Tivat (TIV), the airport of choice
Tivat Airport is just 4.6 to 8 km from Kotor, depending on your exact arrival point, which is about a 10-minute drive by taxi or car. It is by far the most convenient option for reaching the bay.
It is situated south of the town of Tivat, near Porto Montenegro, right in the heart of the Bay of Kotor. It is also the larger of Montenegro’s two international airports, and the main gateway to the Adriatic coast: Kotor, Budva, Perast and Tivat itself.
The airport’s activity is concentrated in the summer season, notably with direct flights operated by Montenegro Airlines from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, usually twice a week (Saturdays and Sundays) during the summer.
Getting to Kotor from the airport
There are several options available as you leave the terminal.
A taxi is still the quickest option: it takes around 9-10 minutes to cover the 7.4 km, with a displayed fare of around €20, though this can be negotiated down. It’s good practice here to agree on the price before getting in.
By car (hire or your own), the journey also takes about 10 minutes, costing €5 to €8 in fuel, with the added benefit of freedom of movement once you arrive.
For those on a tighter budget, a 20-minute walk takes you to Tivat bus station, from where a €2 bus reaches Kotor in 45 minutes, following the bay, a longer but pleasant option for a first glimpse of the region. Please note that bus timetables do not always coincide with flight schedules.
Finally, a pre-booked transfer directly from the airport to the hotel costs around €38 for a return journey, for those who prefer to organise everything before departure.
Other possible airports
Podgorica (TGD), the capital, is around 39 km from Kotor, a journey of about 3 hours by bus. It is the main airport for central and southern Montenegro, but is considerably less convenient for travelling directly to the coast.
Dubrovnik (DBV), in neighbouring Croatia, is around 44 km from Kotor. This option is worth considering if flight fares are significantly cheaper, as the Montenegrin border is not far away.
Further afield, Tirana (Albania) and Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) remain theoretically accessible, but at over 130 km away, they are not realistic options for travelling directly to Kotor.
