What to Bring When Renting a Car in Montenegro

Good preparation before picking up a rental car saves time and avoids awkward surprises at the counter. Here's a short but complete list of everything to bring.

Required documents

A valid driver's license (check whether an international translation is needed, depending on your license's country of issue)
The driver's ID card or passport
A credit card in the driver's name, for the security deposit
Booking confirmation (an electronic copy is usually enough)

Useful for the road

A phone charger with USB-C, or a car adapter
Offline maps downloaded in advance — signal is unreliable in mountainous areas
Sunglasses — glare off the sea and mountain serpentines is strong
Cash in euros for smaller parking lots and tolls where cards aren't always accepted

For mountain excursions

Warm clothing, even in summer — temperatures on Durmitor and Lovćen run considerably lower than on the coast
Comfortable shoes for short walks to viewpoints
A water bottle — stations and shops are sparser off the main roads

Insurance and the deposit — what to watch for

Before signing the contract, read carefully what the insurance covers and what it doesn't — the excess, meaning the amount you're liable for in case of damage, varies from company to company. The security deposit is usually held on your credit card and released once the car comes back in good condition, so it's worth knowing the rough amount in advance, along with how long your card's issuing bank typically takes to release a hold.

Seasonal tips

In summer, beyond the basics above, it helps to bring extra water and sun protection, since temperatures inside a car parked in direct sun can climb quickly. In winter, especially for trips toward the north of the country and mountain areas, check with the rental company whether the car is fitted with winter tires, and bring warm clothing and a blanket in case of a longer drive through snow or a delay on the road.

Traveling with family

If you're traveling with children, check in advance whether the rental company offers child seats or booster seats, and book them together with the car, since availability can be limited in season. Bring along some basic entertainment for longer drives too — mountain roads are often slower than navigation apps suggest, so it helps to plan for breaks.

What to leave at home

There's no need to bring your own GPS unit or snow chains if you're traveling outside winter — most modern cars come with built-in navigation, and specialized winter equipment is available on request from the rental company when it's genuinely needed. Less luggage in the car also makes driving through the narrow lanes of the old towns easier, where every extra item in the cabin is unnecessary bulk.

Before you drive off

Photograph the car from every angle at pickup
Check the fuel level and note it
Locate the spare tire or tire repair kit
Save the rental company's phone number in case questions come up along the way

Common mistakes at pickup

Signing the contract without reading the insurance and excess details
Not photographing existing damage before driving off
Not checking the fuel level closely enough — some companies require the car back at the same level it was picked up at
Forgetting to check where the warning triangle, hi-vis vest, and other required equipment are kept in the car

If you're planning to cross a border

Request written permission from the rental company in advance — this isn't something to sort out on the spot when picking up the car.

A car suited to Montenegro's roads

Whatever you pack, the car itself makes a big difference on roads typical of Montenegro — from narrow serpentines to routes with changeable weather. Our fleet of Subaru AWD vehicles comes ready for these conditions, so you can focus on the road itself rather than whether the car has enough traction through the next bend.

With this list in hand, picking up your car should take just a few minutes, leaving more time for the road itself.