Category: Montenegro

Driving in Podgorica is manageable once you know where to leave the car. The centre is compact, and the airport is a 15-minute run south of town. This page covers where to park, how to pay, what happens if you get it wrong, and the tolls and ferries you will meet once you head out of the city.

Want prices from local companies in Podgorica? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

Parking in the centre

Central Podgorica parking is metered in the blue-line zone from 08:00 to 20:00, Monday to Saturday, at 0.50–1.00 EUR per hour. Check the sign at the bay for the hours and price that apply where you park, since the zone boundaries are not always obvious.

Payment is usually at a machine on the street or by phone or app where the zone offers it. Buy the ticket for the time you need, display it clearly on the dashboard and keep the receipt. If you are staying overnight, check whether your hotel has its own parking: a private space saves a lot of circling in the evening.

Blue-line bays are the ones you are meant to use. Bays in other colours, bus stops, loading bays and pavements are best left alone, however convenient they look, and the city’s traffic wardens know the centre well. For a longer stay, look for a public garage on the edge of the centre and walk in.

Parking at the airport

At Podgorica Airport parking costs 1.50 EUR per hour, 8 EUR per day or 80 EUR per month, and the expanded lot has 384 parking spaces. That is handy if you are meeting a flight or leaving a car while you travel, but check the current rates on the airport’s pages before you rely on them.

Fines and towing

Parking penalties in Montenegro are handled locally, and the charge for a ticket or for collecting a towed car can change. The safe approach is simple: pay for the bay you are in, keep within the marked lines, and never leave a car where it blocks a crossing, a bin lorry or an entrance. If you do get a ticket, pay it through the official channel shown on the notice rather than to anyone who offers to sort it out for you, and tell your rental company straight away. If the car is removed, call the number on the parking sign or ask the police, then contact the rental company before you collect it.

Traffic in the city

Podgorica’s rush hours are short and busy rather than gridlocked. The bridges over the Morača and the roads around the centre fill up when offices open and close, and a journey that takes ten minutes at midday can take twice as long then. If you are heading south to the airport or the coast, leave a little earlier than you think you need to.

One-way streets and no-turn junctions in the centre mean it is worth setting your parking destination in your phone before you set off, rather than trying to read street signs while driving. Pull over properly if you need to check the map.

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Tolls and ferries

Two tolls you are likely to meet: the Sozina tunnel costs 2.50 EUR for cars, and the Morača–Kolašin–Mateševo motorway costs 3.50 EUR. Keep some cash in the car for both, even if you mostly pay by card.

The Kamenari–Lepetane car ferry across the Bay of Kotor costs 4.50 EUR for a 10-minute crossing and runs every 15 minutes in summer and every 30 minutes in winter. It is the quick way to cut the corner of the bay on the road to the coast.

For Italy, a regular ferry runs from Bar to Bari all year, with several crossings a week in summer; the crossing takes around 8 hours. Bar is 55 km from Podgorica, so it is an easy drive down if you are taking a car across the Adriatic.

Day trips from the city

• Budva: 65 km, a 50-minute drive via the 4.2-kilometre Sozina tunnel.
• Kotor: 90 km, about an 80-minute drive.
• Ostrog Monastery: 45 km, a 50-minute drive, with the final 8 km on a narrow mountain road.

The monastery road is the one to take slowly, and it is worth checking the weather before you go. For longer trips, the E65, E80, E762, E763 and E851 routes connect Montenegro by road with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania, but check your rental agreement before you cross a border: permission is not automatic.

Practical tips

• Photograph the car inside and out before you drive away, and again when you return it.
• Keep the rental agreement and the company’s phone number in the car, not in your suitcase.
• Carry some cash for tolls, the Kamenari ferry and small car parks.
• Fill up before long mountain drives, so you are not hunting for a station on a quiet road.
• Do not leave bags or valuables on show, especially at trailheads and monastery car parks.
• If you have an accident, call the police and get an official report. Zeta, for example, requires one in case of accident, theft or vandalism.

More for your Podgorica trip

• Local car rental companies in Podgorica
• Picking up a rental car at Podgorica Airport
• Renting a car in Montenegro: the full guide

Want prices from local companies in Podgorica? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

Podgorica Airport (TGD) is small, calm and close to the city, which makes it a good place to collect a car. The terminal sits 12 km south of the centre, about a 15-minute drive, so you can be at your hotel before your luggage has properly settled. Several local companies hand the car over at the terminal itself, so you drive away rather than trailing into town first.

