Getting to Montenegro by air, road, sea or rail

BY AIR 

Montenegro has two international airports at Podgorica (for Northern Montenegro destinations) and Tivat (for Bay of Kotor and coastal areas). JAT (Yugoslav Airlines) flies from London Heathrow to Tivat direct once a week in summer and via Belgrade to both Podgorica and Tivat year round. British Airways and Croatian Airlines operate a direct daily summer route from London Gatwick to Dubrovnik’s Cilipi airport located just 20kms from the Montenegrin border (and the resort town of Herceg Novi). In summer 2009 British Airways increased their services to 11 weekly flights between London and Dubrovnik Cilipi airport. Out of season both airlines fly 3 times weekly to Dubrovnik (British Airways direct and Croatian Airlines via Zagreb). Croatian Airlines has excellent connections with Vienna as a hub for onward flights to and from Eastern and Central Europe and the Far East. There are also daily connections from Dubrovnik to Frankfurt for onward flights to Western Europe, Scandinavia, the Far East and the US / Canada.

Montenegro Airlines has connections to Podgorica and also Tivat for some flights from Belgrade, Budapest, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Ljubljana, London, Paris, Rome, Vienna and Zurich. There also is a twice weekly route from London Gatwick to Tivat.
 
Thomsonfly and Flybe depart from various UK airports to Dubrovnik (Cilipi) in the summer months.

Easyjet operates a three times weekly service from London Gatwick to Dubrovnik during summer months, increasing the options available.

MONTENEGRO AIRPORTS :

PODGORICA AIRPORT
www.montenegroairports.com 
tel: +382 20 653 016

TIVAT AIRPORT
www.montenegroairports.com 
tel: +382 32 671 337

REGIONAL AIRPORTS :

CROATIA 

ČILIPI AIRPORT (Dubrovnik)
www.airport-dubrovnik.hr  +385 20 773 100

SPLIT AIRPORT
www.split-airport.hr tel: +381 21 203 506

SLOVENIA

BRNIK AIRPORT (Ljubljana)
www.lju-airport.si tel: +386 4 20 61 981

SERBIA

BELGRADE AIRPORT:
www.airport-belgrade.co.yu tel: + 381 11 209 4444

BY ROAD
Driving from the UK takes 2-3 days depending on the pace and route chosen. It is possible to drive most of the way on major routes, apart from the last 200 kms south of Split in Croatia where the roads are mostly single lane in either direction. There is the stunning coast road through Croatia and within the next 1-2 years the next stage of the Adriatic Highway (connecting Central Europe to Greece) should reach as far south as Dubrovnik. Currently it extends to the south of Split. The most commonly used border crossing point is 20 kms south of Cilipi (Dubrovnik) aiport at Debeli Brijeg for arrivals from Croatia. A new border crossing post has recently been completed on both sides and except during peak season is usually swift and easy.

International Driving licences are not required by law in Montenegro although you should ensure that UK licences are of the photocard (and always carry the green accompanying paper) - the old style paper only versions are not accepted. If driving to Montenegro you will need to purchase compulsory insurance on the border for the duration of your stay (currently charged at about Euros 15 for 15 days). Ensure you have your car registration documents, insurance certificate and EU Green card with you.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TAX : MONTENEGRO CHARGES A TEN EURO 'ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TAX' FOR VEHICLES ENTERING THE COUNTRY. THE TAX IS PAID ONLY ONCE ANNUALLY AND YOU WILL BE GIVEN A STICKER TO DISPLAY ON YOUR CAR WINDSHIELD TO SHOW THAT THE TAX HAS BEEN PAID.

Travel within Montenegro

Car
Montenegrins drive on the right. Speed limits are enforced quite rigorously by police speed checks in and around urban areas. It is illegal to drive without wearing a seatbelt or under the influence of alcohol (zero tolerance policy). Use of mobile phones while driving is not permitted and you must drive with your main headlights on at all times.
 
Bus
There are good services between most large towns and cities with Montenegro and daily long distance bus services to all corners of the Balkans. Check at the local bus station for times and costs, as schedules may vary. In the summer the frequency of services is increased.

Train
The main railway line runs from Bar to Podgorica and on to Belgrade. International access is only via Belgrade.

Taxi
Most of the coastal resort towns and major inland cities now offer 24/7 professional taxi services with competitive pricing.

In Croatia Split and Dubrovnik ports offer direct connections with Italian ports and also the ferry system which travels between the Croatian Islands. There is currently no passenger ferry service between Montenegro and Croatia.

SEA PORTS
The main port of Bar has regular car ferry services to Bari and Ancona (summer only for Ancona) in Italy. The following ferry companies offer services:

Montenegro Lines - Tel +382 (0)85 312 366 / Fax (0)85 311 652
Mercur-Adriatica - Tel + 382 (0)85 313 617 / Fax (0)85 313 618