How to take the bus from Podgorica to Dubrovnik
Having already travelled from Tirana to Podgorica, we had the opportunity to spend some time in Montenegro’s capital city. We had a very productive 24 hours before taking the next bus from Podgorica to Dubrovnik. In this post, we show you how easy it is to travel by bus from Podgorica to Dubrovnik, why to do it and we include some practical tips for your trip.
Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital city
After arriving at Podgorica bus station, we made our way to our accommodation. According to Google Maps it was only a 28 minute walk, so we set off hoping to see a bit of the city on our way.
If you travel alone, or with a friend, we would highly recommend staying at this Air BnB apartment in the Masline area. It is quiet and mostly residential but an easy walk to the centre. This is an excellent space with fantastic hospitality, incredible views and a breakfast worth getting up for!
The late afternoon and evening was full of exploration and eating before we returned to our apartment. The following day, our bus from Podgorica to Dubrovnik was not until 16:00. This gave us enough of the day to take the train to Virpazar and enjoy the spectacular Lake Skadar.
Podgorica Bus Station
Now it’s time to take the bus from Podgorica to Dubrovnik and explore a new city! In Podgorica, the bus and train stations sit right next to each other and about 1km from the city centre. Also close by is the Mall of Montenegro. More of a market place than a typical western mall, but a great spot to pick up some snacks for the journey from Podgorica to Dubrovnik.
How and Where to Buy Bus Tickets from Podgorica to Dubrovnik
Tickets for the bus from Podgorica to Dubrovnik can be bought easily online from several different websites. We used GETBYBUS and found the whole process pretty straight forward. If you book online, make sure you print your ticket, if possible, as the bus station will charge you to do so. Some companies now offer a QR code but not all so make sure you check before travelling.
It is also possible to buy a ticket at the station. We found the staff could speak enough English and, despite a slightly abrupt Balkan manner, were mostly really helpful.
One slightly odd anomaly was having to pay €1 to actually enter the bus station – despite already having a ticket. An extra ticket was printed out by staff in the lobby so you just scan the code on the way through the turnstiles to the bus stance.
The Cost of the Bus from Podgorica to Dubrovnik
The bus from Podgorica to Dubrovnik was pretty reasonably priced. Booking online should cost between €20 and €30 depending on times, season, etc. If you have a specific time in mind, it is sensible to book in advance. The bus was not busy leaving Podgorica but it certainly filled up after stopping in the more touristy towns like Budva and Kotor.
There is an extra charge of a few euros to put luggage in the hold. We carried only a small holdall each and had plenty of space to take that on board for no charge.
Time and Distance
The fastest journey by bus from Podgorica to Dubrovnik is 4 hours and 45 minutes covering a distance of 152km and a border check.
Alternative Routes from Podgorica to Dubrovnik
Unless you are brave enough to drive in the Balkans, the bus really is the most efficient option to travel from Podgorica to Dubrovnik. There are no trains that can take you as far as Croatia. If train travel is something you want to experience in Montenegro, you can take the train from Podgorica to Bar and then take the bus to Dubrovnik from there. The train journey is less than one hour and the scenery is spectacular. The whole route will take around 5.5 hours in total.
For the fearless, the drive from Podgorica to Dubrovnik will take around 2.5 hours. Alternatively, try carpooling with BlaBla Car. It is also possible to take a taxi from Podgorica airport to Dubrovnik for a fixed price of €170. You can arrange this HERE.
| Transport | Duration | Cost each way | Booking |
| Bus | 4.5 – 5 hours | €12 – 18 | online or at station |
| Car | 2.5 hours | €15 – 20 | online or at airport |
| Train | Only to Niksic or Bar | ||
| Taxi | 3 hours 30 mins | € 170 | online |
Stops En Route from Podgorica to Dubrovnik by Bus
The bus from Podgorica to Dubrovnik takes a very scenic route. Travelling across Lake Skadar, there is an outstanding view across the water and the surrounding peaks. From there, the bus winds up and down mountains before travelling along the Adriatic coast. The bus stops at some of the busy cruise ship ports such as Budva, Kotor and Herceg Novi where seats fill up quite quickly.
