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Car hire in Montenegro is the easiest way to make the country open up. Locals like to say that without a car you turn into furniture — buses do run along the coast, but reaching Lovćen, Durmitor, Lake Skadar or the hidden coves of the Luštica peninsula needs your own wheels.
The country is compact: in a single day you can drive from Herceg Novi to Ulcinj, swim in the Adriatic in the morning and watch the sun set over the mountains around Žabljak by evening. Five neighbouring countries — Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Albania and Kosovo — sit within a few hours' drive, which turns even a short holiday into a proper Balkan road trip.
Many of our guests book a car for five days and end up extending to ten. After the first drive north, it becomes obvious that a week on the coast covers only half of the country.
Prices remain among the lowest on the Adriatic. In the low season, from November to April, an economy class car starts at €17–25 per day. In the peak summer months of July and August the same class runs €30–50. For monthly hires the rate typically drops by 30–50%.
Compared with Croatia or Italy, the same car in Montenegro can be roughly half the price — and the sea, the food and the mountains lose nothing in comparison.
Montenegro uses the euro, so for most European visitors there's no exchange-rate maths to do at the pump or the toll booth.
Prices and what's included
Daily rates depend on the class, the season and the length of the booking. Economy (Polo, Fabia, Yaris, Hyundai i20) runs €17–35 depending on the month. Mid-size and compact crossovers — €30–55. Larger SUVs and automatics — from €45 per day. Two-week bookings usually drop 20–30%, monthly rates almost halve.
A standard tariff with local suppliers nearly always includes Third Party Liability, basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) with an excess of €800–2,000, theft protection, unlimited mileage and free delivery to Tivat and Podgorica airports. The headline daily rate from a local company is what you actually pay — not a stripped-back base price.
We include basic CDW by default — that alone removes 80% of the scenarios where a guest could end up paying for repairs out of their own pocket.
Hidden fees catch out first-timers most often. Before you book, check whether there are separate charges for cross-border travel, for drivers under 25, for an additional driver, for refuelling and for cleaning. With TakeCars, the price you see in the listing is the final price.
The worst moment is hearing about a local tax or an airport fee that wasn't in the booking. We try to put everything on the listing so that there's nothing new to discuss on collection.
May and September are widely seen as the sweet spot — the weather is still beach-friendly, prices sit 30–40% below August and the choice of available cars is far wider.
Most tourists in Montenegro start their trip here
Documents, deposit and payment
To hire a car you'll need a passport (or EU/EEA national ID), a valid driving licence with at least one or two years' experience, and a payment card. Minimum age is 21 for economy and mid-size, 23–25 for premium. Drivers aged 21–24 pay a young-driver surcharge of €8–15 per day or €80 flat.
EU, UK, EEA and Swiss licences are accepted as is — no IDP required. Licences from other countries work if they're in the Latin alphabet; Cyrillic, Arabic and non-Latin scripts need an accompanying IDP.
Most worries about whether a licence will be accepted can be resolved before booking. We confirm the document type in advance, so there are no surprises on the day.
The deposit is the main difference between local suppliers and international chains. Local companies take €100–300 in cash, returned in full at drop-off. International brands block €500–1,500 on a credit card, with release taking 10–30 working days.
On TakeCars the deposit and the way it's collected are visible in the listing before you book. We also offer no-deposit options where Full Cover with zero excess is built into the price.
Most local suppliers accept a debit or credit card for the 15–20% online prepayment, with the balance settled in cash euros at pick-up. International chains insist on a classic embossed credit card.
Showing the deposit upfront, on its own, removes most of the awkward moments at handover — the guest already knows what to expect when they arrive.
For high-season pickups in Tivat and Budva, we recommend confirming the document type a day or two before arrival — it saves a phone call at the rank.
Skoda Kodiaq in Montenegro
Everything was perfect with the car rental. I booked without any problems on the website. Then by the appointed time the car was waiting at the airport. The car was exactly as pictured, all the options were exactly the same. The procedure of handing over the car was also quick and without problems. I am satisfied with the service.
