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Trusted reviews from real customers who used TripBox services
Absolutely seamless experience from start to finish. Picked up a Toyota in Tbilisi, drove through the mountains to Kazbegi, and returned the car in Batumi. The team was responsive on WhatsApp and the car was in perfect condition. Will definitely use TripBox again on our next trip.
Great value for money. The booking process was simple and the host met us right at the airport. Car was clean and fuel tank was full. Highly recommend!
Best car rental service I've tried in Georgia. Transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and the insurance options were clearly explained. The host even gave us tips on the best scenic routes.
Very professional and friendly. Answered all my questions quickly.
We rented an SUV for a two-week road trip across the Caucasus. The car handled mountain passes like a champ and when we had a minor issue with a tire, the TripBox team arranged a replacement within hours. That kind of support is rare.
Booked last-minute for a weekend in Kutaisi and the process was painless. Host picked us up at the train station with the car and walked us through everything. Five stars.
Clean car, fair price, polite host. What more do you need?
I appreciated how clear the rental agreement was. Everything was in English and well documented. The car was a late model with all modern features. Communication via the app was instant.
Excellent service and a beautiful car. The only tiny hiccup was a 10-minute delay at pickup but the host apologized sincerely and threw in an extra full tank at the end. Honest people, would book again.
Reliable and stress-free. Perfect for family travel.
🏛️ The Cave City of Queen Tamar: Vardzia is a vast 12th-century cave monastery complex carved straight into the cliffs of Erusheti Mountain, commissioned by King George III and completed under his daughter Queen Tamar in 1185. At its peak it had 6,000 chambers stretched across 13 levels, sheltering up to 2,000 monks behind a hidden façade.
🌍 A Tentative UNESCO Heritage Site: The complex is on UNESCO's Tentative World Heritage List for its rock-cut architecture, frescoes inside the Church of the Dormition (dating to 1184-1186), and the surviving irrigation system that still carries spring water through stone channels carved nearly nine centuries ago.
🍷 Wine Country at the Edge of Turkey: Vardzia sits in Samtskhe-Javakheti, a region famous for high-altitude qvevri winemaking and the Khertvisi Fortress — one of Georgia's oldest castles, guarding the junction of the Mtkvari and Paravani rivers just 13 km from the cave city.
Vardzia is one of Georgia's most extraordinary archaeological sites — a hidden monastic city carved into a sheer cliff face above the Mtkvari River, two hours south of Borjomi. Having a rental car from TripBox transforms Vardzia from a rushed group-tour stop into a full self-paced experience: you set off when light is best for photographs, combine the cave city with Khertvisi Fortress and the sulphur baths of Vanis Kvabebi, and return through the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park without depending on minibus timetables.
| Route to Vardzia | Distance | Estimated Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Akhaltsikhe — Vardzia | ~60 km | 1 hour 15 mins |
| Borjomi — Vardzia | ~110 km | 2 hours 15 mins |
| Vardzia — Khertvisi Fortress | ~13 km | 15 mins |
| Vardzia — Rabati Castle (Akhaltsikhe) | ~60 km | 1 hour 15 mins |
| Bakuriani — Vardzia | ~130 km | 2 hours 40 mins |
| Tbilisi — Vardzia (via Borjomi) | ~220 km | 4 hours |
| Kutaisi — Vardzia | ~245 km | 4 hours 30 mins |
| Batumi — Vardzia | ~325 km | 6 hours |
TripBox is built around independent travellers who want to explore Samtskhe-Javakheti on their own schedule — not on a tour bus:
The road to Vardzia is mostly well-paved, so heavy off-road capability isn't required — but some classes are smarter than others depending on what else you plan to see:
Vardzia is open year-round, but driving conditions and the visitor experience vary by season:
Vardzia itself is a small monastic site without a permanent rental office. The closest pickup points on TripBox are Akhaltsikhe (60 km away) and Borjomi (110 km away). Most travellers rent in Tbilisi, Kutaisi or Borjomi and drive to Vardzia for the day.
No. The road from Tbilisi via Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe is fully paved, including the final stretch along the Mtkvari River. A standard sedan or compact crossover is sufficient. A 4×4 is only useful if you also plan to visit off-road sites like Sapara Monastery or the Javakheti plateau.
Roughly 4 hours one way (approximately 220 km), via Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe. Most travellers split the trip with an overnight in Borjomi, treating Vardzia as a half-day excursion combined with Khertvisi Fortress.
Yes, but it's a long day — start by 7:00 to be back in Tbilisi by evening. To enjoy the site without rushing, an overnight in Borjomi or Akhaltsikhe is strongly recommended. Many TripBox renters take the car for 2-3 days specifically for this route.
Yes. TripBox offers a chauffeur / with-driver service available across all of Georgia. Hosts provide local English- or Russian-speaking drivers familiar with the Vardzia route, which works well for travellers who don't want to drive long mountain distances themselves.
There is a free designated parking area at the base of the cliff, near the ticket office and visitor centre. A shuttle bus runs from the parking area up to the cave entrance for a small fee, or you can walk it in about 15 minutes.
Yes — Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe both have major chain stations (Wissol, Gulf, SOCAR) with reliable petrol and diesel. After Akhaltsikhe, fuel becomes scarce. Fill up before turning off toward Vardzia.
The Vale border crossing to Turkey is about 80 km from Vardzia via Akhaltsikhe. Cross-border travel depends on the individual host's policy and requires prior agreement and additional insurance. Confirm with the host before booking if you plan to cross.
