Budva to Kotor and back in a day: taxi, bus and a plan (2026)
In short
Budva to Kotor is 23 km: a taxi is €25–35 per car, 35–45 minutes via Tivat or over the Trojica pass with views of the bay; the bus from Budva bus station is €3–4 per person every 30–60 minutes, 45 minutes to Kotor bus station (10 minutes on foot to the Old Town). For two people a return by bus is €14, by taxi €50–70; for four the gap narrows to €30–40 for a day without timetables. Back in the evening from the Sea Gate rank or by a request through Budva Taxi App.
- Taxi: €25–35 per car one way; return with 3–4 hours’ waiting €60–80. Bus: €3–4 per person.
- Via Tivat — faster (35 minutes); via Trojica — 45 minutes and a viewpoint over the whole bay. Tell the driver.
- Cruise days in Kotor: the Old Town is packed 10:00–16:00 and Sea Gate taxis cost more — plan for before 09:00 or the evening.
Taxi or bus: an honest comparison
Bus. From Budva bus station every 30–60 minutes (Blue Line and intercity services towards Herceg Novi), €3–4 in cash, 45 minutes to Kotor bus station. Pros: cheap, frequent. Cons: Budva bus station is 1.5 km from the Old Town, summer buses are full and late, and the last return leaves around 21:00–22:00.
Taxi. €25–35 per car one way on an agreed price (out of town), 35–45 minutes from hotel to Sea Gate. With 3–4 hours’ waiting and the return — €60–80. Pros: door to door, a stop at the Trojica viewpoint or in Perast, no timetable. Cons: the price is per car — expensive for one.
Rule of thumb: one or two people with time — bus; three or four, or with children — taxi; Perast and the island on the same day — only a taxi with waiting.
Two roads: via Tivat and over Trojica
Via Tivat (the Adriatic Highway and along the bay): 23 km, 35 minutes, a smooth road, traffic near Budva on summer evenings. Over the Trojica pass (the old Budva–Kotor road past Lastva): 21 km, 40–45 minutes, hairpins with a viewpoint over the bay — the best view of Kotor from above. Buses go via Tivat; a taxi goes whichever way you ask.
A day plan
Leave 08:00–08:30 to be in Kotor by 09:00, before the cruise groups. Old Town (1.5 hours), the climb to St John’s fortress — 1,350 steps, 1.5–2 hours, take water, ticket €15 (2026). Lunch in Kotor or move on to Perast (12 km, taxi €15–20, bus €2) — the boat to Our Lady of the Rocks €5–6. Back from Perast or Kotor to Budva by 18:00–19:00.
If you land at Tivat in the morning, Kotor is a natural first day: airport to Kotor 9 km and €15–25, leave the suitcases at the left-luggage by the bus station, then Budva in the evening for €25–35.
Back to Budva in the evening
The Sea Gate rank works late, but on cruise days and August evenings cars run short; €30–40 to Budva in the evening. A request through Budva Taxi App for a set time (say 19:00 at the Sea Gate) with the tariff estimate — the driver confirms the price, cash with no commission. The last bus from Kotor bus station to Budva leaves around 21:00–22:00 in summer, earlier off-season.
Small things that save time
Five details from people who do the trip often.
- Kotor publishes its cruise schedule in advance: on days with two ships (3,000–5,000 people) see the Old Town before 09:30 or after 17:00.
- Parking in Kotor for hire cars is €1.50–2 an hour with a queue — one more argument for taxi or bus.
- Bus from Budva: take any service towards Kotor/Herceg Novi, do not wait for a Blue Line in particular.
- Taxi with waiting: agree the price for the whole day before you get in, including the Perast detour.
- Cash in euros: fortress tickets, the island boat and taxis are cash only.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Budva to Kotor?
€25–35 per car one way, 23 km, 35–45 minutes. Return with 3–4 hours’ waiting €60–80.
How much is the bus from Budva to Kotor?
€3–4 per person, from Budva bus station every 30–60 minutes, 45 minutes to Kotor bus station.
How do I get from Budva to Kotor without a car?
By bus from Budva bus station (€3–4, 45 minutes) or by taxi (€25–35 per car, 35–45 minutes). Through the app — a request with a tariff estimate.
How much time do I need in Kotor?
Old Town 1.5–2 hours, the fortress another 1.5–2, Perast with the island 2–3 hours. A full day with Perast: leave 08:30, back by 19:00.
How do I get back from Kotor to Budva in the evening?
A taxi from the Sea Gate rank at €30–40 in the evening or a request through the app for a set time; the last bus around 21:00–22:00 in summer.
Which road to Kotor?
Via Tivat is faster (35 minutes); over the Trojica pass is 10 minutes longer but has the viewpoint over the whole bay. Buses go via Tivat.
Sources and verification
Verified: September 2026
- Timetables — Budva and Kotor bus stations (busticket4.me), Blue Line summer 2026.
- Taxi prices — Budva and Kotor municipal tariffs, Budva Taxi App tariff estimate, passenger reports from summer 2026.
- Fortress and boat tickets — official 2026 season prices.
A ticket price or timetable changed? Write to support@budvataxi.app and we will update.
About this page
Budva Taxi App is operated by Berlin GmbH LLC (registration no. 1467717.06), 212 N. 2nd St. STE 100, Richmond, KY 40475.
The platform forwards passenger requests to registered commercial taxi drivers in Budva, the Budva Riviera and along the Montenegrin coast; drivers accept requests independently and collect the fare directly. Content is prepared by the Budva Taxi App editorial team and checked against the live tariff and current passenger reports.
Questions or corrections: support@budvataxi.app·About Budva Taxi App
