🚗 Car Rental at Dubrovnik Čilipi Airport – Cross-Border Guide to Montenegro & Bosnia
Landing at Dubrovnik Čilipi Airport (DBV) 🇭🇷 and planning to explore Montenegro or Bosnia and Herzegovina by car? You’re in for one of the most beautiful road trips in the Balkans 🌊🏔️.
This guide explains everything you need to know about cross-border car rentals from Dubrovnik — including rental rules, insurance, prices, and driving tips for neighboring countries.
✈️ Why Rent a Car at Dubrovnik Čilipi Airport
Dubrovnik Airport is located in Čilipi village, about 22 km (30 minutes) south of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. It’s the main hub for southern Croatia — and the perfect starting point for exploring:
- 🌅 The Montenegrin coast (Herceg Novi, Kotor, Budva)
- 🏞️ Bosnia’s heritage cities (Trebinje, Mostar, Sarajevo)
- 🏖️ Dalmatian beaches and small medieval towns
🚙 Renting directly at the airport saves time, offers better rates, and ensures you can easily reach border crossings like Debeli Brijeg or Ivanica.
🌍 Can You Drive a Rental Car from Croatia to Montenegro or Bosnia?
Yes ✅ — but only with the right documentation and insurance coverage.
When booking, you must inform your rental company that you plan to cross borders. They will provide a “Green Card” (international insurance certificate) valid in non-EU countries such as:
- 🇲🇪 Montenegro
- 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
- 🇷🇸 Serbia (sometimes included)
💡 Without a Green Card, you can be refused entry at the border or face fines.
🛡️ Cross-Border Insurance (Green Card)
The Green Card is mandatory for any car leaving Croatia. It proves that your vehicle has valid insurance abroad.
| Destination | Required? | Typical Fee (€) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montenegro 🇲🇪 | ✅ Yes | €30–50 | Entire rental period |
| Bosnia 🇧🇦 | ✅ Yes | €25–45 | Entire rental period |
| Serbia 🇷🇸 | 🔸 Optional | €20–30 | 7–10 days |
💡 Some premium companies (Sixt, Hertz) include it for free, while local agencies may charge separately.
🏢 Car Rental Companies at Dubrovnik Airport
You’ll find over 15 car hire desks inside and near the arrivals hall.
| Company | Cross-Border Allowed? | Green Card Provided? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sixt 🚀 | ✅ Yes | Included | Great for Montenegro |
| Hertz 🌍 | ✅ Yes | On request | +€40 fee |
| Europcar 🚗 | ✅ Yes | €35–50 | Reliable |
| Enterprise 🤝 | ✅ Yes | Must pre-book | Debit accepted |
| Green Motion 🌱 | ✅ Yes | €30–40 | Low-cost option |
| Avia Rent 🇭🇷 | ✅ Yes | Included | Local company |
💡 Book online in advance to guarantee cross-border approval — desks can reject same-day requests.
💸 Don’t Overpay at the Airport
Compare real-time rental deals with no hidden fees or credit card needed.
💶 Average Rental Prices
| Vehicle Type | Low Season (€) | High Season (€) | Cross-Border Fee (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy 🚗 | 25–35 | 50–70 | +30 |
| Compact 🚙 | 35–45 | 70–100 | +35 |
| SUV 🚘 | 50–80 | 100–130 | +40 |
| 7-Seater 🚐 | 70–100 | 130–180 | +50 |
💡 Prices are higher for one-way rentals (e.g., drop-off in Podgorica or Mostar). Expect a €80–150 surcharge.
🛣️ Popular Cross-Border Routes
🚗 Dubrovnik → Kotor (Montenegro)
- Distance: 93 km
- Drive time: ~2 hours
- Border: Debeli Brijeg / Karasovići
- Highlights: Bay of Kotor, Perast, Budva 🏖️
🚗 Dubrovnik → Budva (Montenegro)
- Distance: 117 km
- Drive time: ~2.5 hours
- Tip: Avoid peak hours (border queues up to 1h in July–August).
