What you should know before hiring a car in Belgrade
| Belgrade city centre | ||
| Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG): 16 km from city centre | ||
Practical information
Where can you rent a car in Belgrade?
As the capital city of Serbia, a southeast European country, Belgrade is home to a population of around 1.4 million. Its principle airport is Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, from which travelers can opt to reach the city center by public bus, taxi, shuttle or rental car. Car rental companies such as Budget, Green Motion, Rhodium, Sixt and Thrifty operate car rental services at the airport and in the city of Belgrade. While train travel is possible to other parts of Serbia, it is far more reliable to travel by car.
Driving in Belgrade: parking and other tips
When driving in Belgrade, it pays to stick to the speed limit. Unless indicated, this is usually 50 kph (around 30 mph). Mobile phones should not be used while driving, and Belgrade operates a relatively strict blood alcohol limit of 30mg/100mg, so to be safe avoid drinking at all before driving. When it comes to parking, things can get a little tricky – however there are plenty of spaces for those who know where to find them. Avoid parking on the sidewalk and this is not allowed: instead, opt for public parking lots or marked street parking. The latter can be identified by colour (this is indicated on traffic signs in the area). Red, Yellow, Green and Blue zones are available: in Red zones, there is a maximum stay of one hour; in Yellow, it's two hours; in Green, it's three hours; and in Blue, it's unlimited. These zones are paid, and payment can be made at kiosks which are plentiful throughout the city. Parking in these spaces can cost anything from 41 to 56 dinars per hour.
Road trips from Belgrade
Thanks to its location just north of central Serbia, Belgrade is a great base from which to explore the rest of the country by rental car. Want to create your own timetable, without the restrictions of public transport? Traveling by rental car is the way to go! Here are three great road trip destinations to get you started on your Serbian road trip.
Novi Sad
Not far from Belgrade (a little over a one-hour drive) stands the city of Novi Sad. Perhaps best known as host to the increasingly popular Exit music festival, there is plenty to enjoy in the city year round. Intersected by the Danube River, interesting attractions include the Museum of Vojvodina, which focuses on art and history; the peaceful Danube Park; and the impressive Petrovaradin Fortress.
Fruška Gora
Near Novi Sad, an hour's drive north of Belgrade, lies the Fruška Gora National Park. Easily accessible by rental car, this stunning natural area is often referred to as the "Jewel of Serbia." The hilly region, which is also home to the Fruška Gora mountain, attracts visitors with its historic monasteries and excellent vineyards.
Niš
The city of Niš is located two and a half hours' drive south of Belgrade, and is the country's third largest metropolis. No trip to Niš would be complete without a visit to some of the city's historic sites: these include the 18th-century Niš Fortress; the Čegar Monument; Skull Tower; and the Mediana archaeological site.