Rent a Car Herceg Novi

Why Rent a Car in Herceg Novi?

Herceg Novi sits at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, 20 kilometres west of Kotor town and 30 kilometres from Tivat Airport. The town's steep hillside streets, historic fortresses, and botanical gardens make it a popular base for travellers who want to combine beach time with cultural sightseeing. A rental car removes the dependency on infrequent bus schedules and gives you freedom to explore the entire Boka Kotorska region, from Perast and Risan to the Verige strait and beyond.

The neighbouring spa town of Igalo is effectively a continuation of Herceg Novi's waterfront. Many visitors stay in Igalo and use the term "Herceg Novi rent a car" interchangeably. Phoenix Car Montenegro delivers to both locations. Whether you book accommodation in the Old Town, along Šetalište Pet Danica promenade, or in one of Igalo's wellness hotels, your vehicle arrives at your address. No need to walk to an office or wait at a counter.

Driving in Herceg Novi requires attention. The town centre is built on a hillside with narrow one-way streets and limited parking. Most hotels and apartments offer private parking or can direct you to nearby public lots. The coastal Adriatic Highway (E65/E80) runs along the waterfront and connects Herceg Novi to Kotor, Tivat, and Budva to the east, and to the Croatian border at Debeli Brijeg (7 km west) and Bosnia and Herzegovina via Kamenari (ferry across the bay). Traffic peaks in July and August, especially on weekends when day-trippers arrive from Dubrovnik.

Herceg Novi & Igalo at a Glance

Car Classes Available in Herceg Novi

Phoenix Car Montenegro offers the full range of vehicles. Prices start from 25 EUR per day for economy models. Weekly and long-term rentals earn progressive discounts. All cars include unlimited mileage within Montenegro, CDW insurance, and 24-hour roadside assistance.

• Economy — Fiat Panda, Renault Twingo, Volkswagen Up. Ideal for solo travellers or couples. Fuel-efficient for coastal drives. Manual transmission standard.
• Compact — Škoda Fabia, Renault Clio, Peugeot 208. More boot space for luggage. Comfortable for four adults on day trips around the bay.
• SUV / Crossover — Dacia Duster, Nissan Qashqai, Renault Captur. Higher ground clearance useful for gravel roads to mountain villages. Better visibility in traffic.
• Premium — Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class. Automatic transmission, leather seats, advanced safety features. Popular with business travellers and longer stays.
• 7-seater / MPV — Dacia Jogger, Renault Kangoo, Citroën Berlingo. Fits families or groups with extra luggage. Third row suitable for children or short adults.

All categories are subject to availability. Book early in July and August to secure your preferred class. Automatic transmission available across all segments at a small daily surcharge.

Top Drives from Herceg Novi

A rental car unlocks the entire Bay of Kotor and the surrounding region. These routes start from Herceg Novi or Igalo and cover the most popular destinations within a half-day or full-day drive.

Bay of Kotor Loop (80 km, 2.5 hours)

Drive east along the Adriatic Highway to Kotor (20 km), then continue around the inner bay via Risan and Perast. Cross the Verige strait on the free car ferry (5-minute crossing, runs every 15 minutes) and return to Herceg Novi via Kamenari. The loop offers views of medieval towns, Orthodox churches, and the dramatic limestone cliffs of Lovćen massif. Stop in Perast to visit Our Lady of the Rocks islet (water taxi €5 return). Allow extra time in summer when ferry queues form.

Lovćen National Park & Cetinje (90 km, 2 hours)

From Herceg Novi, drive to Kotor and take the serpentine road up Lovćen mountain. The route climbs from sea level to 1,200 metres in 25 hairpin bends. At the summit, visit Njegoš Mausoleum (entry €3, 461 steps to the top). Continue to Cetinje, Montenegro's historic capital. The return journey via the same route offers sunset views over the bay. Not recommended in winter without winter tyres and experience driving mountain roads.

Dubrovnik, Croatia (35 km, 45 minutes)

Cross the border at Debeli Brijeg (passport control, usually 10–20 minutes wait in summer). Dubrovnik Old Town is 8 km beyond the border. Parking in Dubrovnik costs €3–4 per hour; use Park & Ride lots outside the walls. Cross-border travel to Croatia requires advance notification to Phoenix Car Montenegro (no extra fee). Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania require separate approval and may incur additional charges.

Tivat & Porto Montenegro (30 km, 35 minutes)

Follow the Adriatic Highway east to Tivat. Porto Montenegro marina offers waterfront restaurants, luxury boutiques, and a naval heritage museum. Free parking available near the marina entrance. Combine with a visit to Tivat Airport if you need to drop off or pick up passengers.

