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Car hire in Petrovac is the simplest way to settle into a calm stretch of coast and still keep the rest of the south within an hour's drive. Petrovac is a small resort town 15 km south of Budva, without the club scene or cruise traffic. It has no airport of its own, but Tivat at 40 km and Podgorica at 60 km both work well with free hotel delivery.
Petrovac reads as the family version of Budva: calmer beaches, lower bills, simpler parking. With a car, it turns into a base for the whole south coast.
Without a car Petrovac works for Petrovac alone — the beach, the promenade and dinner at one of the seafront restaurants. Sveti Stefan, Budva, Bar, Lake Skadar and Luštica are all car-only, and usually fill two or three full days.
What sets Petrovac apart
Quieter alternative to Budva
Same pebble-and-sand beach, just calmer: less nightlife, easier parking, lower bills. For families and for travellers who came for the sea rather than the bar scene, it works as a sensible base.
A family arrived for one night in Petrovac before moving on to Budva. They cancelled the Budva leg by lunchtime — easier with kids, easier on the wallet.
Fastest entry to Sozina
The northern entrance to the Sozina tunnel sits about 10 km from Petrovac. That makes this the quickest spot on the coast to reach Podgorica, Lake Skadar and the inland north. The tunnel itself is paid — €2.50 per car.
Closer to Albania
Petrovac sits closer to Albania than Tivat, Kotor or Budva. The Sukobin crossing is about an hour away via Bar, with Shkodër another 25 minutes beyond. A day trip into Albania from here is realistic — leave at 8am, back for dinner.
The Petrovac → Old Bar → Shkodër → Lake Skadar loop, back through the Sozina tunnel — one of the most rewarding driving days anywhere on this coast.
Toyota Yaris in Montenegro
Everthing went well. Communication with them was easy via watsapp and phone in english.
Peugeot 208 in Montenegro
everything was okay
Skoda Scala in Montenegro
Everything is great!!! I was met, shown the car and returned with no problems, deposit was refunded right away )
Skoda Fabia in Montenegro
Everything was well organized 👍
Peugeot 208 in Montenegro
It was great
Skoda Rapid in Montenegro
Resting in Montenegro in 2022, I applied to this car rental company twice. The car was provided without any problems. Strictly on time, but the pick up was not tied at all, left the keys and documents in the glove compartment. And that's all. I continue to rest. I recommend this company.
Volkswagen Touran in Montenegro
Everything was good, the car is like new, everything works - Navi, Bluetooth audio and etc. Easy and simple pickup and return. It’s great for 7 people - enough space for everyone.
Toyota Yaris in Montenegro
Everything was perfect!
Audi A3 in Montenegro
Everything went well. I was pleased with both the car and the service. I recommend this company to everyone. From the steep road down and there the road ended - I had to reverse back up the mountain, well that a powerful motor.
Toyota Yaris in Montenegro
Good day. On the whole, I am satisfied if I do not go into small details.
Skoda Rapid in Montenegro
Everything went well. Thanks
Skoda Rapid in Montenegro
The car is generally in good condition, there are some defects in the bodywork, but it is not new and it was not critical, as always, this car dealer has a clean car outside and in the cabin. What is the "driving characteristics" when picking up speed, namely when shifting gears, the automatic gearbox sags in a set of speed, the car seems to slow down in each gear, maybe I am not aware of how the automatic machine of this car works, but it was somewhat uncomfortable to drive, but in general everything well. It is a pity that it was not possible to book a convertible on the last day of vacation, I had to rebook for this car, but thanks anyway.
Volkswagen Touran in Montenegro
Good day. Everything was good, the service is very convenient, the price is adequate and there is a choice. The car was brought to the specified time, although they forgot about the child seat, but very quickly brought it after a reminder. Very convenient to pass the car - the keys at the reception and all. I think I will use LocalCarHires and further on traveling around the world. The car is not in bad condition for 5 year old one. The price corresponds to the state.
