Car Rental in Montenegro

Without a car in Montenegro you're stuck with buses and taxis: the mountain monasteries, Durmitor, and half the beaches of the Budva Riviera are out of reach by public transport. Choose and book with a trusted partner — pay on the spot.

Booking by Localrent

Driver Requirements

  • Minimum age — 22 years

  • Driving experience — at least 2 years

  • Upper age limit — 70 years

  • The deposit is held on your card and released when you return the car undamaged

Seasonal Prices

Prices swing threefold across the year. From November to March, compact cars start at €15 a day; in May and September they hold around €25–35; at peak, from mid-July to the end of August, the same cars cost €45–70. An automatic runs about a third more than a manual, and in high season they get booked out weeks ahead. The only way to avoid paying double is to book your July car in April.

Insurance and Deposit

The base price includes CDW with an excess: if the car is damaged, you pay up to that amount and the insurer covers the rest. A full excess waiver is bought separately and usually pays for itself within the first week — the canyon roads are narrow, and scraping a rock here is routine. The deposit is held on your card at pickup and released after return; it's generally not accepted in cash, so a card in the driver's name is required.

Crossing into Albania and Bosnia

Crossing the border has to be arranged in advance: you need a green card and written permission from the rental company, a paid option at booking. Without permission, the insurance doesn't cover you outside Montenegro, and border guards may simply turn the car back. If you're planning Shkodër, Mostar, or Dubrovnik, flag it right away — the option can't be added after the fact.

Parking

The old towns of Kotor and Budva are closed to cars, parking is paid, and in summer it fills up by morning. In Kotor it's smarter to leave the car at the exit toward Dobrota; in Budva, at Rozino. Many new coastal developments are sold with an underground parking space, and that's exactly the budget line buyers tend to underestimate: without your own space, renting parking near the sea costs €50–100 a month.

Airports

Tivat is the coast's main gateway: 20 minutes to Budva, 15 to Kotor. Podgorica is more convenient if you're heading inland or north, to Žabljak and Durmitor. Airport pickup is timed to your flight, including night arrivals, but you need to give the exact arrival time when booking — otherwise the car may not be ready. A third option is Dubrovnik: 25 minutes to the border, but taking a rental car out of Croatia requires a separate permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an international driving permit in Montenegro?
For citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan, a national licence is enough: Montenegro recognises licences issued under the Vienna Convention. An international permit is a good idea, but rental companies don't require one.
Can I take a rented car into Albania or Bosnia?
Yes, but it has to be arranged in advance: you need a green card and written permission from the rental company. It's usually a paid option specified at booking. Without permission, the insurance doesn't work abroad.
Where can I pick up a car?
The main points are Tivat and Podgorica airports, plus more than twenty towns: Budva, Kotor, Bar, Herceg Novi, Bečići, Petrovac, and others. Airport pickup is timed to your flight, including night arrivals.
What's the deposit, and how do I get it back?
The deposit is held on your bank card when you pick up the car and released after you return it undamaged. The amount depends on the car class and whether you've taken extended insurance.
Do I need a car if I've come to view property?
Practically, yes. Listings are scattered along the coast and inland, and travelling between viewings in Bar, Budva, and Kotor by public transport will cost you a whole day. Our agents usually plan viewings around a rental car.
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