Car Rental in Belgrade

Why rent a car in Belgrade?

Belgrade is a great place for renting a car. Busy and beautiful, it offers interesting architecture, great museums, and plenty of green areas, but is yet to be discovered by large masses of foreign tourists. From here, you can easily explore the rest of Serbia and its stunning natural beauty, as well as to travel to neighboring countries like Hungary, Romania, or Croatia.

Top ways to enter Belgrade

• Belgrade Airport: Also known as Nikola Tesla Airport, it is by far the busiest airport in the country, having served about 5.6 million travelers in 2018. Made up of two terminals, the airport is a hub for Air Serbia and also hosts flights by around 30 other airlines. Located 19km (12 miles) west of the city center, the airport can be reached in about 20 minutes.
• Niš Constantine the Great Airport: Named after the Roman emperor who was born in the city, Niš Airport is the second-busiest in Serbia. A focus city for Air Serbia, it also has flights by low-cost carriers WizzAir and Ryanair as well as Swiss International Air Lines. Located in Southeast Serbia, Niš Airport is 235km (146 miles) from Belgrade and can be reached in a tad more than two hours.
• Timișoara Airport: Located in neighboring Romania near the Serbian border, Timișoara Traian Vuia Airport has flights by more than 10 different airlines that offer flights to and from countries like Germany, Italy, Greece, and even Tunisia and Egypt. Located about 165km (102 miles) from Belgrade, the distance between the two can be traveled in about two hours. Since you’ll have to cross an international border, first ask your rental car provider if they permit it.
• Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport: The airport serving the capital of Hungary is one of the largest in the region. Around 40 different airlines fly to and from Budapest, handling nearly 15 million travelers every year. Located about 370km (230 miles) north of Belgrade, the distance between the two can be traveled in about 3 hours and 30 minutes. To go from Budapest to Belgrade, you’ll have to cross an international border, so first ask your rental car provider if they permit it.
• Tuzla Airport: The second-busiest airport in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina is a large hub for Wizz Air. The low-cost company connects Tuzla to Berlin, Vienna, Stockholm, Eindhoven, and many other destinations around Europe. Belgrade is 215km (133 miles) northeast of Tuzla and can be reached in about three hours. Since you’ll have to cross an international border to make this trip, first ask your rental car provider if they permit it.

City facts

• Belgrade has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Its summers can get very hot while its winters are often quite cold. The average temperature is 23°C  (73°F) in July, the hottest month, and 1°C (34°F) in January, the coldest month. Belgrade experiences quite a lot of snow every year from December to February, while June is the month that has the most precipitation.
• Belgrade has a population of 1.16 million people, making it the largest city in former Yugoslavia and one of the largest in Southeast Europe. Another 500,000 people live in the larger Belgrade District, which means that nearly every fourth inhabitant of Serbia lives in or around the capital city.
• Belgrade has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Archaeological finds show that the area was inhabited by Neanderthals and by the Vinča culture, one of the earliest human cultures of Europe. Later, the area was known to the Ancient Greeks and was inhabited by Celts and Thracians. It was included in the Roman Empire, the Ostrogothic Kingdom, the Byzantine Empire, and the Kingdom of Hungary. The first Kingdom of Serbia, also known as the Realm of Stefan Dragutin, was established in 1212 with Belgrade as its capital city. Many traces of the peoples who ruled and lived in the area are still recognizable in the city’s architecture and culture.

