By bus, the simplest and cheapest option

This is the most economical way to travel on this route: between €2 and €3.50 for a single ticket, depending on the company.

The journey time varies from 20 minutes for the most direct routes to around 40 minutes including stops. With around 50 daily departures and over 60 options depending on the day, there’s always a bus leaving within the hour, seven days a week, from early morning (around 5am) until late evening (around 10.45pm).

FlixBus offers the full range of amenities on this route: Wi-Fi, on-board power sockets, and two free pieces of luggage. Other local companies offer even lower fares, starting from €2.

Buses depart from Budva bus station, right in the city centre, and arrive at Kotor bus station, located south of the city on the road leading to the tunnel.

By car, for flexibility

Allow between 30 and 40 minutes in light traffic for a journey of around 30 km. There are two routes.

The main road runs northwards, follows the Vrmac ridge and passes through Prčanj before reaching the bay. This is the most scenic route, with views of the water for much of the journey, but it can be slow in summer, particularly around Prčanj.

The Vrmac Tunnel (1.6 km) offers a more direct alternative: it connects to the Tivat side before running along the bay to Kotor. Fewer views, but quicker when traffic is heavy.

As for parking, Kotor’s old town is entirely pedestrianised and walled, so it’s impossible to park there. Paid car parks are located just outside the city walls: a large car park beneath the coach station, and several smaller ones along the seafront. To avoid the hassle of finding a space, it’s best to arrive before 10am.

By taxi, for speed

This is the quickest option: it takes 20 to 30 minutes to travel between the two towns, without having to worry about traffic or parking. The fare is between €15 and €25, although prices tend to rise during the high season.

Advance booking is available, which is handy for planning a specific schedule.

By minibus, the comfortable option

The minibus covers the journey in around 38 minutes, for a fare of around $8. It offers a good compromise between the low cost of the bus and the individual comfort of a taxi, with online booking available.