Car rental · Montenegro
Car rental in Montenegro
Two airports, one small country: Tivat drops you on the Bay of Kotor, Podgorica is cheaper and an hour inland. Either way, a car is the difference between the crowded coast and the empty mountains behind it.
Compare prices across every desk
International brands and local companies side by side — deposits and cover included.
Which car, and what it costs
| Class | Per day | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | €20–40 | The coast between Budva and Herceg Novi |
| Compact | €28–55 | The standard for a week's loop |
| SUV | €45–90 | Durmitor, the Tara canyon and the P14 — recommended |
| Automatic | +€8–15 | Book early; the fleet is mostly manual |
The rules in Montenegro — the part the aggregators skip
| Drives on the | RIGHT |
|---|---|
| Speed limits (town / open road / expressway / motorway) | 50 / 80 / 100 km/h |
| Tolls | Only two: the Sozina tunnel (about €2.50) and the new Bar–Boljare motorway section. |
| Vignette | None. |
| Winter rules | Winter tyres compulsory from mid-November to the end of March; chains on board in the mountains. |
| Taking the car across borders | Rentals cross into Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Albania with a fee (typically €20–50) and a green card; Kosovo is often excluded, so check before planning Peja. |
| Local quirks | Headlights on at all times. The Kotor bay road is a single lane each way and gridlocked in July and August — take the Kamenari–Lepetane ferry. The P14 to Durmitor is spectacular and narrow; do not attempt it in the dark. |
| Currency | euro (EUR) |
Airport or city desk
Tivat airport is a few metres from the terminal to the car; Podgorica is 30–40% cheaper on the same car classes and 90 minutes from Kotor. If price matters, fly into Podgorica.
Local companies or international brands
Localrent aggregates the Montenegrin companies and is often the cheapest route, with lower deposits and a delivery-to-hotel option that saves an airport pick-up entirely. International brands are safer for one-way drops to Dubrovnik.
Five things visitors get wrong
- Headlights on, day and night — it is the law and the police enforce it at the coastal checkpoints.
- In July and August the Bay of Kotor road is a car park. Take the Kamenari–Lepetane ferry (€4.50) rather than driving round.
- The Sozina tunnel toll is about €2.50 each way and cuts the Podgorica–coast drive to 40 minutes.
- Crossing into Croatia for Dubrovnik costs a €20–50 border fee plus the green card; the queue at Debeli Brijeg can exceed an hour in summer — go before nine.
- The Tara bridge and Durmitor ring road are two of the great drives in Europe. Do the ring clockwise so the drop is on the passenger side.
Common questions
How much does it cost to rent a car in Montenegro?
from €20 a day out of season, €40–75 a day in July and August. Automatics and SUVs carry a premium; book two to four weeks ahead in summer.
How big is the deposit?
Typically €250–1,000, blocked on a credit card and released a week or two after the return. Debit cards are refused by most desks.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
Bring one. It costs little, takes minutes to obtain at home, and both the police and the insurer may ask for it alongside your licence.
Can I take the rental car out of Montenegro?
Rentals cross into Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Albania with a fee (typically €20–50) and a green card; Kosovo is often excluded, so check before planning Peja.
Is the minimum age a problem?
Minimum age is 21 (some desks 23). Under-25 drivers usually pay a daily young-driver surcharge and may be barred from the larger classes.
Airport or city pick-up?
Tivat airport is a few metres from the terminal to the car; Podgorica is 30–40% cheaper on the same car classes and 90 minutes from Kotor. If price matters, fly into Podgorica.