Taxis in Montenegro: How to Avoid Overpaying and What You Need to Know

Taxis in Montenegro are handy when you arrive with luggage, travel at night or go somewhere public transport doesn’t reach. There is no Uber or Bolt, and fares depend a lot on the city and the individual driver. Below you’ll find a clear overview of how taxis work, typical prices and when it is smarter to book a transfer in advance so you don’t overpay.

• Uber and Bolt do not operate in Montenegro – only official taxis and private drivers.
• A short ride within the city usually costs 3–5 €, including the start fee and a few kilometres.
• Popular routes: Budva to Kotor are typically 20–30 €, Tivat Airport to central Kotor is 12–20 €.
• Podgorica Airport to Budva is usually 45–60 € one way.
• Prices go up in high season, especially from airports and beach resorts.
• The safest way to avoid overpaying is to agree the price in advance or book an online transfer with a fixed fare (for example via Welcome Pickups or Kiwitaxi).

In Montenegro you’ll find both licensed taxi companies with meters and private drivers using their own cars. In resort towns, taxis wait near hotels, bus stations and official stands. In smaller places they are often called by phone through a dispatcher.

There are no unified national tariffs. Prices depend on the city, season, time of day and the driver. Tourist hotspots like Budva, Kotor and Tivat are more expensive than Podgorica or small inland towns.

[PHOTO: category=city – Line of taxis parked on a busy street in a Montenegrin coastal town]

The language barrier can also be an issue: many drivers speak only basic English. It’s best to have the address written on your phone or show the location on a map so there is no confusion about where you need to go.

Short answer: no. Popular ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt do not operate in Montenegro yet. All trips are handled either by local taxi companies or private drivers who accept calls via phone, messaging apps or take passengers from stands.

Because there is no app that shows you the fare in advance, you won’t see a fixed price before the ride like in many other countries. That’s why it’s important to discuss the price first and compare options: a street taxi, a car booked through your hotel or a pre-booked transfer with a fixed fare.

To keep your taxi rides in Montenegro stress-free, follow a few simple rules:

1. Always clarify the price before you get in.
   If there is no meter, ask the driver how much the trip will cost and whether luggage or toll roads are included.
2. Ask the driver to turn on the meter.
   In official taxis the meter should be used by default. If the driver refuses and offers only a “round” price, decide whether you are comfortable with that.
3. Be careful with taxis parked at stations and airports.
   Standby taxis by the arrivals exit usually charge more than average. For tourists the fare can easily be 1.5–2 times higher than a fair price.
4. Compare a couple of drivers.
   At busy taxi stands you can ask two or three drivers for a quote before choosing one.
5. Watch the route on your phone.
   Open a map app and check that the driver is not making an unnecessary detour.
6. Have some cash on you.
   Cards are sometimes accepted but not guaranteed. It’s safest to pay in cash in euros.

If you don’t like bargaining and guessing the final price, a pre-booked transfer with a fixed fare is the easiest option. You see the cost in advance, pay by card and the driver meets you at the agreed place.

Welcome Pickups

Welcome Pickups lets you book a private transfer from the airport or between cities ahead of time. You enter your flight details and route, and the driver meets you with a name sign, helps with luggage and takes you straight to your apartment or hotel door.

Key advantages:

• fixed price visible at the time of booking;
• meet-and-greet with a name sign at arrivals;
• you can choose the car class in advance;
• if your flight is delayed, the driver adjusts to the actual arrival time.

Kiwitaxi

Kiwitaxi is another popular transfer service in Montenegro and nearby countries. It works well for couples, families and groups: there are options from budget cars up to minivans and minibuses.

Key advantages:

• fixed fare with no surprise extra charges;
• wide choice of vehicles for different budgets;
• option to add a child seat during booking;
• meet-and-greet in the airport with luggage assistance;
• 24/7 customer support.

If you have an early or late flight, a lot of luggage or you’re travelling with kids, a pre-booked transfer is usually more comfortable and not much more expensive than a fair taxi fare.

Besides classic taxis and pre-booked private transfers, you can also consider:

• Booking a car via your hotel or host.
  Many hotels and apartment owners work with trusted drivers and can arrange a fixed-price transfer from Tivat Airport or Podgorica Airport. This is often cheaper than jumping into the first taxi at the terminal.
• Keeping contacts of local drivers.
  On the coast you may be given a business card of a “recommended” driver with reasonable rates. You can pre-arrange several trips and sometimes get a small discount.
• Using public transport.
  There are intercity buses between major towns as well as local city buses. If you want to save money, it’s worth checking routes and timetables in advance – we cover this in more detail in our separate Montenegro transport guide Transport in Montenegro.
• Renting a car.
  If you plan to move around the country a lot, renting a car for a few days plus occasional taxis in the cities can be more economical and flexible.

Here are indicative prices to help you estimate your budget:

• Taxi start fee: 0.5–2 € (≈0.6–2.3 $).
• 1 km in the city: 0.6–1.4 € (≈0.7–1.6 $).
• 1 hour of waiting: 6–15 € (≈7–17.5 $).
• Minimum ride within the city: usually 3–5 €.
• Popular routes:
  • Budva → Kotor: 35-45 €;
  • Tivat → Kotor / Budva: 25-30 €;
  • Podgorica Airport → Budva: 60-70 €;
  • Tivat Airport → central Kotor: 20-30 €.

Actual fares will depend on the season, traffic and driver. Always confirm the price before departure and don’t be shy to ask: “Roughly how much will it be to this address?”.

• Save your hotel and destination addresses on your phone to show the driver.
• Carry some small euro notes and coins – drivers don’t always have change for big bills.
• In summer allow extra time for traffic, especially around the main coastal resorts.
• For night rides it’s usually safer to book a specific driver or a transfer in advance.
• If you plan many trips, compare the cost of taxis with car rental and buses – sometimes a rental car plus a few short taxi rides is cheaper.

How safe are taxis in Montenegro?
Overall, taxis in Montenegro are considered safe, and serious crime involving taxis is rare. The main risk is paying too much because of an inflated fare or an unnecessary detour. Minimise this by agreeing the price in advance and checking the route on your phone.

Is it better to hail a taxi on the street or call one?
In bigger coastal towns you can both hail a taxi on the street and take one from a stand near hotels or bus stations. In small places taxis are more often called by phone or arranged through your hotel or host.

Do Uber, Bolt or similar apps work in Montenegro?
No, Uber and Bolt do not operate in Montenegro. You’ll need to use local taxi companies, private drivers or online transfer services with fixed fares.

Is there a night tariff?
Some taxis use higher night or holiday rates. Always ask whether a night tariff applies and what the approximate total will be.

What’s the best way to get from the airport to Budva or Kotor – taxi or transfer?
A random taxi from the terminal will normally be the most expensive option. A pre-booked transfer with a fixed fare or a car arranged via your accommodation is usually cheaper and more predictable.

Can I book a taxi with a child seat?
Regular taxis rarely carry child seats. When booking an airport transfer online, you can often add one for an extra fee – this is the easiest solution for families.

Taxis in Montenegro are a useful but unevenly priced way to get around. Don’t expect Uber or Bolt, and never sit down without knowing the approximate fare. For airport runs and trips between resorts, a pre-booked transfer with a fixed price is often the most comfortable and budget-friendly option.