Podgorica car hire

Located on the beautiful shores of the Bay of Kotor, Tivat is a gorgeous seaside town with an upmarket feel. Here you can enjoy al fresco lunches, sunbathe on Belane Beach or head out on a boat trip.

Hire a car from Tivat and you can see even more of Montenegro, from the Venetian beauty of Perast to the buzzing beaches of Budva.

• Min. age required to hire a car: 21
• Which side of the road: Right
• Credit card requirements: A credit card in the driver’s name with sufficient funds
• Any additional requirements: Check with your car hire company in advance if you plan on crossing any borders

Flying into Montenegro and need a car immediately upon landing? Podgorica Airport (TGD) is home to several car hire companies, making it super easy to pick up your wheels shortly after landing.

Car rental desks are located inside the terminal, just steps from arrivals. They include:

• Sixt: +38 220 653 080
• Meridian Rent a Car: +38 220 234 944
• Avis: +38 220 653 066
• Kompas: 38 220 244 117
• Europcar: +38 220 653 141
• Rokšped: ​​+38 269 144 044

From the airport, the E65/E80 will take you into the city in around 15 minutes. It also connects you to both the coast and northern mountain routes.

When returning your hire car to Podgorica Airport, remember to refuel to avoid paying any extra fees. There’s a petrol station just a few minutes from the terminal.

Podgorica’s city centre is a convenient place to collect your hire car, whether you need one right away or want to pick up your wheels after spending a couple of days in the capital.

Car hire companies in Podgorica are clustered in the downtown area and near major transport hubs. Several firms will also deliver your rental right to you.

Companies based here include national and international brands such as:

• Sixt: +38 267 645 205
• Delta Car: +38 268 676 979
• MTL Rent a Car: +38 269 268 268
• Planet Rent a Car: +38 269 810 805
• Respecta Rent a Car: +38 269 457 564

From Podgorica, Montenegro’s coast, mountains and lakes are all within a couple of hours’ drive. You’re also just minutes from the E80 road heading south to Skadar Lake (also known as Shkodra Lake) or north to Montenegro’s alpine towns.

Driving in Podgorica is much easier than navigating many other, busier European capitals by road. Traffic is comparatively lighter, and the roads are generally well-maintained.

Two things to remember: in Montenegro, you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road and dipped headlights must always be switched on, even during the day.

Speed limits are usually 50km/h (31 mph) in towns, 80km/h (50 mph) on rural roads and up to 100km/h (62 mph) on major highways.

You’ll find metered parking in most central areas, with a few larger car parks near the old town and shopping centres. It’s worth checking if your accommodation includes a secure parking space, particularly in summer when on-street spots fill up fast.

The E762 and E65 roads connect Podgorica to Montenegro’s coast, lakes and northern mountain towns. Once you leave the city, rural and mountain roads can be narrow, steep and winding, so your journey may take longer than you expect. Petrol stations are common along main routes but scarcer in remote areas.

Montenegro also has two toll sections – the Sozina Tunnel and a section of the A1 motorway just outside Podgorica.