Novi Sad is Serbia’s second-largest city and one of the most appealing urban destinations in the Western Balkans. Set on the banks of the Danube, beneath the imposing ramparts of Petrovaradin Fortress, it’s a city that rewards exploration — and having a hire car makes that exploration significantly easier. Whether you’re visiting for the world-famous EXIT music festival, exploring the wine villages of Fruška Gora, or using Novi Sad as a base for road trips across Vojvodina and beyond, a rental car puts the region’s highlights within effortless reach.

365 Car Hire compares prices from all major suppliers operating in Novi Sad, including downtown pickup locations, the railway station, and hotel delivery options. With free cancellation on most bookings and no hidden credit card surcharges, you can book your hire car with confidence.

Novi Sad has excellent road connections to Belgrade (90 km south via the E75 motorway, about 75 minutes), making it easy to combine a visit to both cities. The city itself is compact and walkable in its centre, but a hire car is invaluable for visiting the monasteries and wineries of Fruška Gora, the wetlands of Obedska Bara, or the Roman sites scattered across the Vojvodina plain.

Why Hire a Car in Novi Sad?

Novi Sad sits at the heart of the Vojvodina region — a flat, fertile province with a rich multi-ethnic heritage, dotted with villages that speak Hungarian, Slovak, Romanian, Rusyn, and Serbian. It’s a fascinating area to explore, but many of its best destinations — rural monasteries, wildlife reserves, harvest festivals — are only easily reached by car.

The city is well-placed for multi-country road trips too. Budapest is 3 hours north; Zagreb is 3.5 hours west; Sarajevo is 4 hours south. Novi Sad makes an excellent base or a mid-point on a Balkans road trip, especially for travellers who want to see more of the region beyond the standard tourist trail.

Top 5 Things to See and Do Near Novi Sad

• Petrovaradin Fortress — The 17th-century fortress overlooking the Danube is the city’s iconic landmark. Drive up for panoramic views or explore the underground tunnels. 10 minutes from the city centre.
• Fruška Gora National Park — A long ridge of forested hills stretching west of Novi Sad, home to 16 medieval monasteries and excellent hiking trails. About 20–30 minutes by car.
• Sremski Karlovci — A charming baroque town famous for its Bermet wine, just 15 minutes south of Novi Sad by car. Beautiful old churches, wine cellars, and a peaceful atmosphere.
• Subotica — Serbia’s most northerly major city, with outstanding Art Nouveau architecture including a famous synagogue and city hall. 1 hour north of Novi Sad.
• Obedska Bara Nature Reserve — An ancient oxbow lake south of Novi Sad, renowned for birdwatching and pristine wetland scenery. About 1 hour by car.

Driving in Serbia — What You Need to Know

Serbia has an improving road network, and driving around Novi Sad and the wider Vojvodina region is generally easy. The E75 motorway connecting Novi Sad to Belgrade is well-maintained, as is the A1/E70 route toward Zagreb and Croatia.

• Driving licence: EU licences are valid in Serbia. Non-EU visitors need an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence. UK licences are accepted.
• Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on main roads outside urban areas, 130 km/h on motorways.
• Tolls: Serbia has a toll system on its main motorways. Cash (Serbian dinars or euros) or a multi-lane payment system applies. Tolls are moderate — Belgrade to Novi Sad costs around €4.
• Fuel: Petrol and diesel are widely available. LPG is also common. Prices are generally lower than EU averages.
• Parking: Paid parking applies in the central zones of Novi Sad (colour-coded zones, usually €0.30–€0.60 per hour). Payment via SMS or at kiosks.

Best Car Types for Novi Sad

• Compact cars: Perfect for city driving and short day trips to Sremski Karlovci or Fruška Gora. Good fuel economy for longer drives too.
• Estate / family cars: Recommended for families or couples on longer road trips across Serbia or into neighbouring countries. Comfortable on motorway journeys to Belgrade, Subotica, or beyond.
• SUVs: Useful if you’re venturing into the hills of Fruška Gora on unpaved forest tracks, or driving into rural Vojvodina where some roads can be rough.
• Minivans / MPVs: Great option for groups or families combining Novi Sad with broader Balkans road trips.

Cross-Border Driving from Novi Sad

Novi Sad’s location makes it one of the best bases in the Western Balkans for cross-border road trips. Key crossing points within easy reach include:

• Hungary (Horgoš/Röszke): 80 km north — Serbia to Hungary, about 1 hour. EU Schengen area crossing.
• Croatia (Batrovci/Lipovac): 120 km west — Serbia to Croatia, about 1.5 hours. EU Schengen border.
• Romania (Vatin): 120 km east — Serbia to Romania, about 1.5 hours.

Always confirm cross-border permissions with your hire car supplier before travel. Serbia is not an EU member state, so some suppliers restrict cross-border driving into Schengen countries — check your policy carefully.

For driving tips covering Belgrade and Serbia more broadly, our partners at car hire Belgrade Serbia have detailed guides on driving around the country. If you’re combining Serbia with Bulgaria on a Balkans road trip, our car hire in Bulgaria guide covers everything from Sofia airport to the Black Sea coast.

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Hire Novi Sad