Dubrovnik to Montenegro will be an exciting trip for you to take with your partner, family, friends, or by yourself.
There are several ways you can travel from Dubrovnik to Montenegro – you can book a day trip, take the bus, hire a taxi, rent a car, or book a boat trip.
Dubrovnik to Montenegro: with the Croatia to Montenegro border only a short distance away from each other, you can experience both countries at one time on a single holiday.
Dubrovnik to Montenegro
You roamed around Croatia, discovering various cities such as Dubrovnik and Zagreb. You admired art in galleries, mused over the historical artefacts in museums, ate appetising traditional dishes at restaurants, enjoyed adventurous island-hopping, and picked up some souvenirs in Croatia.
Your trip to the historic country was truly wonderful and memorable. However, you’re not done yet.
Thanks to the location of Dubrovnik on the country’s narrow southern tip, you can skip over to the border into Montenegro.
How to Get from Dubrovnik to Montenegro
Montenegro is a small country with a lot to offer! Feast your eyes on the historic towns and buildings, serene and picturesque beaches, and rugged peaks.
There are several ways you can travel from Dubrovnik to Montenegro:
- have a day trip to Montenegro
- take a bus to Montenegro from Dubrovnik’s bus station
- rent a car from the Airport in Dubrovnik
- book a boat tour from Dubrovnik to Kotor Bay
- drive your own vehicle
- hire a taxi from Dubrovnik
Day Trip from Dubrovnik to Montenegro
A day trip from Dubrovnik to Montenegro, guided by an experienced tour guide, will make the entire experience even more enjoyable. Not only will you see Montenegro but you will also hear about it. Your guide will tell you interesting facts and answer your questions about the site, monuments, and structures.
Another benefit you get by booking a guided tour is that you avoid the hassle of driving from Dubrovnik to Montenegro. You can enjoy the journey from the bus by looking at the gorgeous landscape from the window.
How Does the Tour Work?
The travel group is limited to no more than 15 participants. Your tour guide will pick you up from the hotel at the given time. On the trip, you will learn about Montenegro’s fascinating history and see beautiful sights such as the Old Town of Kotor, Porto Montenegro, and Perast.
A guided tour is an excellent choice for people holidaying in Croatia by themselves. We also recommend booking a tour for anyone who wants to know the history and stories behind the ancient and historical structures in Kotor and its surrounding towns.
Moreover, it’s a great way to make new friends and a convenient way to travel between the two countries. Book a day trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik if it’s something that interests you.
Bus Dubrovnik to Montenegro
If your mind is set on viewing the passing landscape from your seat on the bus, you need to learn how buses operate from Dubrovnik to Montenegro.
How to Take the Bus from Dubrovnik?
You need to get to the Dubrovnik bus station, which is 3.28 km from the town centre. By car, it takes you 8 min to reach. At the bus station, you will find bathrooms, ATMs, luggage storage, an exchange office, and a ticket office.
At least five buses leave for Kotor from Dubrovnik with the tickets priced from 24€ per adult for one-way to 48€ return. Reserve your bus tickets to Montenegro beforehand to save time and also because they may sell out quickly during peak season.
Where to Store Your Luggage?
You can opt to store your luggage at the on-site storage space or take your belongings with you if you don’t intend to return to Croatia. If you are taking your luggage with you, you need to pay a small fee per bag.
However, the prices may vary. The bus driver will provide you with a number to ensure you receive your luggage when you depart. They will put your luggage in a safe and secure compartment located underneath the bus.
Taxi Dubrovnik to Montenegro
Just landed at Dubrovnik Airport and need a taxi to Montenegro? Was Croatia to Montenegro a well planned in advance holiday destination or was it a last minute decision? Whatever your reason is to take on a trip from Croatia to Montenegro, hire a taxi from Dubrovnik, and have a smooth escape to Montenegro.
Dubrovnik to Montenegro by Boat
It used to be rare to have a boat trip being offered from Dubrovnik to Montenegro, but nowadays it is not that unusual. You can book a private boat excursion tour from Dubrovnik to Kotor Bay.
Dubrovnik to Montenegro By Car
How long is the ride? On your way, you might encounter traffic and then there’s the wait time and the mandatory checks at the border (but we will get to that soon), so you can expect your journey to take you anywhere from 2 to 3 hours.
We know that it sounds like a lot of hours but when you see the mesmerising scenery, you know it was all worth it!
Croatia to Montenegro Border Crossing
- Montenegro is not part of the EU, hence passengers must go through a border check.
- There will be another border check on your return from Montenegro to Croatia.
- Montenegro is not in Schengen, however, you can enter Montenegro if you travel on a Shengen visa
Distance Dubrovnik to Montenegro
The distance between Dubrovnik, Croatia to Herceg Novi, Montenegro is 52 km via D8.
It is 31km from Herceg Novi to Perast, and 43 km from Herceg Novi to Kotor town.
What to Know About the Montenegro-Croatia Border?
The Montenegro-Croatia border lies on the Adriatic Highway between Herceg Novi and Dubrovnik. On the Montenegrin side, you have Debeli Brijeg and on the Croatian side, you have Karasovići.
There are two checkpoints, about 5 km apart, between the two countries’ borders. Is the wait really long?
