Car Rental in Podgorica

Why rent a car in Podgorica?

Although Montenegro, one of Europe’s up-and-coming tourism destinations, is best known for its quaint little towns on the Adriatic coast, there’s no reason why a traveler should ignore its capital city, either. From beautiful churches of different denominations and colorful local markets to a wealth of restaurants, Podgorica has plenty to offer. And since the country is quite small, with a rental car, you can still visit the country’s coastline and nature afterwards.

Top ways to enter Podgorica

• Podgorica Airport: Also known as Podgorica-Golubovci, the airport handled more than 1.2 million travelers in 2018. It is a base for Montenegro Airlines and Di Air and is served by 12 other carriers. Located 10km (6.1 miles) south of the city center, the airport can be reached in 10-15 minutes.
• Tivat Airport: The largest of the two Montenegrin international airports, Aerodrom Tivat serves the coastal city of the same name. Mainly active during the summer months, it offers flights to a number of destinations in both Eastern Europe and Western Europe. Tivat Airport is 83km (51 miles) southwest of Podgorica, a distance that can be traveled in 1 hour and 40 minutes.
• Tirana Airport: Tirana Airport serves the capital of neighboring Albania. Also known as Rinas Airport or Nënë Tereza (Mother Teresa) Airport, it is one of the fastest-growing airports in the region having handled nearly three million travelers in 2018. Tirana Airport is 143km (88 miles) south of Podgorica and can be reached in two and a half hours. Before going, make sure your rental car provider permits crossing the international border. Many won’t, so a better idea could be to travel by public transportation and pick up a rental car after arriving in Podgorica. Also, be sure to know if you need a visa to enter either Albania or Montenegro (each country has its own visa policy).
• Dubrovnik Airport: Also known as Dubrovnik-Čilipi Airport, Croatia’s third-busiest airport hosts flights by more than 25 different airlines, offering connections to Northern, Western, and Eastern Europe. Located near the border with Montenegro, Dubrovnik Airport is 170km (105 miles) west of Podgorica, a distance that can be traveled in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Before going, make sure your rental car provider permits crossing the border and that you see if you need a visa to enter either Croatia or Montenegro.
• By rail: If you arrive in Podgorica by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at the Podgorica Central Railway Station.

City facts

• Located near the Adriatic coast, Podgorica has a humid subtropical climate. The average high temperature is 32°C  (90°F) in July, the hottest month, and 10°C  (49°F) in January. Precipitation is quite high throughout the year, making Podgorica the wettest capital in Europe. It is extremely rainy from November to January.
• Throughout history, Podgorica has had different names. During the times of Ancient Rome (of which Montenegro was a part), the settlement in the area was known as Doclea. It was later renamed, first to Birziminium and then to Ribnica. It got its present name in 1326. In 1946, upon becoming a part of Yugoslavia, the city was renamed Titograd. It regained name in 1992. ‘Podgorica’ means ‘place below a hill’ in Montenegrin.

Top sights and activities

• Old Turkish town. Known as ‘Stara Varoš’ in Montenegrin, the Turkish Town is a unique neighborhood in Podgorica. A remnant from when the Ottomans ruled the area, its mazy, narrow streets and stone mosques create a special atmosphere. Some of the area’s landmarks include the Sahat kula clock tower, Ribnica fortress, and the bridge over the Ribnica River.
• Roman Square. The beating heart of Podgorica, Roman Square, or Rimski trg, is home to many shops, restaurants, cafeterias, and galleries. If you’re visiting the city on a Friday or Saturday night, this is where most of the life is going on. The area is also close to a number of Podgorica’s landmarks like the orthodox Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ and the city’s busiest boulevards.
• Vranjina Monastery. One of the oldest monasteries in Montenegro and the region, Vranjina is a calm and serene place. Built in the early 13th century, it was dedicated to Saint Nicholas. Located on the green Vranjina island south of Podgorica and surrounded by a lake, the area is easily reached by car and is the perfect place for a long and relaxing walk. 
• Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ. Although one of the newest in the capital, this church has become a popular tourist attraction and is definitely worth a visit. Belonging to the local Serbian Orthodox Church, the cathedral is a stunning piece of architecture. Inside, you’ll find mosaics, frescoes painted in a traditional style, and other ornate interior details. 

Traffic and parking

• Montenegro drives on the right hand side of the road.
• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 130km/h (81 mph) on highways, 100km/h (62 mph) on motorways, 80km/h (50 mph) on all other roads outside built-up areas and 50km/h (31 mph) within populated and built-up areas.
• It is illegal to use the mobile phone while driving.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.03% for all drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines, a licence ban, or even imprisonment. 
• Although Montenegro uses both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets, most road signs are written in Latin. 
• Very few gas stations in Montenegro are open after 10:00 p.m. You will find some in Podgorica, but there are almost none in the more rural regions. 
• Montenegro is a very mountainous country (it has the third-highest average elevation in Europe, after only Andorra and Switzerland). Even though most of the roads are in good shape and the country is generally catching up with Western European standards, it’s very important to exercise extra caution when driving the curvy and steep mountain roads. 
• It is forbidden to overtake standing school buses if passengers are getting in or out.
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The police number in Montenegro is 122, the fire brigade number is 123, and the ambulance number is 124.

