Car Rental in Serbia

Why rent a car in Serbia?

Perhaps underexplored compared to some of its neighbors, Serbia is a true hidden gem. The country keeps relics of some of the mightiest empires that once ruled the continent, and also doesn’t lack interesting local traditions or hospitality. What Serbia lacks in terms of coastline, it more than makes up for with majestic castles, vast national parks, and some of the most beautiful mountains in Europe.

Top ways to enter Serbia

• Belgrade Airport: Also known as Belgrade-Nikola Tesla, it is the busiest airport in the country and the main port of entry for most visitors. The airport is a hub for the national carrier Air Serbia and hosts the flights of some two dozen other airlines, including low-cost carriers like easyJet and Wizz Air. The airport provides connections with most other European countries, as well as such varied destinations as the United States, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. The drive from the airport to the city center takes about 25 minutes.
• Niš Airport: Also known as Constantine the Great Airport after the Roman emperor who was born in the city, Niš Airport is served by four different airlines. These provide connections with such countries as Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Malta. It is the main air hub of southeastern Serbia and about a ten-minute drive from the city.
• Morava Airport: Serving the southwestern city of Kraljevo, this airport has just one destination, that of the Austrian capital of Vienna. 
• Overland: It is also possible to enter Serbia overland from a neighboring country. You can either pick up a rental car from a company that permits cross-border rentals or come by a public transport and pick up a rental after arriving in Serbia. Should you choose this option, check to see if you need a visa to visit either Serbia or the country you plan to enter it from (read more about this in the Crossing Borders section). Some large international airports near Serbia include Budapest Airport in Hungary, Sofia Airport in Bulgaria, and Bucharest Airport in Romania.

Top cities and places to visit

• Belgrade. The capital and by far the largest city, Belgrade is also the most visited place in the country. The city is home to a wealth of historic attractions, not least the stunning Belgrade Fortress dating back in time as far as the 3rd century BC and a number of Orthodox Christian churches. Many of the country’s best museums are also located here such as the National Museum and its Gallery of Frescoes and Nikola Tesla Museum.
• Novi Sad. Serbia’s second city and the capital of the historic Vojvodina region, Novi Sad is another great destination. Located on the Danube river, it boasts a unique architecture due to the fact that unlike the rest of Serbia, it spent centuries as a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Nowadays a lively university city, it has plenty of attractions from the Petrovaradin Fortress to the traditional fish market. You can also visit the nearby Đerdap National Park with the famous riverside Golubac Fortress and the Iron Gates gorge.
• Niš. Located in the southeastern part of the country, Niš doesn’t get as many visitors as the former two, but can be just as fun to visit. Although the city is quite industrial, it also has a long and interesting history dating back to Ancient Rome and plenty of landmarks, not least the eerily fascinating Skull Tower, Niš Fortress, and the Roman site of Mediana.
• Subotica. Located in the far north of the country, Subotica is often mentioned as one of Serbia’s most picturesque cities. Home to large, historic communities of Serbians, Hungarians, Croatians, and others, the city is a historic melting pot, a fact that is reflected in its diverse architecture, culture, and even cuisine. From here, you can easily reach the scenic Lake Palič and, if your rental car provider permits it, even the Hungarian city of Szeged that’s just on the other side of the border.

Most popular rental car

The most popular rental car in Serbia is the Renault Megane, followed by the Hyundai i20 and the Citroen C3. The most popular rental car types are economy, compact, and mini.

Driver's license requirements

• Serbia generally recognizes all foreign licenses that are valid and are printed in the Latin alphabet. 
• Serbia uses the Cyrillic alphabet, but sources are unclear whether driver’s licenses from other countries that use the alphabet (e.g., Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria) are recognized. If you come from one of these countries, it’s safer to acquire an International Driving Permit (IDP) for your trip.
• If your driver’s license is printed in another non-Latin alphabet (e.g., Chinese, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to be able to rent a car and drive in the country. Even if you have an IDP, you’ll also need to provide the original driving license from your home country.
• Similarly, if your driver’s license doesn’t show your photograph, you might be required to have an IDP instead.
• You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
• You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
• Some rental car suppliers charge a young driver fee for drivers under the age of 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car provider and car category, so make sure to check the rental conditions before booking.

