – GoTrip is safe to use as a solo female traveller. I’ve travelled alone with GoTrip on numerous occasions without any issues.
Drivers are professional and held to a high standard. To be on the platform, they need to meet certain criteria and complete training. If a driver breaks the rules, they are permanently removed. Most drivers also have extensive reviews, so you can see feedback from other travellers before booking.
I would love to see more female drivers on the platform. It’s not common in Georgia, but there’s definitely room for it.
As always, basic common sense applies. I usually sit in the back seat, which is standard practice in Georgia. If you prefer not to share your exact address with the driver, you can ask to be dropped nearby instead.
What is included in the price?
The price shown on GoTrip includes everything: the car, fuel, the driver’s fee, and any associated costs.
The key point is that the price is fixed – what you see at the time of booking is what you pay.
Should I tip my driver?
Tipping isn’t mandatory, but it is appreciated. I usually tip around 10%.
If you’re spending a full day together, it’s also nice to offer to buy your driver lunch or dinner.
What happens to the driver after my trip ends?
For one-way transfers, the driver will usually return to their home base the same day. If it’s very late, they may choose to stay overnight.
This depends on where the driver is based. For example, I’ve had Tbilisi-based drivers travel to Kutaisi early in the morning, complete the trip, then return home the same evening.
All of this – including return travel and accommodation if needed – is factored into the price, so there’s nothing extra to worry about.
Can I book the same driver for multiple days?
Yes. GoTrip now offers a multi-day booking option, so you can arrange a longer itinerary with the same driver.
Availability depends on the driver, so it’s best to book multi-day trips well in advance – at least a couple of weeks ahead, or longer in summer.
For overnight trips, the driver arranges their own accommodation and meals.
GoTrip Georgia: Final thoughts
If you’re looking for a way to get around Georgia that’s fast, affordable and reliable, GoTrip really is the best choice. I’ve travelled all over the country using every means of transport imaginable and can honestly say I’ve never had a more comfortable or enjoyable transit experience.
There will always be a place in my heart for intrepid marshrutka rides and slow travelling by train! But I do plan to keep using GoTrip in the future for as long as I’m living in Georgia, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to friends who visit the region.
Hi Emily,
I am traveling with my friends, and we are using GoTrip to get from Tbilisi to Kazbegi. On the following day, we want to start from our hotel in Kazbegi and visit several spots within the area. However, it seems GoTrip doesn’t allow booking for travel within Kazbegi itself. What should we do to look around multiple places within Kazbegi region?
Hi Jake,
Local taxis are plentiful in Kazbegi and can be found on the main square or organised through your accommodation. Bolt does work in Kazbegi but the fleet of drivers is small and drivers may cancel. But you can use the app to get a rough idea of pricing.
For Juta, Truso, Gergeti and Dariali, there are also shared transfers organised by an agency in town.
I have more info here about getting around Kazbegi: https://wander-lush.org/visit-kazbegi-georgia-travel-guide-tips/
I hope this helps!
We’d like to book a driver to take us from Tbilisi to Yerevan – which stops in particular en route would you recommend? Great blog by the way, it’s been invaluable for our planning.
Hi Yvonne, thank you!
There are some beautiful monasteries in the north of Armenia – Haghpat and Sanahin, both UNESCO-listed, are the highlights. Alaverdi is an interesting small town and might be a good place to grab lunch. If you have the full day, I would also stop at Lake Sevan to see Sevan Monastery and the Writers House.
Wishing you a safe and fun journey!
Hi Emily,
when I booked a multi day transfer, do I need to input all stops I want to make during the day? Or just need to input the starting point and the end point? I don’t have all the stops detail when I make the booking in advance. Thanks.
Regards,
Felix
Hi Felix, you should try to add the key stops at least, then you can discuss additional stops with the driver.
Hi Emily, thanks so much for the great info in this post. Quick question — how far in advance would you recommend booking a GoTrip? Is a month in advance too much?
Hi David – a month is just fine. It is free cancellation and no deposit, so you can’t really go wrong. You will definitely find a greater range of drivers available if you book a few weeks out, especially if you’re looking for an English-speaking driver as there are fewer on the platform.
Hi Emily. Your blog is great and very helpful for planning our trip. We (four adults with luggage) are considering using gotrip for a transfer from Tbilisi to Gyurmi, Armenia. Can you recommend some stops for along this route that would be of interest to travellers? Thank you
Hi Chad – it depends on your route… If you are crossing at Sadakhlo, then the usual stops in Northern Armenia (Alaverdi, Haghpat, Sanahin, etc. – see here: https://wander-lush.org/ultimate-armenia-itinerary/).
If you are crossing at Bavra, then Manglisi Cathedral, Tsalka, Paravani Lake & Poka Convent and Gorelovka.
I have done both many times… The second route would be my preference!
