Dubrovnik to Kotor transfers, and on to Tivat and Budva

How far is Kotor from Dubrovnik?

Kotor is about 92 km from Dubrovnik’s Old Town by the road around the Bay of Kotor, roughly two hours of driving. The route follows the D8 coast road south-east past the airport to the border at Karasovići, about 38 km from Pile Gate, then continues through Herceg Novi and around the bay through Risan and Perast.

A short car ferry across the narrows between Kamenari and Lepetane cuts about 12 km and 20 minutes from the drive to Kotor. In summer the queue at the ferry ramp can cancel that saving, so the driver decides on the day. For Tivat and Budva the ferry saves more, about 28 km and 22 km respectively, and is usually the better route.

How does the border crossing work?

Croatia is in the EU and the Schengen area, and Montenegro is not, so the border is checked twice: first by Croatian police at Karasovići, then about 2.5 km further on by Montenegrin police at Debeli Brijeg. You stay with the car while your driver handles the queue.

Karasovići is Croatia’s main road crossing to Montenegro and is open around the clock. A second crossing, Vitaljina, is open to passengers and cars only, and is sometimes the quicker choice when the main road is jammed. The Croatian motoring club, HAK, publishes live cameras for both crossings, and we check them before setting off.

Since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System has been fully running at Croatia’s external borders. On the first crossing, passengers from outside the EU have their photograph and fingerprints recorded. The Croatian Ministry of the Interior says this can mean stepping out of the vehicle, and that road checks take longer as a result. Visitors who flew into Dubrovnik were registered at the airport and need only a quick photo check.

How long is the wait at the border?

The wait depends on the month, the day and the time. Published estimates put it at 15 to 30 minutes from November to April, 30 to 60 minutes in May, June, September and October, and from two to five hours on peak days in July and August. The worst time in summer is late morning to early afternoon, especially on Fridays leaving Croatia and on Sundays coming back.

On Sunday 2 August 2026, HAK’s data showed waits of about four hours to enter Croatia at Karasovići. On days like that, an early departure before 08:00 is worth far more than any shortcut. The fixed price does not change, however long the queue.

What documents does each passenger need?

• British, American, Canadian and Australian visitors need a passport. The Government of Montenegro admits them without a visa for up to 90 days, with a passport issued within the last ten years and valid for at least three months after departure.
• EU citizens can enter with a passport or a national identity card.
• Everyone should carry the same document back into Croatia; you return to the EU at Karasovići.

Montenegro uses the euro, so there is no currency to change. Visitors staying overnight must be registered with the local tourist office within 24 hours; hotels do this automatically.

Where can we stop on the way to Kotor?

The road around the bay passes several places worth a short stop, if you tell us when you book:

• Herceg Novi, at the entrance to the bay, about 49 km from Dubrovnik.
• Perast, a baroque village about 14 km before Kotor, facing the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks.
• Kotor Old Town itself, which cars cannot enter: the driver sets you down by one of its three gates.

The Old Town is part of the “Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor”, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Our guide to a Kotor day trip from Dubrovnik covers the town, the fortress climb and Perast.

Tivat, Budva and Herceg Novi

The same transfer continues anywhere on the Montenegrin coast. Herceg Novi is the closest stop, about an hour from Dubrovnik before the border. Tivat Airport (TIV) suits travellers flying home from Montenegro, and Budva is the main resort town further south. The price table above shows the distance, drive time and price for each.

Drive times exclude the border queue. The Kamenari–Lepetane ferry costs €5 per car, according to the ferry operator’s price list, and it is included in our price.

Is Kotor better as a day trip or a one-way transfer?

If you are moving on to stay in Montenegro, a one-way transfer is simplest. If you are staying in Dubrovnik and want a day in Kotor, book a car with a driver for the day instead: the driver waits, and you can add Perast on the way back. A Kotor day is long, usually 10 to 12 hours with about four hours of driving and four passport checks.

For more about the crossing itself, read our guide to the Dubrovnik–Montenegro border.