Kamenari – Lepetane Ferry in the Bay of Kotor

The Kamenari – Lepetane ferry is the only internal ferry crossing in Montenegro and the fastest way to get across the Bay of Kotor. The crossing through the Verige Straits takes about 5 minutes and saves roughly 30 km compared to driving around the bay via Kotor, Perast, and Risan. A ticket for a standard car costs €5 year-round, while pedestrians and cyclists ride free.

Key facts:

• €5 per car – flat rate year-round (unified pricing since February 2025).
• Pedestrians, cyclists, and people with disabilities ride free of charge.
• Crossing time – approximately 5 minutes dock to dock.
• Summer (May – October) – departures every 20 minutes by day, every 30 minutes at night.
• Winter (November – April) – departures every 20 minutes by day, hourly at night.
• Peak season queues (July – August) can reach 45–60 minutes, especially during morning (7–9 AM) and evening (4–6 PM) rush hours.
• Online ticket purchase is available, saving time at the pier kiosk.

The ferry connects the village of Kamenari on the Herceg Novi side and the village of Lepetane on the Tivat side. It crosses the narrowest point of the Bay of Kotor – the Verige Straits – where the distance between shores is just about 300 metres.

Without the ferry, the drive from Budva to Herceg Novi goes all the way around the bay through Kotor, Perast, and Risan. That adds roughly 30 km and 40–45 minutes. The ferry reduces this to a 5-minute crossing plus whatever time you spend in the queue.

The ferry is particularly useful in two scenarios: travelling between Tivat airport and Herceg Novi (or vice versa), and driving along the coast in a rental car. If you're heading to Kotor or Perast, driving around the bay is the better choice – you'll get one of Montenegro's most scenic drives as a bonus.

Since February 2025, the Montenegrin government has unified seasonal and off-season fares. Prices are now the same year-round.

(Updated: February 2026)

Residents of Tivat and Herceg Novi municipalities get a discounted rate of €3 per car. This doesn't apply to tourists, but if you're on a long-term stay with local registration, it may be worth asking at the ticket counter.

Note: €5 for the crossing is roughly what you'd spend on fuel for the 30 km detour around the bay. But the time savings – up to 40 minutes – make the ferry the clear winner when you don't need to stop in Kotor or Perast.

Tickets are sold at kiosks right at the piers in Kamenari and Lepetane. Follow the lane marked "ferry," park your car in the queue, and walk to the ticket window. You'll receive a ticket and receipt to present to the controller when boarding.

Since February 2025, online ticket purchases are available through the operator's official website. This is convenient – you skip the queue at the kiosk, which can get busy in peak season.

Regarding payment methods: most travellers report that bank cards are accepted, though some have encountered cash-only situations. Keep small euro bills handy as a backup.

From 6 AM to midnight, ferries depart every 20 minutes from both shores. During peak season (July – August), full ferries leave immediately without waiting for the scheduled departure.

Night departures (midnight to 6 AM):

• From Kamenari: 12:00 AM, 1:00 AM, 2:00 AM, 3:00 AM, 4:00 AM, 4:50 AM, 5:20 AM, 6:00 AM
• From Lepetane: 12:30 AM, 1:30 AM, 2:30 AM, 3:30 AM, 4:30 AM, 5:05 AM, 5:40 AM

Daytime departures run every 20 minutes. At night, the interval increases: from Kamenari on the hour, from Lepetane on the half hour.

The fleet consists of 8 ferries with a combined capacity of around 300 vehicles. Each ferry accommodates 50–70 cars.

Off-season (October – May), there are virtually no queues. The maximum wait is 10–15 minutes while a half-empty ferry gathers passengers.

In season, the picture changes dramatically. In July and August, queues are standard, especially during rush hours:

• Morning (7–9 AM) – locals commuting to work, plus tourists heading out for day trips.
• Midday (12–2 PM) – lunchtime and beach return traffic.
• Evening (4–6 PM) – the reverse commute.

During peak summer hours, waits can reach 45–60 minutes. Traveller reports from 2023–2025 mention occasional two-hour waits when fewer ferries are operating.

Tips:

Plan your crossing for early morning (before 7 AM) or late evening (after 6 PM) – queues thin out significantly. If you're arriving from Dubrovnik in the afternoon, consider driving around the bay via Kotor instead – you'll see the stunning coastline. Buy your ticket online in advance to save time at the kiosk, though this won't shorten the loading queue. Don't forget that the ferry itself doubles as a mini viewpoint: from mid-channel, you can spot the two islands of Perast in the distance.

The recommendation is straightforward: if you just need to get from one side of the bay to the other and it's not peak season – take the ferry. If you're in a rental car and want to see the coastline, drive around at least one way. This is especially worthwhile for routes through Perast with its islands and old Kotor. For renting a car in Montenegro, Localrent offers convenient pickup right at Tivat airport.

Pedestrians ride free, and this is a genuine travel hack for those without a vehicle. Both piers have bus stops nearby.

From the Herceg Novi side: the bus from Igalo runs to Kamenari every 30 minutes (hourly on Sundays). Fare is approximately €1.

From the Tivat side: the bus from the town centre (Magnolia Square) runs to Lepetane every hour. In summer (June – August) from 6 AM to 10 PM; winter has reduced service. Fare is approximately €0.70.

The routine is simple: take the bus to the pier, cross free on the ferry, catch the connecting bus on the other side. Local bus passengers do this routinely – it's standard practice.

1. How much does the Kamenari – Lepetane ferry cost in 2026?

€5 for a car, €2.50 for a motorcycle. The price is the same year-round – seasonal and off-season fares were unified in February 2025. Pedestrians, cyclists, and people with disabilities ride free.

2. How often does the ferry run?

Every 20 minutes from 6 AM to midnight. At night, the interval increases to 30–60 minutes depending on the season. During peak summer months, ferries depart as soon as they're full rather than waiting for the schedule.

3. Can I pay by bank card?

Yes, the ticket kiosks accept cards and online tickets are available through the operator's website. That said, experiences vary – keep euro cash on hand as a backup in case of technical issues.

4. Should I take the ferry or drive around the bay?

It depends on the season and your plans. Off-season, the ferry is clearly faster – 5 minutes versus 40–45 minutes driving. In summer during rush hours, queues can eat up all the time savings. If it's your first time in Montenegro, drive around the bay at least once via Perast and Kotor – it's one of the best panoramic drives in the country.

5. How do I get to the ferry without a car?

Pedestrians cross free of charge. Regular buses serve both piers: from Herceg Novi every 30 minutes, from Tivat every hour. Check visa requirements for your nationality before travelling.

The Kamenari – Lepetane ferry is a fast, affordable way to cross the Bay of Kotor. Off-season, it works perfectly: pull up, pay €5, and you're on the other side in 5 minutes. In summer, expect queues and plan your crossing for early morning or evening. If time allows, drive around the bay at least once via Kotor and Perast – the extra 40 minutes are well worth it for the views.

• Do You Need a Car in Montenegro? Pros and Cons of Renting a Vehicle
• Rent a Car in Montenegro
• How to Get from Tivat or Podgorica Airport to Your Resort
• Public Transport in Montenegro: Is It Convenient?
• Parking in Montenegro: Where You Can Leave Your Car and How Much It Costs
• Popular Itineraries in Montenegro: What to See in 1 to 7 Days

Trajekt Kamenari – Lepetane – official ferry operator website

JPMD (Public Enterprise for Maritime Domain Management) – crossing information

Trajekt.me – price list

Trajekt.me – timetable

Pravda Montenegro – new ferry fares, from February 2025