Logistics and transport: how to get there and get around the country

In Montenegro, there are two international airports in operation: Podgorica (TGD) and Tivat (TIV). Railway transport is poorly developed (only the Bar–Belgrade line), so the main burden falls on road transport.

1. Podgorica Airport (TGD)

The capital’s airport, operating year-round. The main hub for regular flights (Air Montenegro, Air Serbia, Turkish Airlines) and low-cost carriers (Wizz Air, Ryanair).

Location: 11 km from the center of Podgorica.
Specifics: Ideal for trips to the mountains (Žabljak, Kolašin), business travel, or visits to Bar/Ulcinj.
Plans for 2026: Wizz Air is opening a base with 14 new routes (including Malmö, Hamburg, Paris-Beauvais), which will reduce airfare prices.

Transport from the airport:

Taxi: Official taxi stand at the terminal. Price to the city center — €15–20. To Budva — from €50–60 (when booking a transfer in advance) to €100+ (with curbside taxis).
Train: The cheapest option (€1–2). The “Aerodrom” station is 1 km from the terminal (15 minutes on foot). Trains run infrequently.
Bus: No direct buses from the terminal. The nearest stop is on the highway (about 1.5 km on foot).

Attention: Common ride-hailing services like Uber do not operate in Montenegro. To order a taxi, use local apps (TeslaGo, Red Taxi) or messengers such as Viber/WhatsApp.

2. Tivat Airport (TIV)

A “resort” airport located on the coast of the Bay of Kotor. It has pronounced seasonality, with peak traffic from May to September.

Location: 4 km from the center of Tivat, 9 km from Kotor, 20 km from Budva.
Specifics: Convenient for those traveling to Kotor, Tivat, Budva, or Herceg Novi. Operates only during daylight hours.

Transport from the airport:

Taxi: To central Tivat — €8–12. To Kotor — €20–30. To Budva — €30–40.
Bus: Stop on the Adriatic Highway (200 meters from the terminal exit). Fare is €2–5 depending on the destination, but buses are often overcrowded during the season.

3. Dubrovnik Airport (DBV, Croatia)

Often used by tourists as an alternative to Tivat due to a larger number of flights and lower prices.

Distance: 20 km to the Montenegrin border.
Nuances: A Schengen visa is required. In summer, border queues may last from 1 to 4 hours.
Transfer: A trip to Herceg Novi or Kotor costs €60–150.

Intercity transfers and buses

Public transport in the country is inexpensive but has its peculiarities. Buses run on schedule, however delays due to traffic jams are possible in the summer season. Approximate prices and travel time:

Podgorica – Budva: Bus — €6–8 (2 hours). Taxi — from €50.
Tivat – Kotor: Bus — €2–3. Taxi — €20–30.
Tivat – Budva: Bus — €4–5. Taxi — €30–40.

Editor’s tip: For groups of 3 or more people or travelers with bulky luggage, it is more profitable and comfortable to book an individual transfer (via services like GetTransfer or local companies). This means a fixed price and a guarantee that the driver will meet you with a sign.

Car rental

For expats and active travelers, renting a car is the most convenient way to get around.

Short-term rental: In summer, prices start from €40–50/day. In winter — from €15–20.
Long-term rental: Relevant for expats. In winter, a car can be rented for €200–300 per month.
Documents: National driving license (if duplicated in Latin letters), driving experience from 1–2 years, age from 21. The deposit usually ranges from €100–300.

Green Card: If you plan to travel to neighboring countries (Bosnia, Albania, Croatia), be sure to check for international insurance (Green Card) when renting. Without it, the car will be turned back at the border.

Useful information for expats

If you are planning a long stay in Montenegro, consider the following points:

Visas and registration

Tourist entry: Citizens of many countries (Russia, EU, Ukraine, etc.) may stay for 30–90 days without a visa.
“White card”: Mandatory registration at the tourist office within 24 hours of arrival. The fine for non-compliance starts from €40.
Residence permit (Boravak): Issued on the basis of employment, studies, or property ownership.

Banks and finance

To open a bank account, a foreigner needs a residence permit. Popular banks: CKB, Lovcen, Ziraat, Adriatic.

Fees: Account maintenance — €1–3/month. Cash withdrawals from “other” ATMs — about €5 commission.
SEPA: Since 2025, Montenegro has joined the SEPA zone, reducing the cost of transfers from Europe.
Fintech: Wise works, but cards are not delivered to Montenegro (an EU address is required). Revolut is not officially supported (an EU residence permit is required).

Healthcare and childbirth

Public healthcare is free with a residence permit and medical booklet (“zdravstvena knjižica”).

Childbirth: Free for residents in public hospitals (Podgorica, Cetinje, Kotor). Partner-assisted births are not available everywhere.
Private clinics: (Codra, Meljine) offer paid pregnancy and childbirth packages.

Logistics and transport: how to get there and get around the country