It depends on the month you decide to travel to Croatia and Montenegro. In July and August, the wait time is about 20 min without traffic and around 2 to 3 h with traffic with the latter being true most often. Most of the time is spent checking and stamping passports when you arrive at the checkpoint. However, the waiting time is much shorter if you book a one-day tour from Dubrovnik to Montenegro.
Rent A Car Croatia To Montenegro
With Kotor located only 100 km away from Dubrovnik, why not go on a road trip? When you’re in a car, you get the opportunity to explore things on your own time. If you see something you like and want to capture it with your camera, you can find a place to stop.
You can start your drive from Dubrovnik to Kotor by renting a car first. Choose your rental car and pick-up location: Dubrovnik Airport, Dubrovnik old town, or the city.
You can also drive from Dubrovnik to Cetina river if you are keen to see the travel hotspot in Croatia- the Eye of the Earth.
Tips for Renting a Car in Dubrovnik and Montenegro
- Rent a small car because Dubrovnik has narrow roads, so turning and driving can be a bit difficult in a big car.
- You also have to ensure you have all the correct and required documents with you when driving a car in Montenegro (Green Insurance Card is no longer needed).
Follow the D8 road to reach the first border crossing. You will first show all the documents (auto insurance and passports) to the Croatian immigration authorities at the Croatian border and then to the Montenegrin immigration authorities at the Montenegrin border.
Next, follow the E65 route in Montenegro, leading you towards the town of Herceg Novi. Keep an eye out for the “Kotor” sign. You will go around the Bay of Kotor to reach Kotor Old Town and since you’re driving, you can stop to admire the spectacular scenery.
If you want to see the entire town in one viewing, keep driving to reach Mount Lovcen. The views from there are breathtaking.
For a small fee, you can park your car and explore Kotor on foot. A few things you should check out while you’re there are the Sea Gate, the San Giovanni Fortress, and the Church of Our Lady of Remedy.
You can book professional guides for 1h 30min to explore and learn more about the town. UNESCO has listed Kotor as a “World Natural and Historical Heritage Site”.
Since Kotor is a small town, you can discover several wonderful attractions in a day, given you leave in the morning. If you want to stay in the town for a day, you’ll find numerous accommodations.
Do I Need An Insurance Green Card to Drive in Montenegro?
No, you don’t need to obtain an insurance green card to drive in Montenegro but you still should have valid auto insurance. Here’s what you still need:
- Motor Insurance Certificate
- Log Book (V5C) for the Car
- Driving License
If you’re unsure about anything, you can contact the car rental company for more information.
Dubrovnik to Montenegro: Things To Do
Dubrovnik to Montenegro: Bay of Kotor
From Dubrovnik, it will take you 1h 30 min to arrive at your destination – Kotor Bay.
Once you enter Bay of Kotor, its beauty will overwhelm you! In Montenegro, if you haven’t seen the Bay of Kotor, you haven’t seen anything!
Start with exploring the Old Town of Kotor and Perast. Kotor Old Town is like entering a time machine. Its cobbled paths, striking structures, and historical places will take you back in time.
Now that you are done with exploring Kotor, it is time to visit Perast on a ferry. Perast has its own unique charm, as its home to two islets — Our Lady of the Rocks Island and St. George Island, each one attracting thousands of tourists with their legendary stories.
Perast became the second home to captains, sailors, and admirals who used to live there and guard the town from pirate attacks. In the 14th century, the town established the first naval school. The medieval town also has 16 well-preserved palaces and beautiful stone houses.
The town celebrates the past with its ancient architecture, edifices, and monuments. Since it’s just a quick ferry ride away, make sure you visit it.
*Know that there’s no Dubrovnik to Kotor ferry, it only runs between Kotor and Perast.
If you prefer to travel in large groups, you can book a day trip from Montenegro to Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik to Montenegro: Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi is the first town you pass when you enter Montenegro. The coastal town is situated at the Bay of Kotor’s entrance and the base of Mount Orjen.
Some of the tourist attractions you can check out while in town include the Catholic and Orthodox churches, the Kanli Kula and Spanjola fortress, and Savina Monastery.
The town also has numerous concrete and pebble beaches that you can visit to relax and swim. The other popular town you can visit in Montenegro is Budva.
Dubrovnik to Montenegro: Budva
Budva, a town in Montenegro, is situated on the Adriatic Sea. The town has become a hip and happening destination over the years with travellers from various parts of the world going there to soak their feet in the waters of the sandy beaches and enjoy its nightlife. Although the 3 h and 30 min bus ride is long, you’ll not regret making the trip.
As one of the oldest settlements, the town is around 2,500 years old. You will have an incredible time discovering the historic town. Some of the sites you will come across include the Budva Citadel, Brajici hills, the Dancing Girl Statue, and Sveti Nikola Island, which is accessible by boat.
If you’re keen on taking the bus to visit Herceg Novi, Kotor, and Budva in Montenegro, plan your trip and book a bus from Dubrovnik.
If taking the bus isn’t your cup of tea and you prefer driving to cities like Kotor, you need to know what the drive from Dubrovnik to Kotor is like.
Croatia to Montenegro
Once you have all the necessary requirements completed, what are you waiting for? Let’s begin your holiday, going from Croatia to Montenegro.
You get the best of both countries! Croatia’s Dubrovnik will enamour you while Kotor, Montenegro will enthral you.
When you can experience the best of both Balkan countries at one time on a single holiday, why shouldn’t you take it, right?
