Discover Podgorica on Your Own Terms: Car Rental Guide and Tips
The capital of Montenegro and its heart is a small city hidden between the Adriatic Sea and those same "black mountains" in the Rybnitsa confluence zone and Morachi. The new name Podgorica, in which almost 30% of the country's population lives, received only in 1992, having previously visited Ribnica (from the name of the river) and Titograd (in honor of the President of Yugoslavia). Among the locals, all three names go along with the regional conditional division into Zeta and Tuzi zones.
First impression of the city
Airport Podgorica (TGD) is only 11 km from the city. Marking a once again reminds that until recently this point on the map was called Titograd. This is the central hub of federal airlines, so there are routes to all European capitals and across the ocean. The most interesting history of this strategic object deserves special attention wikipedia.org/wiki/Podgorica_Airport. The second airport is located in tourist Tivat.
Interestingly, there is no direct bus service to the city center. Having chosen the bus, you will have to make a transfer on the outskirts. Therefore, it is easier to immediately take a taxi or rent a car. Prices are not the most affordable, special attention should be paid to the amount of the deposit or take the unsecured option. It is not worth negotiating with the locals about the rental - only legal companies give guarantees of honesty, cases of fraud among local illegal immigrants are not uncommon.
Those who dreamed of seeing the metropolitan noisy metropolis, Podgorica will disappoint. This is a provincial town that has not recovered from numerous modern wars, leading a measured lifestyle. Shopping is limited to a couple of modern shopping centers, there are almost no restaurants with night discos. But tourists are not interested in this - they go to Podgorica to see the historical part and relax on the warm Adriatic coast. And this part of the trip is sure to impress.
What to see in Podgorica
The city is quite large and the sights are scattered over the area. At the same time, bus logistics cannot be called well-established. Even taking into account the price of car rental, such a solution will be profitable. Especially when it comes to traveling with a large group. Places without which a visit cannot be complete:
The Cathedral of Christ's Resurrection (The cathedral of Christ's Resurrection) is a modern, but built in the spirit of the region, architectural and religious object. Entrance is free with compliance with the requirements for appearance.
The clock tower in the old town (Clock Tower) is a postcard view against the backdrop of a Turkish fortress from the 16th century. The object is located on the square of Voyevoda Bechir-bey Osmanagiche, which in itself is a beautiful architectural object.
The Royal Palace of Podgorica is a spectacular park and buildings in the city center. The building houses an art gallery.
The City Museum is the most complete collection of historical finds from the 3rd century and the work of contemporary artists. A visit should be planned for the first days of your stay - a concentrated exposition will allow you to plan further rest. Address: JU Muzeji i galerije Podgorice, 4 Marka Miljanova, Podgorica. Montenegrins are not spoiled by tourists, so advance booking is not required. You can go to the corner of interest spontaneously.
Where to go around Montenegro from Podgorica for 1-2 days
In a couple of days you can go around the region up and down. But some corners require thoughtful and even meditative rest, so you should not rush.
A trip to Skadar Lake will give you unforgettable impressions and a lot of photos. So that like-minded people in the tourist group do not scare away the pacing herons, it is worth renting a car and choosing a quieter place.
The walled city of Medun is worth visiting with a guide, as the full history of the object turned into stones, can only be given by local residents.
Niagara Falls is inferior to its namesake, but a picturesque natural and artificial object on the dam of the Cievna River.
There are not so many really cult places for tourists, so the locals are trying to create maximum conditions for making money on what they have. On each of the routes there are restaurants of the same name with reasonable prices and souvenir shops.
The best restaurants in Podgorica
The national cuisine of Montenegro is diverse. In the piedmont part, these are traditional pastries and sour-milk products - long-term stored products that are convenient to take on the road. On the coast - seafood in all its diversity. The peculiarity of cooking is a minimum of spices and sauces, simplicity. In Podgorica, as the capital, you can find a restaurant with any cuisine and for any budget, from author's to international fast food. Worth a visit:
Ahh Riba — colorful restaurant with local Mediterranean cuisine and a moderate price tag. The chilled fish chosen on the glacier will be prepared right in front of the client. Address: Hercegovacka 83 Between st. Balsica and st. Marka Miljanova. Phone: +382 67 406 666
Steakhouse Grill, Fish & Meat is a steakhouse serving meat and fish. Address: Karadjordeva 1. Phone: +382 68 825 954.
There are practically no gourmet restaurants. The price tag is available everywhere - local food establishments have no habit of boasting.
Where to park in Podgorica
Outside of the tourist season, traffic is low, so all parking is free. The situation has changed since May. Many streets become pedestrian at the same time, so you need to pay attention to the signs. The speed of tow trucks is above average, so it is best to leave the car in hotel parking lots, which are not in short supply.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Europcar
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
25 € / Day
Best price
18 € / Day
How the price changes depending on the month
January
€122
February
€87
March
€131
April
€165
May
€198
June
€296
July
€370
August
€259
September
€136
October
€74
November
€64
December
€107
* Data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
In August rental companies located in Podgorica rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Podgorica is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €19, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
Convertible cars in Podgorica are in high demand during the summer. This is not surprising. After all, a trip on such a car gives a feeling of freedom and independence, allows you to relax and forget about the problems of the world around you. Although you should be prepared for an increase in rental prices and possible problems with the range of available cars. If we talk about the price BMW 4 Cabrio - it will be from €78 per 1 day.
We have the largest selection of cars in Podgorica. What do we offer:
New cars 2024 of the year.
Cars of any class from budget to premium.
A wide range of models: convertibles, sedans, SUVs, minivans.
We offer reasonable and fully justified rates with no overpayments or hidden fees. The cost is calculated taking into account the class of car and the duration of the rental period. The longer the period, the lower the daily rate. For compact models of the middle segment the daily price starts from €14, the fee for a middle-class car is €49-€29 per day. Business class will cost more - you will have to pay for it from €45 and above. The cost of rent depends on the season. Moreover, during the peak period, the price increases significantly. Especially for convertibles and rare models. For a popular model among our customers BMW 4 Cabrio you will have to pay at least €78 per day.
In recent years in Podgorica the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent Tesla Model S in Podgorica by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Smart Tips to Make the Most of Your Car Rental
Download Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Podgorica is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Podgorica. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose
The compact model is relevant for city trips in Podgorica. It can be Audi A1 or VW Polo. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - BMW 5 Series Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €45 per day;
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Check out the fuel policy
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Rent without mileage limit
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Podgorica, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Podgorica are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Getting a car at a rental office
Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.
Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.
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Car rental reviews: Podgorica
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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