Top sights and activities

• Belgrade Fortress. Located on Singidunum, an old Celtic settlement, the fortress consists of a citadel and Kalemegdan Park, the largest and most central green area of the city. First built in the 3rd century B.C. by the Roman emperor Justinian I and heavily renovated by different rulers throughout history, the fortress has been and remains one of the main symbols of Belgrade. Take a look at the landmarks like Despot Stefan Tower and Gate of Charles VI or simply enjoy a pleasant day outdoors.
• Knez Mihailova Street. Every European capital has that one special street, and in the case of Belgrade, it’s Knez Mihailova. Named after the 19th century prince of Serbia, it stretches from Belgrade Fortress to the Republic Square, and offers splendid architecture, as well as plenty of galleries, museums, cafeterias, and buildings of historical importance. 
• Nikola Tesla Museum. One of the most influential inventors in human history, Nikola Tesla spent much of his adult life in the United States. What is less known is the fact that he was an ethnic Serb born in what was then the Austrian Empire. The small, but interesting museum located in Belgrade honors Tesla’s work and features many of his early inventions. The museum’s team of guides is made up of engineering students who all speak English and help guests understand the science behind Tesla’s groundbreaking, imaginative work.
• National Museum. Genuinely impressive, the main art museum in the country boasts not only examples of all the most notable Serbian artists but also works by such globally renowned masters as Picasso, van Gogh, Rubens, and Klimt. On top of that, the museum also has interesting collections of prehistoric and antique art with a special focus on civilizations that once inhabited Southeastern Europe.
• Churches. Serbia is an overwhelmingly Orthodox Christian country, so learning about the faith can be a great way of getting to know the local culture. Belgrade has a number of notable houses of prayer, not least the Temple of Saint Sava and the Presentation of the Virgin Monastery. The city is also home to several Catholic churches, the Sukkat Shalom Synagogue, and the Bajrakli Mosque.
• Jevremovac Botanical Garden. Though Serbia is blessed when it comes to beautiful nature – its mountains and countryside being among the main reasons for tourists to visit  – there are ways to enjoy the outdoors without leaving the capital. A strong case in point for this is the Jevremovac Botanical Garden – affiliated with the University of Belgrade and known for its greenhouses and arboretums, it provides a truly tranquil atmosphere by showcasing both indigenous and exotic plants.

Traffic and parking

• Serbia drives on the right hand side of the road.
• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 130 km/h (81 mph) on highways (Autoput in Serbian), 100 km/h (62 mph) on expressways, 80 km/h (50 mph) on all other roads outside populated areas and 50 km/h (31 mph) within populated and built-up areas.
• It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.02% for all drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines and a licence ban.
• Most road signs in Serbia are written in both the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets.
• There are four parking zones in Belgrade, varying in price and maximum time allowed. Payment can be made via a ticket machine, at a parking ticket kiosk (if there is one nearby), or via an SMS sent from a local number. Find out more about parking in Belgrade on the city’s official website. 
• There are also several large parking garages, some of them located near the city center. They are generally more expensive, but parking your car at one will give you the freedom to go around the city all day and not worry about exceeding the allowed parking time in one of the city’s parking zones (which would result in a large fine and your vehicle being towed).
• Yellow lanes in Belgrade are reserved for public transportation and taxis. Private cars are prohibited from using them and will be fined for doing so.
• Proof of insurance and documentation of the car needs to be in it whenever you’re driving.
• When driving you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The police number in Serbia is 192, the fire brigade number is 193, and the ambulance number is 194. 

Toll roads

There are a number of toll roads in Serbia. Some toll entry-exit points are in Belgrade or nearby, for example, in Požarevac, Smederevo, and Stara Pazova. 

Most Serbian toll roads use a closed toll system. This means that upon entering the toll road, you’ll have to stop at a toll booth where you’ll be given a ticket that will state your time and point of entry and your vehicle category. Upon exiting from the toll road, you’ll stop at an exit booth where the fee that you’ll have to pay will be calculated. The fee depends on your car size, the specific road you use, and the length of your trip. It’s important not to lose the ticket, otherwise you’ll be charged the highest possible fee.

It’s possible to pay either by credit card or in cash, although it’s better to always have cash with you. Some toll booths will accept a payment in Euros, but most will expect you to pay in Serbia’s national currency, the Serbian dinar (RSD). As of July 2019, 1 EUR = 118 RSD.

Some rental cars in Serbia are equipped with electronic toll transponder called E-go. Cars equipped with E-go will be automatically registered at the toll gates and the toll payment will be later added to your rental fee. Some rental car providers might charge an additional fee for providing the transponder. Do ask your rental car provider about it in advance.

See the latest map of Serbian toll road gates here. Check out the toll fees and use the toll calculator on the Roads of Serbia official website.

