Self Drive Tours & Trips in Balkans
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10 best Self Drive Balkans tour packages
Compiled by
NadineBalkans travel expert at TourRadar
- Adventures Along the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro & Bosnia, Self-Drive
- 11 Day Island Tour Santorini, Crete, Rhodes with Private Cruise to Cape Sounio
- Highlights of Croatia with Plitvice, Self-Drive (Multi country)
- Classical Greece, Self-drive
- 8 Day Private Tour in Ancient Greece, Peloponnese, Syvota, Parga, Corfu
- West Macedonia & Epirus Self-Drive Tour | Greece
- Self Drive: Albania North to South
- Discover Bulgaria: A Self-Drive Exploration of Its Best-Kept Secrets
- Hiking Zagoria - Meteora - Mt. Olympus | Greece | 8 Days | Self-Drive
- Island Hopping Crete & Santorini: From Hidden Places to White Villages (7 destinations)
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 $1,597
15% Off- NZ$1,358You save $240
11 Day Island Tour Santorini, Crete, Rhodes with Private Cruise to Cape Sounio
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything was well planned, clearly communicated and superbly executed.”
Martin, traveled in October
Seamless Balkans tour with included transportation between Greek islands. Domestic flights, ferry connections, and private transfers allow exploration of ancient ruins and coastal beauty at your preferred pace.
Duration 11 days Destinations Athens, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Private Tours Greece From $6,655
25% Off- NZ$4,991You save $1,664
Your Opel Astra awaits for the drive from Split to Mostar. Plitvice Lakes and Biograd's coast offer natural wonders, with comfortable stays at selected hotels including Hotel Tragos and Hotel Eden.
Duration 11 days Destinations Split, Trogir, Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Biograd, Mostar, Dubrovnik Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Gulliver Travel From $2,322
15% Off- NZ$1,974You save $348
Classical Greece, Self-drive
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“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, Tolo, Olympia, Delphi, Kalabaka Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Greece From $763
10% Off- NZ$686You save $76
8 Day Private Tour in Ancient Greece, Peloponnese, Syvota, Parga, Corfu
1 Review by TourRadar travelers
The road leads from coastal Parga to mountainous Metsovo. UNESCO sites like Corfu's Old Town and Meteora's monasteries dot the route. Premium accommodations and detailed routes included.
Duration 8 days Destinations Athens, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplion, Olympia, Parga, Sivota, Igoumenitsa, Corfu, MetsovoSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Private Tours Greece From $7,534
10% Off- NZ$6,781You save $753
The road from Thessaloniki leads to Pindos National Park. Meteora's monasteries, Metsovo's wineries, and Zagorohoria's stone villages await your visit, with carefully selected accommodations throughout northern Greece.
Duration 10 days Destinations Thessaloniki, Kalabaka, Ioannina, Edessa Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator BTOURS From $2,468
13% Off- NZ$2,147You save $321
Self Drive: Albania North to South
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The hotel staff almost everywhere was nice and the hotel quality varied in terms of the actual rooms.”
Rachel, traveled in August
A fully-equipped Dacia with GPS navigation opens up Balkan treasures. Theth's mountains and Saranda's coast beckon, with included insurance and unlimited mileage. A comprehensive travel manual ensures seamless independent travel.
Duration 11 days Destinations Tirana, Shkoder, Theth, Durres, Berat, Apollonia Archaeological Park, Gjirokastra, Saranda, Butrint National Park, Llogara National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Good Albania From
13% Off- NZ$2,309
Discover Bulgaria: A Self-Drive Exploration of Its Best-Kept Secrets
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“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
13% Off- NZ$1,795+$49 local payments
Northern Greece beckons from Thessaloniki to Mount Olympus. The route winds through Zagorohoria's stone villages, past Voidomatis River's crystal waters, to Meteora's monasteries. This 8-day, 688km journey includes stays at Zissis Hotel in Zagoria and Dellas Boutique in Kalambaka.
Duration 8 days Destinations Thessaloniki, Zagori, Kalabaka, Mount Olympus National Park, Litochoro, Papingo, Monodendri, Dion Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator BTOURS From $2,019
13% Off- NZ$1,756You save $262
What people love about Self Drive Tours in Balkans
- Discovering Crete, Self-drive
It would have been excellent if not for a major problem with the car rental. You advertise the tour good for 18 to 99 years but in fine print you have to be 69 or younger? I was not advised until days before I was too old to tent(71). In the end I found a car on my own and was refunded the car portion but needless hassle and frustration sorting it out. Otherwise trip great!
- Self Drive: Albania North to South
Great staff at Good Albania! I do believe the cars need professional checks and regular maintenance but with any issues we had the staff was willing and quick to respond with local help while we were travelling. The hotel staff almost everywhere was nice and the hotel quality varied in terms of the actual rooms, sometimes awesome sometimes mediocre. Good breakfasts daily.
We 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-Drive
What our customers ask about 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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