From Dubrovnik to KotorBus, car, border and a day trip in one day

The main border crossing on this route is Karasovići on the Croatian side and Debeli Brijeg on the Montenegrin side. The smaller crossing Kobila – Vitaljina is open only for passenger traffic. Croatia is in the Schengen area, while Montenegro is not, so documents are checked at the border in both directions.

Citizens of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and the countries of the region can enter Montenegro with only an ID card, for stays of up to 30 days; with a passport they can stay up to 90 days. Other travellers need a passport, and some also need a visa. Travellers who are not EU citizens pass through the European EES system when entering Croatia, which has been fully operational since 10 April 2026: at first entry, a facial photograph and fingerprints are taken, so allow for a longer stop.

In summer, waiting at this crossing is usually 30–90 minutes, and in July and August even longer. Leave early in the morning and expect to wait also when returning to Croatia.

Buses to Kotor leave from the Dubrovnik bus station in Gruž. In October 2026 there were four departures a day, the journey takes 2–2.5 hours, and a one-way ticket costs 29–36 €. In summer there are more departures, and the timetable changes by season, so check it with the carrier or at the station. Buy the ticket in advance in July and August, because buses can be full.

The bus stops at the border, where the police check the documents of all passengers. The bus passes through Herceg Novi, where it usually stops at the bus station. The bus is the cheapest option for one person, but for a one-day trip it leaves little free time in Kotor.

From the border to Herceg Novi it is about ten minutes by car. From there, two roads lead to Kotor:

• By the Kamenari – Lepetane ferry. The ferry crosses the Verige strait in a few minutes. A car pays 5 €, while pedestrians, cyclists and persons with disabilities travel free of charge. In summer it runs every 15–20 minutes, day and night. On the other side, the road leads via Tivat to Kotor.
• Around the bay via Risan and Perast. The road is longer and slower, but it runs right along the shore of the Bay, past Perast and the island of Our Lady of the Rocks. In summer, traffic is slow in Perast and Dobrota.

There is no vignette in Montenegro. Headlights must be on even during the day, and up to 0.3 per mille of alcohol is allowed. If you are driving a rented car from Croatia, the agency must issue a green card and written permission for crossing the border. More about the rules can be found in the guide to driving in Montenegro.

Cars do not enter the Old Town of Kotor. The closest is the Riva car park next to the Old Town, 4.80 € per hour in summer and 2.40 € in winter. The Benovo car park, a little further away, costs 1.90 € in summer and 1.10 € per hour in winter (2025 prices, check at the barrier). The centre of Perast is a pedestrian zone; parking is available at two car parks at the entrances to the town, in summer with a daily ticket.

A private door-to-door transfer is the most comfortable option for families and groups: agree the price in advance and check whether it includes waiting at the border. Organised excursions from Dubrovnik usually visit Perast, Kotor and sometimes Budva in one day, by bus or boat. There is no regular boat line between Dubrovnik and Kotor, and there is also no ferry, so a boat is possible only as part of an organised excursion.

For a one-day trip, leave as early as possible, because the border and crowds in the Bay take up most of the time. This order is practical:

• Morning: departure from Dubrovnik, the border, then a short break in Herceg Novi (the Old Town and Kanli Kula are a few minutes from the main road).
• Late morning: Perast and a small boat to the island of Our Lady of the Rocks, which leave from the waterfront in Perast.
• Noon and afternoon: Kotor: the Old Town, the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon and, if you have the energy, the climb up the ramparts to the Fortress of Saint John.
• Late afternoon: return by the Kamenari–Lepetane ferry or around the bay, with time in reserve for the border.

Dubrovnik Airport in Čilipi is about 25 km from Herceg Novi and about 66 km from Budva, so it is also used by travellers spending their holiday in Montenegro. Transfers and taxis go from the airport to Montenegro, and the border is a few kilometres away. The nearest Montenegrin airport to Kotor is Tivat, about 8 km from Kotor.