Tivat Airport (TIV) Transfers in Montenegro: real experience from chats
Short answer
Avoid expensive official airport taxi ranks by pre-booking transfers or using verified services for better rates, typically targeting 20-25 EUR for nearby destinations. For budget travel, walk 1.3 km to the main Tivat bus station to access reliable bus connections, as direct airport services are limited. Always pre-book transport the night before for early morning departures.
From real experience
Taxi fares from Tivat Airport to Budva can be very high, with drivers sometimes quoting up to €70. Negotiating or pre-booking a transfer is advised.
A more affordable option found was €25, with the driver taking a scenic route via mountain roads. Tivat Airport is closed at night, which may affect early morning departures.
✓ 2 reports from chats
Direct bus service from Tivat Airport to Kotor is limited.
It is generally recommended to take a bus from the main Tivat bus station to Kotor. Taxis are readily available at the airport. Alternatively, one can take a bus from Tivat to Kotor and then potentially a local bus or taxi to specific areas within Kotor. Some suggest that bus drivers might stop at designated bus stops outside the main station if flagged down, but using the bus station is more reliable.
✓ 1 report from chats
Transportation options around Tivat and Kotor Bay include local buses and taxis.
Buses between Tivat and Kotor may face traffic congestion and lack air conditioning. Taxis are available but also subject to traffic. The Blueline bus offers a scenic route along the bay with less risk of traffic delays. Buses to Perast from Kotor do not depart from the main bus station but from a specific stop, costing around 2 EUR and running approximately hourly.
✓ 1 report from chats
Taxi costs from Montenegrin airports (Tivat/Podgorica) are highly variable.
Avoid official airport taxi ranks if possible. Pre-booked transfers or verified Telegram transfer groups offer significantly better rates. Standard negotiation strategy: 20-25 EUR is often a realistic target for short-to-medium transfers (e.g., Tivat to Luštica/Budva) versus the 50 EUR quote often given to tourists.
✓ 1 report from chats
To travel from Tivat Airport to Kotor Old Town, taxi services are available, with estimated costs around 4000 (local currency).
Exploring public transport options like buses or local transfer services might offer more economical alternatives, though direct bus routes might be limited. Checking local transport schedules upon arrival is recommended.
✓ 1 report from chats
When traveling from Budva to Tivat Airport, public bus transport is an option for solo travelers.
For groups of 2-4 people, taxis may be more cost-effective. Services like etaxi and tesla taxi offer similar pricing (around 60 EUR). Bookings can be made via WhatsApp. Upon arrival at the airport, available taxi options with their company names and WhatsApp contacts can be observed.
✓ 1 report from chats
When traveling to Tivat Airport (TIV) for an early morning flight (e.g., 6-7 AM), ferry queues are typically absent, and operations are efficient.
The road around Kotor Bay, including tunnels, is also generally clear during these hours. Travelers can use navigation apps to select the fastest route without significant concern for traffic or ferry delays, especially on Sundays.
✓ 1 report from chats
Users can potentially catch a bus near Tivat airport.
There's a stop where waving down a bus might work, but it's driver-dependent. Alternatively, walking to the main bus station (approx. 1.2 km, 15 mins) is a reliable option to get buses to destinations like Budva. Be aware of potential delays even from the main station.
✓ 1 report from chats
To travel from Tivat Airport to Kotor on a budget, take a bus from the Tivat bus station, which is about a 1.3 km walk from the airport.
Direct bus service from the airport is not available. Alternatively, consider pre-booking a transfer or looking for ride-sharing options in local Montenegro travel groups to potentially split costs.
✓ 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.