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Road trip between an Adriatic fjord and the Durmitor massifs

Campervan hire in Montenegro

From the Bay of Kotor to the Tara Canyon, a small mountain country on the Adriatic

Compare campervan and motorhome rental companies in Montenegro to find the best price, and book at the price shown, mandatory fees included.

rental partner
1
departure city
1
as the crow flies from Podgorica to Kotor
40 km
in Dubrovnik, 61 km from Kotor as the crow flies
4 rental companies
  • Pick-up city: Podgorica, with Anywhere Campers
  • Pick-up possible from Dubrovnik, Croatia, with the rental company's agreement
  • Currency: the euro, outside the European Union and outside Schengen
  • Bay of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • National parks of Durmitor, Lovćen, Biogradska Gora and Lake Skadar
  • Dipped headlights on during the day, all year round
  • July and August: average high of 33 °C in Podgorica

Montenegro covers barely more than the Paris region, yet within an hour's drive you go from a bay enclosed by cliffs to high plateaus that stay snow-covered until spring. For a campervan road trip it is a rare format: short stages, scenery that changes every day and a country you can cover without long transfers.

You start from Podgorica, the capital, where Anywhere Campers has a branch, or from Dubrovnik in Croatia, about sixty kilometres from Kotor as the crow flies. The country uses the euro without being a member of the European Union: the Croatian border is a real customs crossing, to be arranged with the rental company.

Comparison 2026

Which rental company should you choose for your motorhome in Montenegro?

Observed prices, mileage, excess, departure cities and rating: everything about our rental partner in Montenegro, to find the best price.

Rental company Vehicle types Price / day Mileage Excess Cities Rating
Anywhere Campers International network · 1 branch Rental company category:Standard — €328 – €361/day Unlimited €1,500 1 —

Price per day: the middle half of the offers collected by CoolDrive Nomad (first to third quartile) for a 14-day rental, mandatory fees included; “—”: fewer than 5 offers collected. Mileage: “Unlimited” if at least 90% of the offers collected include it, “Limited” if 10% or less. Excess: median amount collected. Cities: the company's departure cities in the country. Rating: public rating collected from independent review sites.

A single search on CoolDrive Nomad compares the offers of the rental companies available from your departure city, with the total price including mandatory fees, from cheapest to most expensive. You then book at the price shown, with Serenity+ Pack and Mobility Pack free of charge and no card fees.

Road trip ideas

The best itineraries in Montenegro

1 Bay of Kotor and the Budva Riviera 5 to 6 days about 300 km
  1. Podgorica
  2. Cetinje
  3. Lovćen
  4. Kotor
  5. Perast
  6. Herceg Novi
  7. Budva
  8. Sveti Stefan
  9. Podgorica

From Podgorica, head up to Cetinje, the former royal capital, then cross Lovćen park to the Njegoš Mausoleum. The hairpin descent to Kotor offers the country's best-known view: the whole bay, hemmed in by cliffs.

Circle the bay via Perast and its two islets, then Herceg Novi at the entrance to the bay. The ferry from Kamenari to Lepetane saves you driving the whole shoreline. Finish with Budva and the Sveti Stefan peninsula before returning to Podgorica along the coast.

Distance
about 300 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or small motorhome: the streets of Perast and the Lovćen hairpins are narrow
2 Durmitor, Lake Piva and the Tara Canyon 5 to 7 days about 450 km
  1. Podgorica
  2. Ostrog
  3. Nikšić
  4. Plužine
  5. Žabljak
  6. Đurđevića Tara Bridge
  7. Kolašin
  8. Podgorica

Head north via Ostrog Monastery, perched on a rock face above the Zeta valley, then Nikšić. At Plužine, the road runs along Lake Piva and climbs to Žabljak, the base for Durmitor National Park and its Black Lake.

Drive back down to the Đurđevića Tara Bridge, which spans the Tara Canyon, then continue to Kolašin, the gateway to Biogradska Gora park and its primeval forest. The return to Podgorica through the Morača valley runs through deep gorges. Expect days that are short in kilometres but long behind the wheel.

Distance
about 450 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan recommended: narrow tunnels on the Piva road
3 From Lake Skadar to the beaches of Ulcinj 3 to 4 days about 250 km
  1. Podgorica
  2. Virpazar
  3. Rijeka Crnojevića
  4. Bar
  5. Ulcinj
  6. Podgorica

A short loop from the capital: Virpazar and the shores of Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans, shared with Albania. Boats leave for the islets and monasteries, and the small road to Rijeka Crnojevića offers a much-photographed river bend.

Then continue to Bar and the old town of Stari Bar, then Ulcinj and its long sandy beach, right by the Albanian border. The Sozina tunnel, which is tolled, shortens the return to Podgorica.

