Car rental in Montenegro is a simple, inexpensive, and accessible option for any tourist. This is a country where driving is comfortable and safe, aside from the winding mountain roads. In this guide, I’ll cover the key details of car rental, potential pitfalls, traffic rules, police, fines, parking, deposits, and much more.
Table of contents:
- Car Rental in Montenegro: Key Points and Pitfalls
- Car Rental Companies in Montenegro: Rental Rules
- Where to Rent a Car Without a Deposit & How Much It Costs
- Payment and Deposits: Everything You Need to Know
- Car Insurance in Montenegro
- Roads and Parking in Montenegro
- Police, Traffic Rules, Fines, and What to Do If You Get One
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Car Rental in Montenegro: Key Points and Pitfalls
Here’s a quick overview of what you need to know about renting a car in Montenegro:
✅ It’s essential. While Montenegro is a small country, public transport won’t get you to even half of the top attractions, no matter what anyone says.
🔹 Check out this list of Montenegro’s top 25 must-visit locations.
✅ It’s safe. There are very few reckless or aggressive drivers. No one will tailgate, flash their lights, honk, cut you off after overtaking, or try to “teach you a lesson.” Car break-ins are rare—you won’t find smashed windows over a bag left on the passenger seat like in Barcelona.
🔹 Read more about tourist safety in Montenegro.
✅ Traffic rules are nearly identical to those in most European countries. The average speed on Montenegrin roads is 40-50 km/h, and drivers are in no rush.
✅ The roads are excellent, with great surface quality.
✅ Most importantly, it’s affordable. Even in peak season, renting a car costs about the same as traveling by bus for two people. Compared to neighboring Croatia, car rental prices—including deposits—are 3-4 times lower.
💰 Budgeting for a trip to Montenegro: How much money to bring & expected expenses.
Important:
If you’ve never rented a car abroad, Montenegro is the perfect place to start. It’s one of the few destinations where driving is incredibly easy, affordable, and rental companies treat tourists exceptionally well. Only the Canary Islands offer a similar experience.
Car Rental Companies in Montenegro
The days of searching for a rental car upon arrival are long gone—at least for the past five years. Today, even small local rental companies operate online. The arrival of major international players has also raised the overall standards of the rental market.
Good to know:
You can still find cars for rent on the spot, but expect to pay nearly double. In peak season, availability is scarce since most cars are booked months in advance by incoming tourists. Renting on-site is only an option for travelers without a set plan—those who spontaneously decide to rent a car for a day trip along the coast.
One major advantage in Montenegro is that all rental companies have standardized requirements. This means you only need to compare prices and car models (if that matters to you).
Car Rental Rules in Montenegro
✔ No mileage limits. Drive as much as you want—1,000 km a day if necessary. In the past, the limit was 300 km/day.
✔ Cars are provided with a full tank and must be returned full.
✔ Basic insurance is always included in the rental price. Full coverage or “super insurance” is available for an extra fee (details below).
✔ Driver requirements:
- Minimum age: 21 or 23 years, depending on the company.
- Minimum driving experience: 1 year.
- Some companies charge an extra €3-5 per day for young drivers.
- If your driving experience is less than 1 year, some companies may refuse to rent to you.
💡 Tip: If you fall under these restrictions, always check the company’s policies before booking—rules are listed on every rental website.
✔ Required documents:
- A driver’s license (Montenegrin rental companies accept standard plastic-format licenses).
- A bank card (where needed—more on this below).
- A passport.
✔ Winter tires: If you’re renting a car from November 1 onwards, check if the company charges extra for winter tires. In Montenegro, they are mandatory in winter, and some companies charge up to €5 per day, while others provide them for free.
Where to Rent a Car in Montenegro & How Much It Costs
A brief look at rental prices:
💰 Peak season (summer):
- Economy & mini-class cars: €30-40 per day with all insurances included.
- Early booking (2-3 months ahead): €25 per day for the same class.
💰 Low season (April-May, late September-October):
- Economy & mini-class cars: from €15 per day.
- Our last rental was €17 per day.
💰 Winter (off-season):
- When tourism is at its lowest, some rental companies drop prices to €5-10 per day just to keep their cars from sitting idle.
⛽ Gasoline price in Montenegro: €1.5 per liter.
Where to Find a Rental Car in Montenegro?
Today, Montenegro has two major car rental platforms, both reliable, offering competitive prices and ensuring high service quality. They cater to slightly different needs, which benefits us as customers by providing options to choose from:
- DiscoverCars – The leading car rental platform in Montenegro. It includes all major international rental companies and has pick-up locations in almost every Montenegrin city. It’s a safe choice with the widest car selection, even in peak season.
