Car rental in Sarajevo

If you don't want to limit yourself to exploring Sarajevo's attractions, renting a car in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is an optimal choice for traveling throughout the country.

Scenic mountain roads and lakes, numerous historical sites, national parks—you can choose the most interesting locations for yourself, quickly adjust routes, and stop for photos at appealing spots. You won't need to conform to public transportation schedules and routes, or overpay for taxis and tours.

Benefits of Car Rental with Localrent

With Localrent, you won't spend much time searching for the best price and rental terms in Sarajevo. The platform features verified local rental companies—you just need to choose an option that suits your needs. Using Localrent service, you get several advantages:

1. Transparent pricing. The rental cost includes all fees, insurance, and taxes.
2. Convenient filters. Customize your search for suitable cars by various parameters, such as transmission type, engine type, and deposit conditions.
3. Wide selection of vehicles. The website offers both budget models and luxury cars—choose according to your preferences and budget.
4. Customer support throughout the entire rental period. If you have questions or problems, you can contact a manager via messenger, online chat, or email.
5. Simple booking process. Book a car online with just a few clicks and pick it up directly at the airport or another convenient location.

Requirements for Car Rental

Although driving in the country is permitted from age 18, rental companies set their own restrictions. Each vehicle has specific criteria regarding age and driving experience. You can check requirements in the car card under "Conditions."

To rent a car in Sarajevo, you need:

• Valid driver's license
• Driver's passport for identity verification, age confirmation, and contract signing
• Bank card for online advance payment of 15-20%
  

Traffic Conditions in Sarajevo

Regarding traffic rules in Sarajevo, they largely align with general European standards. To feel confident behind the wheel:

• Speed limits. Default speed restrictions (unless otherwise indicated on signs): in the city—50 km/h, outside the city—80 km/h, on highways—130 km/h.
• Headlight usage. Always keep headlights on low beam while driving, regardless of time of day or season.
• Safety belts. Mandatory use of seat belts for yourself and all passengers.
• Phone usage. Use hands-free or headset for phone conversations while driving.
• Rural road caution. Exercise particular care on roads outside cities, especially during nighttime. Wild animals may dart onto the roadway. They are most commonly encountered in reserve zones, national parks, and nature parks.

An important feature of the country's road conditions is the predominance of mountainous terrain, which involves:

• Abundance of turns (smooth and very sharp) on roads outside populated areas
• Possible landslides and rockfalls during heavy precipitation

Potentially hazardous sections are marked with special road signs. When possible, avoid traveling on them during poor weather conditions.

Keeping these features in mind will help you avoid fines and problems during your trip around Sarajevo and neighboring cities, allowing you to simply enjoy your vacation.

Gas Stations

In Sarajevo, as throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, you won't have problems refueling your vehicle. Gas stations with different fuel types are common, many operate 24/7. On highways, the distance between stations doesn't exceed 30 km. In remote rural and mountain areas, stations are less frequent, and payment is typically requested in cash using local currency.

Parking

Sarajevo's city parking is divided into two zones:

• First zone (red)—covers the city center
• Second zone (yellow)—covers areas near the center, central railway station, and bus station

Parking tickets are valid for the selected zone, not for a specific spot. Parking can be paid hourly or you can purchase a daily/weekly ticket valid for 24/168 hours from purchase. Parking is free on Sundays and public holidays.

Street Parking Payment Options:

• Parking meters—most accept only cash and don't give change; card payment is rarely available.
• SMS—suitable only for hourly parking, works exclusively with local numbers. For long-term parking, you need to send several consecutive messages.
• Parking Sarajevo app—available only in Bosnian, requires registration and email confirmation.
• City parking website—available only in Bosnian.

The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina also has private parking lots with barriers.

Free parking can be found near major shopping centers, in courtyards, and residential areas.

How to Book a Car in Sarajevo

You can arrange rental in Sarajevo through Localrent in just a few minutes:

1. Select rental start and end dates, set desired parameters in filters for more precise search.
2. Choose a car and review its details. Ensure all parameters (technical specifications, rental conditions, insurance, and payment) meet your requirements and click "Continue."
3. Fill out the booking form: vehicle pick-up and return location and time, personal details and contact information of the primary driver.
4. Pay the advance. The amount will be 15-20%, payable only by bank card.
5. Receive booking confirmation at your email—save the voucher with all order details on your phone or print it. You'll need to present it when picking up the car.
   

What to See with Your Rental Car

Sarajevo can serve as a starting point for exploring the country. From the capital, you can visit:

1. Mostar—a city with the legendary Old Bridge, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Stroll through narrow cobblestone streets with traditional Ottoman houses, visit the local market.
2. Jajce—a city with authentic architecture and picturesque nature. Visit the catacombs, Emma Sultania Mosque, the cascade of mills on the Pliva River, and Pliva Waterfall.
3. Travnik—a museum city with its namesake medieval fortress. Be sure to see the Suleymaniye Mosque, Plava Voda spring, and climb the clock tower.
4. Sutjeska National Park—an ideal place for active recreation and pristine nature enthusiasts. Explore the ancient Perucica forest with Skakavac waterfall, enjoy walks along scenic trails.
5. Višegrad—a city with the famous bridge over the Drina River from Ivo Andrić's novel. Visit the Andrićgrad complex created by Emir Kusturica, take a boat ride on the Drina, and climb to viewpoints.

For trips to most of these locations, a car of any class will suffice. However, the roads to Mostar or Jajce include steep ascents and descents, so for additional comfort, you can rent a car with a more powerful engine.

Where to Rent a Car in Sarajevo

Different rental companies offer different pick-up locations in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Options include:

• Sarajevo International Airport "Butmir"
• Rental office in the city
• Delivery to a convenient location within the city

Available options may also vary depending on the selected car and booking dates—this information can be viewed in the selected model's card. When selecting the city, the "Specify location" filter will show all available locations in the city.

Useful Tips for Car Rental in Sarajevo

To minimize risks associated with car rental:

• Thorough vehicle inspection. Carefully inspect the car upon receipt together with the rental company representative. Don't hesitate to point out any defects and ensure they are documented in the report. Even better—take your own photos showing the defect and license plate number in the frame.
• Route verification. Before your trip, ensure the route passes through permitted roads. Insurance is not valid on unpaved roads, so traveling on them is prohibited.
• Toll roads. Watch for signs when entering highways—they include toll sections. Rates depend on vehicle category and distance. Payment can be made in cash or by bank card.
  

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Rental in Sarajevo