Last Updated on April 29, 2024 by Sam
If you’re trying to find out how to get from Dubrovnik to Kotor then you’ve come to the right place. Situated on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro, the fortified town of Kotor is an amazing and increasingly popular travel destination thanks to its quaint old town and the towering peaks surrounding it. Located around 90 kilometres away from the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, this Montenegrin town has a lot to offer. In particular there are some wonderful day trips possible in the areas surrounding Kotor, as well as there being plenty of great things to do in Kotor itself. Fortunately, travelling there from Dubrovnik is quite easy as long as you do a bit of planning. Find out the different ways of how to get from Dubrovnik from Kotor with this helpful guide!
Planning a trip through Croatia before visiting Kotor? Make sure to check out our10 day Croatia itinerary for inspiration. Alternatively, check out our one week Montenegro itinerary for ideas of other spots to visit in this beautiful country!
Bus from Dubrovnik to Kotor
The cheapest way to get from Dubrovnik to Kotor is by bus. Although the journey itself only takes around 2 hours, this doesn’t include time spent crossing the border between Croatia and Montenegro.
With the border crossing factored in the journey normally takes at least 2 and a half to 3 hours. The price of a bus ticket from Dubrovnik to Kotor varies, with tickets available from €25.
Dubrovnik bus station, also known as ‘Autobusni Kolodvor’, is located near to the ferry terminal, around 3 kilometres away from the old town. We strongly recommend booking your ticket(s) in advance, especially over the summer months when buses can book up quickly. There are multiple buses running the route each day, with more scheduled during the peak season (June-August).
Click here to find an up-to-date timetable and to book your bus tickets from Dubrovnik to Kotor!
Many bus companies will advertise the journey as taking 2 hours, but because of the border crossing it actually takes longer to get from Dubrovnik to Kotor. As Montenegro is not part of the EU there is a mandatory border crossing with passport checks at the border with Croatia.
It isn’t possible to predict exactly how long this will take on any given day, but for us it only took around 45 minutes to cross the border. If the border crossing is particularly busy or if someone on your bus has any issues entering the country then it may end up adding a few hours extra onto your journey.
As you’d expect, it’s more likely to be busy during peak season. It’s also worth noting that it’s quite common for buses to be delayed, so there shouldn’t be any need for concern if your bus doesn’t arrive or set off on time.
If you’re travelling with a large bag or suitcase then it costs an extra 1 euro to put your bag in the bus’s luggage storage. Make sure to have the right change to be able to pay for this as it isn’t included in the price of your ticket.
The journey provides some beautiful views of the Croatian coastline as well as the Bay of Kotor. For the best views try to get a seat on the right hand side of the bus, as that way you can enjoy the scenery along the way.
The bus station in Kotor is located around a 5-10 minute walk from the Old Town. As the town is quite small it’s quite easy to find your way there. Taxis may be available at the station if you’d prefer, but as it’s not too far we recommend walking to the Old Town.
If you plan to just go from Dubrovnik to Kotor on a day trip then taking the bus isn’t the best option. The bus times mean you probably won’t have as much time as you’d like in Kotor, especially if you have any delays in crossing the border into Montenegro. As a result, if you plan to travel by bus we recommend staying in the town for at least a night. If you are planning to stay for at least one night then click here to read our guide of the best places to stay in Kotor!
Rent a car from Dubrovnik to Kotor
An alternative to taking the bus from Dubrovnik to Kotor is to go by car. Whether you’re visiting for a day or a week, renting a car is an easy option to get between both places and provides you with more flexibility than travelling by bus.
Another advantage of hiring a car is that it gives you the ability to more easily explore some of the smaller towns along the Bay of Kotor. The roads in both Croatia and Montenegro are in generally good condition, and the drive between Dubrovnik and Kotor is incredibly scenic.
Renting a car to get from Dubrovnik to Kotor is possible by hiring from the town or Dubrovnik Airport. Car rental prices will vary depending on a number of factors, but there are a few things to be aware of before finalising a rental.
If you only plan to travel one-way from Dubrovnik to Kotor then you will have to pay a one-way fee for dropping off the car in a different location.
To avoid this fee you can opt to drive to Kotor for a few days or even just a day trip, before returning to Dubrovnik to drop off the car. This will massively reduce the cost of renting a car on your trip.
As you will be taking the rental car outside of Croatia, you will need to have a green card. This card proves that the car is insured to travel in other countries, and so allows you to safely drive your rental car in Montenegro.
Some rental car companies will try to charge extra for what they call a ‘cross border card’, but this is exactly the same as a green card. Our understanding is that all cars insured in Croatia receive a green card for free, but rental companies try to charge unsuspecting tourists extra for it.
In some cases they will charge an extra €80-140 just to provide you with the green card. Before booking a rental car it’s best to confirm directly with the company whether this is provided, or to read the full rental terms to make sure they won’t try to charge you extra when you pick up the car.
Click here to find the best deals on rental cars for your trip on the Discover Cars website!
Taxi
The most expensive option is to arrange a private transfer from Dubrovnik to Kotor. Prices vary between companies, with some offering taxis to Kotor for as little as €90 one-way and others charging €130 or more. If you want to take a return trip then it’s likely to cost double the price of a one-way journey.
Taking a taxi is a good option if you don’t want the hassle of driving and have the money to spare. It’s a suitable option whether you want to take a day trip or have a longer stay in Kotor, although if you do plan to take a day trip then it’s best to make an early start!
Organised Tour
If you just want to visit Kotor on a day trip from Dubrovnik then one of the best options is to take an organised tour. There are a number of great tours available to book online through Get Your Guide, all offering slightly different things.
Booking through Get Your Guide is extremely convenient as it allows you to arrange your tour days, weeks or even months in advance. Check out our recommendations of day tours from Dubrovnik to Kotor below!
One of the best options is a day trip along the picturesque coast of Montenegro, stopping at a number of brilliant spots including Kotor. Other stops on the tour include the quaint town of Perast, a viewpoint of the stunning Sveti Stefan resort island and the town of Budva.
There is also an optional trip to the Our Lady of the Rocks island, although this comes at an additional cost. This tour is a great way to see Kotor as well as some of the other beautiful places in Montenegro. Prices start from around €60, which includes air-conditioned transport to all the stops as well as hotel pick up in Dubrovnik.
Click here to check out this great day trip from Dubrovnik to Kotor, Perast, Budva and more!
Another great tour involves a coach ride into Montenegro before taking a boat trip through the Bay of Kotor. This allows you to admire the stunning mountains and scenery from the water, before having chance to explore Kotor Old Town as well as the lovely town of Perast.
The tour also includes a visit to Our Lady of the Rocks island, as well as transport in an air-conditioned coach/minivan and the option of hotel pick up and drop off. Prices start from €60 per person, which represents great value for a brilliant day exploring some of the most beautiful spots in Montenegro!
Click here to book your coach and boat trip to the beautiful town of Kotor!
Regardless of how you get there Kotor is definitely worth the trip from Dubrovnik, and although it’s easy to do for a day if you have the time it’s worth staying there at least a night or two!
VRBO have some fantastic accommodation options if you want to rent a property instead of staying at a hotel! Click here to see the amazing options on the VRBO website!
Looking for other places to visit in Croatia? Check out our guides to Krka National Park and Sibenik!
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