🎁 Use code WELCOME3 during checkout to get discount on your first booking with us. Enjoy! ☀️
Why rent a car in Montenegro
Montenegro is tiny — you can cross the whole country in three hours — but buses are slow, infrequent, and skip the best spots. A rental car lets you drive from the Adriatic coast to Durmitor National Park in half a day, stop wherever you want along the Bay of Kotor, and cross into Croatia, Albania, or Bosnia without waiting for anyone.
TakeCars connects you directly with verified local car owners across Montenegro. Every listing shows real photos, and the price you see includes insurance, delivery, and all taxes — locked in before you book.
What travelers actually do with their rental cars
- Matej 🇸🇰 picked up a Skoda Fabia at Podgorica Airport and road-tripped across the whole country. "We didn't even have to pay a deposit. The car looked brand new."
- Bartosz 🇵🇱 rented a Renault Megane (got a BMW 1 Series instead). Drove through Croatia, Albania, and Bosnia. "The most important thing is that we got where we wanted."
- Waldemar 🇩🇪 needed a second driver, full insurance, and cross-border access. "It was cheaper than international companies." Took a photo at the Đurđevića Tara Bridge.
- Rustam rented a Peugeot 207 CC convertible. Drove the coast with the top down. "Such a fun little convertible to drive!"
- Janette 🇨🇦 rented for a family trip from Ulcinj to Tivat. The owner drove them to the Croatian border at 1 AM with a baby.
- Adam 🇵🇱 drove a week across the country. "The air conditioning works and it drove up every mountain, and there is no shortage of those in Montenegro."
Where to rent a car in Montenegro
Montenegro has two main airports: Tivat Airport (TIV) on the coast and Podgorica Airport (TGD) in the capital. Most tourists arrive at Tivat for beach holidays and at Podgorica for inland trips. Pickup is also available in Budva, Kotor, Bar, Herceg Novi, and other coastal towns. One-way rentals between cities are available from many owners on TakeCars.
Most tourists in Montenegro start their trip here
What our users say
Here's what some of our most experienced renters did with their cars in Montenegro:
- Matej 🇸🇰 — road-tripped the whole country from Podgorica. No deposit, brand-new Skoda. "The best choice ever."
- Bartosz 🇵🇱 — drove through three countries in one trip: Croatia, Albania, and Bosnia.
- Janette 🇨🇦 — family trip with a baby from Ulcinj to Tivat to the Croatian border. The owner drove them at 1 AM.
- Rustam — convertible along the coast. "Such a fun little convertible to drive!"
Read about their rental experiences in Montenegro →
-
1. Compare cars in Montenegro
We make it easy to compare prices and rental terms in Montenegro so you can rent a car more easily
-
2. Secure your online booking
Reserve your vehicle with a small deposit, and we guarantee it will be waiting for you upon arrival in Montenegro.
-
3. Share your rental experience
Help others make the right choice when renting cars on TakeCars Montenegro.
What you should know before driving
🛣️ Montenegro is all serpentines. The coast road around the Bay of Kotor is stunning but narrow, with sharp hairpins and no guardrails in places. Glebs 🇱🇻 loved the Skoda Kamiq for it: "Excellent for the narrow and winding mountain roads." Don't rent a 1.0L engine if you're heading inland — Janis 🇱🇻 says small engines "should be prohibited in mountainous areas."
🌍 Sort out cross-border documents before you leave. If you plan to drive to Croatia, Albania, or Bosnia, confirm the green card (insurance for abroad) with your owner at booking. Henriikka 🇫🇮 didn't — and had to buy €50 insurance at the Albanian border. Vadims 🇱🇻 did it right: his owner Goran arranged extra insurance for nearby countries at pickup.
⛽ Choose your fuel station carefully. Some stations have been known to add water to the petrol. Rhidian 🇬🇧 got an engine warning light near Perast — his owner told him it happens and it's because of bad fuel. Stick to well-known brands.
🅿️ Parking in summer is a battle. Budva, Kotor Old Town, and Tivat get packed July–August. Street parking fills up fast. Rustam rented a compact convertible specifically because it was "perfect for finding parking spots even in busy areas."
📱 Stay in touch with your owner via WhatsApp. This is how everything works in Montenegro — pickup changes, return logistics, flat tires. Łukasz 🇵🇱 caught a flat tire on the road and "the owner sent help immediately."
Read about common rental problems in Montenegro →
What owners have done for renters
This is the part that surprises most first-time renters on TakeCars. You're not dealing with a counter — you're dealing with a person.
- Janette 🇨🇦 — her owner drove her family to the Croatian border at 1 AM with a baby, after COVID rules changed their plans.
- Łukasz 🇵🇱 — got a flat tire on the road. His owner sent help immediately.
- Antonia 🇬🇷 — her owner Drago called the SIM card company to fix her phone, then picked up the car at her hostel.
- Kazimierz 🇵🇱 — got pulled over by police and couldn't find the rental contract. Called his owner, who helped solve it over the phone.
- Stanislav 🇷🇺 — dashboard warning light appeared mid-trip. His owner Ivan talked him through fixing it remotely.
- Sidi Hamza 🇲🇦 — flight was delayed. "It was no problem for them to bring the car to the parking of the airport."
