Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in Balkans
Ever wanted the freedom to stop wherever looks interesting, no schedule dictating your pace? Self-driving the Balkans gives you exactly that. Croatia's coast from Dubrovnik to Split, Bosnia's Mostar bridge, Montenegro's Kotor Bay, Albania's riviera. Or inland to Serbia's Belgrade, North Macedonia's Ohrid, Kosovo's Pristina. Road quality varies considerably, border crossings can take time, but you discover places no tour would include.
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My boyfriend and I absolutely loved this trip! The whole process was smooth and well thought out. The carhire was simple and easy to access directly from the airport. The hotels in all of the locations were perfect - I was a little apprehensive about the 3 star rating but I would personally rate all of them at 4 or above. The check-ins were also really flexible which meant that if we did turn up early, we didn’t have to worry about lugging our bags around which was really helpful. The timing in each place was great and even with stops on the way, we never felt as though we were restricted on time. We purchased an e-Sim separately which is an absolute must as our car didn’t have SatNav (only CarPlay) which relied on our mobile data.
Adventures Along the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro & Bosnia, Self-DriveI maybe should have thought about this more. I assumed there might be other folks on this tour and we'd have someone suggesting where to go. Instead, I was on my own and traveling alone. That was okay. I had the itinerary and the hotel for suggestions and I had a great time (except when I thought I'd lost my cards and spent all my time at Rethymnon dealing with that, but that was not the fault of the tour.) The hotels were good except that finding them was not always easy and the one at Agios Nikolaou had some stairs (and google sent me the wrong way down a one way street to get there.) They all had balconies and good to great breakfasts. My biggest complaint was that the rental company gave me a black car. They said I should have ordered a nonblack car. But I didn't order it and who would bring a black car to Crete? It was hot at 9:30 in the morning in September. I was warned it would be a standard, which wasn't a problem for me. But it had 6 gears plus reverse. Going into or over the mountains required a lot of up and down shifting, I had been warned by a taxi driver in Athens about Crete drivers, but it was the motorcycle drivers that had death wishes. This is a tour for the adventurous and self-directive. I made it to both Elafonissi Beach and the Cave of Zeus, which I highly recommend, though they mean negotiating the aforementioned mountain roads with hairpin turns on narrow roads.
Discovering Crete, Self-driveGreat experience and wonderful support in every area to make our trip easy and enjoyable.
Athens - Mykonos - Santorini - Crete
10 best Road Trip & Self-Drive Balkans tour packages
Compiled by
NadineBalkans travel expert at TourRadar
- Adventures Along the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro & Bosnia, Self-Drive
- Albania comprehensive - self-drive tour
- Best of Eastern Europe Motorcycle Tour
- Discovering Crete, Self-drive
- Athens - Mykonos - Santorini - Crete
- Classical Greece, Self-drive
- Roadtrip through Southern Croatia and Montenegro
- The Best of Romania and Bulgaria – Self-drive Tour
- Romantic Beaches of Mykonos
- Self Drive: Albania North to South
Adventures Along the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro & Bosnia, Self-Drive
“The hotels in all of the locations were perfect.”
Emma, traveled in May
The Opel Astra takes you from Dubrovnik's UNESCO walls to Mostar's bustling bazaars. Wind through Kotor's medieval lanes and Split's Roman heritage. Comfortable stays await at selected hotels like Hotel Astoria and Hotel Tragos with breakfast included.
Duration 8 days Destinations Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Gulliver Travel From $995
15% Off- US$846You save $149
A Skoda Fabia awaits for your journey from Lake Ohrid to the Adriatic coast. Three countries open up with pre-arranged accommodation and optional guided support.
Duration 15 days Destinations Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator Ventus Touristik GmbH From
15% Off- US$2,430
Duration 18 days Destinations Romania, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Serbia Age Range Ages 22+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Transylvania Live Expert in Transylvania From
15% Off- US$8,181
Discovering Crete, Self-drive
“The car was ideal to suit our needs, and the hotels were lovely. There is excellent value for money, and I would use this operator again.”
Renee, traveled in April
The largest Balkan island unfolds by car, from ancient Knossos to pink-sand Elafonissi Beach. Visits to Spinalonga island and Toplou Monastery complement stays at carefully selected 3-star hotels including Hotel Olympic in Heraklion.
Duration 8 days Destinations Heraklion, Knossos, Chania, Elafonisi, Rethymnon, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Spinalonga, Sitia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Greece From $612
10% Off- US$551You save $61
Athens - Mykonos - Santorini - Crete
“The hotels were lovely and well placed. Greek islands are amazing and you don't want to waste your time with lazy ferries.”