Distance
about 250 km
Recommended vehicle
Any size on the main road; campervan for the lake roads
4 Loop from Dubrovnik along the coast and through the mountains 7 to 9 days about 650 km
  1. Dubrovnik
  2. Herceg Novi
  3. Kotor
  4. Budva
  5. Podgorica
  6. Žabljak
  7. Plužine
  8. Dubrovnik

If you start from Dubrovnik, Montenegro begins after the Debeli Brijeg border crossing. Herceg Novi, Kotor and Budva follow one another over two days, then the road climbs back to Podgorica and Durmitor.

The return to Croatia can go via Plužine and Bosnia and Herzegovina, or take the coast again. This route crosses at least two of the European Union's external borders: the rental company's written agreement and the green card are essential, and some Croatian rental companies restrict the countries allowed.

Distance
about 650 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or compact motorhome, depending on the countries the rental company allows
Weather and seasons

When to go in Montenegro?

Best time

June and September, the best window

June, September
highs 27.1 to 29.5 °C, lows 16.3 to 18 °C in Podgorica

In Podgorica, average highs reach 29.5 °C in June and 27.1 °C in September, with 56 mm of rain in June. On the nearby coast, the sea temperature recorded at Dubrovnik is 24 °C in June and 25.1 °C in September. The mountains are open and campsites are less crowded than in summer.

High season

July and August, heat on the plains

July to August
highs 33.1 to 33.2 °C, lows 20.5 to 20.7 °C in Podgorica

In summer, the capital is one of the hottest cities in the Balkans: an average high of 33.1 °C in July and 33.2 °C in August, with barely 36 mm of rain in July. The sea tops 26 °C at Dubrovnik. This is the season of queues at the Croatian border and in the Bay of Kotor: spend your days at altitude, in Žabljak or Kolašin.

Spring and early autumn, mild but wet days

April to May, October
highs 19.3 to 23.1 °C, lows 8.7 to 12.8 °C in Podgorica

In May, Podgorica has a high of 23.1 °C and 143 mm of rain; in October, 21 °C and 172 mm. Showers alternate with fine days. The Durmitor passes can still hold snow in spring: check whether the high-altitude roads are open before planning them.

Winter

November to March, the rainy season

November to March
highs 9.8 to 15.7 °C, lows 1.6 to 7.6 °C in Podgorica

November is the wettest month in Podgorica, with an average of 336 mm of rain, and December still gets 238 mm. Highs fall back to 9.8 °C in January. The mountains turn to winter and several campsites close: a campervan road trip is then limited to the coast and the area around the capital.

Montenegro

Where to pick up your motorhome in Montenegro?

Choose your departure city: the map shows where rental companies hand over their vehicles.

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Step by step

Renting in Montenegro, step by step

  1. 1

    Choose between Podgorica and Dubrovnik

    Podgorica avoids the border: the coast is less than an hour away, Durmitor about two and a half hours. Dubrovnik has more rental companies, but every crossing into Montenegro must be authorised. Enter your dates in the search: it only shows the vehicles available at each branch.

  2. 2

    Getting there

    Podgorica and Tivat each have an international airport, and Dubrovnik is well served from all over Europe. Check the exact address of the branch and its key-handover hours with the rental company.

  3. 3

    Get the borders approved

    Before booking, list every country you plan to cross, even for a few kilometres: the road from Dubrovnik to Durmitor sometimes passes through Bosnia and Herzegovina. The rental company's agreement and the green card must cover them all.

  4. 4

    Alternate sea and mountains

    Put the coastal days at the start or end of your stay and the mountains in the middle of the trip. In July and August, book the campsites in the Bay of Kotor and Budva a few days ahead.

  5. 5

    Returning the vehicle

    Allow a margin for the return: coastal traffic and the wait at the Croatian border are hard to predict in summer. Return the campervan clean, with the tank and toilet cassette emptied according to the branch's conditions.

Practical tips

Everything to know before hitting the road

Croatian border: rental company's agreement and green card

Montenegro is outside the Union and the Schengen area. To enter with a vehicle rented in Croatia, or to leave for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia, you need written authorisation from the rental company and insurance cover for each country you cross, for which the green card is proof. Ask for both before you book.

Piva road: tunnels cut into the rock

Between Plužine and the Bosnian border, the Piva canyon road passes through a long series of tunnels hewn straight into the cliff, narrow, low and unlit. Drive with your headlights on, at walking pace, and check your vehicle's height before entering.

The Kamenari ferry to cut across the bay

A ferry links Kamenari to Lepetane, at the narrowest point of the Bay of Kotor. It saves the long drive around the bay when you come from Herceg Novi towards Tivat or Budva. In summer, the wait can be long at peak times.

Old towns: park outside

Kotor, Budva and Perast are pedestrianised or very narrow, and their car parks fill up early in the morning in summer. Park the campervan outside the centre or at the campsite and finish on foot or by bus. Avoid the road along the edge of the bay when cruise ships arrive in Kotor.

Overnight: campsites and tourist tax

Sleeping outside campsites is banned in the national parks and regulated elsewhere: stick to campsites and “autocamps”, which are plentiful on the coast and around Žabljak. A tourist tax is charged per night and per person, often added to the campsite price.

