What documents do I need at TIV pickup?

A driving licence with Latin-script details, a passport, and a physical credit card in the main driver’s name. If your licence uses only non-Latin characters, bring an International Driving Permit. Electronic licences and photocopies are not accepted.

Can I drive the rental car to Croatia or Albania?

Yes. Notify the rental company at booking so they prepare the Green Card insurance certificate. Cross-border travel to Croatia, Bosnia, Albania, Serbia, and Kosovo is permitted — documents will be in the glovebox when you collect at TIV.

Is there a minimum age to rent?

Age and experience requirements depend on the vehicle category. Economy cars typically require 21+, premium vehicles 25+. These details appear during the search before you commit to a booking.

What is included in the rental price?

CDW and theft protection, VAT, an equipment kit (first-aid box, warning triangle, reflective vest), and a transparent fuel policy. Mileage terms vary by vehicle — some are unlimited, others capped at a daily kilometre allowance shown on the listing.

How does TIV airport pickup work?

Tivat is a single-terminal airport. After you clear baggage reclaim, walk out the terminal exit and cross to the short-stay car park — roughly 40 metres. Our agent meets you there with the keys and paperwork. Total time from bag belt to driving: about 10 minutes.

Can I drop off at a different location?

Yes. One-way rentals are supported across 28+ towns in Montenegro. Pick up at TIV and drop off in Budva, Kotor, Podgorica, or across the border in Dubrovnik. Select different pickup and drop-off points during booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation up to 7 days before the rental start date for standard vehicles, up to 30 days for premium and convertible categories. A 6% payment processing fee applies to all refunds.

Is a deposit required?

Deposit amounts vary by vehicle group — some economy cars require no deposit at all. When a deposit applies, it must be on a physical credit card in the main driver’s name and is refunded on return of the vehicle.

Where is the nearest fuel station to TIV?

There is a Jugopetrol station 800 metres from the airport exit on the main road toward Tivat town, and a Petrol station in Radanovici on the Budva road. Both accept card and cash payment.

Are there any hidden fees?

No. Taxes, airport surcharge, equipment kit — all included. The price at checkout is the price you pay at pickup. We do not add fees at the desk.

How much do I pay upfront?

Only 15–20% of the total is charged at booking to secure the car. The balance is paid directly to the rental agent at the airport when you collect.

Can I rent without a credit card?

Some vehicles are available without a credit card — these are clearly marked with a card-free badge in the search results. Filter for them during your search.

First Grocery Run: Shops, SIMs, and Fuel Near TIV

Where to stock up within ten minutes of collecting your car.

Why Your First Stop Should Be a Supermarket

Montenegro hotel rooms rarely come with a stocked fridge, and apartment rentals assume you will buy your own supplies. Water, coffee, bread, and sunscreen are not provided. Your first fifteen minutes with the rental car are best spent at a supermarket near the airport before driving to wherever you are staying. This saves you from arriving at a rural villa at sunset and discovering that the nearest shop is a thirty-minute drive back toward Tivat.

Montenegrin supermarkets carry everything a European traveller expects — cold drinks, fresh fruit, dairy, bread, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and basic pharmacy items. Prices are lower than Croatia or Italy, and the selection at the larger stores is comparable to a mid-size Lidl or Tesco Express. Credit cards are accepted everywhere in Tivat; cash is only necessary for small roadside stalls and the Verige ferry.

The Three Supermarkets Near TIV

All three of these stores are within a ten-minute drive of the airport:

Voli: The largest chain in Montenegro. The Tivat branch sits on the main road near Porto Montenegro, three minutes from the airport. Full grocery range, deli counter with fresh sandwiches, bakery section, and a surprisingly good wine aisle featuring Montenegrin Vranac and Krstac. Open 7 am to 10 pm daily.
HDL: A discount chain with lower prices than Voli. The Tivat branch is on the road toward Kotor, five minutes from TIV. Good for bulk water, snacks, and cleaning products. Less fresh food variety than Voli but everything is cheaper.
Tivat Pijaca (market): The outdoor green market in Tivat centre. Open mornings daily except Sunday. Local farmers sell tomatoes, peppers, figs, honey, olives, and homemade cheese. Cash only. This is where you buy the ingredients for a proper Montenegrin breakfast on your balcony.

Fuel Stations

Two fuel stations serve the Tivat area. Jugopetrol sits 800 metres to the right as you exit the airport onto the main road — this is the closest and the one most rental car companies expect you to use for return fill-ups. A second Petrol station is in Radanovici on the Budva road, about ten minutes south. Both accept Visa and Mastercard, and both sell diesel, unleaded petrol, and LPG.

Fill up before heading inland or to the Lustica peninsula, where there are no stations at all. If you are driving to Dubrovnik, fuel in Herceg Novi is cheaper than in Croatia. For more on the airport and first-hour logistics, see our airport first hour guide.

SIM Cards and Mobile Data

Roaming charges within the EU do not apply in Montenegro — it is not a member state. If you have a European SIM, check your provider's Montenegro rate before landing. Most UK and EU plans charge between two and six euros per megabyte without an add-on, which drains a budget quickly when using navigation apps. A local prepaid SIM is the smart move.

The Telenor shop on Ulica 21 Novembra in Tivat centre sells tourist SIM kits for around five euros with 10 GB of data. The m:tel shop is two doors down and offers a similar deal. Both stores open at 8 am on weekdays and 9 am on Saturdays. If you arrive on a Sunday or late evening flight, the Voli supermarket checkout counter sells basic Telenor SIM starter packs — ask at the till.

Pharmacies and Medical Supplies

The main pharmacy in Tivat is on the corner of Ulica 21 Novembra and Ulica Marsala Tita, a five-minute drive from the airport. It stocks sunscreen, insect repellent, antihistamines, basic first aid supplies, and prescription medications with a valid European prescription. A second pharmacy operates inside the medical centre on Ulica Nikole Djurkovica, open weekday mornings. For out-of-hours emergencies, the Kotor hospital pharmacy operates 24 hours — twelve minutes through the Vrmac tunnel.

Quick Tips

Cash or card: Cards accepted in all supermarkets and fuel stations. Carry 20 EUR in cash for the green market and Verige ferry.
Sunday hours: Voli opens 8 am–8 pm. HDL 8 am–2 pm. Green market closed.
Shopping bags: Montenegro charges for plastic bags. Bring your own or buy a reusable bag at the checkout for 0.30 EUR.
Tap water: Tivat tap water is safe to drink. Buy a reusable bottle and refill rather than buying plastic.