Rubin, traveled in April
Duration 10 days Destinations Athens, Piraeus, Mykonos, Delos, Santorini, Thera, Nea Kameni Island, Palea Kameni Island, Heraklion, KnossosSee all destinations Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Eskapas From $2,630
3% Off- US$2,551You save $79
Classical Greece, Self-drive
“Driving around Greece was awesome. We stayed off the toll roads so saw parts of the country we never would have seen.”
Leonard, traveled in June
The journey from Athens to Meteora in an Opel Corsa reveals Peloponnese's ancient sites and traditional villages. Comfortable stays at selected 3-4 star hotels enhance the experience.
Duration 5 days Destinations Athens, Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Tolo, Nafplion, Olympia, Patras, Delphi, KalabakaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Greece From $428
10% Off- US$385You save $43
Duration 11 days Destinations Ston, Prapratno, Trstenik, Orebić, Trpanj, Korčula, Dubrovnik, Sveti Stefan, Kotor, Ulcinj Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
10% Off- US$585
What our customers ask about Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in Balkans
What are the must-see highlights on a Balkans Self Drive tour?
A Balkans Self Drive tour offers access to significant UNESCO heritage sites across multiple countries. Visitors can explore Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia known for its interconnected lakes and waterfalls. In Bulgaria the Rila Monastery stands as a testament to Orthodox architecture while Mostar's Old Bridge in Bosnia represents a symbol of post-war reconstruction. The route leads through Split where Diocletian's Palace remains a living monument Dubrovnik with its well-preserved medieval walls and Sofia's grand Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Natural landscapes include Slovenia's Julian Alps and the scenic drives along Croatia's Dalmatian Coast. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "We had a delightful day exploring the magnificent views from Veliko Tarnovo and the romantic Black Sea coast."
When is the best time for a Self Drive tour in the Balkans?
Plan your Balkans road trip between May and September for the most reliable weather conditions. The coastal areas of Split and Dubrovnik see fewer crowds in June or September with pleasant temperatures around 25°C. For mountain regions like Plitvice Lakes July and August provide clear visibility and stable conditions. Winter brings challenging driving conditions especially through Slovenia's Julian Alps where snow is common. One TourRadar traveler commented: "End of May was the perfect time to explore as well with great weather and fewer tourists."
What documents and requirements are needed for a Balkans Self Drive tour?
Requirements include being between 21-69 years old depending on the country and rental company with a valid driver's license held for at least one year. Cross-border travel through Croatia Bosnia and Albania may require multiple-entry visas. Rental companies require a credit card for deposit and strongly recommend an International Driving Permit. Hotels such as the Olympic in Athens or Hotel Dubrovnik in Zagreb need passport identification at check-in. As one TourRadar traveler advised: "Make sure to check age restrictions as some rental companies won't let you be the driver if you're over 69 years old."
What's included in a typical Balkans Self Drive tour package?
Standard tours cover stays at established hotels such as the 4-star Hotel Sacher in Salzburg or Hotel Falkensteiner in Croatia. Packages typically include daily breakfast car insurance GPS navigation and detailed route guides. Operators provide round-the-clock support airport transfers and emergency communication tools like local SIM cards. Most tours come with pre-programmed GPS coordinates for key attractions and recommended stops. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Communication with the organizers was very easy and enjoyable - they provided pre-routed GPS and handled all accommodations perfectly."
How challenging is driving in the Balkans region?
Road conditions and driving complexity vary across the region. The coastal routes of Croatia and Montenegro combine scenic beauty with narrow winding roads. Modern highways connect major cities like Zagreb and Belgrade offering straightforward driving experiences. Mountain routes through Slovenia and northern Albania call for extra caution and attention. As described by a TourRadar traveler: "Driving in Bulgaria was easier than expected and the overall logistics of this trip are very well thought out with comfortable timing and relaxation time."
How much should I budget for additional expenses on a Balkans Self Drive tour?
Additional costs beyond the tour package include around 150-200 USD for fuel 30-50 USD daily for meals outside breakfast and parking fees ranging from 10-20 USD per day in tourist centers like Dubrovnik or Split. Factor in entrance costs to attractions such as Plitvice Lakes at 30 USD or Diocletian's Palace at 10 USD. A TourRadar traveler advised: "Local dining experiences are recommended and restaurants often feature traditional cuisine at reasonable prices."
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