Want prices from local companies in Podgorica? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

Which airport serves Podgorica?

Podgorica Airport (TGD) is the city’s own airport and the obvious choice for a fly-drive trip. It is 12 km south of the city centre, roughly a 15-minute drive in normal traffic.

Tivat Airport (TIV) is the second option on the coast. It is listed at 1 hour 55 minutes and 88 km from Podgorica Airport, so it makes sense only if you are starting or finishing on the Bay of Kotor. If you fly into Tivat and plan to drive to Podgorica, treat it as a proper transfer rather than a quick hop.

From the terminal into the city

The 8-kilometre dual carriageway linking the terminal with the Podgorica urban area usually takes less than 15 minutes to drive. The road is straightforward and signposted, and you are on the edge of the city almost as soon as you leave the airport.

If you are collecting a car, ask the company to send the meeting instructions with your confirmation: a name board in the arrivals area, a phone number to call on landing, and where the car is parked. Save the number offline before you fly, in case your roaming does not work on arrival.

How the meet-and-greet handover works

With a local firm, a representative usually waits for you with your name, then walks you out to the car. The whole handover normally happens at the airport, so you drive away rather than being taken to an office. Give the company your flight number and expected arrival time when you book, and call or message if the flight is delayed.

Before you drive off, do a slow lap of the car together in good light. Photograph every panel, the wheels, the windscreen, the roof and the interior, and make sure any existing damage is written on the rental agreement. Check the fuel level against the paperwork, confirm which fuel the car takes, and ask where the spare wheel and tools are. If you plan to cross a border, show the company your route and get the permission and any fee confirmed in writing.

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Companies that meet you at the airport

Several Podgorica-based companies list the airport as a pick-up point. Rent A Car Paša offers pick-up at Podgorica Airport or at its office on Bulevar Revolucije 56. X-Go Rent a Car lists Podgorica Airport among its locations and is open from 05:00 to 24:00 every day, which suits late arrivals. Zeta Car Rent a Car offers pick-up at Podgorica Airport and Tivat Airport, but its working hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00, so a weekend or evening flight needs to be agreed in advance.

Phoenix Car Montenegro lists free delivery within Podgorica city limits, including hotels, apartments and the main bus and train stations, rather than an airport pick-up. That can work well if you would rather collect the car at your accommodation after a night in town. Confirm the exact meeting point and any out-of-hours arrangements when you book.

Parking at Podgorica Airport

If you are picking someone up or dropping the car off, the airport car park costs 1.50 EUR per hour, 8 EUR per day or 80 EUR per month, and the expanded lot has 384 spaces. Prices and capacity can change, so check the current rates on the airport’s own pages before you travel.

Returning the car before your flight

Returning at TGD is quick, but leave a buffer. Build in time for the drive from the city, the fuel stop and the walk back to the terminal, and aim to hand the car over well before check-in rather than at the last minute.

• Fuel. Match the agreed policy. Phoenix and Zeta both use full-to-full; X-Go supplies the car at a set level and expects the same amount back, with missing fuel charged at the prevailing rate plus a refuelling fee.
• Time. X-Go allows a grace period of up to 60 minutes before extra day charges, and Zeta allows 59 minutes before an additional day may be charged. Do not rely on either.
• Condition. Take photos again at drop-off, including the odometer and fuel gauge, and ask for a signed or emailed confirmation that the car was returned in order.
• Deposit. If a card pre-authorisation was taken, ask when it will be released. Phoenix says releases take 7–10 days after return.
• Paperwork. Keep the rental agreement, the damage report and any border permission until the deposit is back.

More for your Podgorica trip

• Local car rental companies in Podgorica
• Driving and parking in Podgorica
• Renting a car in Montenegro: the full guide

Want prices from local companies in Podgorica? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

Podgorica is a city where a car changes the trip. The coast, the mountains and Ostrog Monastery are all within reach, but the sights are spread out. A company based here usually means a real person in the city you can call.

Want prices from local companies in Podgorica? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

Why rent from a local company

A local firm lives on word of mouth, so the handover tends to be personal: someone walks round the car with you and explains what is covered. Delivery is sometimes included: Phoenix, for example, brings the car free to hotels, apartments and the main bus and train stations within the city. Local companies also know the current cross-border rules and which mountain roads are worth the detour.

Local car rental companies in Podgorica

These companies are listed alphabetically. The details below are what each company states; confirm them when you book.

