Transfer and Taxi in Montenegro

Hello. I am Mike. I’ve been flying to Montenegro for more than 7 years. Something between leisure and business. It turned out that it is not so easy to get here from the airport. Many tourists do not know how to save money, so they overpay 25-50 € ≈ 26.25 $, 21.5 £, 96.5 Dh, 456 ₺ for a regular transfer.

I do not want you to fall for the bait of local taxi drivers near airports. Therefore, I decided to spend a dozen hours and tell you what and how it works here.

Where to order a reliable and inexpensive transfer in Montenegro?

There are many websites where you can order a transfer in Montenegro. All of them are relatively the same and differ only in prices and available cars.

Therefore, I will talk about one that I use myself:

KiwiTaxi – they offer transfers worldwide. I use them not only in Montenegro, but in Cyprus and Prague too. Never let me down.

How to book: step by step instructions with pictures

In fact, all other websites offer plus or minus the same service. And the cars come very similar. So I personally book here, or where it’s cheaper.

Next, I will show you how to book on this website. But if you want to, you can simply use the selection of the most popular transfers from Montenegrin airports.

Booking transfers through KiwiTaxi

One of the best websites that offer transfer services. They have very good prices for the most popular transfers from Tivat or Podgorica airports. Often cheaper than others.

Let me show you how to book a transfer from KiwiTaxi:

1. From where and where to will you go? Go to the Kiwitaxi website and choose the direction you need. For example, I will show the route Tivat airport – Herceg Novi.

   

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   In this case, you can simply click on the button Tivat Airport – Budva. But if suddenly you need a more exotic route, just indicate it in the search form. You can order a transfer from almost any city to any popular place.
2. What car do you need? Next, the website will offer you to choose a car. They have everything from small cars to minivans and premium cars. The larger and more comfortable the car, the more expensive it is.

   

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   It is important to know that specifically in Montenegro, Economy and Comfort class tariffs cost about the same for a reason. Usually the same cars come to pick you up. Let’s say you have a family with a child, and a few suitcases. It will be most wise to take the Comfort class – it costs only 63 € ≈ 66.15 $, 54.18 £, 243.18 Dh, 1149.12 ₺, like the economy one.
3. Flight, apartments, return transfer. Now we indicate the data about the flight and the place where to take you. This is necessary for the driver to meet you on time.

   

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   Website did not accept my flight number MNE 401. I had to remove the hyphen. In order not to waste time later, it is better to immediately book the return transfer. Then you don’t have to think about it anymore. Only there is a nuance here. When booking an airport transfer, enter the flight arrival time. As it is written on the ticket. It’s for the driver, he’ll be waiting you.

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   When you book a transfer to the airport, you choose what time to bring the car to the apartment. It is necessary to estimate how long it will take to get to the airport and how long it will take to check in. The website counts the travel time itself. And shows it above the route section, in “Transfer details”. It’ll be 1 hour for me. I prefer to arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before departure.

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   My flight leaves at 11:50 – I order a transfera little earlier, at 8:30, just to be safe.
4. Child seats and your contact details. If you are traveling with a child, you must specify how many and what kind of a child seats you need. Then fill in your contact details so that the driver knows what to write on the plate and how to call you if he cannot find you. You also write here real email adress – a voucher will be sent there.

   

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   The website also offers additional options for a surcharge:
   • extra hour of waiting: it makes sense if you fly by charter;
   • drinking water: they ask for 2 € ≈ 2.1 $, 1.72 £, 7.72 Dh, 36.48 ₺ for a bottle of 0.5 liters;
   • stop along the way: I never needed it in Montenegro.
   Personally, I almost never use these options. But maybe someone needs them, I don’t know. Look at your situation.
5. Full or partial transfer payment. Now you decide what is the most convenient way for you to pay. The website offers three options to choose from:
   • Full prepayment + free cancellation. You pay the entire cost of the transfer and another 4 € ≈ 4.2 $, 3.44 £, 15.44 Dh, 72.96 ₺ for the possibility to cancel it at any time before the flight arrives. As for me, the usual cancellation conditions are good enough.
   • Full prepayment + regular cancellation. I usually choose this option. It’s nice not to have to deal with cash. And if plans suddenly change, you can cancel the transfer in just 5 hours and get the full payback.

