Renting A Car In Serbia & Driving In Serbia Guide

Here is your car rental in Serbia & driving in Serbia tips guide.

Serbia is a land-locked country in the Balkan region and one that has enjoyed a tourism resurgence in recent years. If you go once, you’ll totally understand why! Packed with things to see and do, both in the capital city of Belgrade and further afield, Serbia is also home to several world-class ski resorts in the country’s south.

If you like history, you’re also sure to love the various historical nods you’ll find in all major towns and cities, dating back to Roman and Byzantine times and even the Ottoman Empire.

Of course, the best way to see any country is at your own pace, and getting a car rental in Serbia is an excellent way to do that. The other plus point of being land-locked is also the various countries around the borders. For example, Serbia shares borders with Bosnia & Herzegovina, Hungary, North Macedonia, Romania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Albania.

This means that Serbia as a whole is influenced by many different countries and their individual cultures, and experiencing it all while driving in Serbia with your rental car is a must-do.

Exploring the differing landscapes, from the flat farmlands of the north, the hills, and valleys through the center of the country, down towards the alpine ski resorts and mountains of the south, is a fantastic experience to have.

Therefore, finding the best Serbia car rental options is something you need to think about ahead of time. The best car rental company will give you options in terms of the best vehicle for you, but you also need to know out the driving in Serbia requirements and Serbia driving laws, and probably a little confidence boost before you head off.

Let’s face it, driving in any foreign country can be a little nerve-wracking at first, but once you get used to it, you’ll see that driving in Serbia is nothing to worry about.

Our Serbia car rental guide should help to alleviate any worries you might have.

Things You Should Know When You Rent A Car In Serbia

As we just mentioned, when you rent a car in Serbia or any other country you’re not familiar with, you may be a little nervous. However, by reading all the hints and tips we will give you, you’ll be super prepared and confident to enjoy your Serbian car hire road trip. Remember, road rules can and do change occasionally, so read up quickly before heading to Serbia to ensure you’re up to date.

You can also check with your Serbia car rental company if you’re not too sure of any of the finer details. There are many cheap car hire Serbia choices to look into, who will be happy to help you.

We’ll give you the low down on the best car rental companies operating in Serbia, and tell you what you need to know when renting a car from a reputable top rent a car company.

While Serbia isn’t as touristic as neighboring Croatia, it certainly makes sense to book your choice of car hire in Serbia ahead of time, especially if you’re visiting during the peak summer months between the end of June to August.

Adventurous visitors like to cross borders and explore the neighboring countries, so you’ll probably find the surge in tourism in Croatia affects rates and availability when you arrange your car hire in Serbia.

You also need to be aware of the basic minimum requirements to rent a car in Serbia, and of course, drive it!

To Hire A Car In Serbia, You Will Need:

• To be 21 years of age or over (this might vary according to the type of vehicle you want to hire)
• Renting a car in Serbia requires a full, valid driving license from your country of origin and accompanying passport
• You must have held your passport for at least two years
• If you are under 25 years of age, some car hire companies may charge you for being a young driver. This means your car hire rate will be higher
• To carry your car hire paperwork with you at all times, including insurance details
• To be able to drive on the right-hand side of the road

In answer to the question of ‘can you drive in Serbia without a license?’ The answer is a resounding no! You will need a valid license to get an auto rental in Serbia and drive the vehicle. You may be stopped and checked at any time by traffic police.

Brands We Use And Trust

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Car Rental Companies Serving Serbia

You’re probably wondering what the best car rental company to opt for is, and these are the companies that serve Serbia as a whole:

• • Rental Cars – we love their easy-to-use search system (as seen above) and excellent customer service
  • Auto Europe – we have also used Auto Europe many times and really like how the search features work.
  • Europcar Rent a Car
  • Hertz
  • Ade Rent a Car Belgrade
  • Enterprise
  • AR Rent a Car
  • Budget Car Rental Serbia
  • Skill Rent a Car
  • Oryx Rent a Car Serbia
  • Sixt Serbia
  • Dollar Thrifty Rent a Car
  • ZIM Rent a Car
  • Goldcar
  • Menadzer Rent a Car
  • Mega Rent
  • Avis Rent a Car Serbia
  • Omnibus Belgrade
  • Unirent
  • Mega Rent
  • Alamo Car Rental Serbia
  • Green Motion Car Hire
  • Firefly Car Hire
  • National Car Hire
  • Inter Rent Car Hire
  • Surprice Car Hire

Most car hire companies operate out of Belgrade Airport; however, they will also have offices in Belgrade itself and the major towns and cities around the country.