Volkswagen Sharan in Montenegro
It was all good, thanks a lot :)
Mini Cabrio in Montenegro
It was great! That mini wasn't new one but worked fine. Fast and stylish car. I enjoyed to drive through Montenegro. Guy who gave me that car was in touch. Everything was ok)
Citroen C3 Picasso in Montenegro
Generally everything was ok, but few days before arriving I sent an email for confirmation. Unfortunately they did not enter my reservation and I had long discus about a car. Finally I rent Seat. It was Ok, but I had to fight like lioness for bigger car than Peugeot 208 or older VW golf V. I also had a problem with returning the car at the airport at 7:30 in the morning. Nobody arrived on time and picked my phone. Finally one guy has appeared at 8:15 and picked up the car without any documents, just said, that everything is Ok :) I would like to add that I have payed 5€ extra for unusual service hours. But car was good, we did not have any problems, price was correct, girls who gave me car was nice, so generally 8/10 points :)
Mazda 3 in Montenegro
it was excellent
Volkswagen Polo in Montenegro
Everything went well, I apply for rent regularly.
Skoda Fabia in Montenegro
I liked that they provided the car in a short time. I turned in the evening with a request for a car, and early in the morning she was already standing under the house. Arranged quickly, all is well. Dropped the car off with no problems. Thanks for the service. I will contact again.
Volkswagen Eos in Montenegro
1. Volkswagen is all kotsany and scratched in a circle, the hood is probably painted, like all cars are possible. Matched thresholds. Driver's side door trim, tampered with. 2. The site states that it is 2010, but it is not. According to the documents for him, he is 15 - 16 years old. He is 2005. 5 of which he spent in Germany, and then traveled throughout Europe. Why write the wrong year of birth .. question. 3. He has obvious problems with the exhaust system. Most likely (90 percent) the catalyst is destroyed or dilapidated (since it goes). Metal squeals when accelerating from low revs and a pungent, poisonous smell from the exhaust system with blue smoke. The owners of the hotel even made comments to us, as the guests complained ... While we were heating the car, everything was carried to the rooms. As a result, we began to quickly start up and leave to bask away. 4. On the second day of operation, the coolant level sensor came on. On the third day, it began to light up on a warmed-up engine. Conclusion - it flows. As a result, I rolled into spare parts, bought liquid, refilled it. I gave the rest to the guys when I handed over the car and told them to pay attention. 5. The apotheosis was that he had expired documents (car registration card). On the day of the car delivery, we went to Lustica to swim. But they didn't get there. Half the way, we were stopped by the police, where they had to deal with this. As a result, the policemen took my passport and sent me to pay the fine to Tivat, to the post office, and after payment to the police station, where we waited with this receipt for my passport to be brought. The money for the fine, the guys in the evening, when they took the car, was returned to me. But the sediment remained, as I wanted to spend this day on the beach, on a sun lounger in a beautiful bay, and not in the police station. Moreover, there is no fault of ours in this ... As for everything else. If you do not take into account the breakdown of this car, then it justified itself. I liked the machine. It has a high ground clearance and a powerful engine for its mass (2.0 turbo diesel). She saved us, climbed up where the original Peugeot, as if dead. We were deceived by the navigator in the mountains and had to climb on gravel, almost up a vertical hill, he did not disappoint. As a result, mixed feelings remained. On the one hand, there are moments that are upsetting, on the other hand, there is a machine that I just sincerely feel sorry for. If you do it and invest a little, it will delight a bunch of clients (only 168 thousand have passed, unless, of course, the mileage is twisted). For a German, this is nonsense, not a run. But she is not wonderfully exploited, and apparently repaired, then when she just gets up and does not go. I looked at the oil level in the engine, just to be sure, it is there, but everything is black. Although according to the tags that the services leave, the replacement was in June. It was in June that he ran out of his registration card. For which I paid the fine. Conclusion - no one has changed anything, so it's sad. Sorry for the long review, just shared, since you already wrote. I didn't want to write anything on the site. Total, conclusion: 1. I liked the service. It's very cool that they can deliver a car to the hotel and pick it up there. Well, or wherever agreed with the distributor. Here is 5 out of 5. 2. The condition of the car - for the top three. I think that the cars should be monitored. You can use your own, and those that are given to customers must be in good order. Customers should not have a headache that something is wrong in his car. Clients are different, I understand cars, and there are those who do not. She would boil somewhere in the mountains and what to do? 3. Regarding the documents provided for the car here - 1. I should not have a headache on this issue under any circumstances. I am a tourist who came to rest, not deal with the police. I have been to many places and always took a car, there were no such problems. The distributor deliberately gives the car away, knowing that, according to the law, it cannot be released onto the road. Just for luck. Suddenly they will not stop. And this is a big minus. 3. I would apply again through your site. The answer is yes. Overall, I liked the service. Simply, I will carefully watch what they give me. Sorry again, for the long post
Hyundai i20 in Montenegro
Everything was fine. Thanks.