Lund Rent a Car

• Fleet includes a Renault Clio 5 1.5 dci from 50 EUR per day, a Citroen C4 1.6 hdi from 50 EUR per day and a Renault Clio 4 1.5 dci from 45 EUR per day.
• Address: Rimski trg 50, 81000 Podgorica.
• Phone +382 67 011 110; email [email protected].

MTL Rent a Car

• Office at Donja Gorica bb, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro.
• Phone +382 69 268 268; email [email protected].
• Ask about the current fleet, rates and insurance when you get in touch.

Phoenix Car Montenegro

• Minimum driver age is 21 and the licence must have been held for at least one year.
• Deposit is typically 200–500 EUR depending on vehicle class; card pre-authorisations are released within 7–10 days after return.
• CDW excess is typically 500–800 EUR depending on car class; full coverage with zero excess is available for an additional daily fee.
• Third-party liability insurance is included with minimum coverage of 1,000,000 EUR.
• Albania is allowed with advance notice and a 20 EUR cross-border fee; Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia require written approval.
• Fuel policy is full-to-full.
• Delivery within Podgorica city limits is free, including hotels, apartments and the main bus and train stations.
• Based in Podgorica; phone +382 69 081 087.

Planet Rent a Car

• Office at Bulevar Veljka Vlahovića 16, Podgorica.
• Phone +382 69 810 805; email [email protected].
• Ask about the current fleet, rates and insurance when you enquire.

Rent A Car Paša

• Pick-up is offered at Podgorica Airport or at the office on Bulevar Revolucije 56.
• A varied fleet, from the Hyundai i20 and Opel Corsa 2023 up to a Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer with 9 seats and a Peugeot 5008 with 7 seats, plus estates and SUVs such as the Audi A4 Avant and Volkswagen Tiguan.
• Address: Bulevar Revolucije 56, 81000 Podgorica; phone +382 67 045 656; email [email protected].

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X-Go Rent a Car

• Driver age must be between 21 and 69.
• No deposit is required.
• Unlimited mileage is included on all rentals unless the rental agreement says otherwise.
• Fuel policy: the car is supplied at a certain level and must be returned with the same amount; missing fuel is charged at the prevailing rate plus a refuelling service fee.
• Late return: a grace period of up to 60 minutes may apply, after which additional day charges apply.
• Pick-up and drop-off in Podgorica, at Podgorica Airport, Tivat, Tivat Airport, Budva, Cetinje and Kotor.
• Sample online rates: Hyundai i20 from 19.20 EUR per day and Renault Clio from 19.20 EUR per day with the 10% online-payment discount.
• Working hours 05:00 to 24:00 every day. Office: Cetinjski put bb, 81000 Podgorica; phone +382 69 727 288; email [email protected].

Zeta Car Rent a Car

• Minimum age is 21, and the driver must have held a valid licence for at least two years.
• Minimum rental period is 24 hours; a grace period of 59 minutes is allowed, after which an extra rental day may be charged.
• Fuel is not included: the car comes with a full tank and must go back full.
• All vehicles have mandatory third-party liability, comprehensive and theft insurance, but cover does not extend to interior damage, accessories, undercarriage, gearbox, clutch, wheels, tyres or hubcaps.
• An official police report is required in case of accident, theft or vandalism.
• Rates from 130 EUR per day for an Audi A6, 120 EUR per day for a DFSK E5 and 90 EUR per day for a Mercedes-Benz CLA.
• Pick-up in Podgorica, at Podgorica Airport (TGD) and at Tivat Airport (TIV).
• Working hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00. Address: Cijevna bb, 81304 Golubovci, Podgorica; phone +382 67 123 888; email [email protected].

Zovi Vozi Rent a Car

• Rates start at 30.00 EUR per day for a Škoda Fabia, VW Golf 5 Plus or Renault Clio.
• A Peugeot 3008 or VW Eos starts at 50.00 EUR per day.
• Address: Zagorič, City kej, Podgorica; phone +382 68 880 133; email [email protected].

What to check before you book

Prices on a website are a starting point, not the final bill. Check these points before you pay.

• Deposit and excess. Ask what is blocked on your card, when it is released and how big the excess is; zero-excess cover usually costs extra per day.
• What insurance leaves out. Tyres, wheels, glass, undercarriage and interior are common exclusions.
• Fuel and mileage. Full-to-full and a set level back are different promises; unlimited mileage is not always standard.
• Cross-border trips. If you plan to visit Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo or Serbia, get written confirmation and ask about fees.

