Montenegro Prices in 2026: How Much Does a Week Really Cost

A week in Montenegro in 2026 costs between 350–1,200 € per person, depending on whether you cook in a rental apartment or dine at restaurants nightly. The country uses the euro, which eliminates exchange rate losses. For the price-to-Adriatic-coastline ratio, Montenegro still beats Croatia and Italy, though the gap narrows each year.

Key takeaways:

• Currency – Euro (€). Cards accepted almost everywhere except small bakeries and markets.
• Lunch at a café – 6–15 €; dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant – 30–90 €.
• Accommodation – seaside studio from 35 €/night in season; 3-star hotel from 50 €/night.
• Car rental – from 20–25 €/day via Localrent; petrol around 1.49 €/litre.
• Intercity bus – 3–10 € one way.
• Full-day excursion – 30–60 € per person.
• Travel insurance – from 7 $ per week via EKTA.

Accommodation takes 40–60% of a weekly budget. Prices depend heavily on three factors: season, city, and type of stay.

Peak season (July–August) pushes prices in Budva and Kotor up 1.5–2x compared to June or September. Arriving in the first week of June or after September 10th saves 30–40% on the same room – with far fewer crowds.

Booking through Booking.com or Trip.com 2–3 months ahead typically yields the best rates. Tivat and Petrovac consistently offer cheaper stays than Budva with comparable beach quality.

Note: Many apartments in Budva charge a tourist tax separately – approximately 1 € per person per night. Check in advance whether it's included.

Food is the second-largest expense, and the gap between eating out and self-catering is dramatic.

Street food in Montenegro means ćevapi, burek, and pljeskavica. A portion with a drink runs 4–7 € – a full meal. Tourist centres like Budva cost 20–30% more than nearby Becici or Bar.

Renting an apartment with a kitchen cuts food costs in half. A typical daily shop for two:

Basic groceries for two per day cost 10–15 €. Markets in Kotor and Bar undercut supermarkets, especially for fruit and vegetables.

Montenegro is small, but you need transport to see it properly. Public buses exist but don't cover everything.

Renting a car via Localrent offers the most flexibility. Seven days in an economy car costs 140–245 €, unlocking access to Durmitor National Park, Lake Skadar, and mountain roads no bus reaches.

Heads up: Parking in Budva and Kotor during peak season is challenging. Municipal lots cost 1–2 €/hour; fines for non-payment start at 30 €. Details in our parking guide.

Intercity buses along the coast are a sensible alternative. Check visa requirements for your nationality before planning border-crossing day trips. More on public transport in our bus guide.

Many top sights in Montenegro are free: Kotor Old Town, Budva Old Town, waterfront promenades, public beaches.

Excursions are easy to book through GetYourGuide or Viator – most offer free cancellation within 24 hours. Overview in our tour booking guide.

Tip: public beaches are free. Loungers cost 10–20 €/day for a set of two chairs and an umbrella, but bringing your own towel and sitting a few metres away costs nothing.

An eSIM is the easiest way to stay connected without buying a local SIM card. Providers like Airalo, Saily, or Yesim offer Montenegro packages from 5–10 € for 1–5 GB. Details in our Montenegro eSIM guide.

Free Wi-Fi is available in most cafés and hotels but speeds are unreliable during peak season.

A basic policy through EKTA costs from 6.93 $ (START plan) to 12.26 $ (GOLD plan) for 7 days. Active travel (rafting, canyoning) requires an extended policy – around 37 $ per week. Skipping insurance in a country with mountain switchbacks is a bad trade-off.

The budget scenario works for travellers visiting outside peak season (June, September), staying in hostels or apartments, self-catering, and using buses. The mid-range option is most typical: an apartment with kitchen, some café lunches, and a rented car for 3–4 days. The comfort tier means a seaside hotel, daily restaurant meals, and a private transfer from Tivat Airport.

Timing is everything. Early June and late September offer the best balance of warm seas, low prices (30–40% below peak), and empty beaches.

Apartments over hotels. A studio with a kitchen in Petrovac or Rafailovici costs roughly the same as a hostel bed in Budva, but includes a full kitchen.

Local produce. Markets beat supermarkets on price. Local cheeses, pršut (cured meat), and olive oil are both better and cheaper than imported alternatives.

Tap water. Tap water in Montenegro is drinkable. A 1.5 L bottle costs 0.50–1.40 € in shops, but you may not need it.

Rent a car for 2–3 days, not the full week. Coastal buses cover the shoreline well; a car is only essential for mountain trips or Lake Skadar.

1. How much money should I budget for a week in Montenegro? 350–700 € per person covers a comfortable mid-range trip. Budget travellers can manage 250–400 €, while hotel-and-restaurant stays run 1,000 € and above.

2. Do I need cash or are cards accepted everywhere? Cards work in most restaurants, hotels, and shops. Cash is needed at markets, small bakeries, some parking metres, and certain buses. Carrying 50–100 € in cash is recommended.

3. Is it cheaper to self-cater or eat out? Self-catering cuts food costs by 2–2.5x. Groceries for two run 10–15 €/day versus 20–30 € for two café lunches.

4. Is Montenegro more expensive than Turkey or Egypt? Yes, roughly 20–40% more. But Montenegro compensates with compactness (sea and mountains in one week), European infrastructure, and zero currency exchange hassles.

5. Which month is cheapest? June and September offer the best price-to-weather ratio. October is even cheaper but swimming season ends. May suits travellers who don't need the sea: prices are low and sightseeing is fully accessible.

Montenegro in 2026 remains one of the most affordable Adriatic destinations. A realistic weekly budget is 350–700 € per person at a mid-range comfort level. The biggest savings levers are timing, accommodation type, and the balance between restaurants and self-catering. Route ideas and itineraries in our 1-to-7-day itinerary guide.

Read also:

• Car Rental in Montenegro: Everything Tourists Need to Know
• Affordable Seaside Hotels: Budget-Friendly Stays Without Compromise
• Taxis in Montenegro: How to Avoid Overpaying and What You Need to Know
• The Taste of the Country: Wine and Culinary Tours in Montenegro

Numbeo – current prices for goods, transport, and services

EKTA – travel insurance rates

Localrent – current car rental prices