Volkswagen Touran in Montenegro
Everything was good, the car was delivered on time, clean, fueled. We picked it up at a comfortable time for us. We liked the service, we would use it again!
Skoda Fabia Combi in Montenegro
Great car and very convenient service. We booked a car literally at 11, and at 15:00 it was already at our house, despite the fact that there were no cars in any service. No deposit required. The car that was booked was not available (smaller in size), they offered this car - for the same money +/- and it was a hit, since for 5 people with hand luggage this is a chic option. We took the car in Becici and handed it over in Tivat. You do not need to bother with a sink. Telegram questions are answered constantly and quickly. The delivery of the car took place in a matter of seconds. This is the best car rental service used. I wish you success! We will only contact you in the future! 👍
Skoda Fabia in Montenegro
Hello. I liked the service. The employee gave competent recommendations on choosing a car brand, taking into account the routes we planned. Skoda Fabia was in good condition, without tobacco smell. Rode it without accidents. The country is magnificent. Own car is very helpful. We handed over a car, just like they took it directly at the airport, this allowed us to visit a number of places that I had left before departure - time was not wasted - very convenient. At the time of delivery, no one found fault with the state of the car, although we ourselves took care of ourselves and the accuracy of driving. Thanks. Scheduled to visit Montenegro again. We will definitely use your services. Thanks! See you soon! 👋🤘🤝 - 5 points :))
Hyundai Accent in Montenegro
The car was taken for a month, chose the cheapest option, so miracles were not expected) Initially stopped at the Seat Ibiza 2002, but we were offered to replace it Hyundai Accent 2006 for the same money and we agreed. The place of delivery and return we had Tivat airport. The flight, which we arrived in Tivat, was early, so for the supply of the machine in non-working hours, we were charged extra money. We agreed that at 7 am the car will be in place, in fact we received the car at 8 o'clock. Quickly filled out the documents, gave the money and got the keys. When booking, we included free child seat, which was in the car. Promised to bring later to the place of residence. The chair arrived the day after the reminder from our side. A week after the start of operation of the car, we punctured the wheel, as we were carefully informed by the locals at the next traffic light. We reached the Parking lot at the hypermarket and contacted Goran, he arrived in about 15 minutes, pumped up our wheel, so we could get to the house, the benefit of it was very close. The next day the car was taken and returned after 1.5 hours with a replaced wheel. In the process of further use of the machine found that we do not work the sound of the car, when driving in the dark, this option is extremely necessary to avoid accidents. Reported this failure to Goran, he said that this problem is easily eliminated, promised to solve it and disappeared... Disappeared for 5 days. Tired of waiting, reminded of themselves, as well as that in Russia banned the operation of the vehicle with a faulty sound signal. The same day the car was taken away and returned in a couple of hours with the working sound signal. Next, we fell off the cap from one of the wheels and to our surprise we found that instead of 4 bolts, the wheel is held by 3. Reported this to Goran, but the answer to this information has not been received. With the help of friends checked the reliability of the remaining bolts and continued to operate the car at your own risk. No more problems with the car did not arise, to our great joy. On the appointed day returned the car to the airport, waited for the representative and returned him the keys. In General, everything went well, but 3 bolts on the wheel instead of 4 somewhat strained, as if to the feeling that on the next turn, which on the roads of Montenegro a lot, the wheel can fall off. For myself concluded that more cars won't save.
Take Cars in Montenegro
Transparent terms aren't a marketing line — they save you three hours at handover. If the listing says €150 deposit in cash, that's exactly what you'll leave and exactly what you'll get back when you return the keys. Every supplier listed below is on the same terms, so the only thing that changes between cars is the car itself.
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Real reviews on every specific car
Not just an overall supplier rating, but feedback from guests who hired the very same Octavia or Duster.
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Deposit and terms shown before you book
The amount, payment method and excess sit in the car listing, so the handover holds no surprises.
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Free cancellation up to 7 days before pick-up
Plans change — booking should feel risk-free, not a commitment carved in stone.
