How to rent a car and drive from Albania to Montenegro
Albania and Montenegro, neighboring countries in the Balkans, have breathtaking natural beauty and rich history. Albania offers stunning beaches along the Albanian Riviera, rugged mountains and UNESCO sites like Gjirokastër with a vibrant culture mixing Ottoman, Italian and local influences.
On the other side, Montenegro, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," features the majestic Bay of Kotor, charming medieval towns like Budva, and lush national parks such as Durmitor.
If you visit Albania, it is definitely worth travelling to Montenegro, as the route is only a short drive. Can you drive between Montenegro and Albania? This is a question most tourists ask.
Let’s see what you should know and if you can take a rental car out of Albania.
Required documents
To rent a car in Albania you need the following documents:
- Driver license: All foreigner travelers need International Driving Permit (IDP) for car rental in Albania.
- Passport
- Credit card under the main driver’s name (However, ask us about the possibility to pay with an alternative payment method, such as cash or debit card).
These documents are also necessary to rent a car in Montenegro.
Prerequisites to rent a car in Albania and drive to Montenegro
Many travelers in Albania want to visit the neighboring country of Montenegro and wonder if you need a passport to go from Albania to Montenegro. The answer is yes.
All the abovementioned required documents (IDP, passport and credit card) are necessary to drive your rental car from Albania to Montenegro and vice versa.
However, there are also some other prerequisites you should remember when driving from Albania to Montenegro:
- Age requirements: Although the minimum age for car hire in Albania is 21 years old, cross-border drive with rental car may be prohibited or require extra fees for young drivers.
- Rental agreement: Ensure that cross-border travel is allowed in the rental agreement.
- International insurance: The green card covers internationally the vehicle and gives you the opportunity to drive outside Albania.
So, if you wonder if you can drive a rental car from Albania to Montenegro, the answer is yes, given that you have the necessary documents, rental agreement and international insurance.
Please inform the rental station about your desire to drive from Albania to Montenegro and they guide you through the whole process.
Road infrastructure and safety
Can you drive from Tirana to Montenegro safely? Is the border between Albania and Montenegro open? These are the most common questions from travelers wanting to explore both countries.
The route to drive from Albania to Montenegro is scenic and generally safe. The highways are well-maintained, but you need to drive also in rural, mountainous and coastal roads. Thus, it is wiser to drive during the day and avoid night driving.
Border crossings are open and safe and you can choose two ways to go from Albania to Montenegro:
- The main border crossing is Hani i Hotit (Božaj), connecting Shkodër in Albania to Podgorica, Montenegro.
- Another option is the Muriqan-Sukobin crossing, closer to the coast, ideal if you're traveling between Shkodër and Ulcinj.
Read: Driving in Montenegro: Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Rent a car in Albania with Abbycar and enjoy low prices and excellent customer service to help you navigate in this amazing road trip!
