How to rent the right car for a trip through Montenegro
Are you planning a trip to Montenegro and want to cruise the panoramic roads and coast? One of the first questions that comes to your mind is where to rent a car and which type to rent.
Car rental in Montenegro allows you to explore one of the most visited countries in Southeast Europe at your own pace. Certainly, the offer is huge, so how to choose the right car at the rental agency?
If you are not sure, follow us and don't worry. In this text, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of how to choose the right car at a rent-a-car agency when traveling in Montenegro.
Understanding your needs
Before you start searching for car rental options in Montenegro, take a moment to analyze your needs.
How many people are traveling with you? Are you traveling with your family and children, or maybe with friends? Will you go to the mountains or is your choice the coast? How much luggage space do you need? The answers to these questions will help you narrow down your choices.
To begin with, the most important thing is to answer these few questions. It will help you decide on the size of the car.
What car size: compact, economy, or SUV?
The size of the rental car may play a key role in the comfort of your trip, whether you are on vacation with family or friends, or a solo traveler.
A compact or mid-sized car might be enough if it's just you and a friend on the trip. Here we suggest some of our most popular models from the fleet: Toyota Auris, Renault Megane, Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Passat, or Renault Klio.
But if you're traveling with a family or a larger group, an SUV or minivan would provide plenty of room for everyone's belongings. Possibly a station wagon, which has proven to be an extremely good option for family trips.
Here's our list if you're traveling with the family:
- Volkswagen Passat
- Reno Grand Scenic
- Volkswagen Touran
- Dacia Jogger
- Hyundai Tucson
Transmission gear: automatic or manual?
After choosing a car, it is very important to decide on the type of gearbox. Automatic or manual?
Both have their advantages and disadvantages, certainly, we advise you to be guided by the following rule. Always choose the type of transmission that you drive regularly.
If you are used to an automatic, choose a car with an automatic transmission gearbox at a rent a car agency. In our fleet, we have almost all cars with both gearboxes.
Particular attention should be paid to the fact that roads in Montenegro are more challenging than in other countries, due to mountain roads and gaps that can be winding.
For this reason, the automatic transmission is much easier to manage.
Advantages of automatic transmission:
- Comfort and ease of driving: An automatic transmission makes driving easier, especially in city traffic and in winding areas, because you don't have to manually change gears.
- Less fatigue: Driving with an automatic transmission is less tiring, especially on long distances, because you don't have to change gears constantly.
- Ideal for tourists: An automatic transmission can be a much more convenient and comfortable choice for tourists who are not used to driving with a manual transmission.
Disadvantages of automatic transmission:
- Higher fuel consumption: Automatic transmissions tend to use more fuel compared to manual transmissions.
- Limited selection: Usually not all cars have both types of transmissions, each of us has tried our best to provide you with a large selection of cars with automatic transmissions.
Advantages of manual transmission:
- Better control and responsiveness: The manual transmission provides better control over the vehicle and is more responsive, which can be important on the hilly and winding roads of Montenegro.
- Lower fuel consumption: In general, vehicles with a manual transmission have lower fuel consumption.
- Lower rental price: Cars with manual transmission are usually cheaper to rent.
Disadvantages of manual transmission:
- Fatigue: Driving with a manual transmission can be more tiring, especially in city traffic and on long distances.
- Experience required: Driving with a manual transmission requires some experience and skill, which can be a challenge for tourists who are not used to it.
- Risk of error: There is a risk of improper use of the clutch and transmission, which may lead to vehicle damage.
Whatever, the choice between automatic and manual transmission for car rental in Montenegro depends on your personal preferences, driving experience and planned type of trip.
Which fuel to choose?
Montenegro is a relatively small country, but you'll likely put in some serious mileage exploring its scenic routes. Choosing an economical car can help you save money on gas and reduce your impact on the environment.
Most of our cars from mini, economic, standard, and compact classes have very reasonable fuel consumption, even though they use gasoline.
Fuel prices are as follows:
- Gasoline: From €1.6 to €1.7
- Diesel: from €1.5 to €1.6
Note: Fuel prices in Montenegro change every two weeks.
How to organize a budget for car rental in Montenegro?
Of course, your budget plays a significant role in choosing the right car for your trip to Montenegro.
While it's tempting to splurge on a leisurely drive, be aware that rental costs can add up quickly, especially during the peak summer season.
Make a balance between your needs and your wallet. Tara-Car is at your disposal, if you are considering more cars, contact us for a personalized offer.
Why choose Tara-Car rent a car?
When it comes to car rental in Podgorica or elsewhere in Montenegro, you can choose from several reputable companies. Certainly, some things that separate us from other agencies and what makes us special are:
- You can reserve a vehicle without a deposit
- Booking is transparent, without hidden costs
- Customer support is available 24 hours a day, every day
- Unlimited mileage policy
- Crossing the borders of neighboring countries with a simple confirmation that we issue on the same day
- New cars, we renew our fleet every year
How to book the right car at a good price?
If you want a large selection of cars at good prices, book a few months in advance. During the summer season, prices are usually significantly higher, but we give discounts for reservations we receive during the winter and spring, so you can make significant savings.
On our site, you can easily compare offers for several cars and choose the one that suits you best.
Panoramic roads in Montenegro
One of the main reasons that rent a car in Montenegro is to explore its beautiful landscapes, coasts, and panoramic roads. Here are some scenic drives you need to add to your travel plan in Montenegro:
- Coast: The Montenegrin coast is very rugged and interesting to travel by car while watching the blue Adriatic and enjoying it. This route takes you through charming coastal towns such as Herceg Novi, Budva, Petrovac, Sveti Stefan, and Ulcinj.
- Mountain roads: Winding through the Durmitor National Park, this road offers stunning mountain vistas and opportunities for hiking and outdoor adventures. We recommend that you also visit the other national parks in Montenegro.
- Boka Bay: Surrounded by dramatic mountains, the Bay of Kotor is protected by UNESCO and is a photographer's dream. Visit historic towns such as Risan, Perast, Kotor, and Tivat. Recommendation: What to see in Kotor.
- Vinska ruta: Visiting Montenegro and not visiting Virpazar and the surrounding wineries on the wine route is a "sin".
Apart from the rental car, some travel tips
To make sure your trip to Montenegro is a success, here are some insider tips:
- You do not need an international driver's license
- Familiarize yourself with local laws and driving rules
- Prepare an offline Google map or choose our affordable GPS for navigation
- If you are traveling longer, plan breaks and rest along the Montenegrin roads
- Don't forget to visit the most beautiful beaches in Montenegro
What to see in Montenegro: 7-day itinerary
If you're visiting Montenegro for the first time, and you're not sure where to start, here's a suggested 7-day Montenegro itinerary that covers some of the country's top attractions:
- Day: Arrival in Podgorica, pick up the rented car and explore the capital
- Day: Drive to Budva and spend the day exploring the Budva Riviera region
- Day: Visit the Old Town of Kotor, which is under the protection of UNESCO, and tour Boka by boat
- Day: Going to Durmitor National Park for hiking, and outdoor adventures such as rafting on Tara
- Day: Driving to Ostrog Monastery, one of the most impressive religious buildings in Montenegro.
- Day: Explore the charming town of Herceg Novi and the nearby beaches
- Day: Return to Podgorica, handing over the keys of the rented car to the Tara-Car agent and departure
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right rental car for your trip to Montenegro can make a huge difference in your overall travel experience.
You can find the perfect car that meets your needs by considering factors such as group size, car preferences, and budget. Read other details in our guide for renting a car in Montenegro.
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