Routes worth the petrol
Coastal road and Kamenari–Lepetane ferry
The main coastal road links Herceg Novi to Ulcinj. In summer it crawls, and car hire in Kotor pays off with the Kamenari–Lepetane ferry: crossing the Bay of Kotor saves 30 km and an hour. A car with passengers — €4.50, ferry runs 24/7, every 15–30 minutes in season.
Kamenari–Lepetane is the standard tip we give guests. Driving from Budva to Herceg Novi at midday in August, you'll lose an hour without it and ten minutes with it.
Old Bar, Ulcinj and Lake Skadar
South, the coast quietens. Day loop: car hire in Bar or Sutomore → Old Bar → Ulcinj's sandy beaches → Lake Skadar on the way back.
For families with younger children we usually suggest Bečići or Petrovac — gentle entry into the sea, no mountain roads and easy parking.
The north: Lovćen, Durmitor, Kolašin
If you have two or three days beyond the coast, the north is worth it. The climb from Kotor to Lovćen on the road of 25 hairpins is a route in its own right. Beyond it lie Kolašin, the Tara canyon and Durmitor.
The north is unforgiving on tired cars and worn tyres. For winter trips to Žabljak or Kolašin we fit a winter set in advance — without it there's no point heading up there.
Most travellers skip Podgorica, yet car hire in Podgorica is usually 10–20% cheaper than Tivat.
Flying into Podgorica? Take the car straight from arrivals — the bus to the coast is slow, and a taxi costs more than a day's hire.
The drive from TGD down to Budva or Kotor takes around 90 minutes through the Sozina tunnel — straightforward in any season.
Driving to Croatia, Bosnia, Albania and beyond
Montenegro's biggest advantage as a base is its five neighbours within a few hours by car. From here you can reach Dubrovnik, Mostar, Shkodër, Belgrade or Prizren in a single day.
Croatia (Dubrovnik)
Cross-border fee €30–85. The contract must explicitly allow exit from Montenegro, and a Green Card has to be issued. Debeli Brijeg crossing queues 1–2 hours during midday in summer — leave early or after eight in the evening.
Dubrovnik in a day is realistic. From Budva it's roughly 2.5 hours each way along a steady road, with no serious mountain passes.
Albania (Shkodër, Tirana, Berat)
€30–50 surcharge, and most local suppliers allow it without fuss. The Božaj crossing near Lake Skadar is normally quieter than Sukobin or Murićani. Food and accommodation are below Montenegrin prices.
Before driving into Albania we'd top the tank up at home — Montenegrin 95 petrol is generally more reliable and a touch cheaper.
Bosnia (Mostar, Sarajevo, Trebinje)
€30–50 surcharge applies. Since 2021 the Green Card isn't technically required for Montenegrin-plated cars entering Bosnia, but suppliers still issue it. Neat day trip: Tivat → Trebinje → Mostar via the pass, back through Nikšić.
Multi-country trips are often the reason guests hire a car in the first place. Croatia and Bosnia in one five-day loop is a typical August itinerary.
Serbia and Kosovo open under the same terms; North Macedonia is slightly higher at €40–60.
Road rules, fines, parking and winter
Speed, alcohol, headlights
50 km/h in towns, 80 outside, 100 on the motorway and in the Sozina tunnel. No "+20" tolerance. Blood-alcohol limit 0.3‰, effectively zero for under-24s. Dipped headlights mandatory year-round.
The alcohol limit is stricter than in most of the EU. The simplest rule is not to drink at all if you'll be driving — random checks are common after dark, especially in Budva.
Fines — police don't take cash
Officers don't take cash. They issue a slip you settle at any bank or post office. Ignore it and the supplier is later notified, charging your card plus €10–25 admin fee.
Parking in Kotor and Budva
Parking is forbidden inside the Kotor Old Town — use the paid lots near the Sea Gate, the Jadran centre, or park in Dobrota and walk in. Budva and Sveti Stefan are similar: free spaces fill by breakfast, paid bays €1–2.40 per hour.
The catch with parking is that pay-by-SMS only works with a Montenegrin SIM (+382 67/68/69). A foreign number won't register — use the meter or a paper ticket from a duvan kiosk.
Winter tyres and chains
From 15 November to 1 April, M+S winter tyres are compulsory on most regional and mountain roads. Suppliers fit them free of charge, chains must sit in the boot. Fine from €60; without the winter kit your insurance can be voided after an accident.