Crossing borders

Serbia has land borders with seven different countries— Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It’s important to keep in mind that, unlike some of its neighboring countries, Serbia is not a member of the European Union nor part of the Schengen area. Each country has its own unique visa policy. While visitors from most western countries can visit Serbia and all of its neighbors without a visa, the situation is different for the citizens of many other countries. For example, citizens of Russia can visit Serbia visa-free but need a visa to visit some of its neighbors. Also, if you’re a third-country citizen on a tourist or permanent residency EU visa, you might still need a visa to enter Serbia. Visitors should look up the visa policy of Serbia and those of its neighboring countries that they plan to visit before their trip.

Serbia is also bordered by the disputed territory of Kosovo. Serbia considers Kosovo a part of its territory, but many other countries consider Kosovo a sovereign state, and it is de-facto independent. Entering Serbia from Kosovo is considered an illegal entry by Serbian authorities. However, you can enter Serbia with a Kosovar border stamp or visa in your passport if you’re arriving from a third country. 

One-way rentals are possible between Serbia and many of its neighboring countries. You can find car rental companies that offer such international one-way rentals by entering your car pick-up and drop-off locations on our search. One-way rentals are more expensive as they include an additional fee, but they give your trip flexibility should you want it.

Toll roads

There are a number of toll roads in Serbia. Some toll entry-exit points are in Belgrade or nearby, for example, in Požarevac, Smederevo, and Stara Pazova. 

Most Serbian toll roads use a closed toll system. This means that upon entering the toll road, you’ll have to stop at a toll booth where you’ll be given a ticket that will state your time and point of entry and your vehicle category. Upon exiting from the toll road, you’ll stop at an exit booth where the fee that you’ll have to pay will be calculated. The fee depends on your car size, the specific road you use, and the length of your trip. It’s important not to lose the ticket, otherwise you’ll be charged the highest possible fee.

It’s possible to pay either by credit card or in cash, although it’s better to always have cash with you. Some toll booths will accept a payment in Euros, but most will expect you to pay in Serbia’s national currency, the Serbian dinar (RSD). As of July 2019, 1 EUR = 118 RSD.

Some rental cars in Serbia are equipped with electronic toll transponder called E-go. Cars equipped with E-go will be automatically registered at the toll gates and the toll payment will be later added to your rental fee. Some rental car providers might charge an additional fee for providing the transponder. Do ask your rental car provider about it in advance.

See the latest map of Serbian toll road gates here. Check out the toll fees and use the toll calculator on the Roads of Serbia official website.

Top driving routes

• Kopaonik National Park. If you’ve only visited the plains of Vojvodina and the north of Serbia, you might be surprised that Serbia is home to some of the most impressive mountains in all of Europe. Not only a national park, but a winter ski resort, Kopaonik in the southwest of the country is one of the most popular destinations in the country. From ancient monasteries to medieval mines, the area is also rich in heritage.
• Tara National Park. Part of the Dinaric Alps, Tara is another popular nature reserve in the west of the country. The area is a hiker’s paradise characterized by canyons, mountainside forests, highland lakes, and spectacular views. The area is also home to a wealth of flora and fauna, including species like the griffon vulture, chamois mountain goat, and lynx.
• Serbian Sandžak. A historically and culturally unique region, nowadays Sandžak is divided between the countries of Serbia and Montenegro. Primarily Muslim and known for its strong Ottoman heritage, the southernmost region of the country is the center of its Bosniak culture. Visitors who come here will find stunning mosques (but also ancient churches and monasteries), a stunning landscape of canyons, lakes, and forests, unique local cuisine, and lots of hospitality. Novi Pazar, the capital of Serbian Sandžak, is a four hour drive south of Belgrade and three hours west of Niš.

Car rental prices in Serbia

• Small cars - from €9 per day
• Medium cars - from €10 per day
• Large cars - from €15 per day
• SUVs - from €11 per day
• Station wagons - from €21 per day
• Vans - from €58 per day
• Premium cars - from €32 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are several good methods to find a cheaper rental car:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Serbia is the cheapest in December when renting a car is about 70% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 80% cheaper than renting a car in July.