Checking availability online will give you the best rates and types of Serbian cars available for your dates. For instance, Oryx Car Rental Serbia is a popular option, but it’s best to check ahead of time to avoid disappointment, especially during summer.

Car Rental Serbia Tips For

Always Book Ahead of Time

While Serbia isn’t as touristic as Croatia during the summer months, it is still a very popular spot for people to explore, especially if you’re hiring your car from Belgrade (likely). In that case, just turning up and expecting a car to be there waiting for you is not the best tactic to adopt.

It’s so quick and easy to check online and book that you should undoubtedly book ahead of time and avoid any disappointment. Remember, Belgrade is a very popular, international city these days, and during the winter months, many visitors head there for the festivities during the Christmas and New Year periods – another time to book ahead of!

Shop Around

It goes without saying that you should shop around. There are many budget car rental Serbia choices, and it’s just a case of doing your research and comparing rates and vehicle availability. We mentioned earlier that some companies might charge drivers 25 years of age a higher rate due to their age, but that’s not the case with all companies, so this is something to look into before making your final choice.

Additionally, it’s also good to know that it pays off to know how to drive manual in Serbia, quite literally. Renting a car in Serbia may be cheaper if you can drive a manual. Automatic Serbian cars tend to be slightly more expensive to rent in Serbia on average.

You’ll Need A Credit Card To Secure Your Booking

The overwhelming number of Serbia car rental companies these days will ask for a credit card to secure your booking and to act as a deposit against any potential damage to the vehicle upon return. This is something just to be aware of.

Check What Insurance Is Included With Your Car Hire

The best car rental company in Serbia will include the mandatory insurance with your booking, and you can include further coverage at an extra fee. Fire and third-party liability insurance are the two mandatory types of insurance you should look for, and you can then opt for collision and theft insurance if you want to, for an extra cost.

Again, check the small print very carefully before you make your final decision, and always remember to carry the insurance paperwork with you when you venture out.

Driving Outside of Serbia And One-Way Rentals

Again, this is something you need to check with your particular company, as regulations vary. Generally speaking, there are several countries where you cannot drive a car that was rented in Serbia.

International one-way rentals are usually unavailable, but domestic one-way rentals are available from most cheap car rental Serbia companies, although the cost and insurance charges will probably be higher than if you return it to the same office.

Some top car rental companies will not allow you to hire a car in Serbia and go driving in Kosovo, Bulgaria, or Albania in particular. This is due to safety issues, as, in the past, there have been problems with cars registered with Serbian plates being targeted for vandalism or trouble, especially in Kosovo. That’s definitely one of the main driving in Serbia requirements to pay attention to when planning your Serbia road trip.

Ask About Unexpected Fees

Hiring a car anywhere in the world can be filled with unexpected charge pitfalls unless you ask about them beforehand. One of the best car rental tips around is to ask about the following:

• Fees for one way hiring
• Picking up and returning the vehicle out of hours
• Extra drivers
• Cancellations at the last minute
• Costs for additions, such as car seats

YOU CAN FIND LONG-TERM CAR HIRE IN SERBIA SPECIALS HERE.

The Rules Of Road When Driving In Serbia

Of course, renting a car in Serbia is pretty straightforward, just like it is in other countries. The driving rules, however, might be a bit different than what you’re used to. So, we’ve compiled some of the most noteworthy road rules when driving in Serbia here.

Tolls

There are several toll roads around Serbia, mainly near the borders with other countries. You can pay for these in cash, or you can use major credit cards, e.g., MasterCard, Visa. It’s good to know that these tolls can really add up if you only use major motorways on your Serbia road trip.

There are accessible alternatives, though. You can always use the motorways to get from point A to point B quickly, but typically the smaller highways and roads are free to use. Often, these minor (country) roads are also much more scenic. Worth considering, for sure!