Orjen Mountain Villages (40 km, 1.5 hours)

Drive inland from Herceg Novi towards the villages of Kameno and Krusevice on the slopes of Mount Orjen. The roads are narrow and partly unpaved. A crossover or SUV is recommended. The area is known for hiking trails, traditional stone houses, and panoramic views over the bay. Bring water and snacks; no services available in the villages.

Pickup & Delivery in Herceg Novi

Phoenix Car Montenegro does not operate a walk-in office in Herceg Novi. All rentals are delivered directly to your accommodation or a mutually agreed meeting point. The process works as follows:

1. Book online — select Herceg Novi as your pickup city, enter your dates, and choose your car class. Add extras like GPS, child seat, or additional driver if needed.
2. Receive confirmation — you will get a voucher by email with the rental terms, pickup instructions, and a local phone number.
3. Arrange delivery — call or message the number on your voucher at least 24 hours before your pickup time. Provide your exact address (hotel name, apartment street, or landmark). Delivery is free within Herceg Novi and Igalo. Delivery to Tivat Airport or other cities may incur a small surcharge depending on distance.
4. Meet the driver — the Phoenix Car representative arrives at the agreed time with your vehicle. Bring your passport, driving licence, and the printed or digital voucher. The driver inspects the car with you, explains the controls, and hands over the keys. The process takes 10–15 minutes.
5. Return — at the end of your rental, return the car to the same address or another location agreed in advance. Refuel to the same level as pickup (full-to-full policy). The driver inspects the car, checks the fuel, and releases the deposit hold on your credit card.

Out-of-hours delivery and return can be arranged for early flights or late arrivals. Discuss this when you call to confirm your booking. Phoenix Car operates seven days a week during the tourist season (April–October).

Rules, Documents & Insurance

Driver Requirements

Minimum age 21 years. Driving licence must be held for at least one year. Drivers under 25 may incur a young driver surcharge (typically €5–10 per day). An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended if your licence is not in Latin script (Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese, etc.). EU, UK, US, Canadian, and Australian licences are accepted without an IDP.

Documents at Pickup

• Valid passport or national ID card
• Driving licence (original, not a photocopy)
• Credit card in the main driver's name (for deposit hold)
• Rental voucher (printed or on your phone)

Deposit

A refundable deposit is held on your credit card at pickup. The amount varies by car class: €200–300 for economy and compact, €400–600 for SUVs and premium models. The hold is released 7–14 days after you return the car, provided there is no damage or traffic fine. Debit cards and cash deposits are not accepted.

Insurance Included

All Phoenix Car rentals include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection (TP). CDW reduces your liability for damage to the car. The excess (the amount you pay in case of an accident) is equal to the deposit. TP covers theft of the vehicle. Third-party liability insurance is mandatory by Montenegrin law and included automatically. Tyres, glass, and undercarriage are typically excluded from CDW; ask for full coverage if you want zero excess.

Cross-Border Travel

Albania is allowed with advance notice and a €20 fee. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo require written approval and may incur higher charges. Croatia (including Dubrovnik) is permitted at no extra cost but must be declared when booking. Driving to Serbia is generally not allowed. Always inform Phoenix Car if you plan to leave Montenegro.

Fuel Policy

Full-to-full. You receive the car with a full tank and return it full. Petrol stations are located on the Adriatic Highway in both directions from Herceg Novi, and in Igalo near the Bosnia and Herzegovina border. If you return the car without refuelling, you will be charged the missing fuel plus a refuelling service fee (typically €20–30).

Parking in Herceg Novi & Igalo

Parking in Herceg Novi's Old Town is difficult. The historic centre is pedestrianised and accessible only on foot via steep staircases. Most visitors park outside the old walls and walk in. Public parking areas include:

• Šetalište Pet Danica — seafront promenade parking, €1.50 per hour, free after 20:00. Busy in summer; arrive early.
• Skver — main square parking, €2 per hour. Limited spaces, central location.
• Igalo waterfront — free and paid zones mixed. Check signs carefully. Free parking further from the centre near the Institute Igalo spa complex.
• Hotel parking — most hotels offer private parking for guests, either free or €5–10 per day. Confirm availability when booking accommodation.

Blue zone (paid) parking is enforced Monday to Saturday 07:00–20:00. Sundays and public holidays are free. Pay at parking meters (coins only) or via SMS (instructions on signs). Fines for non-payment start at €20.