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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.
Citroen DS3 in Montenegro
Thank you. It was great. We will come to you again, we will definitely go again!
Skoda Scala in Montenegro
Very quick response, easy process, good car. Excellent all round experience.
Skoda Fabia in Montenegro
everything is super
Skoda Fabia Combi in Montenegro
everything is super
Audi A3 Sedan in Montenegro
I took Audi A3 for 12 days. I ordered it on the website for the date I needed and paid the prepayment. Everything is transparent and clear. The plane arrived at the airport ahead of time, but this did not become a problem. By the time I got out of the airport, the car was already in place. Registration and delivery of the car were quick and easy. The car itself is clean and without those. malfunctions. I went every day. Recommend!
Mini Cabrio in Montenegro
all went very well !
Mercedes-Benz A160 in Montenegro
Everything went great. I'm very satisfied. Thank you very much.
Audi A3 Cabrio in Montenegro
Everything is super!
Renault Wind Cabrio in Montenegro
I will be very brief, but very clear: service search and application - simple, convenient - this is a plus! Not a long process of registration and payment itself, after comes a check with full information about the car and contacts. IMPORTANT - the price is more than loyal - a fat plus))) the car is fully insured, there are different, I took a convertible, all liked it! Also - no deposit and insurance premiums - very good! I asked to extend the lease remotely - also no problem, which helped me a lot. They came and picked up the car at the place where we agreed - very convenient! TOTAL - MAXIMALLY recommend and advise.
Mini Cooper S Turbo in Montenegro
Everything went well. The guys who were engaged in our order are great. There was a situation, there were 2 cars with a replacement.
Peugeot 307cc in Montenegro
8/10. Before issuance, they changed the type due to a breakdown: from Peugeot to VW eos, then to Renault 5, the body and the price are the same. There are no issues with the car, everything is fine. A little blunt box, but the corresponding mileage. Delivered a little later, but that day there was a hurricane, terrible traffic jams. There were difficulties with the delivery, someone’s sister, with whom we had not communicated before, was picking up, we could not immediately confirm that it was her (you can’t just give the keys to a stranger). Upon delivery, the car was not checked at all, we left everything in the best possible condition, even with extra fuel, but this may be important for you.
Toyota Yaris in Montenegro
Globally - it went fine) There were no problems with the machine itself. There was some difficulty with delivery. The couple acts as landlords there, husband and wife. The man gave me the car. And we agreed with him that he himself would pick her up from the same place, from my entrance. And then they wrote to me from another number from the same company (wife, then as it turned out), and information came that the car needed to be handed over at a certain point. For some time I tried to find out which of the options is correct - should I go to take it or they will pick it up themselves, as they agreed. But I didn't get a clear answer. I scored and just drove myself, drove the car to the specified point. They drove up together, accepted the car without any problems. Then it began to rain heavily, they even offered a ride back to the house. In general, only here with the return of an incomprehensible situation turned out. Well, in terms of gasoline, in my opinion, it would be more convenient to navigate on a full tank. And then they gave me a car with 1/4 and it was necessary to return it the same way. Calculating and guessing these liters is extra trouble.
Volkswagen Polo in Montenegro
They didn't give me a Volkswagen polo, they said they didn't have one, but they gave me a bmv x1 for the same price. I booked the Volkswagen because it was 2023, I thought it would be fresh. Bmv I do not know what year, but the mileage is about 210000 km, which is a lot and caused fears that it will break. But the car is in good technical condition. At the end of the second day of the lease I went to the gas station, turned off the car and it did not start again, the battery died. It's good that it happened in Kotor. If it had happened in the mountains, there would have been problems. In the end I didn't reach the hotel 10 km and waited for the renter for an hour and a half. On the one hand the renter is good, brought the car on time, after the breakdown came and solved the problem. On the other hand, I specifically wanted a newer car, so that it did not have problems and in the message even asked before renting a fully serviceable car. And there were still problems as a result
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.