Ideas for day trips

• Novi Sad. Serbia’s second city is a true melting pot - Serbs, Hungarians, Croats, Slovaks, and others have lived here for centuries (and continue to do so), creating a unique mix of traditions, architecture, and cuisine. Novi Sad is famous for its castles, museums, galleries, different religious buildings, many festivals, and Sremski Karlovci, a small and picturesque village nearby that is one of the most famous tourist spots in Serbia. Located just 93km (57 miles) north of Belgrade, it can be reached in about one hour by car.
• Subotica. Known for its very multiethnic population, Subotica is one of the most interesting towns in northern Serbia. Located on the border with Hungary and near Croatia, it is known for its Art Nouveau architecture, interesting folk art that includes the Straw Art Museum, and proximity to nearby Lake Palić. The drive from Belgrade takes two hours.
• Tara National Park. Located in the Dinaric Alps in Western Serbia around a high mountain of the same name, Tara is one of the most impressive areas in the country. Its cliffs, ravines, and the Drina River offer great hiking options, and the park is home to unique wildlife like roe deer, jackals, griffon vultures, and the Eurasian eagle owl. The nearby town of Bajina Bašta has the beautiful Rača Orthodox Monastery. Located 162km (100 miles) southwest of Belgrade near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, the national park can be reached in about three hours by car.
• Kragujevac. A large central Serbian city known for both its historical importance and economic prowess (it is the capital of the local auto manufacturing industry), Kragujevac boasts an attractive city center, varied religious architecture, interesting museums, and an industrial heritage. Within a 20-minute drive of the city, you’ll also find three well-preserved monasteries, namely, Drača, Divostin, and Grčnarica. The trip from the capital takes about two hours.
• Niš. The city of Niš doesn’t attract quite as many visitors as Belgrade, but it can be a fascinating place to visit. The birthplace of Emperor Constantine the Great has plenty of history to offer and can also be used as a hub for exploring the rest of southern Serbia, a region that remains a mystery to most foreign visitors. The drive from the capital takes only about three hours.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Belgrade is the Fiat Panda, but a lot of travelers also go for the Fiat 500 and the Renault Clio. The most popular rental car types in Belgrade are mini, economy, and compact.

Further destinations

• Budapest. One of the most impressive cities of Europe, Budapest is famous for its stunning parliament building (the Országház), the Royal Palace, thermal baths, and Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube. Located 380km (236 miles) north of Belgrade, Budapest can be reached in about four hours by car. You’ll have to cross an international border, so first ask your rental car provider if they permit it. Also, check to see if you need a visa as Hungary is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area while Serbia is not.
• Montenegro. A small country on the Adriatic Sea that regained its independence in 2006, Montenegro is one of the up-and-coming travel destinations of Europe. With stunning mountains, large national parks, and famous beach resorts like Ulcinj, Bar, Kotor, and Budva, it has something for every traveler. Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, is 450km (279 miles) south of Belgrade and can be reached in about seven hours. From there, it’s just a short trip to the beach. To travel from Serbia to Montenegro, you’ll have to cross an international border, so first ask your rental car provider if they permit it. Also, make sure you don't need a visa to enter Montenegro.
• Transylvania. One of Europe’s most interesting regions, Transylvania in neighboring Romania is famous for its folklore and legends. Visit Bran Castle which is connected to the Dracula legend, take a trip to the impressive Carpathian mountains, or enjoy atmospheric medieval cities. The nearest of them (and arguably the most beautiful one), Sibiu, is located 420km (261 miles) east of Belgrade and can be reached in five to six hours. To travel to Romania with a car, you’ll have to cross an international border, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it. Also, make sure you don't need a visa to enter the country.

Car rental prices in Belgrade

• Small cars - from $12 per day
• Medium cars - from $13 per day
• Large cars - from $18 per day
• SUVs - from $14 per day
• Station wagons - from $30 per day
• Vans - from $49 per day
• Premium cars - from $44 per day

Money-saving and other tips

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

• 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 Belgrade is the cheapest in December when renting a car is a whole 85% cheaper than the yearly average. Come visit the capital of Serbia in Christmas time!