When to book

July and August are the busiest weeks and the small local fleets sell out first, especially automatics and seven-seaters. Book a few weeks ahead for summer.

Outside the season you can often decide a day or two before, but ask rather than turn up: several offices keep limited hours.

More for your Podgorica trip

• Picking up a rental car at Podgorica Airport
• Driving and parking in Podgorica
• Renting a car in Montenegro: the full guide

Want prices from local companies in Podgorica? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

Kotor makes a good base for a day behind the wheel. The bay road, the mountain road and the coast road all start here, and the drives below fit comfortably into daylight. Distances are short, but the roads are slow in places, so plan around the driving rather than the map. Carry your licence and rental papers, some cash for ferries and parking, and check border rules before you set off.

Want prices from local companies in Kotor? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

Five drives from Kotor

Budva

Budva is 30 km from Kotor along the coast, an easy half-day out. You can add a stop at Perast or Risan on the way back. In summer, start early to find parking and to avoid the worst of the coastal traffic.

Herceg Novi

Herceg Novi is 30 km and 40 minutes from Kotor, near the mouth of the bay. Come back on the Kamenari–Lepetane ferry, which crosses the narrowest point in about five minutes and saves the 45-minute drive around the inner shore via Tivat. A standard car pays €5.00 per crossing; foot passengers and bicycles travel free.

Lovćen National Park

Lovćen National Park is 30 km and about an hour from Kotor. The serpentine road up has 25 hairpin bends, so allow time, keep to your side and use a low gear. The climb is the point of the trip as much as the park at the top, so do not rush it.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is 2 hours from Kotor on the coastal E65, with one border crossing. That makes a long but rewarding day out. The crossing is at Debeli Brijeg, the main coastal crossing into Croatia; in July and August queues can last one to two hours, so cross before 08:00 or after 20:00. Check when you book that your rental agreement allows the car to leave Montenegro, and ask about the Green Card, which typically costs around 15 euros for a 15-day period.

Mostar

Mostar is 3–4 hours from Kotor via Trebinje, so treat it as a long day and leave early. Check that your rental agreement covers the countries on your route and that you have the paperwork you need for each border.

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A suggested one-day loop

Start early and take the serpentine up to Lovćen first, while the road is quiet: 30 km and about an hour from Kotor, with 25 hairpin bends to count. Spend the morning in the national park, then come back down to the bay and drive to Budva, 30 km from Kotor, for a late lunch and a swim. Return along the coast in the evening and stop at Perast or Risan if you still have energy.

The distances are short but the mountain road is slow, so resist adding a third big stop. If you would rather stay on the water, swap Budva for the ferry: drive to Herceg Novi (30 km, 40 minutes), then cross back on the Kamenari–Lepetane ferry for €5.00 and follow the shore home.

Practical tips

• No cars are allowed inside the old city walls. Parking in Škaljari costs €2–3 an hour and fills by 09:00 in July and August; free parking on the Dobrota road is 800 m from the city gates.
• In the 2026 summer timetable (4 May to 14 October), the Kamenari–Lepetane ferry runs every 15 to 20 minutes in both directions, 24 hours a day. A car pays €5.00, a motorcycle €2.50, and foot passengers and bicycles go free.
• At Debeli Brijeg in July and August, queues can last one to two hours; cross before 08:00 or after 20:00 if you can.
• Not every rental agreement allows cross-border travel. Ask before you book, and budget for a Green Card, typically around 15 euros for 15 days.
• Fill up and check your tyres before the mountain road, and keep some cash for the ferry and for parking machines.

More for your Kotor trip

• Local car rental companies in Kotor
• Renting a car in Montenegro: the full guide

Want prices from local companies in Kotor? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

Kotor sits at the end of a long bay, with mountains behind it and the places you want to see next spread around the water. A car makes those hops easy, and a company based here means you collect the keys near your accommodation rather than at an airport desk. Several of the firms below deliver to Tivat Airport, 12 minutes and 8 km away, or to villages around the bay.

Want prices from local companies in Kotor? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

Why rent locally in Kotor

The firms are small enough that you deal with the same office from booking to drop-off, which helps if a ferry is delayed or plans change. Delivery is often included: Boston Rent a Car Kotor and V-Premium Rent a Car both include free delivery and collection at Tivat Airport, and V-Premium also covers Kotor; Costa Mare advertises free delivery to Tivat Airport; MatEna covers villages around the bay, and Tref delivers to Dobrota and Muo.