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     If you use this option, tipping the taxi driver is not even implied. You can give tips only if the driver tried really hard.
   • Advance payment on the website + rest to the driver in cash. You pay only a third of the transfer cost via bank card. And the rest to the driver in cash. This is the safest option, but rather inconvenient. My transfer costs almost 150 € ≈ 157.5 $, 129 £, 579 Dh, 2736 ₺ and I will owe the driver 100 € ≈ 105 $, 86 £, 386 Dh, 1824 ₺. But what if you need to pay, let’s say, 127 € ≈ 133.35 $, 109.22 £, 490.22 Dh, 2316.48 ₺ to the driver? Where will you get the change? Will the driver have it? I’m not sure.
   I choose the second option without extra charge for late cancellation:
   • 

     How to pay for a transfer in Montenegro: three ways.

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     Prepayment for a transfer via bank card: how to fill it out.

6. Congratulations! You’ve successfully booked a transfer. A voucher with order details will come to your email in the next couple of minutes. If not, look in your Spam folder.

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   You will be assigned a driver approximately one day before the transfer, they will send his contacts to your email and as SMS on your phone.

Seems to be pretty clear explained. Now you can book yourself an inexpensive and reliable transfer. Here is the big red button:

Go to Kiwitaxi

How much does a transfer and taxi cost in Montenegro

There are no fixed prices for transfers or taxis in Montenegro. Nevertheless, the prices for transfers are the same for everyone, plus or minus. For example, a trip from Tivat to Herceg Novi will cost 66-70 € ≈ 71.4 $, 58.48 £, 262.48 Dh, 1240.32 ₺.

But you can take a taxi for 75 € ≈ 78.75 $, 64.5 £, 289.5 Dh, 1368 ₺ (if you are very lucky), and for 80-100 € ≈ 94.5 $, 77.4 £, 347.4 Dh, 1641.6 ₺, and even for 120 € ≈ 126 $, 103.2 £, 463.2 Dh, 2188.8 ₺. By the way, it does not depend on the class of car. For 120 € ≈ 126 $, 103.2 £, 463.2 Dh, 2188.8 ₺ a car can be worse than for 80 € ≈ 84 $, 68.8 £, 308.8 Dh, 1459.2 ₺ They just wait for a good opportunity at airports, like everywhere else.

Transfer rates

Prices for transfers are fixed. That is, they do not change almost every day, like the cost of housing, tours or car rental. But there are small adjustments several times a year.

For example, a long time ago the normal price of a transfer from Tivat to Herceg Novi was 80-100 € ≈ 94.5 $, 77.4 £, 347.4 Dh, 1641.6 ₺. 3-4 years ago they cost from 45 € ≈ 47.25 $, 38.7 £, 173.7 Dh, 820.8 ₺. Now this transfer is from 59 € ≈ 61.95 $, 50.74 £, 227.74 Dh, 1076.16 ₺.

The price depends on the time of year, the cost of fuel, prices for new and used cars, the availability of credit lines and a hundred other factors. Ordinary tourists do not need all this. It is important to simply understand that any prices on blogs and forums are just a guideline. You can always check the current prices from transfer companies.

I updated prices in the table in June 2022. But I do not guarantee that they will be 100% accurate in a month or a year. This is just a guideline.

I have listed only the most-most popular destinations in the table. If you need to order a transfer to one of the small villages along the sea, this is also possible.

How much does a local taxi cost?

There are no fixed prices for taxis in Montenegro. Especially in tourist areas. The price range will be as follows:

• Initial charge – 1-2,5 € ≈ 1.05 $, 0.86 £, 3.86 Dh, 18.24 ₺.
• One kilometer cost – 0,5-1,5 € ≈ 1.05 $, 0.86 £, 3.86 Dh, 18.24 ₺.
• Idle – 0,15-1 € ≈ 0.525 $, 0.43 £, 1.93 Dh, 9.12 ₺ per hour.
• Additional charge for a large number of suitcases – 0,5-3 € ≈ 1.05 $, 0.86 £, 3.86 Dh, 18.24 ₺.
• Tipping a taxi driver – 10% of the amount of the trip.
• Paying for parking – if you take a taxi in a closed area, like the Budva old city, then you will have to pay for entry there.

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  For the same reason, a taxi in a special parking lot for such cars is more expensive than ordering it via phone or “catching” it on the street.

In summer, in all tourist places, the maximum fare is usually 1-1.5 € ≈ 1.05 $, 0.86 £, 3.86 Dh, 18.24 ₺ per km. You can get cheaper cab only in Podgorica or in spring / autumn.

It is important to understand that the prices are relevant for large taxi companies. But there are many private traders who are trying by any means to take you for a double or even triple price in Montenegro. These are usually the ones at the airport.

How to call a taxi in Montenegro?

Most taxi companies do not have websites. The car can be ordered by phone or via messengers. Calls in roaming are expensive. The Internet at Montenegrin airports seems to be there, but I have never seen it work in the summer.

Only at the largest taxi companies have at least some websites. And even then, they simply did not renew half of them and they quietly disappeared from the Internet over the past 3-4 years. It’s not popular here and nobody wants it.

I searched around and found an excellent sign with prices for trips from airports to the most popular destinations at one of the Montenegrin taxi companies:

The table is in Montenegrin, but you can understand it. You can see the cost of the trip from the popular Tivat airport in the last column. For example:

• Budva: taxi 40 € ≈ 42 $, 34.4 £, 154.4 Dh, 729.6 ₺, transfer starts at 32 € ≈ 33.6 $, 27.52 £, 123.52 Dh, 583.68 ₺.
• Herceg Novi: taxi 65 € ≈ 68.25 $, 55.9 £, 250.9 Dh, 1185.6 ₺, transfer starts at 59 € ≈ 61.95 $, 50.74 £, 227.74 Dh, 1076.16 ₺.
• Kotor: taxi 50 € ≈ 52.5 $, 43 £, 193 Dh, 912 ₺, transfer starts at 26 € ≈ 27.3 $, 22.36 £, 100.36 Dh, 474.24 ₺.
• Petrovac: taxi 60 € ≈ 63 $, 51.6 £, 231.6 Dh, 1094.4 ₺, transfer starts at 46 € ≈ 48.3 $, 39.56 £, 177.56 Dh, 839.04 ₺.
• Sutomore: taxi 70 € ≈ 73.5 $, 60.2 £, 270.2 Dh, 1276.8 ₺, transfer starts at 52 € ≈ 54.6 $, 44.72 £, 200.72 Dh, 948.48 ₺.
• Sveti Stefan: taxi 45 € ≈ 47.25 $, 38.7 £, 173.7 Dh, 820.8 ₺, transfer starts at 39 € ≈ 40.95 $, 33.54 £, 150.54 Dh, 711.36 ₺.
• Tivat: taxi 40 € ≈ 42 $, 34.4 £, 154.4 Dh, 729.6 ₺, transfer starts at 16 € ≈ 16.8 $, 13.76 £, 61.76 Dh, 291.84 ₺.

I will not say that Red Taxi is the cheapest in the country. They have pretty average prices. If you call a dozen taxi companies, maybe you will find cheaper ones. But do you have free time and roaming data to do so?

Do local taxi drivers cheat?

If we are talking about booking a taxi through a large taxi company, then the probability of fraud is minimal. Why do they need it? The rate is pretty good too. For example, let’s calculate how much a taxi will cost from Tivat airport to Becici:

• Initial charge: 1 € ≈ 1.05 $, 0.86 £, 3.86 Dh, 18.24 ₺.
• Ride with a taximeter: 37 € ≈ 38.85 $, 31.82 £, 142.82 Dh, 674.88 ₺.
• Tipping the taxi driver: 4 € ≈ 4.2 $, 3.44 £, 15.44 Dh, 72.96 ₺.
• TOTAL: 42 € ≈ 44.1 $, 36.12 £, 162.12 Dh, 766.08 ₺.

This example is not theoretical. I really paid so much this year. The map showed that it was 24 km to go, but the taximeter counted more than 27. This is normal here. It is also worth adding 1-2 € ≈ 1.05 $, 0.86 £, 3.86 Dh, 18.24 ₺ for a phone call in a roaming (you need to call a car) and 1-3 € ≈ 1.05 $, 0.86 £, 3.86 Dh, 18.24 ₺ if you have more than 3 suitcases with you.

It will cost you somewhere around 45 € ≈ 47.25 $, 38.7 £, 173.7 Dh, 820.8 ₺ while the transfer price is 32 € ≈ 33.6 $, 27.52 £, 123.52 Dh, 583.68 ₺.

Not that much of an overpayment. But you do not bother and book a transfer in advance. I may dissapoint you, but in practice it’s not so simple.

Montenegrin taxi drivers cheat! Only it is not the big taxi companies that do this, but individual drivers and small unknown companies. There are always a lot of such cars at the airports. There are exceptions, of course, for example, if right before your flight arrives, someone got to the airport in a normal taxi.

What’s better, transfer or taxi?

Taxis are better only for trips very close to the airport. From Tivat airport to Tivat or from Podgorica airport to the city. It turns out significantly cheaper than a transfer. Usually there is a chance to get a ride for normal price even with a “individual driver” if you make a good bargaining before that.

More or less equivalent is the route from Tivat airport to Kotor. There is a chance to catch a taxi for the price of a transfer or even 1 € ≈ 1.05 $, 0.86 £, 3.86 Dh, 18.24 ₺ cheaper. At least I did it once. Truth be told, I overpaid 3 € ≈ 3.15 $, 2.58 £, 11.58 Dh, 54.72 ₺ the second time.

On all other routes (if you travel more than 5-10 minutes), the transfer is usually cheaper. Sometimes by 10%, sometimes by 2 times.

What is the difference between a transfer and a taxi besides the price?

You have to understand that a taxi and a transfer are slightly different services. You should call for a taxi upon arrival at the airport. Or you can go online using roaming. It costs 1-3 € ≈ 1.05 $, 0.86 £, 3.86 Dh, 18.24 ₺. For all 8 years of traveling around Montenegro, I have never seen the Internet work at the airport.

There are two ways to bypass roaming charges:

• If you need a taxi from the city to the airport, just go to any shop or bakery that is not crowded with people and ask the locals to call you a car. They always help.
• You can also buy an international SIM card. I personally have DrimSim.

Having made an order, you wait for your taxi driver for 20-30 minutes. A taxi driver will not call your foreign phone number. It’s pricey for him. He’ll just park (parking is in 50 meters from the exit) and will start counting idle. At best, they will try to find you at the airport exit.

Traveling from the airport by taxi will be at least not cheaper and definitely longer.

Transfer is a completely different story. You left the airport and the driver is already waiting with a sign. You immediately get into the car and drive off. And if you also make a 100% prepayment, then there will be no problems with the change. This way tips are somehow not implied. There is only one minus of the transfer – it must be ordered in advance. Usually per day.

Everything you need to know about transfers

I gathered all the answers to those questions that once interested me most. Added those that friends ask. After all, I have a reputation as an “experienced” traveler, so everyone is turning for advice.

If suddenly the answer to your question is not here, you can ask it in the comments.

When should I book a transfer?

The main disadvantage of the transfer is that it must be booked in advance. At least one day before arrival at the airport, and preferably at least 2-3 days before. It is not possible to book a transfer a few hours before arrival.

On the other hand, transfer prices are fixed. So there is no need to rush either. You can only book when you are already 100% sure that you are flying to your destination.

Personally, I do this:

• I book flights, accommodation, excursions and car rental as far in advance as possible. So it turns out much cheaper than if you bought it at the last moment.
• I buy insurance and transfers when it suits me. Sometimes immediately, and sometimes a few days before departure. Their prices are not going up.

How everything will happen?

Everything is pretty simple. Book a transfer according to the instructions. A voucher will be sent to your email immediately after payment. Sometimes it ends up in spam.

A driver will be assigned to you approximately one day before departure. You’ll get his phone number via SMS or email (depending on where you booked the transfer).

Everything is as simple as possible after that. You left the airport, the driver is already waiting. He will help carry bags and suitcases to the car. Then he will take you directly to the door of your hotel or apartment. If you live in an apartment and don’t have a local number or DrimSim, you can ask the driver to call the landlady.

How can I recognize my driver?

Each driver will always have a sign with your name on it. It’s how the transfer companies call the crumpled A4 sheet.

As soon as you leave the airport, you will see a crowd of people meeting you. There are usually 50-70 people standing with sheets of paper. You just look for a piece of paper with your name. Come to the driver, say hello and go.

Important: Montenegrins are quite sociable. I had a couple of times that the driver saw his friends in line. And they stood talking to themselves instead of holding the sign normally and noticeably. It happens sometimes, so look carefully.

Does the transfer price depend on the address of my accommodation?

Transfer prices are fixed. What is showed by the website, that amount you pay. It depends on which city you are going to. But it does not depend on a specific address. A trip to the east, center or west of Herceg Novi will cost the same. Cities in Montenegro are tiny, and therefore it’s one price.

What if the apartment does not have an exact address?

Important: there is a problem with addresses in Montenegro. Most houses do not have numbers even in relatively large cities. There will be a street at best. For example, like this: Žrtava Fašizma Babilonija b.b., Budva, Opština Budva, Crna Gora.

To understand, this is a 7-storey building with several entrances. And it’s number is b.b. Maybe even BB. It stands for bez broja – without a number.

What to do in such cases? If you live in a hotel, the driver already knows where it is. But it is simply impossible to know everything about Apartment Budva or Apartment Elena. Then it is better to check with the hostess in advance the name of the nearest restaurant or any noticeable “checkpoint”. Locals know what to say to the driver.

Or you can just print a map with a dot on it. They just show it to the driver, say “take me here” and that’s it. Very simple and convenient.

Should I book a return transfer?

I don’t like to waste my time, so I try to book everything in advance as much as possible. I always order transfers together: transfer from the airport + transfer back to the airport. It’s faster and easier for me this way.

There is a small nuance here. Booking something while already in Montenegro can be difficult. Problems happen all the time. Either the bank blocks the transaction as suspicious, or you don’t get the SMS with a one-time code, or the Internet does not work in the apartment or the Internet is very buggy.

Purely theoretically, you can also call a regular taxi instead of a transfer to the airport. Ask sellers at the nearest small shop to help you if needed. Just buy something there.

It just doesn’t make much sense now. Prices for transfers have been lowered so much that a taxi will cost the same or more. You will need to do five time more work in this case, and then wait until the car arrives.

It’s somehow easier for me to order everything in advance and know that conditionally at 10:00 a car will be waiting for me at the door of the apartment.

Will they meet me for sure?

Yes. Neither I nor my friends have ever had a situation when the driver did not come to pick us up. I haven’t even heard of anyone complaining about it.

The only moment happens with reverse transfers. If your house doesn’t have an address, the driver can just park on that street and sit there waiting. He, of course, will write you via some messenger. But will you have internet?

Therefore, it is better to get yourself an international SIM card like DrimSim. They are very helpful in dozens of similar situations.

What about a flight delay?

If your flight is delayed or, on the contrary, arrived earlier, immediately inform the driver about it. You will be sent his phone number about a day before departure. Usually it is enough to write in Viber or WhatsApp.

If the flight was postponed for several hours or a day, write to the support of the website where you booked the transfer. They’ll sort everything out on their own.

In reality, drivers are at the airport about half an hour before your arrival. And they wait, well, at least an hour. So do not worry about the 15-20 minutes delay.

What languages do the drivers speak?

All companies that sell transfers promise English-speaking drivers. In practice, some are almost fluent, most are average, but all are able to communicate in basic English.

What if I have a lot of suitcases?

Then I recommend to take a minivan. Otherwise, suitcases, skis, baby carriages may not fit in a small car, or even in a regular one.

Drivers usually help carry, load and unload suitcases. So there are no problems with this. It’s handy if you don’t have a man with you. Well, or a family with two children is simply not physically able to drag all this suitcases, stuff and children.

testimonials about transfers in Montenegro

All companies have testimonials on their website. You can go and read them. If you don’t want to waste time, I’ve chose a few typical testimonials and posted them here:

Other ways to get from the airport

Transfers and taxis are far from the only way you can get from the airport. And even far from always the most suitable. Here are some alternatives:

1. Car rental at the airport. A very handy thing. Book a car with pick-up at Tivat or Podgorica airports. This can be done, for example, through the Localrent.com website.

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   The manager will meet you and give you a car upon your arrival at the airport. You’ll just sit in the car and drive away. It is useful if you plan to travel around the country.

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   Price: starting at 20 € ≈ 21 $, 17.2 £, 77.2 Dh, 364.8 ₺ per day + fuel. Information: article about car rental.
2. Buses. There are public transport stops at the airport. All the buses that stand there are for tourists that come via package tour.

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   But you can take a passing bus. To do this, go out and wait. Sorry, but there is no shade there. Buses often pass by: there are no empty seats. For the sake of 1-2 tourists with suitcases, drivers also usually do not stop. I only went that way once. Waited 40 minutes for the bus.Traveling by bus is very inconvenient. It’s about 10 € ≈ 10.5 $, 8.6 £, 38.6 Dh, 182.4 ₺ for a family with suitcases. It may be important for someone to save 15 € ≈ 15.75 $, 12.9 £, 57.9 Dh, 273.6 ₺. But I personally won’t drive like that again.

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   Price to Herceg Novi: 3,5-4 € ≈ 3.675 $, 3.01 £, 13.51 Dh, 63.84 ₺ per ticket (depending on the carrier) and 1 € ≈ 1.05 $, 0.86 £, 3.86 Dh, 18.24 ₺ for luggage (usually you’re asked to pay only if there are a lot of suitcases).
3. Apartment owners. If you’re renting, the apartment owners can usually meet you as well. Just ask them. But look first how much a transfer costs on the same route. It often happens that they ask 40-50 € ≈ 42 $, 34.4 £, 154.4 Dh, 729.6 ₺ for a route that costs only 35 € ≈ 36.75 $, 30.1 £, 135.1 Dh, 638.4 ₺. If you’re travelling here for the first time, it may even be convenient to overpay a bit.