Driving In The Balkans, What You Should Know About Driving Through The Balkans

Some posts contain compensated links. Please read this disclaimer
for more info.

Driving through the Balkans sounds scary to many – but, trust us, it’s not. That is if you know a few things like what car insurance you need in Balkan countries, road rules in the Balkans, and all the nitty-gritty about road rules. 

We love driving around the Balkans; road trips for us are easier than flying in some ways – we are such over-packers and hate the whole airport security thing. Plus, there is the added bonus of all the little cities and villages you get to see along the way like this:

No Balkans road trip would be complete without a fine – or is that just us? We always seem to get a parking ticket or a speeding fine; if you want to know about the cost tolls, driving the Balkans, the best Balkans travel route, and the Green Card insurance system, and how to avoid getting into trouble, keep reading.

Is It Safe To Drive In The Balkans

Yes. That’s the short answer.

Though after 20 years of traveling Europe, I can tell you that you’ll come across some super dodgy roads that have giant potholes, no asphalt at all, and or a bunch of animals. I often encounter sheep and cows…

Speeds will most sure ey be your biggest safety issue – Balkan drivers are ruthless; they never do the speed limit. They also pass on fixed lines and around bends – so always stay alert. 

The other thing you may not be used to is how narrow the roads can be and how often you have to pull off the bitumen to pass another car coming in the opposite direction.

Hint: hire the smallest car you can if that’s the case.

Green Card Balkans – Insurance System

A green card is given to you in Europe when you insure your car as proof of insurance. The Green Card will show you the specified countries you’re insured to drive in.

It’s not often you’ll be asked for it, though you must have it – so get it from your friends if you borrow a car or from your car rental agency. You will need to show this card to cross borders, and police may ask you for this if you are pulled over. 

The Green Card often is included with the cost of car hire, but if the car rental agency asks you to pay for it, don’t be a fool and decline it or argue about the measly 20 euro extra. Do be sure that you tell the car rental place (or check with your friends) about what countries are covered – given them a list of the Balkan countries you plan to drive through to make sure you’re insured. 

Balkans Road Trip Itinerary

Oh my! I have so many Balkans road trip itinerary ideas that I could write a whole book of possibilities. Luckily for you, we have some posts with some cool Balkan road trip ideas. 

8 Stop Road Trip In The Balkans

This is one that works only if you have a few weeks, preferably a month. We have the whole month mapped out here for you. 

1. Split, Croatia
2. Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
3. Dubrovnik, Croatia
4. Kotor, Montenegro
5. Podgorica, Montenegro
6. Pec/Peja/Peje, Western Kosovo
7. Prizren, Kosovo
8. Skopje, Macedonia

Epic 20 Stop Balkan Road Trip

Again, if you have a month plus, this Balkan road trip idea is just what you need:

1. Zagreb, Croatia
2. Zadar, Croatia
3. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
4. Una National Park, Bosnia & Herzegovina
5. Split, Croatia
6. Kravice Waterfalls, Bosnia & Herzegovina
7. Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
8. Dubrovnik, Croatia
9. Kotor Bay, Montenegro
10. Durmitor National Park, Montenegro
11. Bosnia & Herzegovina
12. Belgrade, Serbia
13. Sibiu, Romania
14. Bucharest, Romania
15. Sofia, Bulgaria
16. Varna, Bulgaria
17. Seven Rila Lakes, Bulgaria
18. Lake Ohrid, Macedonia
19. Skopje, Macedonia
20. Lake Skadar, Albania

Romania In 6 Days – Brasov to Bucharest

This 6-day road trip will take you from Brasov to Bucharest and explains what to see and where to stop along the way. 

Croatia Road Trip From Dubrovnik to Zagreb

Find out about all the stops between Dubrovnik and Zagreb and how to make the most of your road trip.

Chasing Dracula

Go on a 4-Day Road trip from Bucharest To Transfagarasan.

Trogir To Dubrovnik

This road trip itinerary is short but not too shabby, from Trogir to Dubrovnik. 

Two Week Balkans Road Trip Itinerary 

Fourteen days of the very best of the Balkans await you on this two-week Balkans road trip itinerary. 

Balkan Road Trip 10 Days

If you have more than ten days, then you can use this guide to the top things to see on a Balkan road trip. 

Southwestern Balkans Road Trip Itinerary

This trip covers, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, & Macedonia

A Dubrovnik To Mostar Day Trip

Head from the home of Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik to Mostar, in Bosnia-Herzegovina. 

Border Crossing In The Balkans

Cross the border from one Balkan country to another is very easy, though do read this guide if you’re traveling between Kosovo and Serbia.

Be sure to have your car papers, insurance, passports, and visas ready. Don’t expect smiles and chit-chat, and be prepared for long delays between popular borders, like between Croatia and Montenegro during the summer months and holidays. 

Renting A Car In The Balkans

Hiring and driving a rental car in the Balkans is easy to do – though you will need to be sure you’re permitted to cross all the borders on your itinerary. When searching for a rental car in the Balkans, I highly recommend using the website below. This website aggregates several offers and allows you to compare rental offers and prices from a diverse range of car rental agencies in the Balkans.

 

Parking In The Balkans

Balkans parking is not fun. Sorry.

Spots are hard to find, cost a tonne of cash, and are very close together, so it leaves your renal car vulnerable to dents and scratches. Instead, You’re better off booking hotels on the outskirts of town and parking at the hotel garage or local parking center. 

Driving In The Balkans Guides

Here we have the guides to the following countries; in each driving guide are all of the road rules, car hire agencies that service the country, and hints and advice about driving in that specific country.

Share

Email
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
WhatsApp
Viber