This article was originally written for travelers interested in Montenegro’s public transport system. As the title suggests, it focuses on the available modes of transportation: trains and buses in Montenegro. That’s essentially all tourists need to know. Below, I’ll share everything you need to understand and expect.

Table of contents:

It will be difficult for you to plan your dream trip to Montenegro without these websites
air tickets to montenegro cheap
Cheap Flights
car rent in montenegro cheap
Car Rental
excursions montenegro cheap
Excursions and tours
Package tours montenegro cheap
eSIM mobile data
Insurance montenegro cheap
Travel Insurance
hotels and apartments montenegro cheap
Accommodation
trains in montenegro
The main train station and a local train on the Podgorica–Bar route

Public Transport in Montenegro: General Overview

Here are the key points—simple and to the point:

  • Montenegro’s public transport consists of just two railway lines and an extensive bus network.
  • Buses come in two types: intercity coaches and suburban minibuses that resemble shuttle vans.
  • Public transport is neither overly expensive nor cheap. Ticket prices aren’t exactly pocket change.
  • The railway system is state-run with a single operator, while the bus sector has dozens of private operators. On the same route, you might find 3–4 different bus companies.

Important:

The bus network is fairly well-developed only along the coast, connecting cities like Herceg Novi, Perast, Budva, Tivat, Petrovac, Bar, and Ulcinj. There are plenty of routes with frequent departures. Travel inland, however, is far less convenient: fewer buses, infrequent schedules, and often requiring multiple transfers.

Though it’s often said that you can explore Montenegro perfectly well by bus, that’s only partially true. Buses are fine for short distances, but many of the top 25 attractions in Montenegro are simply inaccessible without a car.

where not to get by bus in Montenegro
It’s physically impossible to reach this place by public transport. Not even a bus passes within 10 km of it.

Renting a car dramatically increases your mobility. In one day with a car, you’ll see far more than in three days on buses. Car rental in Montenegro is affordable, accessible, with low deposits, and driving conditions are comfortable. There are fewer reckless drivers compared to many other countries. For all the details about car rental in Montenegro and potential pitfalls, check this section.

  • The only valid reason to skip renting a car is if you don’t have a driver’s license. Otherwise, it’s simply the better option. Plus, renting a car is often cheaper than buying bus tickets for two people. More on prices later.

Trains in Montenegro: Do They Even Exist?

I would say they barely exist. The country has only two railway lines:

  • From Nikšić through Podgorica to the Albanian border
  • From Bar through Podgorica to Bijelo Polje near the Serbian border
montenegro railway map
That’s the entire railway network in Montenegro. Building railways in mountainous terrain is no easy task.

What You Need to Know About Trains in Montenegro:

  • All trains are very old—around 50 years old.
  • There is no railway along the coast.
  • The official website for Montenegrin Railways: www.zcg-prevoz.me
  • Tickets cannot be purchased online—only at train station ticket offices.
  • A page with ticket prices for local trains: www.zcg-prevoz.me/cijene-lokalni.html. You can also check prices by searching for a route on the main page.
  • Trains, including local services, often run late. A 20-minute delay is standard.

Routes of Interest to Tourists:

  • Bar–Podgorica: 10 daily trains. Tickets start at €2.40. Travel time: 1 hour.
  • Podgorica–Belgrade via Bijelo Polje: A stunning route through the mountains. More details on traveling from Serbia to Montenegro, including prices and schedules, can be found here.
  • Podgorica–Tirana: Only freight trains operate on this route. Check here for detailed information on traveling from Montenegro to Albania.
railway buses and public transport in Montenegro
All trains in the country are very old and covered in graffiti.

The line to Nikšić holds little interest for tourists, as it leads to an industrial town with nothing much to see. Incidentally, many stations lack ticket offices, so tickets are purchased directly from the conductor on board.

In summary, Montenegro’s railway system seems stuck in the 1970s in terms of development, train age, and punctuality. For context, below is a photo of the train station near Podgorica’s main international airport. Yes, it’s fully operational, and from here, you can catch a train to Podgorica or the seaside town of Bar.

railway in montenegro prices schedule
The functioning train station at Podgorica Airport

All About Buses in Montenegro

By now, you’ve probably grasped the essence of Montenegro’s bus system. The network is well-developed along the coast and between the towns of the Bay of Kotor. However, in the mountainous regions, routes are scarce, and multiple transfers are often necessary.

For short distances, traveling by bus works well. Most buses have air conditioning, they travel quickly unless stuck in traffic, and run frequently.