What travellers ask

Your questions about a road trip in Montenegro

How many days do you need for Montenegro?

A week is enough to take in the Bay of Kotor, Lovćen, Durmitor and Lake Skadar. With ten days, you can add the southern coast as far as Ulcinj and a day of rafting or hiking in the Tara Canyon.

Start from Podgorica or Dubrovnik?

Podgorica if you are staying in Montenegro: no border, and the whole country within reach. Dubrovnik if you want a wider choice of vehicles or to combine Croatia, provided the rental company allows travel into Montenegro.

What is the most beautiful road in the country?

The hairpin descent from Lovćen to Kotor offers the most spectacular view of the bay. In the mountains, the road along Lake Piva to Žabljak and the one to the Đurđevića Tara Bridge are the most striking, but they call for a small vehicle.

Can you combine Montenegro with Albania or Bosnia?

Yes, both borders are close: Ulcinj is about twenty kilometres from Albania, and Plužine about thirty from the Bosnian border. Each country must be listed on the rental company's agreement and on the green card.

Verified customer reviews

They travelled in Montenegro with CoolDrive Nomad

4.3
818 reviews

First rental of this type of vehicle in a professional context where the rental must take place from France to Canada. Many questions and Cooldrive (Marlène) has been a valuable support in guiding my choices. Efficiency and responsiveness beforehand, and on-site a vehicle and service that met our expectations. No complaints. Great!

Alain L.
Canada · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés

Too rigid computer system

Eric L.
Portugal · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés

Very good customer experience with Cooldrive. I highly recommend it! Thanks to the team who were attentive and available for organizing my trip to Canada.

B.
Canada · Oct 2025
Trustpilot
All Avis Vérifiés reviews All Trustpilot reviews
Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Campervan hire in Montenegro

What currency is used in Montenegro?

The euro, although the country is not a member of the European Union. Bank cards are accepted in towns and at most petrol stations; keep cash for small campsites, car parks and tolls.

Do you need a passport?

EU citizens can generally enter with a valid ID card, but border checks are systematic. Check the entry requirements for your nationality before you leave.

Are there tolls?

Yes, but only on a few structures: the Sozina tunnel between Podgorica and the coast at Bar, and the open section of motorway between Podgorica and Kolašin. The rest of the network is free.

Is wild camping allowed?

No in the national parks, and it is regulated elsewhere. Campsites and autocamps are plentiful and inexpensive; they remain the safest way to spend the night, especially on the coast in summer.

Can you do a one-way rental?

It depends on the rental company and the dates. Anywhere Campers, present in Podgorica, also has branches in Belgrade, Dubrovnik, Sarajevo and Tirana: the search results show whether returning elsewhere is offered.

Is my driving licence valid?

A licence issued in the European Union is recognised for a tourist stay. For any other licence, check whether you need an international driving permit before you leave.

What is CoolDrive Nomad?

CoolDrive Nomad is a campervan and motorhome comparison and booking platform: over 300 rental companies in 60 countries, final prices compared, online booking. CoolDrive Nomad is not a rental company: the vehicles belong to the professional rental companies we compare, and we book with them on your behalf.

How do I compare rental companies to find the cheapest motorhome?

Enter your pick-up city, your dates and the number of travellers: in a single search, the comparison checks the rental companies available from that city and shows their offers with the total price of your trip, sorted from cheapest to most expensive by default. Then filter by vehicle type, number of seats, rental company or vehicle age to find the best price for your trip.

Is the price shown the final price?

The total price shown includes the rental, the rental company's mandatory fees and our fees: it is the amount you pay for the booking, with no card fees. If the rental company charges an amount payable on site, it is shown next to the price before you book, along with the excess, the mileage and the rental company's cancellation terms.

How is this different from peer-to-peer rental?

We only compare professional rental companies: pick-up depots, published terms and conditions, the rental company's insurance and excess detailed in every offer. The vehicle's age is shown when the rental company provides it. Peer-to-peer rental works differently: you rent a vehicle from its owner, on the owner's terms.

What is the best platform to rent a motorhome?

The one that lets you compare the most rental companies for your dates and see the final price before you pay. Check three things: does the price shown include mandatory fees? How many rental companies are compared? Are the excess, mileage and cancellation terms clear before you book? On CoolDrive Nomad, over 300 rental companies are compared in 60 countries, with the total price including mandatory fees and the rental company's terms in every offer.

Who can I contact for advice?

Our experts answer by phone, email and WhatsApp, before you book and during your rental. Their contact details are at the bottom of every page.

About us

Why take a motorhome to Montenegro

Few countries let you go in a single morning from a calm-watered bay to a high plateau, then from a deep canyon to a reed-fringed lake. The short distances leave time to walk, swim or stop in mountain villages.

The campervan is the right tool here: it fits on narrow roads, parks outside the old towns and follows the season, coast in spring and autumn, mountains in the heart of summer. You just need to plan ahead for the borders, the Piva tunnels and the crowds of July and August.