Can I rent a car in Montenegro and return it in Croatia?

Yes, on eligible bookings. A one-way rental between Montenegro and Croatia has to be arranged in advance, and one-way and cross-border fees apply depending on the car and the route. They are shown on your quote.

Can I drive a rental car from Croatia to Montenegro?

Yes. Cross-border travel must be approved when you book so the car carries the right documents. Montenegro is outside the EU, so a Green Card is needed, which comes with the cross-border fee.

How long does it take to drive from Tivat to Dubrovnik?

Usually around two hours, depending on the route around the Bay of Kotor and the wait at the border. In July and August, allow extra time for the border crossing.

Can I return the rental car in a different city from where I picked it up?

Yes. Depending on availability and your booking, you can pick up in Tivat, Budva or Podgorica and return in Dubrovnik, Split or Zagreb, or the other way round. A one-way fee applies depending on the route and is shown on your quote.

What is the best route from Montenegro to Zagreb?

Follow the coast through Herceg Novi to Dubrovnik, continue through Dalmatia to Split, then head inland via Zadar, Šibenik or the Plitvice Lakes to Zagreb.

Montenegro to Croatia Road Trip: One-Way Car Rental

What if your holiday could begin in Montenegro and end in Croatia, without going back to where you started?

From the waterfront in Tivat and the beaches of Budva to the old streets of Dubrovnik, the Dalmatian coast and the Croatian capital, this corner of Europe is made for travellers who like to see more than one place in a trip.

Whether you land in Tivat, stay in Budva or fly into Podgorica, a road trip towards Croatia lets you see two neighbouring countries in one journey. And with a one-way car rental arranged in advance, your plans become far more flexible.

Montenegro: Three Starting Points, One Journey

Tivat: your gateway to the Bay of Kotor

Tivat is one of the easiest places to start, especially if you are flying into Tivat Airport. Known for Porto Montenegro, its waterfront restaurants and its closeness to the Bay of Kotor, the town is a great base for the coast.

Before heading for Croatia, give yourself time for Kotor, Perast and the smaller villages around the bay. You can drive the scenic road all the way around the bay, or take the shorter route with the Kamenari-Lepetane ferry.

The old stone walls and bastion of Kotor rising from the water below the mountains

Budva: start on the Montenegrin Riviera

If your holiday starts in Budva, you are already surrounded by some of Montenegro’s most popular coastline. Walk the Old Town, spend time on the nearby beaches or make the short trip to Sveti Stefan before heading north.

From Budva the road continues to Tivat, Kotor and Herceg Novi before crossing into Croatia. It is a great itinerary if you want to combine a beach holiday with a longer Adriatic road trip.

Aerial view of the Budva coastline with a long sandy beach, hotels and green hills

Podgorica: from the capital to the coast

Podgorica is a different kind of starting point. As the capital and home to one of Montenegro’s two international airports, it is convenient for travellers arriving from many European cities. From here you drive towards the Bay of Kotor and join the coast road to Croatia. If you have extra time, Lake Skadar and the inland scenery are well worth a detour before you reach the Adriatic.

First Stop in Croatia: Dubrovnik

After Herceg Novi and the border crossing into Croatia, Dubrovnik is the natural first stop. Walk the famous city walls, explore the Old Town, take in the view from Mount Srđ or spend an afternoon in nearby Cavtat.

Dubrovnik is also a good place to spend a few nights before continuing up the coast. For anyone arriving from Montenegro it feels completely different, while still being close enough to fit into the same holiday. For more on this leg of the trip, see our guide to driving between Dubrovnik and Kotor.

A convertible parked on a coastal road above Dubrovnik at sunset

A woman driving a convertible along the coast above the Adriatic

Continue North to Split

If your schedule allows, do not stop in Dubrovnik. The drive to Split takes you through more of Dalmatia, with coastal towns, beaches and plenty of places to pull over along the way.

Think about the Pelješac peninsula and its vineyards, the Makarska Riviera or one of the smaller towns before you reach Split. Once there, explore Diocletian’s Palace, walk the Riva waterfront or take a day trip to one of the nearby islands. With a car you decide where to stop and how long to stay.

A woman standing by a silver Škoda SUV parked next to a vineyard on the Pelješac peninsula

Extend Your Road Trip to Zagreb

For a longer holiday, Zagreb is worth adding to the route. Croatia’s capital is a complete change of scene from the coast. Explore the Upper Town, visit the local markets, discover the museums and enjoy the café culture.

On the way north you could also include Zadar, Šibenik or the Plitvice Lakes National Park, depending on your route and the time you have. That makes the drive from Montenegro to Zagreb a chance to see both the coast and inland Croatia.

Travelling from Croatia to Montenegro? The Route Works Both Ways

You do not have to start in Montenegro. Maybe you are flying into Dubrovnik, Split or Zagreb and want to finish your trip on the Montenegrin coast.

Start in Croatia, see the places that interest you and carry on south to Herceg Novi, Kotor, Tivat or Budva. You could even finish in Podgorica, depending on your onward plans. With an approved cross-border itinerary and an agreed return location, you plan your holiday around the places you want to see, not around getting the car back to where it started.

A man walking beside a dark BMW SUV parked on a dirt road at sunset

Two friends sitting on a convertible outside a stone house with a terracotta roof

Crossing the Croatia and Montenegro Border with a Rental Car

Crossing between Croatia and Montenegro is a normal part of an Adriatic road trip, but it needs a little preparation.

Make sure your rental agreement allows driving in both countries. Cross-border travel has to be arranged when you book, not at the border.
Montenegro is outside the EU, so the car needs a Green Card. With M.A.C.K. it comes with the cross-border fee, which is shown on your quote.
Check the entry requirements for your nationality and carry valid ID or a passport for everyone in the car.
Allow extra time for the border, especially in July and August.

If you want to pick up the car in one country and return it in the other, that has to be confirmed with us before you set off. One-way availability, fees and cross-border conditions depend on the car and the route. Our cross-border page and Green Card guide have the details.

Explore Two Countries with M.A.C.K. Rent a Car

From the Montenegrin coast to Dubrovnik, Split and Zagreb, a road trip across two countries lets you see far more of the Adriatic. M.A.C.K. Rent a Car offers flexible rentals, including one-way and cross-border arrangements on eligible bookings.

Whether you are heading from Montenegro to Croatia or doing the same route in reverse, our team will help you check the options for your trip.

From Montenegro to Croatia: A One-Way Road Trip Along the Adriatic Coast (and in Reverse)