Transfers and Taxis in Montenegro: real experience from chats
Short answer
Pre-book airport transfers in advance to secure fair pricing, as on-the-spot bookings are significantly more expensive and subject to high variability. Since Uber and Bolt are unavailable, rely on local transfers or private car rentals, which are recommended for exploring the coastal regions effectively.
From real experience
Taxis from Podgorica Airport to cities like Budva are available.
Pre-booking is highly recommended to secure a fair price, as on-the-spot bookings can be considerably more expensive. The approximate cost for a pre-booked transfer can range from 50-60 EUR.
✓ 2 reports from chats
Travelers in Montenegro often report issues with taxi pricing (lack of apps like Uber/Bolt leads to predatory pricing), hidden service fees (cleaning fees not disclosed in initial quotes), and rigid bureaucratic requirements for bus travel (paper tickets required).
Tourist tax is mandatory, but local hosts often shift the registration burden to guests. Popular tourism peaks in July; prices for accommodation and transfers increase significantly.
✓ 1 report from chats
A car is highly recommended for exploring 80% of Montenegro's beauty.
Alternative transportation includes buses, taxis (bookable via Viber), and transfers. Train tickets should be booked in advance by phone, as online booking is not available. Podgorica is not considered a tourist destination; focus on coastal areas.
✓ 1 report from chats
For early morning flights (e.g., 5:00 AM) from Tivat or Kotor, it is strongly recommended to book a taxi or transfer the night before.
Relying on finding an available taxi on-call at that hour is risky as availability is limited and drivers may not be active.
✓ 1 report from chats
A transfer from Podgorica airport to Bečići was booked through Gomontenegro for 60 EUR.
Another quote for a similar trip from driver Mark was 80 EUR, suggesting price variations.