When you’re driving to Kotor there are a few important things you want to know. Both about the driving conditions, about the city itself, and general stuff about the country.

There are plenty of things to do in Kotor and here are 6 of our favourites.

You can read about the Kotor Ladder hike and kayak tours in Kotor Bay before making your way to this beautiful city, but there is also some general stuff that is good to know before driving to Kotor in order to make your trip easier, safer, and more fun!

Views of the Bay of Kotor while hiking the Walls of Kotor.

7 important things to know when driving to Kotor, Montenegro

1. Leave early

If you’re coming for a day trip from Dubrovnik then try leaving before 7 am so you can have the city to yourself before the influx of tourists come in from the cruise ships and busses that flock the Old Town.

The busses from Dubrovnik to Kotor leave at 7:30 in the morning. So you want to beat the busses and the rest of the traffic. That way you can have the city to yourself for a while.

Incase you are going by bus from Dubrovnik to Kotor, you can book online beforehand. (We’d recommend this way, explain later)

2. The drive is a little windy

Allow extra time as the entire road is a single-laned road curving around the coast.

The extra time will allow both for slow traffic, the border control, and photo stops. Which there are plenty of so get ready for it! This is another good reason to leave early as the road is definitely nicer when it isn’t as busy.

Views during our drive from Dubrovnik to Kotor.

3. Renting a car might be pricey

One thing that is definitely good to know if you’re thinking about renting a car from Dubrovnik is that it might be pricey! We rented one (with Goldcar) and it was really cheap. UNTIL we got the fees.

Car rental fees include:

  • Under 25 drivers fee (9 Euro per day ish. Note that you need to have held your driver’s license for at least a year).
  • Cross-border fee (27 Euro – unavoidable).
  • Car insurance (25 Euro per day, ish).
  • A fee for non-credit card holders (the main driver needs to have a credit card – if not, there’s a big fee).
  • Car-hire security deposit (minimum 130 Euro. Hopefully you get this back).

What we thought would be a cheap day trip turned out to cost us almost $180 (we try and convert everything to USD in our blog posts). Just something to keep in mind if you’re planning on driving from Dubrovnik to Kotor.

Look for a rental car here.

4. You can find free parking

If you’re traveling by car we definitely recommend to park on Njegoševa Street as the parking is free.

It’s really hard to find free parking in Kotor since it’s quite a small area and there really isn’t much parking to begin with. But If you come early enough you should be able to find a spot on the road. It’s only about a 5-minute walk to the Old Town from there which is perfect.

5. Kotor is very touristy

Beautiful places have a tendency to be packed with tourists. Kotor is no exception. With multiple cruise ships coming in daily, this little city easily gets very crowded!

We traveled during shoulder season and we definitely still noticed the tourism. So just be aware of that when planning your trip.

So instead of staying in the Old Town and walking around all day, you can go hike the Wall of Kotor or even try and hike the hidden Kotor Ladder which will bring you up to St John’s fortress.

Another option is to go on a kayak tour around the Bay of Kotor or even a boat tour around Kotor. This way you get away from all the crowds and can enjoy Kotor from out at sea.

6. Currency in Kotor

The currency in Kotor and the rest of Montenegro is Euro. Most places do accept card but just to be sure, bring some € (Euro) with you to avoid steep ATM fees.

There’s also a market outside the Old Town, so if you want some fresh fruit, having cash is probably a good idea.

7. Drinking water

You can drink the water from the tap in Kotor. But why not bring a reusable bottle that you can fill up over and over again just to be safe?!

Views of Old Town Kotor and the Bay of Kotor.

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Recap of things to know about Kotor

We hope you’re going to enjoy Kotor just as much as we did. Fortunately, you’ll be well prepared after reading this list and getting anything unexpected out of the way so you can have the best day possible.

We’d love to get some feedback after your trip as well to see if there’s anything we’ve missed or could add to the list! Or if you found the hidden gem people call the Ladder of Kotor!

Safe travels and have fun!

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Driving from Dubrovnik to Kotor is a fun day trip. Views from St John's fortress.
Pin for hiking in Kotor.

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7 Comments

  1. Deer Traveler on June 12, 2019 at 11:22 pm

    We loved Kotor! It is such an amazing city <3 We were feeling like in a fairy tale <3 And the view from the top is unique!

    • redwhiteadventures on June 17, 2019 at 6:07 pm

      Same here! It was such a beautiful gem. We didn’t know what to expect when we went and we got such a positive surprise! 🙂
      And yes, the view from the top is the best! Happy travels <3
      - Jo

  2. Taylor Deer on June 16, 2019 at 4:27 am

    This is super helpful Josefine! I can’t wait to eventually get to this gorgeous place next summer!

    • redwhiteadventures on June 17, 2019 at 6:06 pm

      Thank you! You have so much to look forward to! <3
      - Jo

  3. redwhiteadventures on September 30, 2019 at 6:00 am

    Hey Wernick,

    Definitely save it and bookmark it for your next trip to Oregon!

    – Dom

  4. Hairstyles on December 4, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Very helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info much. I was looking for this particular information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

    • redwhiteadventures on December 4, 2019 at 7:35 pm

      Hey Freddie,

      That’s awesome to hear! Montenegro and Kotor especially can be a little challenging and confusing so I’m glad the information was useful! 🙂

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