Montenegro
Travel Guides
Small but spectacular is the best way to describe Montenegro. It’s coastline is just under 300km long yet, there is no shortage of marvellous beaches, epic views and clear waters. From the black mountains that cover the country, to the still waters of the Bay of Kotor and the beautiful beaches of Budva, Montenegro is great for families, romantic getaways, backpackers or those seeking adventure and history.
Despite its small area, there isn’t just one, but a selection of old medieval towns to get lost in, in Montenegro. But this isn’t all there is, as the mountains offer those seeking stunning scenery, the chance to hike and explore and the selection of sandy beaches allow for relaxation and sunbathing. There’s also the food, plentiful in traditional Balkan cuisine, with fresh fish and seafood on every corner. The country has become, in recent years, more well known as a tourist holiday destination and its place is well deserved. But, it still hasn’t quite caught up with some of its rivals, such as Croatia, so you can head here knowing that you’ll beat some of those summer crowds that can be seen elsewhere in Europe, all for a reasonable price too.
Montenegro Travel Guides - Where Do You Want To Go?
Top Montenegro Travel Tips
How to get to Montenegro
Flights – There are two main airports in Montenegro which are Tivat airport and Podgorica Airport. Although Podgorica Airport is in the capital city of Montenegro, Tivat Airport is busier due to its location on Montenegro’s coast and its proximity to Kotor, Budva and some of the country’s tourist hotspots. It is also possible to fly into Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia and make the 1.5 – 2hr journey by car or bus from Dubrovnik to Kotor. Year-round direct flights operate from Montenegro to various European countries and capitals however, out-of-season, flight schedules can be irregular and can operate as little as a few times a month to some countries. Out-of-season flights also commonly operate in and out of Podgorica Airport aside from the regular Air Serbia flights from Montenegro to Belgrade which operate year-round from both Podgorica and Tivat Airports. In season, from around April to October, there are many more flights to and from Montenegro so it’s wise to visit during this time and to check flights thoroughly before booking anything. Several national European carriers operate flights in and out of Montenegro including Turkish Airlines, Swiss Airlines and Serbia Airlines but budget airlines Wizz Air, Ryan Air and Jet 2 operate the majority of seasonal flights. We recommend using Skyscanner for checking and booking flights. You can use tools such as the flight tracker to track the price of a flight and book it at its cheapest, saving having to check flights every day.
Trains – Montenegro has a limited train network connecting only to Serbia. The train starts at Bar in Montenegro and continues through Podgorica and onto Belgrade in Serbia. It is a spectacular journey taking around 10 hours from Podgorica to Belgrade and is very reasonably priced. There are two trains a day which offer both regular seating and beds. Aside from this route, there are no other trains connecting Montenegro to Europe but connections could be made from Belgrade onwards. Train times and details can be checked on the Montenegro rail website.
Bus – As with much of Europe and the world, taking the bus between countries can be a cost-effective way to get around. While there are more routes and options in Montenegro when taking the bus, compared to the train, the majority of direct bus routes are between neighbouring countries Serbia, Croatia, and Albania. Many companies operate cross-country buses in and out of Montenegro but we recommend using Flixbus as they have a wide range of routes and a simple website to book through.
Useful tips for getting around Montenegro
While Montenegro is a small country, there is still so much to explore and if anything, its compact size is more of a reason to see more of the country, as it’s quicker to get from one place to another. From its historical towns to its beautiful coastline and its vast black mountain landscape, visitors can see the varying landscapes of Montenegro even on a short visit to the country. Here are our top tips for getting around Montenegro with the various types of transport that are available:
Train – We will mention train travel within Montenegro very briefly, as the Montenegro train network is quite limited. There are two train lines within Montenegro, one that runs from Bar to Bijelo Polje (also stopping at Podgorica) and onwards to Belgrade, Serbia and another that runs from Podgorica to Niksic. The trains run reasonably regularly and are inexpensive. Train times and more information can be checked at zpcg.me
Bus – Buses are the main public transport in Montenegro and connect major cities and towns with small villages and everything in between. The quality of buses varies across the country along with the quality of bus stations. While some of the larger bus stations, such as the main one in Podgorica, offer facilities, some are merely a signpost. You can buy your ticket from the driver for most routes and in larger stations, you can buy your ticket from the desk. While we’d recommend buying your ticket just before you board, you can check bus times and routes on Busticket4.me which is usually quite reliable and up to date.
Car – Montenegro is an excellent country for a road trip. Its proximity to countries such as Dubrovnik and Serbia make it a great stop on a larger European road trip and its compact size means that you won’t have to spend hours upon hours driving before you get to your next destination. Roads in Montenegro are generally safe but take care in some rural areas, where the quality of the roads can reduce significantly. Cars in Montenegro drive on the right-hand side of the road and the speed limit is 100 kph on the motorway/expressway, 80 kph outside of built-up areas and 50 kph in built-up areas unless otherwise specified. As with much of Europe, cars in Montenegro are expected to carry a first-aid kit, a reflective/safety jacket, a hazard triangle and a fire extinguisher. If you’re renting a car from a reputable company, they should provide these for you. It is compulsory to wear a seatbelt in both the front and rear seats and drink driving limits are very strict so it’s best to avoid drinking at all while driving.
Local language and phrases in Montenegro
The language in Montenegro is Serbian, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas such as Kotor, Tivat and Budva. It is always a good idea to know a few words and phrases in the local language to get by in tricky situations and to make an effort with local people. Trying to speak a word or two generally shows respect and can be highly appreciated by locals. Some useful Serbian phrases to know are:
Hi – Zdravo
Thanks – Khvala ti
Please – Molimo vas
Yes – Da
No – Ne
Excuse me, where is the toilet? – Izvinite me gde je toalet?
Montenegro travel tips
– Montenegro is a relatively safe country. It is suitable for all travellers but ensure that you still keep an eye on personal belongings and watch out for scams
– Montenegro uses the type C plug, with 2 round pins, the same as used across most of Europe
– Dial 112 in an emergency when in Montenegro
– Tap water is safe to drink across the entire of Montenegro
– The currency in Montenegro is the Euro (€)
– We recommend using SafetyWing for travel health insurance in Montenegro. We always recommend getting travel health insurance for any trip
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Montenegro Travel Articles
Montenegro Walking Tour Videos
See all of our Montenegro walking tour videos and videos for more destinations on our Youtube Channel. We plan all of our walking routes and videos to capture the best landmarks and sights of any destination we cover. Visit our destination-specific guides to see a Google Maps link to our route that you can download and follow