- Localrent – The best option for renting cars without a deposit. This platform partners with local rental companies, allowing prepayments via bank cards, with the remaining balance payable in cash on-site. There’s also no extra fee for picking up a car in one city and returning it in another.
Payment & Deposit: Everything You Need to Know
All rental companies require a prepayment at the time of booking. Typically, this amounts to 10-20% of the total rental cost. If you cancel your reservation 24-48 hours in advance, the full prepayment will be refunded. If your trip is uncertain, pay attention to this condition when booking. The remaining balance is paid when you pick up the car.
Important Note:
You can pay the remaining balance either in cash or by card—whichever you prefer.
The deposit amount varies depending on the rental company:
- Large international rental companies: €300-700 for an economy-class car. Deposit is accepted only by card!
- Local rental companies: €50-100, often accepted in cash, and in some cases, no deposit is required at all. This is convenient if you have issues with your bank card or prefer not to use it.
Important:
When booking online, it doesn’t matter whose card you use for prepayment—you can pay with your mother-in-law’s card if you want. However, the deposit must be made using the driver’s card. This is where local rental companies have a significant advantage, as they often accept cash deposits.
Montenegro’s deposit policy is quite lenient. In Italy, we were required to leave a €1,500 deposit, whereas in Montenegro, it’s only €100.
The deposit exists to ensure you take care of the car and return it to the owner, rather than abandoning it in a field. From the owner’s perspective, they’re lending an expensive asset to complete strangers who will leave the country in a week, making legal claims nearly impossible. The deposit serves as a small but effective incentive for renters to bring the car back.
Car Insurance in Montenegro
This is a crucial topic, especially for those renting a car for the first time or unfamiliar with rental insurance policies.
There are two types of insurance:
1️⃣ Basic Insurance (Standard Coverage)
This is always included in the rental price and is both free and mandatory. It covers:
✔ Accidents where you are not at fault
✔ Natural disasters (fire, tsunami, earthquake)
✔ Theft
However, for all other damages, you pay out of pocket—this is where the deposit comes into play. Scratched a bumper while parking? Got a stone chip on the windshield? You’ll be charged for repairs.
2️⃣ Full Insurance (Super Coverage)
It goes by many names: Super Insurance, Full Coverage, Zero Deductible, etc. This is an optional paid upgrade.
✔ Covers any damage—scratches, flat tires, interior stains, or even accidents where you’re at fault
✔ Eliminates the risk of losing your deposit
✔ Ensures peace of mind during your trip
💰 Price: Rental companies set their own rates, but in Montenegro, super insurance typically costs €7-12 per day.
💡 Tip: Super insurance is cheaper when purchased at the time of booking. On-site, the price may jump to €20 per day or more.
Important Notes:
✔ The deposit may also be used to cover speeding or parking fines—more on that later.
✔ No insurance covers driving under the influence! If you’re caught drunk driving, you’ll be held fully responsible for any damage.
✅ Personal Tip: I always opt for full insurance—it’s a small expense in the overall trip budget, but it guarantees my deposit will be refunded in full. Plus, it’s peace of mind. No one is immune to a stray rock from another car’s tire!
Car Rental in Montenegro: Roads & Parking
Renting a car in Montenegro isn’t just about the vehicle—it’s also about the roads and parking. Luckily, everything is quite simple. Here’s what you need to know:
Montenegro’s roads are excellent and free. Any car can handle them with ease.
The country has only one toll road and one toll tunnel:
- Highway A1 (Podgorica – Kolašin): This highway is extended every year, and as of 2024, it stretches about 80 km. The toll fee is €3.5, and the speed limit is 110 km/h. It’s a fantastic road, cutting the drive to Biogradska Gora National Park to just an hour from the capital.
- Sozina Tunnel: Nearly 5 km long, it connects the coastal town of Sutomore with Podgorica. Thanks to this tunnel, you can reach the sea from the capital in just 30 minutes. Toll fee: €2.5. Speed limit: 80 km/h.
Finding parking is an important part of renting a car in Montenegro. In popular coastal towns like Herceg Novi, Kotor, Budva, Bar, and Ulcinj, parking is extremely limited—especially in peak season. In city centers, all parking is paid, and it’s often fully occupied.
🔹 Key parking rules:
- In major cities, most parking is paid.
- Rental cars and foreign-plated vehicles pay the same rates as local cars.
- In small villages, parking is often completely free—just watch for signs.
Tip:
If you’re traveling by car, book accommodation with free parking, especially in Budva and Kotor, where parking is a major issue—even paid spots are hard to find.
Types of Parking
🅿️ 1. Street Parking (Pay Zones & Meters)
Cities have three parking zones:
- Zone 1 (Red) – Most expensive, up to €1 per hour
- Zone 2 (Yellow) – Mid-range pricing
- Zone 3 (Green/Blue) – Cheapest, around €0.4-0.5 per hour
💳 How to pay at a parking meter:
1️⃣ Select the zone (signs indicate the correct zone where you’re parked).
2️⃣ Insert coins—pay as much as you like. The system calculates the time and prints a ticket.
3️⃣ Place the ticket on your dashboard.
🚨 Fine for no ticket: €30.
📱 Alternative payment methods:
- SMS payment (1 SMS = 1 hour of parking) – requires a local SIM card. In the article at the link – everything about mobile communications and the Internet in Montenegro, where to buy, tariffs, how to top up.
- Parking tickets from kiosks (found on nearly every corner).
🅿️ 2. Gated Parking Lots (Preferred by Tourists)
- Enter, take a ticket at the barrier.
- Pay on exit—cash or card, and an attendant gives change.
- Rates: Typically €0.5 – €1 per hour.
Important:
Free parking on weekends! From Saturday 9:00 PM to Monday 7:00 AM, all parking is free in Montenegro!
Car Rental in Montenegro: Police, Traffic Rules & Fines
Police in Montenegro are present but don’t stop drivers often. They’re mainly there to monitor traffic and may have a speed radar.
Good to know:
There are almost no fixed speed cameras in Montenegro. The only two known ones are:
1️⃣ On the A1 toll road (calculates average speed).
2️⃣ Inside one of the tunnels (but speeding there is nearly impossible).
The most prevalent infractions that could lead to your being pulled over involve overtaking on solid lanes and exceeding speed limits. The corresponding fine for such breaches is 60 euros.
What to Do If You Get Pulled Over
- Stay polite, smile, and apologize.
- The police will respond the same way.
- When told the fine is €60, look surprised and say, “That’s a lot!” while gazing at the sky.
- Do not offer a bribe or hint at it.
- Sometimes, the officer might suggest a lower fine (€20)—but in general, Montenegrin police are not corrupt, and they don’t harass tourists.
⛔ Police can confiscate your driver’s license for speeding over +5 km/h. You’ll have to go to a bank to pay the fine, then return to the officer to get your license back. This can take a few hours, and if it’s Sunday, when banks are closed, it’s even more complicated.
Useful:
✔ Be polite and smile—90% of the time, you’ll be let go with a warning.
✔ Police cars are visible from afar, and they don’t target tourists.
Traffic Rules to Know Before Renting a Car in Montenegro
🚗 Speed Limits:
- 80 km/h outside cities
- 50 km/h in cities
- Speeding fines apply from +5 km/h over the limit
🔦 Headlights must always be on while driving.
🛑 Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers, including the back seat.
⚠️ Montenegro has an unusually high number of 30-40 km/h speed limit signs.
Even on scenic coastal roads like Budva-Kotor-Tivat, expect an average speed of just 40 km/h. The best approach? Relax and enjoy the stunning views!
Is Driving in Flip-Flops Illegal in Montenegro?
A common question: “Is it true that driving in flip-flops is banned, with a fine of €60?” The truth: Montenegro’s traffic laws don’t specifically ban flip-flops, but they do state that footwear must be secure and suitable for driving. While I’ve never seen anyone fined for it, technically, it’s a rule.
Read about yacht charter for a day or a week in Montenegro in this article.
Final Thoughts: Renting a Car in Montenegro
Montenegro offers a smooth, safe, and enjoyable car rental experience. The attitude towards tourists is exceptional, and rental companies follow suit.
✔ No aggressive local drivers
✔ Police are fair and friendly
✔ Rental companies don’t nitpick over tiny scratches or try to scam you for extra charges
All in all, renting a car in Montenegro is one of the best ways to explore the country!
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Montenegro
- WayAway: Cheap flights and best deals.
- Car rental in Montenegro:
- LocalRent – works with local rental companies. Leader in car rental in Montenegro.
- DiscoverCars – a large international platform.
- Budget-friendly vacation packages to Montenegro: CheapOair.
- Hotels and apartments all over the country:
- Trip.com – the most popular accommodation booking platform
- TripAdvisor compares the prices among dozens of other booking services and offer the best price
- Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
- GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
- Viator – 1000+ excursions and activities throughout the country
- Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
- Internet and Calls:
- Airalo eSIM in Montenegro
- Drimsim – universal sim card for frequent traveler
- Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel