Renting a Car in Sarajevo: The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know before you rent a car in Sarajevo: real prices, what's included, which documents you need, how the deposit works, airport pickup and taking the car to Croatia or Montenegro.
Photo: @ab_rent_car
Renting a car in Sarajevo costs from about €40 a day for a small automatic car. Prices change with the season, and insurance, unlimited kilometres in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 24/7 assistance are always included. You need a valid driving licence and a passport or ID card, you must be at least 20, and you leave a cash deposit of at least €200 that you get back when you return the car.
This guide explains everything else: what each type of car costs, what is and isn't covered, how airport pickup works, and what to know before you drive to Mostar, Croatia or Montenegro. It's written by the AB Rent a Car team in Sarajevo, based on the questions our customers ask us most.
In this guide
- How much does it cost to rent a car in Sarajevo?
- What's included in the price
- What you need to rent a car
- How the deposit works
- Picking up at Sarajevo Airport, in the city, or in another country
- How to book, step by step
- Driving outside Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Cancellations and changes
- Pickup and return checklist
- Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rent a car in Sarajevo?
Daily prices depend on the car and the season: summer and holidays cost more than spring, autumn and winter, and we often run discounts. The table shows typical starting prices to give you an idea. The exact price for your dates is always on the fleet page, or ask us on WhatsApp.
| Car type | Example models | Seats | Typical starting price (per day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small hatchback | Hyundai i20, Škoda Scala | 5 | €40 |
| Sedan or estate | Škoda Octavia, Peugeot 308 | 5 | €40 |
| Small SUV | Škoda Kamiq, Seat Arona, Toyota Yaris Cross, Mercedes GLA | 5 | €40 |
| 7-seat family car | VW Touran, Škoda Kodiaq | 7 | €75 |
| SUV | Hyundai Tucson, Škoda Kodiaq, Mercedes GLC | 5–7 | €75 |
See every car with live prices for your dates on our fleet page.
Ways to pay less
- Travel outside the peak season. Prices are lowest outside summer and holidays.
- Look for current offers. Discounts are shown on the fleet page when they're running.
- Rent for longer. You get 5% off for 14 days or more, and 10% off for 30 days or more. The discount is applied automatically when you book online.
- Pick up at the airport or our office. Both are free. Delivery to an address in Sarajevo costs 29.34 KM (about €15) each way.
- Book early in summer. July and August are the busiest months, so booking 2–4 weeks ahead gives you the most choice.
- Compare the total price, not the daily rate. Some companies show a low daily price and then add insurance, an extra driver or a second fee at the desk. Our price already includes insurance, unlimited kilometres in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a free additional driver.
You can see prices in euro or in convertible marks (KM / BAM) with the switch in the top menu. Online card payments are charged in KM at the fixed rate of 1 EUR = 1.95583 KM.
What's included in the price
Every rental with AB Rent a Car includes:
- Full insurance (see below for what it doesn't cover)
- Unlimited kilometres within Bosnia and Herzegovina
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- An automatic gearbox. Our whole fleet is automatic, which makes Sarajevo's hills and city traffic much easier. Read more in our automatic vs manual guide.
- Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in every car, so you can use your phone's maps
- Winter tyres in the winter months
- A free additional driver
- A clean car with a full tank
Extras you can add:
- Child seat: 7.82 KM (about €4) per day
- Cross-border travel: see "Driving outside Bosnia and Herzegovina" below
What insurance does not cover
Full insurance covers damage to the car, but not tyres and windows. If a tyre fails on its own (not because of how the car was driven), we cover the cost of a new one. Traffic fines are always the driver's responsibility.
If anything happens to the car, the process is the same every time. At pickup and at return we fill in a check-out and check-in form together with you (mileage, fuel, damage, photos), and we both sign it. If new damage is found at return, we e-mail you two repair estimates within 10 business days, and you choose which one we use. Nothing is charged to your card without your consent. Full details are in our damage terms.
What you need to rent a car in Sarajevo
- A valid driving licence
- A passport or ID card
- Minimum age of 20
Do you need an International Driving Permit? Bosnian law doesn't require one for renting a car with us, but we recommend it, especially if your licence isn't written in the Latin alphabet (for example an Arabic, Cyrillic or Chinese licence). It makes any police check much faster. You have to get it in your home country before you travel. Read more in our guide to driving documents in Bosnia.
How the deposit works
We take a security deposit in cash when you pick up the car. It's at least €200 (391.17 KM), and the exact amount depends on the car. The deposit for each car is shown on the fleet page, or you can ask us on WhatsApp.
- It's returned in cash, straight away when you bring the car back without new damage, with the agreed fuel level, and in the same condition.
- Because the deposit is cash, you don't need a credit card to rent with us. Many large rental companies block a much bigger amount on a credit card for the whole rental, and some don't accept debit cards at all.
- For the rental itself, we accept cash, credit cards and debit cards.
Picking up at Sarajevo Airport or in the city
You can pick up and return the car at four kinds of places:
| Place | Fee |
|---|---|
| Sarajevo International Airport | Free |
| Our office | Free |
| Any address in Sarajevo (hotel, apartment) | 29.34 KM (about €15) each way |
| Another city in Bosnia and Herzegovina | Extra fee, depends on the place and dates |
| Another country (for example Tivat or Dubrovnik airport) | Extra fee, depends on the place and dates |
For any pickup or return outside Sarajevo, message us on WhatsApp with the place and dates and we'll give you the exact price. It's added to the contract before you sign.
Sarajevo Airport car rental: how it works
When you book with airport pickup, a member of our team meets you at Sarajevo International Airport with your car. Send us your flight number when you book, so we can follow your arrival if the flight is late. You sign the contract, check the car together with us, and drive off. There's no rental desk and no queue.
Returning the car at the airport works the same way: we meet you there at the agreed time. Leave a little extra time to fill the tank before you return.
Tip: the Tunnel Museum is a few minutes from the airport, so it's an easy first or last stop.
One-way rentals: pick up or return in another city or country
You don't have to start and end in Sarajevo. You can pick up or return the car in any city or country, for an extra fee. For example, customers often fly into Sarajevo and return the car at Tivat airport (near Kotor) or other airports nearby, or start in Montenegro or Croatia and finish in Sarajevo. The price depends on the place, the dates and the car, so message us on WhatsApp (+387 62 046 142) and we'll give you an exact quote.
How to book, step by step
- Choose your dates and pickup place on the fleet page.
- Pick a car. You see the total price, including any delivery fee, before you confirm.
- Add extras such as a child seat or cross-border travel.
- Confirm the booking. You can pay online by card or pay when you pick up the car.
- Get your confirmation by e-mail. It includes your reservation number and a cancellation link.
You can also book on WhatsApp (+387 62 046 142) or by e-mail. We confirm availability and send you the same confirmation.
Driving outside Bosnia and Herzegovina
Many visitors combine Sarajevo with Dubrovnik, Kotor or Belgrade. You can take our cars abroad if you add cross-border travel to your booking:
- 97.79 KM (about €50) in total for Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia together
- 39.12 KM (about €20) for each additional European country
- We give you the green card (international insurance document) and the authorisation papers you need at the border
Tell us at the time of booking which countries you plan to visit. If you want to end your trip abroad instead of driving back, see the one-way rentals section above. Driving abroad without cross-border cover isn't allowed.
Driving in Sarajevo: the basics
Driving in Sarajevo is easy once you know a few local rules:
- Headlights on at all times, day and night, all year
- Alcohol limit of 0.03%. The safest choice is not to drink at all if you're driving
- Winter tyres are required in winter. Our cars always have them in season
- Parking in the city centre is paid. Plan to park once and walk around Baščaršija and the old town
For local habits, parking zones and what to do in an emergency, read our guide to driving in Sarajevo.
Popular trips with a rental car: Mostar and the Neretva canyon, Vrelo Bosne, Trebević mountain, the Jahorina and Bjelašnica ski resorts, Konjic, Travnik and Jajce. See our best places to visit by car.
Cancellations and changes
- Free cancellation up to 72 hours before pickup, with a full refund.
- Less than 72 hours before pickup, we keep the price of one rental day and refund the rest.
- Bookings you pay at pickup can be cancelled for free at any time before pickup.
- Once you've picked up the car, the booking can't be cancelled, and unused days after an early return aren't refunded unless we agree otherwise in writing.
- Changes depend on availability and may change the price.
You can cancel with the link in your confirmation e-mail, or by e-mail, phone or WhatsApp with your reservation number. Full details are in our cancellation terms.
Pickup and return checklist
At pickup
- Have your driving licence, passport or ID card and the cash deposit (from €200, depending on the car) ready
- Walk around the car with our team and photograph any existing marks
- Check the fuel is full, and note the mileage on the form
- Connect your phone to CarPlay or Android Auto before you leave
At return
- Fill the tank
- Remove your belongings and rubbish (smoking in the car isn't allowed)
- Check the car together with our team and sign the check-in form
- Get your deposit back in cash
During the rental: if a warning light comes on, you have a breakdown, or you have an accident, call us right away. Our assistance is available 24/7. After an accident, a police report is required for the insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rent a car in Sarajevo per day?
From about €40 a day for a small automatic car such as a Hyundai i20 or Škoda Scala, with full insurance and unlimited kilometres in Bosnia and Herzegovina included. Prices change with the season and discounts are often available, so check the fleet page for your dates.
Can I rent a car in Sarajevo without a credit card?
Yes. Our deposit is paid in cash (from €200, depending on the car), so you don't need a credit card. You can pay the rental in cash, by debit card or by credit card.
Can I pick up a rental car at Sarajevo Airport?
Yes, and it's free. Our team meets you at the airport with the car, and you can return it there too.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Sarajevo?
You must be at least 20 years old and have a valid driving licence.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Bosnia?
It isn't required by law to rent with us, but we recommend one, especially if your licence isn't in the Latin alphabet.
Can I drive a rental car from Sarajevo to Croatia or Montenegro?
Yes. Cross-border travel to Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia costs 97.79 KM (about €50) in total, and we provide the green card.
Can I pick up in Sarajevo and return the car in Montenegro or Croatia?
Yes. One-way rentals to or from any city or country are possible for an extra fee, for example returning at Tivat airport near Kotor. Message us on WhatsApp for a price.
Are the rental cars automatic?
Yes. Every car in our fleet has an automatic gearbox.
Can someone else drive the car?
Yes. Adding an additional driver is free.
Ready to go? See available cars and prices, or message us on WhatsApp at +387 62 046 142 and we'll help you choose.
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