Sarajevo to Dubrovnik and Kotor by Car: Cross-Border Rental Guide (2026)
How to drive a rental car from Sarajevo to Croatia, Montenegro or Serbia: the routes and drive times to Dubrovnik, Kotor and Belgrade, what you need at the border, the cross-border fee, and one-way options.
You can drive one of our rental cars from Sarajevo to Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia by adding cross-border travel to your booking. It costs 97.79 KM (about €50) in total for all three countries, and we give you the green card and the papers you need at the border. You can also end your trip abroad, for example at Tivat airport near Kotor, for an extra fee.
This guide covers the most popular routes, drive times, border crossings and what to have ready. It's written by the AB Rent a Car team, based on the trips our customers take most.
In this guide
- Cross-border rental at a glance
- What you need at the border
- Sarajevo to Dubrovnik
- Sarajevo to Kotor and the Bay of Kotor
- Sarajevo to Belgrade
- One-way rentals
- Border tips
- Frequently asked questions
Cross-border rental at a glance
| Destination | Distance | Drive time | Border |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubrovnik (Croatia) | About 235–270 km | About 4–5 hours | Bosnia–Croatia |
| Kotor (Montenegro) | About 250 km | About 5 hours | Bosnia–Montenegro |
| Belgrade (Serbia) | About 300 km | About 5–6 hours | Bosnia–Serbia |
Drive times are without long stops and don't include waiting at the border, which can be long in summer.
Cross-border fees:
- 97.79 KM (about €50) in total for Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia
- 39.12 KM (about €20) for each additional European country
Tell us at booking which countries you plan to visit. Driving abroad without cross-border cover isn't allowed.
What you need at the border
- Passport (an ID card is accepted for some nationalities, check before you travel)
- Driving licence, and an International Driving Permit if your licence isn't in the Latin alphabet
- The rental contract
- The car's registration document ("saobraćajna dozvola"), which stays in the car
- The green card (international insurance document), which we give you
Entering Croatia? Croatia is in the EU and the Schengen area. Non-EU citizens are registered in the EU's Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and a photo) on their first entry, so the first crossing can take longer. Read our driving documents checklist for more.
Sarajevo to Dubrovnik
The most popular cross-border trip. The first part follows the beautiful Neretva canyon to Mostar, so it's easy to turn it into a two-day trip.
Route options:
- Via Mostar and the coast: through Mostar and Čapljina into Croatia, then along the Adriatic coast and over the Pelješac bridge to Dubrovnik.
- Via Mostar and Trebinje: through Mostar, Stolac and Trebinje, crossing into Croatia just above Dubrovnik. Quieter and very scenic.
Your navigation app will choose the faster one on the day. Both take about 4–5 hours without long stops.
Good stops: Konjic, Jablanica, Mostar, Blagaj and Počitelj on the Bosnian side. See our Sarajevo to Mostar by car guide.
Parking in Dubrovnik: the old town is pedestrian, and parking close to it is limited and expensive in summer. Park at your accommodation or a public car park outside the walls and walk or take a bus.
Sarajevo to Kotor and the Bay of Kotor
Route options:
- Via Foča and the Piva canyon: through Foča and the Šćepan Polje border crossing, then along the Piva canyon and lake to Nikšić and down to the Bay of Kotor. One of the most dramatic drives in the Balkans, but the road through the canyon is narrow, with many short, unlit tunnels. Drive in daylight and take your time.
- Via Trebinje: through Mostar or Foča to Trebinje, then into Montenegro towards Herceg Novi and along the Bay of Kotor. An easier road, and often the choice in winter.
Both take about 5 hours without long stops. In winter, check the road conditions before you leave, especially on the mountain sections.
Ending your trip in Montenegro? You can return the car at Tivat airport, about 10 minutes from Kotor, for an extra fee. It's one of our customers' favourite one-way trips.
Sarajevo to Belgrade
The drive to Belgrade goes north-east through eastern Bosnia, crossing into Serbia on the Drina river, and takes about 5–6 hours. It's a good option if you're combining the two capitals, or flying home from Belgrade.
One-way rentals
You don't have to bring the car back to Sarajevo. You can pick it up or return it in another city or country for an extra fee, for example:
- Pick up in Sarajevo and return at Tivat airport (near Kotor)
- Pick up in Sarajevo and return in Dubrovnik or another nearby airport
- Start in Montenegro or Croatia and finish in Sarajevo
The price depends on the place, the dates and the car. Message us on WhatsApp (+387 62 046 142) with your plans for an exact quote.
Border tips
- Avoid summer weekend afternoons. Queues at the Croatian border can be long in July and August, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Keep all your documents together and within reach, not in the boot.
- Have some euros. Croatia and Montenegro use the euro. Croatian motorways have tolls, payable by card or cash.
- Check what's allowed through customs, for example limits on cigarettes, alcohol and meat products when entering the EU.
- Fill up in Bosnia. Fuel is usually cheaper than in Croatia. We recommend HIFA stations, and our customers get a HIFA card with a fuel discount.
- Driving the Neum corridor? The old coastal road between Split and Dubrovnik passes briefly through Bosnia at Neum. With cross-border cover that's no problem, but the Pelješac bridge now lets you avoid it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a rental car from Sarajevo to Croatia?
Yes. Add cross-border travel to your booking. It costs 97.79 KM (about €50) in total for Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia, and we give you the green card.
How long is the drive from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik?
About 4–5 hours without long stops, via Mostar.
How long is the drive from Sarajevo to Kotor?
About 5 hours, either via Foča and the Piva canyon or via Trebinje.
Can I return the rental car in Montenegro?
Yes, for an extra fee. Many customers return the car at Tivat airport, near Kotor. Message us on WhatsApp for a price.
What documents do I need to drive a rental car across the border?
Your passport, driving licence, the rental contract, the registration document and the green card, which we give you.
Do I need a green card to drive from Bosnia to Montenegro?
Yes. It's the international insurance document, and we provide it when you add cross-border travel to your booking.
Planning a Balkan road trip? See our cars and prices, or read the complete guide to renting a car in Sarajevo.
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