Where to drive from Petrovac
Sveti Stefan, Pržno, Budva
The northern coast is a 15–30 minute drive. The Hajduk viewpoint above Sveti Stefan islet is 10 km / 15 minutes; Budva is 20 minutes along the coastal road. The islet itself is a private resort closed to outside visitors, but the shot from the road makes up for it.
A couple skipped Sveti Stefan beach altogether and walked down to Lučice instead — ten minutes from the Petrovac centre on foot, half the crowd, same colour of water.
Bar, Ulcinj, Lake Skadar
The southern coast and inland sit between 25 minutes and an hour out. Bar is 30 km / 30–40 minutes, Ulcinj and Velika Plaža over an hour, Godinje on Lake Skadar around an hour via the Sozina tunnel.
Luštica and Kotor via the Kamenari ferry
Luštica and the Bay of Kotor are reached by car plus the Kamenari–Lepetane ferry (€4.50, 10-minute crossing). From Petrovac to Luštica with the ferry wait runs about 1.5 hours; Kotor about an hour.
The coastal road towards Kotor and Tivat slows in summer between 11am and 1pm, and again 5pm to 7pm. Clearest windows for that direction: before 10am and after 7pm.
How to reach Petrovac
Petrovac has no airport of its own, but two practical options. Tivat sits 40 km away — about 50 minutes along the coastal road via Budva and Bečići. Podgorica is 60 km out, around an hour via the Sozina tunnel (€2.50). Podgorica is typically 10–20% cheaper than Tivat, and makes more sense for routes through Lake Skadar.
A guest flew into Podgorica at 6pm, picked the car up at TGD and drove straight to the Sozina tunnel — at the hotel in Petrovac by 7:30, well ahead of the coastal-road queue near Budva.
Most suppliers offer free delivery to Petrovac itself and to nearby Reževići, Buljarica and Lučice. On TakeCars the pickup point and time appear in the listing — no day-of WhatsApp calls. Few suppliers run a permanent office in Petrovac; most operate from Tivat or Budva, but the guest never notices, since the car is brought to the door.
If you're landing late at night, take the car at the hotel the next morning and ride a taxi from Tivat — €30–40.
Rates in Petrovac vary throughout the year depending on the season and the rental length.
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How expensive is renting a car in Petrovac: average daily rates for a one-week car rental, across all car classes.
Why travellers choose TakeCars in Petrovac
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Delivery along the quieter coast
The car is brought to your door in Petrovac, Reževići, Buljarica or Lučice — no run to a Tivat or Budva office.
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No-deposit options on the listing page
Selected cars in Petrovac carry a tariff with zero excess on the body, so you don't have to freeze a deposit on a card.
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Real reviews on the specific car
Not just an overall supplier rating, but feedback from guests who hired the very same Octavia or Yaris in Petrovac.
Parking, traffic and Petrovac quirks
Easier than Budva or Kotor
Free street parking still exists in the residential streets of Petrovac, especially the ones further from the seafront. The metered zone in the centre runs €1–2 per hour. By 10am in season the centre fills up; Lučice and Buljarica hold spaces longer, into early afternoon.
If your apartment has its own parking, that solves most of it. If not, ask the host where they leave their own car — they'll know a reliable spot five to seven minutes' walk away.
Coastal-road traffic
In summer the coastal road towards Budva and Tivat slows from 11am to 1pm, then again from 5pm to 7pm. For Budva or Kotor, leave before 10 or after 7. The southern direction (Bar, Ulcinj) sees fewer peak hours and the road runs more freely.
Sozina tunnel shortcut
The northern entrance to Sozina is only 10 km from Petrovac. Fastest route off the coast to Lake Skadar, Podgorica and the inland north. Pay €2.50 by card or cash at the booth.
Frequent Questions
Tivat is closer in kilometres — 40 km and about 50 minutes along the coastal road via Budva and Bečići. Podgorica is 60 km out, about an hour via the Sozina tunnel (€2.50). Podgorica is usually 10–20% cheaper and works better for routes south through Lake Skadar. Tivat wins if your flight choice or your base is around Budva.