In Kolašin, Žabljak and along the Durmitor passes, winter tyres and chains aren't a formality — they're basic safety on snow-covered hairpins.
If your route stays on the coast between Herceg Novi and Bar, summer tyres are fine right through the winter — the snow rarely reaches sea level.
Rates in Montenegro vary throughout the year depending on the season and the rental length in days.
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How expensive is renting a car in Montenegro: average daily rates for a one-week car rental, across all car classes. Delivery across Montenegro not included.
Frequently asked questions about car hire in Montenegro
Economy starts at €17–25 in the low season (November–April) and €30–50 in July and August. Mid-size sits at €30–55, automatics and SUVs from €45. Two-week bookings drop 20–30% and monthly hires almost halve. May and September are 30–40% below August with the same weather and a far wider choice of available cars.
Local suppliers take €100–300 in cash euros, returned in full at drop-off. International chains block €500–1,500 on a credit card, with release taking 10–30 working days. Premium classes can reach €3,000. On TakeCars the amount and the way it's collected appear in the listing before you book.
Yes. Some cars on TakeCars are listed with a no-deposit tariff that already includes Full Cover with zero excess on the body. Tyres, rims, glass and underbody are usually covered too, or available as add-ons. It's the most relaxed option for travellers who don't want money frozen on a card.
With most local suppliers, no. A debit card is enough for the 15–20% online prepayment, and the balance and deposit are typically settled in cash euros at pick-up. International chains are stricter — they require an embossed credit card in the main driver's name.
EU, UK, EEA and Swiss licences are accepted as is — no IDP required. Licences from other countries work as long as they're in the Latin alphabet. Cyrillic, Arabic or other non-Latin scripts need an accompanying IDP. A passport (or EU national ID) is also required at pick-up.
21 with one to two years' driving experience for economy and mid-size cars, 23–25 for premium. Drivers aged 21–24 normally pay a young-driver surcharge of €8–15 per day or a flat €80 per booking. Most local suppliers don't apply an upper age limit.
Standard cover includes Third Party Liability, Collision Damage Waiver with an excess of €800–2,000, and theft protection. Tyres, rims, glass, underbody and interior are not covered. Super CDW at €4–10 a day cuts or removes the excess — sensible for first-timers, mountain roads and winter trips. A police report is required for any claim.
Yes, with a Green Card and the supplier's written permission. The cross-border fee is €30–85 and the contract must explicitly allow exit from Montenegro. The Debeli Brijeg crossing queues 1–2 hours during midday in summer — leave early or after eight in the evening. Dubrovnik is around 2.5 hours from Budva.
Yes. Each country adds €30–50 to the booking and a Green Card is required. The Božaj crossing into Albania is normally quieter than Sukobin or Murićani. A useful Bosnian crossing is Klobuk, on the road from Nikšić, especially when heading for Mostar or Sarajevo.
Yes — no separate permission from the supplier is needed. A car with passengers costs €4.50 one way, paid by card or cash at the booth. The ferry runs 24/7 and leaves every 15–30 minutes in season. The crossing takes about ten minutes and saves roughly 30 km of road.
There is no national vignette. Only two paid sections exist: the Sozina tunnel (€2.50 for cars) on the Bar–Podgorica route and the A1 motorway Podgorica–Mateševo (€4.50). The Kamenari–Lepetane ferry adds €4.50. All other roads, including mountain passes and the coastal route, are free.
Use a parking meter (cards or coins) or a paper "parking karta" ticket from a duvan kiosk. Pay-by-SMS only works with a Montenegrin SIM (+382), so a foreign number will not register. Parking is forbidden inside the Kotor Old Town — use the paid lots near the Sea Gate or by the Jadran shopping centre.
Call 112 immediately — a police report is mandatory; without it neither CDW nor Super CDW will pay out. Photograph everything from several angles, sign nothing without a translation and notify the supplier within 48 hours. Don't move the car before the police arrive, even if it's partially blocking traffic.
From 15 November to 1 April, M+S winter tyres are compulsory on most regional and mountain roads. Suppliers fit them free of charge during the season. Snow chains must sit in the boot — the fine for not having them starts at €60. For Kolašin, Žabljak and Durmitor in winter this is a practical necessity, not a formality.
Rates from November through April sit 40–60% below the summer peak. July and August are the most expensive months. May and September are the sweet spot — pleasant weather, prices 30–40% below August and a noticeably wider choice of cars in stock.