Toll roads

As of August 2019, there are no toll roads in Montenegro. There is one tolled tunnel, the Sozina Tunnel, in the southeast part of the country. The toll is € 5,00.

The Belgrade-Bar Motorway which is currently under construction and will connect the Montenegrin coastline to Serbian capital Belgrade (passing the western outskirts of Podgorica along the way) is planned to be a toll road when it is completed. 

The Adriatic-Ionian Motorway, connecting Trieste in Italy to Kalamata in Greece, is another highway that is currently under construction and might be tolled in the future. The motorway will cross Montenegro from the border with Croatia in the west to the border with Albania in the southeast. It will go through Podgorica’s suburb Čevo.

Ideas for day trips

• Cetinje. The old capital of Montenegro and still the residence of the country’s president, Cetinje is a small, but charming destination. The city has plenty to explore, from churches and monasteries to the Cetinje Ethnographic Museum and a beautiful old town. Located 36km (22 miles) west of Podgorica, Cetinje can be reached in 40 minutes.
• Morača River Canyon. Montenegro is not short of stunning places, but Morača is the one that truly stands out, and not just because it is so close to the capital city. A wild and pristine area, the views of Morača’s deep ravines and rapid mountain river are second to none. The drive from Podgorica to Morača is just as spectacular, although some stretches of the mountain road can be quite tricky, so drive carefully. Just about 25km (16 miles) north of Podgorica, the canyon can be reached in about 30 minutes.
• Doclea. Only ruins of old monuments and stone columns now remain of Doclea, but for centuries the city was a regional powerhouse ruled by the Illyrians, Romans, and Byzantines. Even if you’re not a history buff, the archaeological site is fascinating to visit. Known as Duklja in Montenegrin, it is just 6km (3.7 miles) north of Podgorica’s city center and can be reached in about 10 minutes.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Podgorica is the Fiat Panda, although many travelers also go for the VW Polo and the Hyundai i20. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact. If you plan to drive in the mountains and away from the main roads, it’s a good idea to get a powerful rental car; on the other hand, smaller cars are better for navigating the narrow streets of small coastal towns and villages.

Further destinations

• Lake Skadar National Park. Surrounding the largest lake in the Balkans, this national park is a beautiful and relaxing area. Home to many species of fish, aquatic bird, mammal, and reptile, the park can be explored either by walking along its many trails or via a boat trip. Located just 28km (17 miles) southwest of Podgorica, the visitors center and the entrance to the park can be reached in just 30 minutes.
• Budva. A resort town known for its wild nightlife and many restaurants, Budva attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Those looking to balance partying with some culture will be delighted to find that the city also boasts a well-preserved fortified old town and architectural gems such as the Budva Citadel and several historical churches of various styles. The drive from Podgorica only takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Bar. Known for its large and important port, Bar, like many other coastal Montenegrin destinations, has successfully reinvented itself as a popular tourist hub. Arguably quieter than some previously mentioned destinations like Budva and Kotor, it is known for its lovely beaches and the views from the many hotels and lodges that can be found in the nearby hills overlooking the coast. The drive between Podgorica and Bar takes an hour.
• Albania. Similar to Montenegro, but with a more untamed feel to it, Albania is one of Europe’s undiscovered gems. Impressive beaches, spectacular mountain ranges, delicious food, and extremely friendly locals are just some of the attractions of this Southern Balkan nation. Tirana, Albania’s capital, is 160km (99 miles) south of Podgorica and can be reached in less than three hours. You’ll have to cross an international border, so make sure your rental car provider permits it (if not, you can go by public transportation and pick up a new rental car when arriving in Albania). Also, be sure to know if you need a visa to enter Albania or not as the country has a different visa policy than Montenegro.
• Bay of Kotor. Located in the southwestern corner of the country near the borders of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kotor Bay is arguably the most scenic part of Montenegro. The area is characterized by idyllic coastal towns, many popular beaches, ancient sites left by the different empires that used to rule the area, and even some impressive coastal mountains. The drive from the capital takes just above two hours. 

Car rental prices in Podgorica

• Premium cars - from $99 per day
• Small cars - from $17 per day
• Medium cars - from $20 per day
• Large cars - from $37 per day
• Vans - from $70 per day
• SUVs - from $23 per day
• Station wagons - from $57 per day
• Convertibles - from $32 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Follow these tips to land a great rental car in Podgorica:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Podgorica is the cheapest in December when renting a car is about 65% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 80% cheaper than renting a car in July. Come visit the Adriatic Coast in winter time!