Hi Emily,
I understand from your blog that the car would be technically available for 24 hours from the pick up time. If we were to book a transfer from Tbilisi (say 10 am) via Kazbegi (before nightfall), does this mean we could make Gudauri the end destination and ask the driver to drop us at Gudauri the next morning before 10 am. Assuming he is ok to stay the night at Kazbegi and do so?
Hi Maria, as far as I know you need to end the trip on the same day. To do that, you would have to book a multi-day transfer.
Hi! I had a bit of a weird experience with gotrip where the driver seemed a bit too excited that I was a solo female traveler. I blamed it on English not being his first language but when he then suggested that I cancel the gotrip reservation and book directly with him, my alarm bells went off. I do think he just wanted to make some extra money more than anything else but it just felt a bit odd also because when I asked why he didn’t explain he wanted to make extra money (his English was definitely good enough to say that), he just reiterated I should cancel and book with him directly not lowering the price or explaining or anything. I did cancel the trip but told him I would use someone else through gotrip. Gotrip then contacted me asking what happened as I selected “driver asked to cancel”. I explain what happened and don’t hear anything from Gotrip until the driver calls me. I block him as I think it’s weird and get in touch with gotrip who minimise what happened and don’t explain why he might have called me. Two days later an unknown Georgian number calls me. I don’t pick up but ask why are they calling me and it’s the same driver saying gotrip fired him (which I think is an overreaction from Gotrip) and he asks what “bullshit” I told them (his words). When I contacted gotrip through chat again they were very unhelpful and I actually had to tell them to get in touch with the driver to tell him I didn’t ask for him to be fired. Was quite disappointed with gotrip for how they handled the whole situation and also makes me question how they handle their staff tbh. That said, other gotrip drivers have been great and while this driver had 5 stars he also only had 5 reviews. It would also be nice if Gotrip would have an option where you communicate with the drivers without giving your phone number.
Hi Charlotte, I am very sorry to hear this! I have used GoTrip alone many times in the past and have never had this issue.
Can I ask, how did he know you were a solo traveller?
I agree that it would be much better to communicate with the drivers through the platform (I mentioned this criticism in this post). GoTrip has a zero tolerance policy for such behaviour – I’m glad the driver was reprimanded, but I’m very sorry that it was mishandled in that way.
Thanks for the review – super useful!
We are flying from Mestia to Natakhari and would like to go to Kazbegi just after we land. I’m concerned about our flight being delayed or even cancelled. Do you know if the driver waits in that case?
What would you recommend for us to get to Kazbegi?
(love your website! Amazing content and well designed!)
Hi Anthony, thank you! Yes, the driver will wait for you – just be sure to add your flight info to the notes when you book, and stay in touch with him over Whatsapp if you can.
Hi Emily,
this is an awesome post with so much details. Thanks a ton for making our lives easy to plan such a trip. We understand that this gotrip has 24 hour window per booking to get to your destination. We will be landing in Tbilisi early morning at 4:30 or so, and the aim is to get to Kazbegi by the EOD. We were wondering if we can for e.g. start our hire from Tbilisi airport in the early morning, have us drop in a hotel in the city where we can rest for few hours (we would have had a red-eye flight before arriving into Tbilisi), pick us up again from the hotel around noon, lunch and drop us at Kazbegi by evening. Would this work?
Thanks once again.
Hi Joe – technically yes, but since your driver would just be waiting around I would book this as two separate trips (an airport transfer then your Tbilisi-Kazbegi leg).
Ok thank you so much for the reply Emily.
Hi Emily,
I am travelling to Batumi with a group of people. There are 10 of us and our flight arrives at around 9PM. Would you recommend booking drivers on Gotrip to get us from the airport to the hotel? And can you book several drivers/cars on GoTrip?
Thanks!
Hi Hannalee, yes that could be a fine option. You can look to see if there are vans available to seat 10 passengers, otherwise you can simply make multiple bookings with different drivers. Safe travels!
Thank you for this webpage, full of useful and up-to-day info. I found it while looking for Kutaisi airport transfer options and it’s really well-described. Now exploring your other texts.
Thanks Damian, glad I could help!
Hi Emily, regarding gotrip.ge, after placing the stops during the booking, is there any time limit set at each of the stopover (eg, 1hr maximum at each stop)? also is there any overall time limit for the whole journey .
Thank you
Hi Lim, there is no limit for stops. The time limit for the overall journey is 24 hours.
Hi Emily, thanks for you lovely blog, it’s been so helpful! We are doing a day trip tomorrow with Gotrip and would like to have lunch somewhere along the way. Is it advised to also pay lunch for the driver or not?
Hello Kristina, thanks for your comment! I always offer, yes – usually they refuse. But I think it’s a nice gesture and always appreciated.
Have a wonderful trip!
Hi Emily,
I’ve been reading a lot on your blog posts and they have been really helpful, thanks! I am planning to go from Telavi to Yerevan in Armenia. It’s about a 6.5 hour drive, does GoTrip do cross border trips? Or would you recommend renting a car and driving?
