Car Rental in Montenegro

Why rent a car in Montenegro?

From high peaks to the Adriatic Coast lined with beaches and resort towns, little Montenegro has quickly become one of the tourist hotspots in this part of Europe. Add the country’s fascinating history dating back to the Roman days and surprisingly varied culture and you have all the ingredients for a great holiday.

Top ways to enter Montenegro

• Podgorica Airport: Montenegro’s largest international airport serves the nation’s capital and hosts flights to and from many popular destinations such as Istanbul, Moscow, Vienna, Frankfurt, and others.
• Tivat Airport: Montenegro’s other international airport is another great way to enter the country. It is mainly active during the summer months and offers flights to and from destinations in Europe, the Caucasus, and the Middle East.
• Overland: If your rental car provider permits it, you can pick up your car in a neighboring country and then drive to Montenegro. Notable international airports near Montenegro include Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia, Tirana Airport in Albania, and Belgrade Airport in Serbia. Do keep in mind that neither Montenegro nor any of its neighbors are members of the Schengen Area, so, depending on your citizenship, you might need separate visas to visit either of the countries.

Top cities and places to visit

• Podgorica. Although for many visitors, the main reason to visit the country is its coastline – more about it in a minute – there is also plenty to enjoy in Montenegro’s often-overlooked capital city. While the city is still in a phase of intense development, there is also a lot of history to enjoy here, embodied by such architectural landmarks as the 10th century St. George’s Church and King Nicola’s Castle, and in Stara Varoš, or the city’s Old Town, known for its many well-preserved Ottoman-era sites.
• Bay of Kotor. Taking up the northern portion of the Montenegrin coast, Bay of Kotor is what many travelers have in mind before visiting – idyllic Adriatic beaches and a leisurely coastal life. Some of the most popular tourist towns in the region, such as Kotor, Herceg Novi, and Tivat, also have a fascinating history and lots of stories to tell. Due to the small distances in the region, you can easily explore most of it with a rental car.
• Ulcinj. Strongly influenced by neighboring Albania – in fact, Albanian is the native tongue of most locals of this southern coastal town – Ulcinj offers a somewhat different experience of Montenegro in terms of culture and folklore. What it shares with arguably the better known (and also more busy) Bay of Kotor is that the beaches around this part of the country are just as charming and the views from the surrounding cliffs – just as majestic.

Most popular rental car

The most popular rental car in Montenegro is the Opel Corsa, followed by the Skoda Rapid and the Ford Fiesta.

Driver's license requirements

• Montenegro recognizes valid foreign driver’s licenses from around the world if they are valid and if you’re visiting on a short trip. If you’re living in Montenegro permanently, you need to acquire a local license. 
• If your driver’s license is printed in a non-Latin alphabet (Chinese, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• Montenegro uses both Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, but sources are unclear if licenses from other countries that use the Cyrillic alphabet are recognized. Licenses from neighboring Serbia should be OK, but the issue is less clear with countries like Russia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria. Because of this, travelers from these countries are advised to acquire an IDP. 
• Even if you have an IDP, you need to also carry your original driver’s license as you might be asked to show both.
• You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
• You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
• Some rental car providers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car provider and car category, so make sure to check the rental conditions before booking.

Crossing borders

Montenegro is bordered by Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania. Each of these countries has its own visa policy and visiting them without a visa may or may not be possible depending on your citizenship. 

Some, although by no means all, rental car suppliers permit crossing international borders in a rental car. You can find the ones that do by entering your car pick-up and drop-off locations on our website’s search. 

Most popular types of rental car

Economy is the rental type most of picked by travelers in Montenegro, but mini and compact are also popular.

Top driving routes

• Skadar Lake National Park. Named after the largest lake in the Balkans, Skadar is shared between Montenegro and Albania (it is known as Lake Shkodra south of the border). Regardless of the semantics, this is one of the most popular natural attractions in Montenegro, due to its forested hillsides, an island fortress, and spectacular views.
• The North. More traditional and much less influenced by international tourism, the northern part of Montenegro remains unknown even to those who have already visited the country. Culturally and religiously diverse — the northwestern corner is largely Muslim — the region is known for its folk heritage, national parks, and impressive mountains.
• Cetinje. Located just a short drive from the present-day capital of Montenegro, Podgorica, its predecessor is one of the most interesting towns in the country. The historic and cultural importance of Cetinje is exemplified and explained by landmarks such as the State Museum, Vlaška Church, Ethnographic Museum, and Cetinje Monastery. Cetinje can also serve as a gateway to the nearby Lovćen National Park, yet another stunning nature area.

Car rental prices in Montenegro

• Premium cars - from $157 per day
• Small cars - from $12 per day
• Medium cars - from $16 per day
• Station wagons - from $19 per day
• Large cars - from $20 per day
• Vans - from $30 per day
• SUVs - from $22 per day
• Convertibles - from $47 per day

Money-saving and other tips

You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in Montenegro:

• Compare rates
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirement
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Montenegro is the cheapest in October - prices start from € 18.54 for an economy vehicle per day which is almost 50% cheaper than the yearly average.