Petrovac is the calmer, more family-leaning alternative. Less nightlife, less cruise traffic, easier parking, lower prices on accommodation and dinner. The beaches are pebble-and-sand, the promenade short and walkable. If clubs and round-the-clock activity are the goal, choose Budva; if the focus is sea, landscape and quiet, choose Petrovac.
The northern entrance to Sozina is just 10 km away, around 15 minutes from Petrovac. It's the fastest exit from the coast towards Lake Skadar (40 minutes from Sozina to Virpazar) and Podgorica. The tunnel is paid — €2.50 per car, by card or cash at the booth.
Free street parking still exists in the residential streets, particularly the ones away from the seafront. The metered zone in the centre runs €1–2 per hour. The centre fills by 10am, while Lučice and Buljarica hold spaces into the afternoon. Accommodation with its own car park resolves most of the issue.
Lučice is 10 minutes' walk from the centre — small and calm. Buljarica is 15 minutes south by car — a long pebble beach with a gentle entry. Drobni Pijesak sits further north — a sheltered cove with parking for around 30 cars. Each is smaller than the central beach and usually quieter.
Yes — 10 km and about 15 minutes along the coastal road. A useful loop: morning at the Hajduk viewpoint, back via Pržno. The islet itself is a closed Aman resort and you can't go ashore, but the photograph from the road and the public beach below are worth the trip.
Petrovac sits closer to Albania than Tivat, Kotor or Budva. The Sukobin crossing is about an hour away via Bar (60 km). Shkodër is another 25 minutes beyond, Tirana around two hours from the border. A day trip into Albania from Petrovac is realistic — leave at 8am, back for dinner.
Bolt covers the local trips: Petrovac–Sveti Stefan €5–8, Petrovac–Budva €10–15, Petrovac–Tivat €30–40. For one or two beach days around town, Bolt is fine. For radial trips (Skadar, Luštica, Albania, Durmitor) a hire car is more comfortable on time and usually cheaper.
Yes — it's one of the easiest spots on the coast for young families. Gentle beach entry, a step-free promenade, no in-town traffic to worry about. It's easy to drive out to quieter neighbouring coves and to Aqua Park Mediteran in Bečići (20 minutes by car). Far less club noise than Budva.
Before 10am or after 7pm. The coastal road towards Budva and Tivat slows in summer between 11am and 1pm and again from 5pm to 7pm. The 15 km drive runs 20 minutes in winter and easily 40 in the August peak. The same logic applies on the way back.
30 km to Bar and roughly 35 minutes along the coastal road. Old Bar itself sits 5 km uphill from modern Bar — another 10–15 minutes on a serpentine. Parking at the lower entrance to the fortress is free and usually available. Allow 1.5–2 hours on site, with lunch in Bar afterwards.
Yes — and it's one of the most efficient day routes. Sozina tunnel takes about 40 minutes to reach Virpazar. From there, a boat tour on the lake (€20–30 per person) or a drive into the wine village of Godinje. Return by the same route, in time for dinner in Petrovac.
Yes — it's a growing choice for travellers staying a month or more. Accommodation runs cheaper than Budva and Tivat, infrastructure is good enough for remote work, and a long-term car hire drops 30–50%. Out of season (October–April) the town is noticeably quieter — a plus for an extended visit.
The fastest is via the Sozina tunnel (€2.50) — roughly 60 km and an hour. From Podgorica it's 30 minutes to TGD airport, an hour to Cetinje, 1.5 hours to Žabljak. The road past the tunnel runs along Lake Skadar — worth a stop at the viewpoint above Virpazar.
Standard scenario: the supplier pulls up at reception or your apartment door at the agreed time. Documents are signed on the spot, the keys handed over against the inspection sheet. Delivery is typically free across Petrovac, Reževići, Buljarica and Lučice. On TakeCars the pickup point and time are shown in the listing.