Montenegro is a Mediterranean Pearl and a true paradise holiday destination. It’s one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Balkans and Europe. You have got the beautiful Adriatic Sea on one side and gorgeous mountains on the other. If you are looking to rent a car Podgorica, you are making a great choice, as there are many nearby places to explore.
In the entire Montenegro, you can easily move around with your rental car. It’s a tiny country with stunning panoramic views, and it’s highly recommended to have a car while on holiday. When you do car hire, in Montenegro you’ll find many car rental companies; however, I will give you some useful tips to find the best and most affordable service.
Where to pick up your rental car in Montenegro
If you decide to rent a car, basically all agencies offer the following pick-up locations:
- Podgorica Airport
- Podgorica city center
- Tivat Airport
- Tivat city center and hotels
- Budva city center and hotels
- Kotor city center and hotels
- Bar city center and hotels
At both airports in Montenegro, Podgorica and Tivat, you’ll see lots of car rental companies, so you can book directly at the place or in advance (your car and the rental manager will usually wait for you at the airport with the sign). So the best and easiest option is to fly into Podgorica or Tivat airport and leave the building in your rental car.
Driving in Montenegro
Speed limits
If you’re worried about speed limits when you rent a car, Montenegro is very straightforward. In cities and urban areas, the speed limit is 50km/h; on open roads, it’s usually 80km/h unless signs specify otherwise.
Which lane is used for driving?
In Montenegro, as in all of Europe, driving is done on the right side of the road, and the driver is located on the left side of the car. If you’re coming from the US, this is no problem. If you are coming from the UK, Australia, or New Zealand, this can be a little tricky.
Toll roads
All roads in Montenegro are free to use. No toll. No expensive highways. This is one of the best things if you are renting a car in Montenegro. No additional cost for tolls, compared to Croatia, for example.
Conditions on roads
Roads in Montenegro are well-maintained and signposted. In case you’re stressed over road conditions with regards to car hire, Montenegro has extremely well-maintained and safe roads. It’s a genuinely wealthy nation with great support and wellbeing laws. In this way, for wellbeing concerning car hire, Montenegro has you in great hands.
What’s it like to drive and move around in Montenegro
Good! It’s a relaxed, warm country full of relaxed, nice people after all! When you are planning your car rental, Podgorica is a great place to start. From there, you have all of Montenegro at your fingertips, and the roads are a joy to drive around!
How to choose an affordable car in Montenegro
Choosing a car rental in Montenegro is an easy task if you follow the few simple rules suggested below in our guide.
A short trip or a long road trip?
This question will essentially determine what kind of car you should get. In Montenegro, smaller cars are more common, just like in Italy and Spain. Compact economy cars are the norm, and they make for affordable car hire; Montenegro rental places will have plenty of economy options. But, if you’re going on a long road trip, which is of course very tempting in Montenegro, possibly consider something sturdier. Something with six gears, a bigger petrol tank, and more space for your things. Consider that you will possibly go off the main roads to see stunning panoramic views.
When it comes to choosing a manual or automatic car, this is, of course, a matter of personal preference. But if you are looking for a cheap car rental in Montenegro, rental companies will offer manuals at a much lower price. They are common in Montenegro and southwest Europe in general.
So, if you are coming from Europe, this will not be a problem, but if you are from the US or Australia, this can be complicated. So, I highly recommend choosing automatic; it’s much more relaxed driving.
Car Rental in Montenegro
Where to rent a car in Montenegro
As I mentioned earlier, you can pick up your rental car from many locations in Montenegro. The most popular airports are in Podgorica and Tivat.
One thing that I also want to share is that you should always book in advance! Especially if you are planning to visit during the high season (spring and summer). Booking in advance ensures that you get the car you want – and at a better price. So, for lower prices, book 5-6 six months in advance.
One rental fee for two ways
This means you can pick a car in one place and drop it off in another. You can do this without any additional cost to you. Almost all companies in Montenegro offer this type of service. As opposed to car rentals in Croatia, Albania, or other countries in South West Europe, where you will be charged for the different drop-off locations.
Minimum age and documents for renting a car in Montenegro
To drive in Montenegro, you will need a valid domestic driving license. There are no restrictions on driving experience or special age limits. If you are over 18 years old, you can rent a car in Montenegro.
Deposit
Many car rental services have a policy to take a deposit that has been agreed in advance with car rental managers. Some agencies take a deposit of up to 500 EUR. However, the usual amount of deposit is 100 EUR.
However, it is suggested to always inspect the vehicle well or take photos, and confirm the true condition of the vehicle. This is important because when the vehicle is returned, some earlier damage can be attributed to the last user.
When to visit Montenegro?
Montenegro is a very warm country all year round. So, if you’re thinking of renting a car, Montenegro is best avoided during high summer (July and August). Probably the best time to visit is May-June in spring, and September-October in fall. It’s still very sunny and pleasant weather. The sea temperature is around 23-25 degrees.
