Taxi prices in Montenegro 2026: flag-fall, per-kilometre rates and airport fares by city

Taxi tariffs in Montenegro are set by the municipalities (opštine), so every town has slightly different numbers in the same structure: a fixed flag-fall, a per-kilometre rate, a per-minute waiting charge and a night surcharge. The tariff card must be displayed on the rear door window and the meter must show the rate in use.

The meter is really used only within town. As soon as the trip is to another town or an airport, the driver quotes a sum for the car — that is local practice, not a scam. The scam begins when the negotiated price is “forgotten” and the meter runs on the night tariff.

The price is always per car (usually up to 4 passengers), never per person. A 6–8 seat minivan costs roughly one and a half times more.

Reference figures for September 2026 from municipal tariffs and passenger reports. Some companies work at the top of the range in summer and at the bottom in winter.

From Tivat Airport to Budva, drivers at the terminal ask €50–70 per car (up to €80 at night), to Kotor €20–30, to Bečići and Rafailovići €55–75. From Podgorica Airport to Budva €50–95 depending on season and hour, to Petrovac €55–95, to Kotor €75–120. There is no bus at all from the Podgorica terminal and only a road-side stop 1.5 km from Tivat’s.

A request through Budva Taxi App shows the tariff estimate for the route and forwards it to registered drivers; the driver confirms the price before the trip and you pay them directly, with no passenger commission. The detailed airport guides are linked below.

The night tariff usually runs 22:00–06:00 and on Sundays and public holidays: 20–30% more per kilometre. Standard luggage (one suitcase per passenger) is free; a bicycle or a lot of bags may cost €2–5 extra.

Waiting is €0.20–0.30 per minute, i.e. €12–18 an hour. If you want the driver to wait at a shop or viewpoint, agree it in advance: most give 10 minutes free, then the tariff applies.

Season affects negotiated prices, not the meter: in July and August intercity fares run 10–20% higher and airport night prices noticeably so.

The currency is the euro and you pay the driver in cash. A card terminal exists in a minority of cars, mostly in Podgorica. UK and EU cards work in ATMs and shops, so withdraw before you need a taxi; both airports have an ATM in arrivals.

The driver must issue a receipt (račun) on request; a complaint needs the receipt and the plate number. Tipping is not expected — rounding up is enough.

Five habits save tens of euros over a holiday.

A week in Budva with two or three rides a day costs €60–120 in taxis; a hire car €210–280 plus parking (€1–2 an hour in summer, and no spaces) and a credit-card deposit. Pre-booked transfers pay off only on long routes with children: fixed price, but with the intermediary’s commission inside.

Rule of thumb: staying on the coast with one or two longer trips — taxi. Planning Durmitor, the Tara canyon and daily moves — hire car.