Montenegro is a stunning Balkan country featuring dramatic Adriatic coastline, medieval towns, and rugged mountains. From the UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor to the beaches of Budva, Montenegro offers remarkable natural beauty and rich cultural heritage in a compact, accessible destination.
- Public
- Buses are the primary public transport, connecting all major coastal towns and cities regularly. City buses limited to larger towns. No metro. Trains serve only the Bar-Podgorica-Kolašin-Bijelo Polje corridor.
- Taxi
- Taxis available in all tourist areas. Use RedTaxi app in Podgorica/Budva or agree fare before travelling. Unlicensed drivers operate at tourist spots - always use official vehicles.
- Rental
- Car rental recommended for exploring national parks and reaching hidden coves. Essential for Durmitor, Lake Skadar, and Prokletije. All major companies at Tivat and Podgorica airports from €25/day.
- Walking
- Kotor Old Town, Budva Old Town, Perast, and Herceg Novi all walkable. Coastal promenades connect beaches. Mountain trails well-marked. No cars allowed inside old town walls.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Public bus - €1.50-2.90, 15-45 minutes to city center
- Shuttle
- Train - €1.20 second class, €2 first class (20 min walk to station)
- Bus
- Taxi - €12-15 to Podgorica, €55 to Budva, €70 to Kotor
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Extensive local and intercity bus network. City buses €1-1.50 per ride. Buy tickets at kiosks or from driver. Buses connect all major towns along the coast and to inland cities.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Base fare €0.50-1, then €0.80-1 per km. Agree on price before starting or ensure meter is running. Taxis readily available in cities and tourist areas. Apps like RedTaxi operate in major cities.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Primary intercity transport. Frequent connections between coastal towns (€3-8). Podgorica to Kotor €8-10, 1.5-2 hours. Budva to Kotor €3-4, 30 minutes. Book tickets at bus stations or online. Comfortable modern coaches on main routes.
Flights
No domestic flights due to small size of country. All destinations reachable by bus within 3-4 hours max.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Podgorica Airport (Golubovci)
From centre: 12 km south of Podgorica
Options: Public bus - €1.50-2.90, 15-45 minutes to city center; Train - €1.20 second class, €2 first class (20 min walk to station); Taxi - €12-15 to Podgorica, €55 to Budva, €70 to Kotor; Airport shuttle - €15-20 per person to coastal destinations; Car rental - from €25/day, all major companies present
Tivat Airport
From centre: 3 km from Tivat, 8 km from Kotor
Options: Local bus - €1-2 to Tivat, €2-3 to Kotor; Taxi - €8-10 to Tivat, €15-20 to Kotor, €35 to Budva; Airport shuttle - €10-25 depending on destination; Car rental - from €25/day, multiple companies at airport; Hotel transfers - many hotels offer pickup service
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
RedTaxi
Best taxi app for Montenegro - covers Podgorica, Budva, and coastal areas. Shows fixed fares before booking.
Google Maps
Works well for navigation in Montenegro including turn-by-turn directions on mountain roads. Download offline maps.
Komoot
Best app for hiking and cycling route planning in Durmitor, Lovćen, and national parks.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Car rental is strongly recommended if you plan to visit more than one destination - public transport between inland sites is very limited
The coastal road (Jadranska magistrala) is scenic but slow in summer - allow extra time for Kotor-Budva journeys especially July-August
Download the RedTaxi app before arriving in Podgorica - safer and cheaper than hailing street taxis
The Kotor Bay ferry (trajekt) at Kamenari saves 30+ minutes driving around the bay - costs €4.50/car and runs every 20-30 minutes
Budva-Kotor bus is reliable and cheap (€4, 30 min) - no need for a taxi on this route
Mountain roads to Durmitor, Lovćen, and Prokletije require careful driving - narrow, hairpin bends, loose gravel in places
Parking in Kotor and Budva is expensive and scarce in summer; park outside old towns in official car parks (€2-4/hour)