Car Hire in Serbia

Serbia is a beautiful country with cozy European cities such as Subotica and Novi Sad, palaces, fortresses and monasteries, ski resorts, hot springs, gorges, and caves. To see all the interesting places while on vacation, we recommend opting for car rental in Serbia.

Car rental is the best way to explore Serbia in terms of cost and comfort: the minimum rental price starts from €7–40, depending on the season. A bus ticket from Belgrade to Novi Sad costs approximately €7–10 per person one-way. Many interesting places are not reachable by public transport. For example, to see the beautiful Resava Cave, you need to take a bus to Despotovac (ticket costs €10–15) and then take a taxi for around €15–20 one-way.

Where to Rent a Car in Serbia

You can rent a car on Localrent. It offers deals from reliable local rental companies and has its own support service. By choosing Localrent, you get:

1. Transparent pricing. When booking, you see the full rental cost and deposit amount, with no hidden fees or unaccounted taxes.
2. Wide selection of models. Thanks to a large number of offers, you can choose from dozens of different cars. If desired, you can filter by brand, drivetrain type, and transmission.
3. Various car classes. It’s easy to find a compact car for city trips, a sedan for road trips, a crossover for added comfort, a minivan for a large group, or a premium status car.
4. Convenient filters. They help you narrow down cars that meet your requirements. Choose not only car features but also preferred payment methods, deposit terms, insurance type, and additional options.
5. Low deposit. The average deposit for a car in Serbia is €500–1000. But you can apply the "Deposit up to €300" filter to see cars with a minimal deposit.

Localrent is a service that helps you rent a car in Serbia for a day or longer, ensuring your trip is only filled with positive emotions.

Rental Conditions in Serbia

Each car has specific requirements for the driver's age and experience, listed in the car's profile. The widest selection is available for drivers over 26 with at least 2 years of experience. However, clients aged 19 with one year of experience can also rent a car, although with limited options.

To rent a car, you’ll need:

• Passport
• Valid driver’s license with Latin transcription
• Booking voucher

Drivers who obtained their licenses in European countries do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Serbia. If your license was issued elsewhere, we recommend checking whether an IDP is required in your case.

If a deposit is required for the selected car, you can use filters to specify a convenient payment method. Filters can also show only cars with no deposit, or those that accept deposit by cash, credit, or debit card.

Driving Features in Serbia

Road signs and markings in Serbia are similar to those in many European countries. Therefore, driving is quite easy and adaptation happens quickly. Road conditions are generally good. You might encounter some faded markings, but potholes are rare, mostly in remote villages. On busy highways, shallow ruts from trucks may be visible.

The country has toll highways where the speed limit is up to 120 km/h. Upon entry, you receive a ticket from a machine, and upon exit, you pay the toll by cash or card.

On regular roads, speed limits are 80 or 100 km/h, and in populated areas — 50 km/h. Pay attention to road signs, as speed limits may vary, for instance, near schools where the maximum speed is 30 km/h.

Headlights must be turned on during the day while driving.

Gas Stations in Serbia

Serbia has many gas stations, most of which operate 24/7 and accept both cash and cards. There’s usually a shop where you can buy not only essentials for the car but also drinks, snacks, and hot coffee.

Signs on highways indicate the distance to the next gas station.

Parking in Serbia

In major Serbian cities, parking is paid. The price depends on the zone, marked by color or number. There’s always a sign nearby describing the parking rules and payment methods. You can pay for parking in four ways:

1. Via SMS by sending your car number to the indicated number (requires a local SIM card)
2. Buying a parking ticket at a newsstand, store, or post office. Write the time of parking on it and place it under the windshield. One ticket equals one hour of parking.
3. At large parking lots, you can pay a controller. Place the receipt under the windshield as well.
4. Using the Parking Manijak app.

Many parking areas are free on weekdays from 9 PM to 7 AM and on weekends. Check the info board for details.

Note that the maximum allowed parking duration differs by zone. In Belgrade’s Zone A (city center), parking is allowed for a maximum of 30 minutes. It cannot be extended, even for an additional fee.

In suburban areas of small towns, villages, and rural locations, parking is usually free. Look for signs — most parking areas have them.

Step-by-Step Guide to Booking a Car in Serbia

To start choosing a car, specify the pick-up and return locations, as well as rental dates. Use filters and select the desired car class. The page will show only vehicles that match your criteria. By default, they are sorted by price, with the cheapest cars listed first.

Next:

1. Click on a car to view details: it will show the vehicle’s specifications, driver requirements, insurance conditions, available extras, full rental cost, and all payment options.
2. Click "Continue." Choose pick-up and return locations and times. Enter the main driver’s information and contact details.
3. Pay the advance.

After that, a voucher will be sent to your email. You’ll need it to pick up the car. You can print it or save it on your phone.

To receive the car, you’ll sign a rental agreement, pay the remaining amount, and receive the keys.

Recommended Places to Visit in Serbia

If you're vacationing in Serbia, we recommend visiting:

1. Novi Sad – the country’s cultural capital. Visit the 17th-century Petrovaradin Fortress, the Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary, the Gallery of Matica Srpska, the Museum of Vojvodina, and the Kovilj Monastery.
2. Sremski Karlovci – a city of winemakers. Famous for its local dessert wine Bermet, which was served on the Titanic. The city’s baroque architecture with bright tiled roofs is also impressive.
3. Subotica – a city on the border with Hungary. It resembles a classic European town more than a Balkan one. Try local Hungarian cuisine in local restaurants.
4. Zlatibor – a Serbian ski resort. In winter, enjoy skiing and snowboarding, hiking snowy trails. During other seasons — admire the mountain landscapes and visit the Stopića Cave with waterfalls. The cave has trails and lighting, and there is parking at the entrance.
5. Vrnjačka Banja – known for its hot springs since the Roman Empire. The city has many thermal complexes, a large park for walks, and attractions like the Belimarković Castle.

Make the most of your trip: explore Serbia comfortably by car.

Best Places to Rent a Car in Serbia

During booking, you can choose the car pick-up location. The most popular pick-up spots are Nikola Tesla Airport, the rental office, or delivery to a specified address. The selected car may support all or some of these options.

What You Should Know About Car Rental in Serbia

Tourists often want to visit neighboring countries. Traveling outside Serbia is allowed, but you need to:

• Use the "Cross-border travel" filter when searching for a car
• Tick the corresponding box in the car's profile under available insurance options

We recommend reminding the rental manager to mark in the contract that cross-border travel is permitted

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Rental in Serbia