Georgia in November and December by car is the shoulder season nobody writes about. Empty roads, cheap hotels, the whole fleet available, and a few doors closed. This post lists what works and what does not. It also shows how to plan a late-autumn trip so you are not standing at a closed pass. The ski-resort detail is in our winter driving guide. This one is about the two months before the snow settles.
Updated 9 October 2026. Prices and rules checked against our booking system on that date.
Georgia in November and December by car: what is open
| Region | November | December |
|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi and Mtskheta | Perfect: cool, clear, museums and baths | Christmas lights from mid-December, Orthodox Christmas is 7 January |
| Kakheti | Harvest over, cellars quiet, golden vines | Cold and still, good for wine tasting indoors |
| Kazbegi | Open; first snow, pass can close for hours | Gudauri lifts open around 20 December; 4x4 and chains |
| Svaneti | Mestia open by the paved road; Ushguli closing | Mestia only, skiing at Hatsvali from late December |
| Tusheti | Closed from mid-October | Closed |
| Batumi and the coast | Mild, rainy, hotels half price | Same; the botanical garden is lovely in the rain |
| Borjomi and Bakuriani | Quiet spa season | Bakuriani lifts open in December |
The roads
The motorway and the main roads are fine in both months. Three passes need watching. The Jvari pass to Kazbegi closes after heavy snow. The Nakerala pass to Racha can close too. The Goderdzi pass between Batumi and Akhaltsikhe is best avoided from November. Daylight is short, about 5:30 pm sunset in December, so plan drives in the morning. Our mountain cars get winter tyres for the season; say where you are going when you book.
Why it is a good time
- Every car is available. Book a Prado or a Sienna the day before.
- Long rentals. Our long-rental discount, 5% off from 5 days and 10% off from 10 days on all cars except the Toyota Prius (flat $35), and 15% off from 5 days and 25% off from 10 days on the Mazda CX-3 and Jeep Renegade, applied automatically in the booking form for pickups until 15 December 2026, currently runs for pickups until 31 October 2026; the prices page shows whether it has been extended into the winter.
- Prices elsewhere drop. Hotels in Batumi and Mestia are half the August rate.
- No queues. Gergeti, Ananuri, Signagi and the Tbilisi baths are yours.
Which car for November and December
| Trip | Car | Daily rate |
|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi, Kakheti, Batumi | Toyota Prius or Ford Fusion | $35 / $55 |
| Kazbegi in November | Renault Duster or Subaru Forester | $65 |
| Gudauri in December | Mitsubishi Pajero or Toyota Highlander | $80 |
| Families with skis | Land Cruiser Prado | $110 |
Chains cost $5 a day and should be in the boot for any December mountain trip. The Gudauri and Kazbegi page has the winter steps.
Coming in late autumn and not sure what is open? Send us your dates and we tell you what the passes are doing that week. Message us on WhatsApp (+995 591 89 60 60) and we will plan a custom route with you: the right car for the roads, pickup and drop-off in different cities, and honest advice on driving times.
Questions about Georgia in November and December by car
Is it too late for the mountains?
For Tusheti and Ushguli, yes. For Kazbegi, Mestia, Borjomi and Gudauri, no; they are quieter and often beautiful.
Is the coast worth it?
For a rainy-day city break with cheap hotels, yes. For the beach, no.
Do I need winter tyres in November?
For Kazbegi and Gudauri from mid-November, yes, and our mountain cars have them. For Tbilisi, Kakheti and the coast, no.
Is New Year a good time to drive?
Yes, with a plan. Gudauri is full from 30 December to 7 January and the road is busy. Book the car and the hotel in November.
Georgia in November and December by car is a different country: slower, cheaper and mostly yours. Keep the mountain days for the mornings and you will have the best of it.