Gas/Fuel

Petrol stations are easy to find around Belgrade and major towns, but you may struggle in the distances in-between. It’s a good idea to top up your car with fuel regularly if you are traveling over large distances.

People from the United States may be surprised by how expensive gas is in Serbia, while other Europeans might already be used to paying more for gas. Just keep higher gas prices in mind when budgeting your self-drive holiday in Serbia, along with the cost of your Serbia car rental.

Side Of The Road

In Serbia, as in the rest of mainland Europe, you drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Signage

Road signs in Serbia are excellent, so you won’t have any trouble finding the right direction, roads, turn-offs, etc. If you know where you’re going and your preferred route, you might even be able to drive in Serbia without a GPS. Major landmarks, historic sites, monuments, and parks are also usually indicated pretty well.

Additionally, you’ll also notice that signage in Serbia is in two alphabets, Latin and Cyrillic, and could even be in a couple of different languages.

Motorways

There are certain sections of motorway that only have two lanes and a hard shoulder situated only one onside side. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that Serbia roads are generally quite good.

From inner-city roads to the network of paid motorways, it’s a myth that roads in Serbia (and much of the rest of the Balkans) are rather crappy. Almost always, the streets you’ll be driving in Serbia to get from one tourist destination to the next will be in great condition.

Local Drivers

Be aware that local drivers may use the center lane to overtake, and that may force you onto the hard shoulder.

Speed Limits In Serbia

There are various speed limits in force, depending on the type of road and the area. Check signposts and always adhere to the limits. In general, there are four-speed limits in Serbia:

• 50 km/h within built-up areas
• 80 km/h outside of built-up areas
• 100 km/h on expressways
• 130 km/h on motorways

On-the-Spot Speeding Fines

If you are stopped by police for speeding or another offense while driving, you are given a fine on the spot.

Seat Belts

Seat belts must be worn at all times.

Children Under 12 Years

A child under 12 years of age cannot travel in the front passenger seat. Children under 12 years must be seated in an appropriate car seat or be restrained appropriately.

Drinking And Driving In Serbia

Drinking alcohol and driving in Serbia comes with very high fines and the potential of serious trouble with the law. You are considered to be over the limit if you have 0.03% of alcohol or more in your blood.

Parking

Foreign visitors may experience some issues when parking in Serbia. This is because many cities have a parking system that uses SMS to pay for parking. So, if you don’t have a Serbian SIM card, that could be a nuisance. Also, sometimes there are no parking signs, but you’re still required to pay for street parking. This is because there are “parking zones” in Serbian cities, which you are expected to be aware of.

The best alternative to street parking in Serbia is parking in a paid parking garage or lot.

Landmines

Stick to marked roads and do not go off-road without a guide. While Serbia is cleaning up rural areas following conflicts in the past, there is still a risk of finding an unexploded device or landmine.

Right Of Way

Always give the right of way to trams and cyclists using cycle lanes. Unless otherwise indicated on road signs, give way to traffic coming from the right at an intersection or roundabout.

Use Of Horns

Do not use your horn in residential areas at night unless there is a pressing need, e.g., danger or a person in the car is seriously ill.

Driving in Serbia is a great experience, provided you find a top car hire company to provide you with a quality vehicle, and you know what to expect ahead of time.

There are very few issues you will come across and provided you stick to main roads and do not venture off the road, you will have a very safe driving experience.

You will also be able to see much more of this beautiful country and get to experience the authentic side of Serbia at its very best.

Are there any other driving in Serbia or car rental tips we missed? Let us know in the comments below.

Other Ideas For Your Serbia Travel

• Foods in Serbia you can’t miss!
• Start your Serbia travel inspiration with this ultimate guide to Serbia.
• Explore Serbia’s capital city of Belgrade, with this giant list of things to do.
• Day trips from Belgrade make for great city escapes.
• Don’t skip Novi Sad, Serbia’s city of culture!
• Book a night (or more!) at one of these excellent accommodations throughout Serbia.
• Get outdoors at one of these epic national parks in Serbia.
• Get these travel itineraries for a weekend trip to Serbia.