Local fleets are practical: hatchbacks for narrow coastal roads, automatics for the climb up Lovćen, and larger cars for families. Not every firm has every category, so say what you need.

Local car rental companies in Kotor

These companies are listed alphabetically. The details below are what each company states; confirm them when you book.

Boston Rent a Car Kotor

• Drivers must be at least 21, with a licence held for two years; an international licence is not required.
• Standard insurance is included; the deposit equals the excess and can be paid by cash or card.
• Fuel is full-to-full; delivery and collection at Tivat Airport are free, other airports on request.
• Cross-border travel only with written permission.
• The Toyota Yaris manual is 45–55 € a day, the Renault Clio 50–60 €.
• Phone +382 69 044 357, email [email protected].

Costa Mare Rent a Car

• The office is at Škaljari 159, 85330 Kotor.
• Full insurance is included, and delivery to Tivat Airport is advertised as free.
• Pick-up and return are offered in Kotor, Tivat, Budva and Podgorica.
• The Peugeot 208 M and Citroen C3 are 60 € a day, the VW Tiguan 2025 250 € a day.
• The fleet runs from a Fiat 500 and Kia Stonic to a Renault Captur and Citroen C4, plus a Yamaha X-Max 300 motorcycle.
• Phone +382 67 067 211.

MatEna Rent a Car

• Insurance and unlimited mileage are included, with 24/7 pick-up and return.
• Child seats are free on request, and some cars have WiFi.
• The Citroen Grand Picasso is 70 € a day for seven, automatic and diesel; the Peugeot 2008 is 60 €, the Skoda Fabia 55 € and the Peugeot 208 50 €.
• Pick-up covers Kotor, Dobrota, Perast, Risan and other bay villages; drop-off reaches as far as Žabljak.
• Open 09:00 to 18:00. Phone +382 68721722, email [email protected].

MNE Rentals

• Pick-up and drop-off are available in Kotor, Tivat Airport, Podgorica and Budva.
• Compact cars, saloons, SUVs and minivans, air-conditioned and insured under the base rate.
• A valid licence and a deposit are needed at collection; child seats and GPS can be added when you book.
• Rental terms cover daily, weekly and multi-week periods.
• Open Monday 12 to 5:30 PM, Tuesday to Saturday 10 AM to 5:30 PM, closed Sunday.
• Phone +382 68 810 840, Park Slobode 1, Kotor 85330.

Want prices from local companies in Kotor? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

Rent A Car Boka

• The office is in Dobrota, a short drive from the Old Town; Tivat Airport pick-up is by prior booking.
• Compact to family cars, manual and automatic, air-conditioned and insured under the standard rate.
• Insurance upgrades are available at reservation; a valid licence and refundable deposit are required at collection.
• Daily, weekly and extended terms, with opening hours of 8 AM to 8 PM every day.
• Phone +382 69 481 080, Dobrota 85330.

Tref Rent a Car

• A base near the Old Town walls, with daily and weekly rates across the Boka Bay region.
• Comprehensive insurance and unlimited mileage within Montenegro are included.
• GPS is available on request, and delivery is offered to accommodation in Dobrota and Muo.
• Collection requires a valid licence and a credit card deposit.
• Compact models, saloons and larger family vehicles; open 7 AM to 8 PM every day.
• Phone +38268840480, Škaljari bb, 85330.

V-Premium Rent a Car

• The security deposit is 300 €, cash only.
• Cross-border travel has a 50 € surcharge and a 900 € deposit.
• Comprehensive insurance and GPS are included in every car.
• Delivery and collection are free in Kotor and at Tivat Airport.
• Four brand-new Ford Kuga SUVs, all automatic at 55 € a day, with Ford Assistance 24/7.
• Special Shabbat conditions are offered for guests observing Shabbat.
• Phone +382 68 111 891, email [email protected].

What to check before you book

Small differences matter more than the headline rate. Confirm these before you pay:

• Licence and age. At least one local firm asks for 21 and two years, so check the rule that applies.
• Deposit. It may be the insurance excess or a fixed sum, by cash or card; ask when it is released.
• Insurance. Standard, full and comprehensive cover are not the same. Ask about the excess.
• Fuel. Full-to-full is common, so photograph the gauge when you collect and return.
• Cross-border travel. Some agreements need written permission, a surcharge and a bigger deposit.
• The car. Photograph every panel and check the spare tyre and paperwork with the agent.