🚗 Dubrovnik → Trebinje (Bosnia)
- Distance: 30 km
- Drive time: 40 min
- Border: Ivanica
- Highlights: Monasteries, local wineries 🍷
🚗 Dubrovnik → Mostar (Bosnia)
- Distance: 140 km
- Drive time: 3.5 hours
- Tip: Stop in Stolac or Pocitelj for photo stops 📸
📋 Documents You’ll Need
To cross into Montenegro or Bosnia, bring:
| Document | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | ✅ | For border control |
| Driver’s License | ✅ | EU/UK accepted |
| International Driving Permit | 🔸 | For non-EU drivers |
| Green Card | ✅ | Must be shown at border |
| Rental Contract | ✅ | With “cross-border” clause |
💡 Always have physical copies — border agents rarely accept digital PDFs.
🅿️ Parking Tips for Each Country
| Country | Paid Parking | Free Zones | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia 🇭🇷 | €2–4/hr (Dubrovnik) | Suburbs | Avoid Old Town area |
| Montenegro 🇲🇪 | €1–2/hr | Outside Old Towns | Pay in cash |
| Bosnia 🇧🇦 | €0.5–1/hr | Smaller towns | Beware of fines |
💡 Many towns in Montenegro (Kotor, Budva) have “Tourist Parking Apps” for easier payments.
⛽ Fuel & Tolls
| Item | Croatia 🇭🇷 | Montenegro 🇲🇪 | Bosnia 🇧🇦 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (€/L) | 1.60 | 1.55 | 1.50 |
| Diesel (€/L) | 1.55 | 1.50 | 1.45 |
| Toll Roads | Yes | No | Yes (A1 motorway) |
| Payment | Cash/Card | Cash | Cash/Card |
💡 Keep small euro notes — some border gas stations don’t accept cards.
⚠️ Cross-Border Driving Tips
- 🛂 Borders can get busy — early mornings or evenings are best.
- 📸 Speed cameras are common in Croatia and Bosnia.
- 🚗 Headlights must be on 24/7 in all three countries.
- 🪪 Always carry your Green Card and rental contract.
- 🧾 Don’t try to cross borders without authorization — it can void insurance.
🧭 Sample Itinerary – Adriatic to the Balkans
Day 1: Pick up car at Dubrovnik Airport → drive to Kotor (2h)
Day 2: Explore Budva & Lovćen National Park
Day 3: Drive to Trebinje (Bosnia) → Mostar
Day 4: Return to Dubrovnik via Stolac
🗺️ Total distance: ~420 km
🚙 Ideal for 3–5 days of scenic travel.
💡 Tips for Smooth Cross-Border Rentals
✅ Inform your rental company about all countries you plan to visit.
✅ Get written confirmation on your contract.
✅ Carry printed Green Card at all times.
✅ Avoid unpaved mountain roads (insurance may not apply).
✅ Always refuel before returning the car — border towns have cheaper fuel.
🧾 One-Way Rentals
Some agencies allow one-way drop-offs across borders:
| Route | Allowed? | Fee (€) | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubrovnik → Podgorica | ✅ | 100–150 | Sixt, Hertz, Tara Car |
| Dubrovnik → Budva | ✅ | 80–100 | Local agencies |
| Dubrovnik → Mostar | ✅ | 70–120 | Enterprise, Green Motion |
💡 Always confirm drop-off locations in advance — not all offices exist year-round.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Renting a car at Dubrovnik Čilipi Airport is your gateway to three countries — Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia — each offering its own flavor of history, mountains, and Mediterranean charm 🌅.
With the right insurance, documentation, and planning, your cross-border road trip will be seamless and unforgettable.
From Dubrovnik’s stone walls to Kotor’s fjords and Mostar’s bridges, this route captures the very best of the Balkans — all within a few hours’ drive 🚗✨.