Driving basics
Montenegro drives on the right. Speed limits: 50 km/h in cities, 80 km/h on open roads. There are no real highways — the fastest stretches allow around 100 km/h. Blood alcohol limit is 0.03% — effectively zero tolerance. Headlights must be on day and night, all year round.
Coastal roads are paved but narrow with frequent hairpin turns, especially around the Bay of Kotor. Inland roads to Durmitor and Žabljak are scenic but slow — budget more time than GPS suggests. Watch for cattle and rockfall on mountain roads.
"Montenegro is all mountains. The air conditioning works and the car drove up every mountain, and there is no shortage of those in Montenegro." — Adam 🇵🇱
Fuel and parking
Fuel stations are spaced every 20–70 km along the coast and main roads — rarer in the mountains, so fill up before heading to Durmitor or Lovćen. Most stations are full-service — an attendant fills your tank. Expect around €1.40–1.60 per liter for gasoline. Montenegro uses the euro.
Paid parking operates in Budva, Kotor, and Tivat during summer — about €1/hour in coastal towns. Elsewhere, parking is mostly free. In Kotor Old Town, use the paid lot outside the walls — there's no parking inside. The closer to tourist attractions, the harder it is to find a spot in July–August.
Insurance options on TakeCars
Every car comes with Third Party Liability at no extra cost. For broader protection:
- Collision Damage Waiver — covers damage to the rental car, excluding windscreen, tires, and underside.
- Super Collision Damage Waiver — covers all damage including windscreen, wheels, and undercarriage.
- Full Damage Waiver — zero liability. The most comprehensive option.
Cars with Collision Damage Waiver or higher typically require no deposit — look for the "Zero Deposit" label in listings.
Montenegro car rental prices
Car rental prices in Montenegro follow a clear seasonal pattern. Winter (November–March) offers the lowest rates — the coast is quiet and some mountain roads close. Prices climb sharply from June through August as beach tourism peaks, especially in July–August when Budva, Kotor, and Tivat are at full capacity. May and September–October offer the best balance — warm weather, fewer crowds, and lower rates.
Needless to say, in high season popular models sell out first.
Skoda Fabia, Renault Clio start from around €20–30/day. SUVs and larger cars run €40–70/day. Rentals of 7+ days bring the daily rate down. Mehmet 🇹🇷 rented a Citroën C3 for a full month — reliable daily driver at a fraction of what airport counters charge.
Rates in Montenegro vary throughout the year depending on the season and the rental length in days.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Montenegro car rental questions
Most owners in 2026 offer free delivery to Tivat Airport (TIV). Some charge a small fee for late-night or early-morning pickups. The delivery cost is always shown on the listing before you book — no surprises.
Yes, many owners allow one-way rentals — for example, picking up in Tivat and dropping off in Podgorica or even at the Croatian border. An extra fee may apply. Check the listing or message the owner before booking.
Many cars on TakeCars require no deposit at all — look for the "Zero Deposit" label. When a deposit is required, it's usually €50–200 in cash, returned after a quick inspection at the end. Cars with Collision Damage Waiver or higher insurance typically have zero deposit.
Coastal roads are well-paved but narrow, especially around the Bay of Kotor. Mountain roads inland are scenic but slow, with hairpin turns and no guardrails in places. For serpentine roads, choose a car with at least a 1.4–1.6L engine — small engines struggle on mountain climbs. Headlights must be on at all times (day and night, year-round — it's the law). Winter tires are mandatory from November 15 through April 1.
Most owners allow a second driver at no extra cost — just let them know when booking. Both drivers need to meet the minimum age and license requirements.
Minimum age is typically 21 with at least 2 years of driving experience. Some economy cars are available from age 19. Check the listing details before booking.
No — in 2026 Montenegro accepts any foreign driving license as long as your name is in Latin letters. If your license is only in non-Latin script (Arabic, Chinese, etc.), bring an international driving permit or certified translation.
For coastal roads and the main routes between Podgorica, Budva, and Kotor — no, a regular car is fine. For mountain roads to Durmitor, Žabljak, or Lovćen — a higher-clearance car is recommended. A true 4x4 is only needed for unpaved tracks deep in the mountains.
The price on TakeCars includes the car, insurance (at minimum Third Party Liability), and agreed delivery. No hidden fees — the total is locked in at booking. Some owners include extras like a child seat or GPS at no charge.
Lowest prices: November–March. Peak season: June–September, most expensive in July–August. Best balance of weather and price: May or late September. The Bay of Kotor and inland mountains are beautiful in shoulder season without the summer crowds.
Yes — many owners allow cross-border travel. You'll need a green card (international insurance document) arranged before your trip. Confirm at booking and check the cross-border fee — some owners charge €1/day, others more. Albania requires a separate insurance policy, which can be bought at the border or arranged through your owner.
50 km/h in cities, 80 km/h on open roads. There are no real highways — the fastest stretches allow 100 km/h. Speed cameras exist, and fines are issued on the spot by police or automatically by camera. Blood alcohol limit is 0.03%.
Montenegro has two toll sections: the Sozina tunnel (Podgorica to the southern coast, about €2.50) and the A1 highway between Smokovac and Mateševo (about €3.50). Other roads are toll-free. The Sozina tunnel saves about 45 minutes compared to the old mountain route.
Contact your owner and the TakeCars support team. Most owners respond quickly via WhatsApp — replacement cars are often delivered the same day. One renter got a flat tire on the road and the owner sent help immediately.