When to book

July and August are the busiest weeks, and small local fleets sell out first. Book early for those months, especially for an automatic or a seven-seater, and get the price, deposit and pick-up time in writing. Parking in Škaljari fills by 09:00 in July and August. Outside high season a day or two ahead is often enough, though weekends and holidays can still catch you out. Prices and hours change, so check when you book.

More for your Kotor trip

• Day trips by car from Kotor
• Renting a car in Montenegro: the full guide

Want prices from local companies in Kotor? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

Driving to Budva is easy. Parking in Budva in July and August is the part people remember. The old town sits on a small peninsula, the beaches are lined with hotels, and in summer everyone wants the same few hundred spaces near the water. With a little planning it is manageable. This page covers how parking works in Budva, how to pay, and how to avoid a fine or a towed car.

Want prices from local companies in Budva? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

How paid parking works in Budva

Public parking in Budva is run by the municipal company Parking Servis Budva. It operates street parking and car parks in Budva, Bečići and Petrovac, and the streets are divided into colour-coded zones (red, blue and yellow). In general across Montenegro, red is the most expensive and closest to the centre, with cheaper zones further out. Signs under the blue “P” show the zone, the price and the time limit.

Hourly prices in Budva are typically in the range of €1 to about €2.50, depending on zone and season. Car parks right by the busiest beaches can charge more in high summer. Prices change from season to season, so treat the sign on the spot as the only reliable source.

Two rules that catch visitors out:

• Car parks with a barrier charge per started hour. Three hours and five minutes is billed as four hours.
• Street parking usually has a time limit, commonly two hours. You cannot stay longer just by paying more at once; you renew after the first period ends.

Paying: SMS, app or machine

• SMS: send your number plate, without spaces, to the number shown on the zone sign. One hour is charged to your phone bill and you get a confirmation message in Montenegrin. This needs a Montenegrin SIM card; foreign numbers usually cannot pay by SMS. You cannot pay for half an hour.
• App: the official Parking Servis Budva app lets you choose the zone and pay by card or SMS. It is the easiest option if you do not have a local SIM.
• Machines and attendants: some streets and the car parks with barriers take payment on site or when you leave. Keep the ticket: a lost ticket is charged at a flat fee.

A cheap local prepaid SIM pays for itself quickly if you are staying a week. It also helps when you need to call the rental company.

Fines and towing

Parking fines in Montenegro range from about €15 to €150, depending on the offence. If your car is towed, you also pay the towing and storage. Towing is much more common in summer and in Budva’s centre. Cars blocking a driveway, a pavement crossing or traffic are the usual targets. If your car is missing, call your rental company first: they deal with this every season and know where cars are taken.

If you get a fine in a rental car, tell the company. It is far cheaper to settle it straight away than to have it passed on later with an admin fee.

Want prices from local companies in Budva? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

Where to park: practical tips

• Choose accommodation with parking. In summer this matters more than anything else on this page. Ask the host whether the space is guaranteed or just “usually available”.
• Do not drive to the old town. The access road by the old town is controlled. Park in one of the car parks or garages around the centre and walk along the promenade.
• Use free parking further out. There are free spaces along streets and in bays, generally a 10 to 15 minute walk from the centre and the main beaches.
• Go early for beaches. Beach car parks near Bečići, Sveti Stefan and Petrovac fill up by late morning in July and August.
• Leave nothing on view. This is basic advice anywhere, but busy beach car parks are where it matters most.

Driving in and around Budva

Budva lies on the Adriatic coast road, the main road that links the coast from Herceg Novi down to Ulcinj. It is a good road, but in summer the stretch between the Jaz junction, Budva and Bečići is often slow, with traffic lights, pedestrians and buses. Plan day trips to leave early and return after the evening rush.

The climb out of Budva towards Cetinje and Lovćen is winding but well surfaced, and the views back over the coast are worth a stop. Keep to the speed limits, and drive with dipped headlights on during the day as a safe habit.

More for your Budva trip

• Local car rental companies in Budva, several of which deliver to your apartment.
• Tivat or Podgorica airport for a Budva rental car.
• Day trips along the coast and the Bay of Kotor: day trips by car from Tivat work just as well from Budva.
• Renting a car in Montenegro: the full guide.

Want prices from local companies in Budva? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.