For example, the popular Budva–Kotor route has over 40 buses daily, departing as frequently as every 15 minutes.

Here are some interesting facts about buses in Montenegro:

  • All bus operators in the country are private.
  • Multiple operators may run on the same route.
  • Each operator sets its own prices. For instance, a ticket for the 3:00 PM bus to Budva may cost €3, while the 3:15 PM bus ticket might be €3.50 — and that’s perfectly normal.
  • If you buy a one-way ticket from a specific operator for €5, it doesn’t guarantee that the return ticket from the same operator will cost the same.
  • If you purchase tickets at a bus station, an additional station fee ranging from €0.50 to €2 will be added. The fee depends on the destination, season, and other factors—don’t overthink it; just be aware of the extra charge.
  • If you buy a ticket directly from the driver when boarding, this fee doesn’t apply.
buses in montenegro
Here’s a typical bus running a less crowded route from Podgorica to Žabljak. It’s popular among tourists because Žabljak is just 3 km from the famous Durmitor National Park.

Interesting to know:

If you board a bus at the central bus station, you won’t be able to buy a ticket from the driver. There are turnstiles, and you can’t access the platform without a ticket. However, you can easily purchase tickets from the driver at stops along the route.
  • All regional suburban buses along the coast stop at every designated stop.
  • Intercity buses, such as the Podgorica–Žabljak route, only stop at bus stations in the towns listed on the route.

Bus Routes and Ticket Prices in Montenegro

There’s no point in listing specific routes and prices here since the market is highly dynamic. Information changes monthly as new operators emerge and routes and fares are adjusted. Below are two highly useful websites where you can find up-to-date information on bus routes and ticket prices in Montenegro:

bus montenegro
Blue Line buses are common throughout the Bay of Kotor region.

Prices and Why Car Rental Can Be More Economical

Here’s a brief overview of bus prices and why renting a car might be cheaper or just as affordable for two people—and certainly a better option for a group or family of four. The cost of renting an economy car during the high season is about €40 per day plus fuel. In the off-season, prices start at €20 per day.

Quick Math:

A one-way bus ticket from Kotor to Budva (just 30 km) costs €4. Add €1 for the bus station fee. Total for two people: €10 one way and €10 back. If you decide to visit Bečići (just 5 km from Budva) on the same day, that’s another €2 per person each way. In total, a day of bus travel along the coast can easily cost €30 for two people.

Sample Ticket Prices for Popular Routes (One-Way, Per Person):

  • Herceg Novi to Kotor: from €4
  • Kotor to Budva: from €3.50
  • Tivat to Kotor: from €2.50
  • Budva to Bar: from €5
  • Bar to Ulcinj: from €3
  • Full coastal route from Herceg Novi to Ulcinj: €13 (4 hours by bus). By car, this route takes just 2 hours.

Tips for Tourists

If you’re not planning to venture into the mountains or travel extensively along the coast and just want to enjoy the beach and sea, 2–3 trips to neighboring towns for sightseeing can easily be done by bus. Traveling to the capital by train from Bar is also convenient.

However, public transport in Montenegro may not be ideal for those who want to explore extensively and dislike staying in one place. For such travelers, public transport can be both expensive and logistically challenging.

If you don’t have a driver’s license but still want to explore the country, consider organized tours (group or private). There are plenty of options, reasonably priced, and they’ll take you by bus to places where regular routes don’t exist. Sure, not everyone loves bus tours, but if there’s no other choice, why not?

Conclusion:

Trains and buses are the only public transport options in Montenegro. There’s nothing else available for tourists. The bus network along the coast is well-developed, but inland routes leave much to be desired.

Still, even without a rental car, you won’t be stranded. With careful planning and some patience, you can reach almost any point in the country by bus or train, albeit with some delays and transfers. Just make sure to plan your route in advance.

Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Montenegro

  • WayAway: Cheap flights and best deals.
  • Car rental in Montenegro:
    • LocalRent – works with local rental companies. Leader in car rental in Montenegro.
    • DiscoverCars – a large international platform.
  • Budget-friendly vacation packages to Montenegro: CheapOair.
  • Hotels and apartments all over the country:
    • Trip.com – the most popular accommodation booking platform
    • TripAdvisor compares the prices among dozens of other booking services and offer the best price
  • Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
    • GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
    • Viator – 1000+ excursions and activities throughout the country
  • Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
  • Internet and Calls:
  • Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel