How Much Does it Cost to Travel to Montenegro? A Complete Budget Breakdown
Although once part of Yugoslavia, Montenegro is quickly paving its own path as the next big tourist destination. With amazing sightseeing opportunities like the Old Town of Kotor, the Montenegrin Riviera (Hello, Budva!), and an abundance of nature, it’s no wonder why Montenegro is one of the most popular countries in the Balkans.
However, one of the most popular questions that my friends asked me after traveling to Montenegro was, How much does it cost to travel to Montenegro?
And that, my friends, was the beginning of this blog post!
I’ll be uncovering the average cost of a trip to Montenegro, including everything from accommodations, food and drinks, transportation, activities/sightseeing, and more. Look out for special money-saving tips along the way as well!
To give you a little more background information: My boyfriend and I traveled around the entire coastal and central regions of Montenegro. We divided our month-long trip between 10 cities, which were Tivat, Kotor (we spent one week solely here!), Perast, Herceg-Novi, Cetinje, Budva, Ulcinj, Bar, Podgorica, and Niksic.
We like to think of ourselves as budget-friendly travelers, staying in guesthouses and spending money on activities, experiences, and delicious local food. However, you’ll see that we definitely splurged at a few places during our vacation — like the amazing apartment with a jaw-dropping view of Kotor Bay!
NOTE: All prices are in Euro (€) because that’s the currency Montenegro uses. 😅
Without further ado, I present…
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TRAVEL TO MONTENEGRO?
A breakdown by budget
I’ll go ahead and say it outright: Montenegro is only as expensive as you let it be.
If you want a budget-friendly trip, you can do Montenegro on as little as €15 to €20 a day. If you want to go all out and enjoy a luxury vacation at a resort, dropping €200 a day, then that’s definitely possible. And if you’re somewhere in the middle, then you’ll find yourself here as well. :)
Here’s how much you can expect to spend per day (per person) depending on your travel style:
Budget travel —Staying in hostels, using the bus to travel, eating street food or buying groceries — €15 to €20/ day
Mid-range travel — Staying at a nice apartment or hotel, eating at restaurants and cafes, using the bus and/or renting a car — €30 to €60/ day
Luxury travel — Staying in high-end hotels or resorts (i.e. all inclusive), eating in fancy restaurants, renting a car or using a transfer service — €100+ / day
Of course, these are just estimates. If you’re traveling as a couple (or as friends), for example, you’d obviously save some money by splitting the cost of a hotel room, car rental, and more.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING TO MONTENEGRO
A few more things before we get into the actual details! Keep these tips in mind as you plan your trip to Montenegro, since they’ll be a big influence on how much you’ll spend:
1 – TOURIST TAX
Yep, that’s right — Montenegro has its own tourist tax!
The tourist tax in Montenegro is about €1 per person per day, although it varies depending which city you’re staying in. For example, some cities charge 0.80 € per day, while others charge a little more. If you’re traveling to multiple cities during your Montenegro trip, I recommend googling the tax ahead of time.
If you’re staying in a hotel, there’s usually a separate charge for the tourist tax that you pay when you check in. If you’re staying in an Airbnb or private accommodation, usually the host will offer to register you.
To add even more confusion, there is a different tourist tax price for adults and children. However, don’t worry too much about it — your hotel or host will be happy to go over the details.
2 – COASTAL CITIES VS INLAND
Similar to other seaside destinations around the world, traveling along the coast of Montenegro will typically be more expensive than staying inland.
With beautiful sandy beaches, warm water, and more developed infrastructure, it’s no surprise why tourists flock to the coast — and, naturally, Montenegro wants to capitalize on that.
I noticed that prices were at least 20 to 30% cheaper the further inland we went. For example, in Cetinje, the two of us could order an appetizer to split, two ‘main’ dishes (such as a sandwich or pizza), two drinks, and it would end up costing €12 for the entire meal! In Kotor, the price would be at least double that.
Of course, this doesn’t count popular ski resorts in the northern part of the country (such as Žabljak and Kolašin), whose prices are similar to Budva during the winter. Just think of it as the winter version of the Montenegrin riviera. 😉
Overall, this tip can be summarized in an easy-to-remember phrase: Coast = cost!
3 – LOW AND HIGH SEASON
Speaking of expensive, one final tip is to check which season you plan to travel to Montenegro.
Like the rest of Europe, Montenegro has its high season between June through August, when the majority of tourists flock to the country.
You can expect to pay more during these months, as hotels quickly fill up and tours sell out.
If you want to avoid the heat, crowds, and inflated prices, I recommend going during shoulder season, which is April – May and September. We were in Montenegro for the last week of August and first three weeks of September, and the change in crowds was a surprising contrast!
Looking for even more travel tips & information about Montenegro?
Check out my Ultimate Montenegro Travel Guide and 17 Montenegro Travel Tips!
Alright, that’s enough tips — Let’s get to the good stuff! Here is how much everything actually costs in Montenegro:
Want to know how much this apartment cost us? Keep reading (or check booking 😉)
ACCOMMODATIONS
Montenegro offers a wide variety of accommodations for every traveler, whether that’s a budget-friendly hostel bed or an all-inclusive villa overlooking the bay. Here’s a quick run-down of how much you can expect to pay per night for each type of accommodation:
HOSTEL: €7 to €10 for a bunk bed in dorm | €15 to €20 for a private room
GUEST HOUSE / APARTMENT: Starting at €15 to 20 for a basic suite and going up to €50 to 75 for premium apartments (i.e. Budva or Kotor)
MID-RANGE HOTELS: Between €30 to €65
ALL-INCLUSIVE: Starting at €100 per room
You’ll find the most hostels in touristy cities like Kotor, Budva, and Ulcinj, although more are popping up every year in far-flung places. These hostels will typically offer guided city tours or day trips to big attractions, which is perfect for those who prefer to take the guesswork out of planning their trip.
Guesthouses are very popular all around the country and are a popular way for local families to make a little extra money while hosting travelers. They’re very easy to find, as they’ll usually be called “Guesthouse [NAME]” or Apartments with the family’s surname (such as Apartments Đukić in Kotor).
Staying at a guesthouse is great for a number of reasons: you’re supporting the local economy, the majority of guesthouses are in pristine condition, and oftentimes it’s cheaper than a hotel room! Best of all, most guest houses have separate entrances and rooms, so you can choose to be as social as you prefer.
On a similar note, apartments are quickly becoming popular in Montenegro and are a great choice if you’re traveling with a larger group — or just prefer to have the same conveniences of home (kitchen, washing machine, etc).
We chose to stay in a mix of apartments and guesthouses during our month-long trip. To give you a better idea, I’ve included the city, price per night, and a link if you want to check it out for yourself. :)
📍€ 30/night apartment in Kotor’s Old Town (we spent a week here and had a small discount because it was a ‘long stay’)
📍€ 70/night penthouse apartment with a jaw-dropping view of Kotor Bay (went all out for our anniversary)
📍€22/night cute sailor studio in Perast (literally — our host used to be a chef on a yacht)
📍€20/night family-run guest house near the beach in Herceg Novi
📍€18/night family guest house in Cetinje (very cute and the price was just right for Cetinje)
📍€30/night small apartment in Budva (a bit old but still very on-budget for a city like Budva)
📍€19/night in Bar (personally our least favorite because the couch was the bed, but oh well)
📍€24/night in Ulcinj (besides the Kotor Bay penthouse, this was our second-best favorite!)
📍€25/night in Podgorica (not quite central but had everything we needed)
Last but definitely not least, Montenegro has a handful of all-inclusive resorts sprinkled around the coast, with the most popular ones around Budva. These are perfect if you prefer to have a relaxing vacation since food, drinks, and amenities (like a pool or spa) are included in one package. Typically all-inclusive rooms start at €100 per night for two people.
TRANSPORTATION
Thanks to Montenegro’s compact size (it’s one of the 10th smallest countries in Europe), you won’t have much of a problem with transportation — it feels as if everything is within reach!
BUS
In fact, here’s a quick anecdote to show you what I mean: a bus ticket from Herceg Novi (one of the westernmost cities in Montenegro) to Rožaje (one of the easternmost cities) costs €17. That’s more than 300 km (185 mi) and 5 hours of driving for less than 20 Euros!
The majority of bus stations have a small cafe, lobby, and ticket desk, and are usually not too far from the center. If you’re buying a bus ticket online, don’t forget to print it out at the bus station. This usually costs between €0.50 to €1 (depending on the station) as part of the ‘bus station fee.’ Likewise, you may be charged €1 by the bus driver for any luggage that’s bigger than a regular-sized backpack (this depends on the driver).
Although they’re not the newest models, Montenegrin busses are very comfortable and generally in excellent condition.
Here’s a quick overview of how much a one-way ticket costs for different destinations:
Podgorica to Žabljak — €7 to €9
Podgorica to Kotor —€ 6 to €7
Kotor to Budva — €2.50 to €3
Kotor to Herceg-Novi — €2.50 to €3
TRAIN
Montenegro technically only has one train line, which starts at the coastal seaside town of Bar, stops in the capital (Podgorica) and ends at the northern city of Bijelo Polje. It also goes to the industrial city of Nikšić and Tuzi.
If you’re planning to visit Serbia, I highly recommend checking out the Bar to Belgrade train. It takes around 10 hours and is a fantastic (and budget-friendly!) way to get between the two countries.
Here are some typical routes on Montenegro’s train network and their prices for a one-way ticket:
Bar to Podgorica — €2.40 second class | €3.60 first class
Podgorica to Belgrade — €19.20 second class | €28.80 first class
Bar to Belgrade — €21.00 second class | €31.80 first class
You can check timetables on the official railway site and buy tickets in-person at the station.
TAXI
Getting from the airport / bus station to the city center is also relatively budget-friendly, and taxi rides cost around €5. Of course, be aware of taxi scams near the airport, since some taxi drivers like to gauge the price and avoid using their meter.
To put it in perspective, our taxi from Tivat Airport to central Tivat was €5. A taxi from Tivat Airport to Kotor is around €10 to 15.
RENTAL CAR
Finally, those who want to explore Montenegro on their own can opt for a car rental. Renting a car is a popular way to get around the country, especially to smaller villages and nature (national parks, canyons, rivers, etc).
Typically, a car rental starts around €15 to €20 per day, but you can get a great deal if you rent for a longer period of time (i.e. many agencies give weekly discounts). One thing to note is that cars with automatic transmission usually cost a bit extra.
I recommend RentalCars.com if you plan to rent a car, since they have the largest selection and offer great deals. This is the company I normally use whenever I need to rent a car. :)
FOOD PRICES IN MONTENEGRO
There are two types of people in the world: you either prefer to try local foods by shopping at the nearest grocery store and cooking it yourself, or you prefer to eat in a cafe or restaurant. Thankfully, this section is divided into two parts, depending on your travel style. 😅
GROCERY SHOPPING
The most popular grocery stores in Montenegro are Voli, IDEA, and Mega Market. However, you can find plenty of smaller ‘farmer market’-style bazaars all around the city that sell fresh fruit and vegetables. Here’s a quick overview of typical prices at grocery stores:
Bottle of water (1.5L) – €0.50 to 1
Pack of salami/ham – €2.50 to 3.50
Loaf of bread – Between €0.50 to 1
Eggs (pack of 10) – €1 to 3
Chicken (1kg) – €4 to 5
Bananas (1kg) – €1.5 to 2
Tomatoes (1kg) – €1
CAFES & RESTAURANTS
In Montenegro, meat and seafood are king. Thanks to its coastline, you can eat some of the most delicious, fresh, and flavorful seafood in your life!
You can expect to pay around €7 to €10 per person at an average restaurant and around €25 per person at an upscale restaurant (or one that’s close to tourist attractions). Here are some typical prices of food in restaurants:
🍜 Soup (‘chorba’) – Usually between €1 to €3
🍟 Side dishes (i.e. french fries, peppers, mashed potatoes, rice, etc) – Between €1 to €2
🍔 Burger – Between €2 and €5 depending on the place. Premium burgers can go up to €10
🍕 Pizza – Between €5 to €8
🍤 Seafood (i.e. tuna steak, grilled octopus, salmon fillet) – Between €9 to €15 for 200~300 grams
🍰 Dessert (i.e. slice of cake, crepe, strudel, fruit salad) – Between €2 and €5
🥤 Soft drinks, lemonade, juice – Between €1 to €3
🍷 Bottle of wine – Starting at €10 and going up to €30+ for top-shelf
SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES
Montenegro is full of cultural activities and nature — which is great for budget-friendly travelers.
There are only a handful of museums in the country, with the majority in Cetinje. In fact, the city earned the nickname ‘the city of museums’ from locals. Museums typically cost between €1 to €5, with the majority closer to €1 or 2. For example, the Kotor Cat Museum costs €1 for an entry ticket, and the proceeds help feed and take care of the cats that you see in Kotor.😻
The price of day tours in Montenegro vary between €20 to €50 per person and are a great way to see the country and learn more about it from a local. In fact, one of the most popular day trips is the All Montenegro Tour, which is less than €50 per person and covers the most popular spots during the 12-hour tour. That works out to around €4 per hour!
Looking for even more things to do in Montenegro?
Check out my Ultimate Montenegro Bucket List blog post, with 30+ fun things to do, see, and more!
WHAT ARE THE MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES IN MONTENEGRO?
Now that we have a good overview of the prices, let’s take a look at which cities tend to be budget-friendly and which cities are more on the expensive side.
As mentioned above, cities along the coast tend to be the most expensive. Likewise, this is just my personal observation based on my travels — your mileage may vary. :)
Tip: You can click on the underlined cities to be taken to their respective travel guide posts!
Cheapest
Cetinje
Bar
Mid-range
Herceg Novi
Ulcinj
Perast
Podgorica (the capital)
USEFUL REFERENCES FOR TRAVELING TO MONTENEGRO
Looking for more information before your trip to Montenegro? I recommend the following websites that I personally used:
🛂 Need a visa to Montenegro? Check out iVisa for more information.
✈️ Once you have your visa all set, it’s time to book airline tickets! I use Kiwi to book flights.
🛏 Book accommodations on Booking or Hotels. These two offer fantastic options for every traveler, from hostels to hotels, apartments to penthouses, local guesthouses, and everything in between!
✨ Speaking of amazing accommodations… I have an entire blog post dedicated to the best guesthouses, apartments, and Airbnbs in Montenegro!
📷 Find tours, day trips, or sightseeing activities at Get Your Guide or Viator.
❗️One of the most popular day trips is the All Montenegro Tour. This 12-hour tour gives you a taste of Montenegro as you enjoy breakfast at a local village, tour the Old Royal Capital, visit the birthplace of the Petrović dynasty, enjoy a boat ride through River Crnojevica, and finish the day with a panoramic view of the famous Sveti Stefan.
🚗 Prefer to carve out your own itinerary? Rent a car through RentalCars.com, which has the biggest selection of car rentals and the company that I use whenever I rent a car.
🧳 Not sure what to pack? I have an entire blog post that details what to pack for a trip to Montenegro for all four seasons!
🇲🇪 Looking for even more information before traveling to Montenegro? Check out my Ultimate Montenegro Travel Guide for everything you need to know before your trip OR 17 Montenegro Travel Tips for some bite-sized tips…
🇲🇪 … Or check out all of my blog posts on Montenegro here, including more city guides! Happy travels :)
Photo credits: Euros by Markus Spiske (unsplash)
Wow, very informative post. Seems I don’t need to find other travel guides for Montenegro.
Many great tips, thanks for sharing :)
Jack