94km by road. By bus: 2-3 hours including the border crossing. By taxi: €70-90, similar total time. First bus from Dubrovnik: 07:15.
The distance is short. The border crossing between Croatia and Montenegro is where the time goes. Booking sites typically show the driving time as 1 hour 50 minutes — that’s accurate for the road itself. In July and August, the border queue alone can add 30-60 minutes. In shoulder season (May-June, September), crossing often takes 10-15 minutes. Plan for 2-2.5 hours minimum, 3+ hours in peak summer.
Transport Options at a Glance
| Option | Price | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus (FlixBus/Croatia Bus) | From €29 (advance) | 2-3 hours | Budget, flexible timing |
| Taxi / private transfer | €70-90 | 2-3 hours | Comfort, door-to-door |
| Car rental | €25-40/day | 2-3 hours | Day trips in Montenegro |
| Ferry (Adriatic Lines) | ~€64 | 3 hours | Scenic, 3x/week only |
By Bus: The Practical Details
Book in advance — the cheapest FlixBus tickets start from ~€29 (€/$36) booked online. Buying on the day: ~€40. Summer high season buses fill up; book at least a few days ahead for July-August travel.
Dubrovnik departure: The bus station is at Autobusni kolodvor, Obala pape Ivana Pavla II 44A, in the Gruž neighbourhood — 3km from the Old Town. To get there: city buses #1a, #1b, #1c, or #8 from Pile Gate (~€2). If you have the Dubrovnik Pass, the 24-hour bus card covers this journey — bus #8 from the Old Town area goes directly to the station.
Allow 30-40 minutes to get from Old Town to the bus station and board before departure.
Summer departures: Up to 7-8 daily. First at approximately 07:15, last around 20:30. Check current timetables at FlixBus.com, Omio, or GetByBus before travel — times vary seasonally.
Kotor arrival: The bus station is at Škaljari bb, approximately 500m from the Old Town. With normal luggage, this is walkable. In peak season, the road is congested enough that a taxi from the station to the centre often takes longer than the walk.
One practical note: Not all buses have an on-board toilet. Use the facilities at Dubrovnik bus station before boarding.
By Taxi or Private Transfer
A private transfer from Dubrovnik to Kotor costs €70-90 one-way. The journey takes the same 2-3 hours as the bus — the border crossing applies equally to private vehicles. The advantage is door-to-door service and luggage handling, not faster travel time.
Pre-booked transfers are available through Dubrovnik hotels and local operators. This is worth considering for early-morning or late-evening travel when bus departures are limited, or for groups of 3-4 where the per-person cost approaches the bus price.
The Border Crossing
The route crosses at the Karasovići border crossing between Croatia and Montenegro. Two separate stops: Croatian exit control, then Montenegrin entry control. Have your passport or EU ID card ready.
In shoulder season (May, June, September, October): crossing typically takes 10-20 minutes.
In peak season (July-August): queues can build significantly, especially mid-morning when day-trip traffic peaks. Adding 30-60 minutes to your journey estimate is sensible. Taking the early bus (07:15 or similar) avoids the mid-morning queue buildup.
Is Kotor Worth a Day Trip from Dubrovnik?
Yes — but the timing matters.
A 07:15 bus departure from Dubrovnik gives you 8-9 hours in Kotor before needing to catch a return bus. That covers the old town, the fortress climb (allow 2 hours), Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks by taxi (add 1-2 hours), and a proper lunch. It’s a full day.
An 11:00 departure leaves you 4-5 hours in Kotor — enough for the old town and fortress, not enough for Perast. One traveler on the bus specifically mentioned this: she arrived with only 2-3 hours of daylight left because she’d taken a late bus instead of the morning one.
For anyone who can manage it: staying overnight is the better option. Kotor in the evening, after cruise ships have left and the old town empties, is a genuinely different experience. Guesthouses in Kotor run €40-70/night in peak season — not significantly more than a long round-trip transfer.
Full Kotor guide: Kotor Montenegro Guide 2026 Comparing both cities: Dubrovnik vs Kotor 2026
FAQ
How far is Kotor from Dubrovnik?
Kotor is about 94 km, or 58 miles, from Dubrovnik by road. The driving time without border delays is usually around 1 hour 55 minutes, but the Croatia-Montenegro border can add time. Budget around 2-2.5 hours in shoulder season and 2.5-3.5 hours in July and August. For the Kotor side of the trip, use the official Kotor tourism site when planning your arrival and old town visit.
How long does the bus from Dubrovnik to Kotor take?
The stated bus journey time from Dubrovnik to Kotor is usually around 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, but that does not always include border waiting time. In peak summer, the total journey is more reliably 2.5-3.5 hours. FlixBus lists Dubrovnik to Kotor buses from around 1 hour 50 minutes, with the first departure often around 07:15. Take the first morning bus to minimise border queues.
Is there a bus from Dubrovnik to Kotor?
Yes. FlixBus runs Dubrovnik to Kotor services, and other operators such as Croatia Bus and Globtour may also operate on the route depending on the season. Summer has more departures than winter. Buses depart from Dubrovnik’s main bus station in Gruž, usually listed as Obala pape Ivana Pavla II 44A, around 3 km from the Old Town.
How much does a taxi from Dubrovnik to Kotor cost?
A private taxi or transfer from Dubrovnik to Kotor usually costs around €70-90 one-way, depending on season, pickup point, luggage, and vehicle type. The journey still takes around 2-3 hours because taxis and private cars use the same border crossing as buses. It is usually worth it for groups of 3-4 people or travellers who need a flexible departure time.
Is Kotor worth a day trip from Dubrovnik?
Yes, Kotor is worth a day trip from Dubrovnik if you take the early bus. A 07:15 departure can give you enough time for Kotor Old Town, lunch, and the fortress hike. A late-morning departure leaves too little time for both the old town and the climb. Staying overnight is better because Kotor becomes much more atmospheric in the evening after cruise passengers leave, and guesthouses are usually cheaper than in Dubrovnik.
Related articles:
Is Montenegro Worth Visiting in 2026?
Created by WanderGuide Travel Desk
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WanderGuide articles are created using official tourism and transport sources, route research, hotel-area checks, cost comparisons, local travel context and practical itinerary planning for first-time and budget-conscious travellers.
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