Getting to Montenegro

Montenegro is a small country on the Adriatic, but reaching it depends on where you are coming from and which part you want to see first. The coast, the capital and the northern mountains are connected by a limited but workable network of airports, roads, buses and one short ferry crossing. Understanding how these fit together makes it much easier to plan a route that does not waste time doubling back.

There is no single best way in. Travellers arrive by air, by road from neighbouring countries and, on one route, by sea. Each option has advantages depending on whether the priority is the coast, the mountains or a combined trip.

By air

Montenegro has two international airports. Podgorica serves the capital and the interior, and is the more convenient choice for the north, the mountains and the centre of the country. Tivat serves the coast and is very close to the Bay of Kotor, which makes it the natural arrival point for a seaside trip. Both have flights from a range of European cities, though the exact destinations and frequencies change with the season.

Because the two airports serve different parts of the country, the choice of arrival point can shape the whole itinerary. A coastal holiday is easier from Tivat, while a mountain trip is more convenient from Podgorica.

Nearby airports in other countries

Some travellers use airports outside Montenegro instead. Dubrovnik, in Croatia, lies close to the northern coast and is often considered for the Bay of Kotor and the southern Dalmatian coast. Tirana, in Albania, is near the southern border and can work well for Ulcinj and the far south. These options can offer more flight choice, but they add a border crossing and a longer transfer.

• Podgorica: best for the interior and mountains.
• Tivat: best for the coast and the Bay of Kotor.
• Dubrovnik: close to the northern coast.
• Tirana: near the southern border.

By road from neighbouring countries

Montenegro shares borders with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania, and road connections from all of them exist. Travellers driving from central or western Europe often approach through Croatia, while those coming from the east arrive via Serbia. Conditions on the mountain roads can vary with the weather, and some routes are slow and winding.

Border crossings are a normal feature of travelling in this region, and queues can occur in peak season, especially on the coastal crossings. Drivers should carry the correct documents for their vehicle and their passengers, and should allow extra time at busy periods.

By bus

Long-distance buses connect Montenegro with several neighbouring countries and with destinations further afield. Within the country, buses are the main form of public transport, linking the coast, the capital and the larger towns. Services are frequent on the main routes but sparse in remote areas, and timetables change with the season.

For travellers without a car, buses make it possible to see a great deal of Montenegro. The main limitation is that many of the most interesting places, especially in the mountains and along the rural coast, are not directly served and require extra effort to reach.

By train

Montenegro has a railway that runs from the interior to the coast at Bar, and it connects with the wider regional network. The line through the mountains is known for its scenery, with tunnels, viaducts and views over the landscape, and some travellers ride it as an experience in itself rather than only as transport.

The rail network is limited compared with the road network, but for the routes it serves it is a comfortable and scenic option, and it is worth considering for the stretch between the interior and the coast.

The short ferry across the bay

At the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, a small car ferry crosses the narrow strait and saves a long drive around the inlet. The crossing is short and frequent, and it is a useful shortcut as well as a small adventure in itself. Larger sea connections also exist from the port of Bar, linking Montenegro with Italy across the Adriatic.

These water links matter because the geography of the coast makes some journeys much shorter by sea than by road. Using the ferry is one of the simple practical tricks of travelling in the region.

Ways in, compared

Planning the arrival

The most useful first decision is which part of the country to see first, because that determines the best arrival point. Arriving at the coast and working north, or arriving in the interior and descending to the sea, are both logical routes, and each avoids unnecessary backtracking.

Whichever way you come, it is worth checking current timetables, seasonal services and border requirements before travelling, since these change from year to year. With a little planning, Montenegro is straightforward to reach and easy to move around once you are there.