There is the opportunity to use the bathroom at the larger bus stations. Just make sure you let the driver know to wait for you as they don’t really keep a close eye on passenger numbers.
Our driver didn’t announce any stops and there was no Wi-Fi on-board (although some buses now have WIFI). It is a good idea to download the route on Google Maps when you are connected. That way you can follow the route without racking up a bill.
It is also worth noting that not all of the buses have power sockets. It is definitely worthwhile taking a power bank if you plan to use your phone a lot.
Border Crossing from Montenegro to Croatia
After over 3 hours of travelling, we arrived at the border crossing by Plocice. This is not only a border into Croatia but it is also the entrance to the European Union. Therefore, checks are extensive and delays are likely.
As the bus drew closer to the border, there was already a long queue of buses waiting to be checked. Having prepared to get off the bus and walk through the booth, passports in hand, we were a little premature. Nearly 2 hours, and half an audio book later, we were at the front of the queue. The actual process was really simple. All the passengers stepped off the bus and walked through the checks individually. After the bus was checked, we jumped back on and continued to Dubrovnik.
If you are from outside the EU, make sure you have all the necessary documentation required for entry. The bus will not wait if you are denied entry. If you aren’t sure what you need, you can check HERE.
Late Arrival in Dubrovnik
At nearly 11pm we finally pulled into the bus station in Dubrovnik. Unfortunately, this is quite far from the old town. Thankfully, there is another bus that will take you there in 5-10 minutes – take the #3 to Dubrovnik Pile. Because of our late arrival, it was dark and there were few buses around. We decided to order an Uber to our apartment and get a good night sleep. Tomorrow we will be exploring another beautiful, historic city – Dubrovnik.
More Info
Where to go next?
We took an amazing day trip to nearby Bosnia Herzegovina. The day included a visit to the ancient city of Mostar and the spectacular Kravice Waterfalls.
Final note: Things change when travelling in the Balkans and there is not much information online. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Montenegro or Croatia? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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Great plan! It’s an easy way to see a bit more of the Balkans.
I hope you get back soon! It’s such a beautiful part f the world.
Amazing, you’ll love it!
Thanks Linda!
Yes, isn’t it! It’s great to just chill out and enjoy the amazing views.
Yes, we always opt for the train where possible. But the train service isn’t great in the Balkans so we’ve had to learn fast 😀
Wow, you’re brave! I’m sure I’ll try it one day but for now the bus will have to do.
Thanks Nisha. I think that you get a better feel for a country and its people by taking public transport. And you save a fortune!
Yeah, me too! All part of the adventure though
Loved the post! I’ll definitely be keeping this in mind when I’m planning a trip to croatia! 😀
I wanted to go to Montenegro so badly, but ran out of time! Dubrovnik was my last stop before I had to fly back to Dublin, then the US. I haven’t been able to go back in several years and I miss it terribly – reading this just confirmed everything!
Wow, this looks like such a good thing to do. I am adding it to my list for when I am there next.
Sounds like a great trip. The scenery looks really beautiful & lots of userull information too!
I actually did the bus myself when I was there, I travelled all along the coast and must admit. I actually quite enjoyed the bus. Especially if you have baggage as well, it’s definitely an affordable way to travel and enjoy the views!
Definitely makes me reconsider busses as a great form of transportation. I would assume train would be the easiest, so this post is helpful to know that Busses will save time on this route! <3
Thanks for sharing, Katy. The coastal road in Montenegro has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. I’m crazy enough to drive in the Balkans and the Montenegro route isn’t too bad – there are strict speed limits that are enforced. In terms of challenging roads, the stretch from Dubrovnik airport to the city centre always freaks me out, despite its beauty. Taking the bus is much better when travelling between countries.
First, your photos are gorgeous, they are tempting me to travel there. 🙂 Loved reading about this bus ride off the beaten path, as we also take public transport most times.
I loved reading about this bus ride off the beaten path, so thanks for sharing! Also a very useful tip to download an offline Google Map of the bus route, it always scares me a little when buses don’t announce their stops.