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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The places in Croatia and Montenegro were nice and the organisation was great. Had no problems checking into hotels. There was a surprise charge for second driver on the car hire and to take the car on ferries which we needed. In general the hotels were fine but we paid the upgrade for 4 star hotels but they weren’t all 4 star. The one in Bosnia was quite disappointing and dirty and smelt of smoke. The other hotels were great though, particularly in Trogir. Also the drive took a lot longer than described in the itinerary.
Adventures Along the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro & Bosnia, Self-DriveWe really enjoyed the excellent communication from Emiliana and we found every detail of the organisation to be perfect. We had a delightful day with our very knowledgeable and engaging guide from Varna. We thought all the hotels were well placed and comfortable. The hire car was very good and all arrangements for it went smoothly. We very much appreciated the suggested place to visit and did our best to cover all of them. We also enjoyed the meals arranged for us. In short, we loved Bulgaria and would happily recommend your company to anyone.
Go Local: Best of Bulgaria, Self-DriveThe printed guide and organisation of the final itinerary were excellent. We were glad we changed the itinerary to add a night in Kazanlak between Plovdiv and Nessebar as it was a long way to drive, and as there are many interesting sights around Kazanlak: we also visited Shipka Church and Pass which were well worth seeing as we had a bit of extra time there. Due to the long drive to get to coastal Bulgarian areas, we would have liked an extra night there, probably in Varna which suited our historical interests. Both guided tours in Sofia and Veliko Tarnovo were excellent and very informative. We appreciated the extra time spent with Sofia in Veliko Tarnovo giving us a guided tour of the Tsarevets Fortress and also sights in the town. Overall the sights in Bulgaria including historic and natural were a pleasant surprise.
Discover Bulgaria: A Self-Drive Exploration of Its Best-Kept Secrets
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
- Classical Greece, Self-drive
- Ten days self-drive trip from Bucharest to Transfagarasan Highway, Transylvania and Maramures
- Go Local: Best of Bulgaria, Self-Drive
- Discover Bulgaria: A Self-Drive Exploration of Its Best-Kept Secrets
- MINOTAUR: Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Heraklion and Chania
- Self-Drive Off-Road Adventure in Mountainous Greece - 8 Days, with Guided Rafting
- Grand Peloponnese, Self-drive
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 $968
20% off- US$774
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
20% off- US$2,360
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
20% off- US$7,948
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 $417
15% off- US$354
Duration 10 days Destinations Bucharest, Sinaia, Bran, Brasov, Rupea, Viscri, Sighisoara, Biertan, Turda, Cluj-NapocaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 7+ Operated in English, Italian, French, Spanish Operator Rolandia From
15% off- US$1,150
Go Local: Best of Bulgaria, Self-Drive
“Bulgaria is a jewel of a country and it shouldn't be overlooked as a great destination to explore.”
Alexandra, traveled in May
Bulgaria's diverse landscapes unfold from Sofia's St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral to Varna's coastline. The stunning Yundola Pass and Rose Valley paint perfect pictures along the way. Unlimited mileage, comprehensive insurance, and carefully planned routes included.
Duration 11 days Destinations Sofia, Mount Vitosha, Troyan, Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanasi, Sveshtari, Madara, Varna, Balchik, NesebarSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, French Operator Destination Services Bulgaria From $1,252
20% off- US$1,002
Discover Bulgaria: A Self-Drive Exploration of Its Best-Kept Secrets
“The sights in Bulgaria including historic and natural were a pleasant surprise.”
Beryl, traveled in July
Your Ford Focus carries you from Sofia to Varna with full insurance. Pirin National Park, Plovdiv's Roman amphitheater, and medieval Nessebar invite exploration at your pace. Unlimited mileage and carefully selected family-run hotel stays included.
Duration 11 days Destinations Sofia, Rila, Bansko, Plovdiv, Kazanlak, Nesebar, Varna, Arbanasi, Veliko Tarnovo Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Across Europe Ltd. From
20% off- US$1,109+$56 local payments
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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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