Hi Maggie – yes, GoTrip does do cross-border trips into Armenia. It’s a great option for sightseeing along the way (the UNESCO monasteries in the north are fabulous). The road is not the best in parts so it is nice to go with an experienced driver. I will be doing this myself in May. Safe travels!
Hi Emily,
What a great web-site I just found; Awesome stuff, props to you!
I’m from Kazakhstan, been living for 5 years in the US and recently moved to Georgia.
Thanks Sultan, I hope you’re enjoying Tbilisi so far!
Hi Emily,
Great information on your site. I have a specific question regarding Go Trip. When you enter the destination details, there is a Language option. If you select Any, it will return all Russian for the most part. If you select English, the prices are a bit higher. In some cases a lot higher. I don’t need a guide but need to communicate to the driver as far as how much time we want to spend, if we want to stop for lunch, and just basic transactional stuff. Do you know if you select Russian, does the driver understand absolutely no English whatsoever? If we can, we would like to save some money.
Thanks.
Hi Lorraine – I often travel with drivers who do not list English as one of their languages. Most of the time they speak a bit of English anyway, they are just not confident enough to put it in their profile. Google Translate also works wonders. These drivers are used to English-speaking tourists – you will get by with absolutely no issues.
Hi Emily, Thanks for writing up this article!
Doesn’t GoTrip have a mobile app? I’ve searched but found only one for drivers, not for riders.
How can we use GoTrip when we’re out there? For example, at an airport or train station or remote park? Do we need to open up a website?
Hi Dana – they don’t have an app yet, you need to use your web browser. The website is mobile friendly, I’ve done it a few times, so it shouldn’t be too tricky to navigate I hope!
Hi Emily!
So can I go from Tbilisi to Borjomi and put the luggage in the hotel then go to Bakuriani with 4 hours stay, and go back again to Borjomi and stop at different places like Borjomi central park then Borjomi Musem then go to a restaurant, after that go back to the hotel.
All this in the same itinerary?
Or that all stops should be on the same route only?
Regards.
Hi Miro – just make Borjomi your final destination and make sure you mention in the notes that you want to spend that amount of time in Bakuriani. Borjomi Central Park, museum and restaurants are all within walking distance so I would skip those and just walk!
Hi, thanks for the great article, this sounds ideal.
You say that you have 24-hours to complete any trip. When I put in my itinerary, it says driving time is 2 hours 45 minutes. Are you saying that at the stops you can stay (for example) a couple of hours at no extra charge while the driver waits?
Thanks, and thank you also for all the helpful information on the site.
Barry
Hi Barry, yes that’s correct. If you plan to stay somewhere for a very long time then I suggest leaving a note for the driver when you book. Otherwise you can stop whenever you like.
Safe travels!
Hi Emily! what a lovely site you have. I have been to Georgia twice earlier, and by reading through your site, I feel there is so much more to do and see.
I am a woman, and will be travelling solo – is GoTrip safe for me? What do you suggest?
If it is, the avenues for me to really explore the country will open up. I plan to visit around 8/9th Oct. Please share your suggestions, it would mean a lot to hear your opinion.
Hi Ilina, absolutely! Just choose a driver who has good reviews.
I hope you have a wonderful trip!
Hi Emily,
Thank you so much for all of your good information on Georgia! We will be there for three weeks in September. I know you recommend GoTrips for Kakheti, but I am wondering if you could recommend a car with a guide, a driver who would know the wineries well. Also, can you recommend a good basic (free) Georgian language tutorial?
Thank you again for all of the excellent tips!
Sharon
Hi Sharon,
Wonderful! September in Kakheti is lovely. I have recently started working with a small company that runs tours in Kakheti – they have great drivers and knowledgable local guides. They also focus on smaller family wineries. They can customise a day or overnight itinerary for you depending on your needs.
Here is an affiliate link to make a booking – this will get you a 5% discount if you do decide to book: https://eatthistours.com/book-a-tour-get-a-quote/?ref=lush
In terms of Georgian language, I have a few recommendations listed on this page. I recommend the YouTube tutorials: https://wander-lush.org/georgia-travel-guide/
Hi dear, i am visting with 2 more adults and twins 5 years. U think normal sidan ia enough for us. Also can i take 2 trips in one day, the kazebegi and matskheta together
Hi Sally, you can quite easily visit Mtskheta on the way to/from Kazbegi. It will be a big day though (unless you’re staying in Kazbegi?).
Hello, thanks for all the wonderful information. I wanted to know if we hire a driver on GoTrip and we don’t take our private rental car how will get around for 5 days in Kazbegi. We want to drive to all the villages close by and hike. What are your suggestions please
Hi Maria,
There is a great transfer service in Kazbegi called Mountain Freaks. You can find all the details plus other transport advice for getting around in my Kazbegi Guide: https://wander-lush.org/visit-kazbegi-georgia-travel-guide-tips/
They run cars to Dariali, Truso and Sno. I would be sure to visit the other places on your list on the first day, when you have the car.
I hope this helps!
Thank you very much !