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Travel Cost Assumptions
When reading this article, please note that our travel costs are based on a couple travelling together. We are independent, budget-conscious travellers who plan our trips carefully and track our spending as we go. Our travel style is reasonably consistent wherever we go, which makes it easier to compare travel costs between destinations and over time:
- Accommodation: We usually stay in self-catered accommodation (homestays, locally owned guesthouses, hostels and short-term rentals) - ideally with a private bathroom, though kitchens and other areas may be shared.
- Dining and Groceries: We typically eat two meals a day at home and eat out once a day or every few days (favouring locally owned restaurants away from tourist hotspots).
- Experiences: Many of our activities are free or low-cost. When we do pay for attractions or activities, we choose carefully - our budget is limited, just like everyone else's.
- Transportation: We walk frequently and use public transport wherever possible. We only occasionally hire a vehicle. Entry and exit costs between countries are not included (though we may reference them separately).
- Other: Our daily costs also include essentials like communication, insurance and basic admin required to stay location-independent.
Because we follow a consistent approach and keep a close eye on our spending, these numbers reflect what we actually paid - not estimates.
What currency is used in Montenegro?
Interestingly, Montenegro uses the Euro (EUR) even though it is not a member of the European Union. And here is why: After the wars of independence and the break-up of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) in the mid-1990s, the Deutsche Mark (the official currency of West Germany at the time) became the de facto currency to counteract hyperinflation. It was eventually adopted as Montenegro’s official currency in 1999, only to be replaced by the Euro when Germany joined the European Union in 2002.
With excellent free guided tours, you can learn more about Montenegro’s chequered currency history in the Money Museum of Cetinje, Montenegro’s old capital.
Map of Accommodation, Points of Interest, Eateries and Transport
Below is a map of the recommended accommodations, points of interest, eateries, and transport terminals or stops mentioned in this article.
Montenegro Budget: How much could a trip to Montenegro cost you?
Of the Balkan countries, Montenegro has a mid-range cost of living. It was neither the cheapest nor the most expensive country we’ve visited. Compared to North America, Australia, New Zealand or Western Europe, Montenegro is quite affordable to travel to and live in.
Our daily travel/living costs in Montenegro averaged EUR36.43 per person (adjusted for inflation as at 2025: EUR50.64). If your travel style is similar to ours, budget (at least) EUR50 per person per day.
| Expense Category | Actual Costs (EUR per person per day) | Adjusted for Inflation (EUR per person per day) | Percentage of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 13.98 | 19.44 | 38% |
| Groceries and Dining | 8.60 | 11.95 | 24% |
| Transport and Travel | 5.03 | 7.00 | 14% |
| Experiences | 4.86 | 6.75 | 13% |
| Other Expenses | 3.96 | 5.50 | 11% |
| Total per person per day | 36.43 | 50.64 |
How much to budget for Accommodation?
During our three weeks in Montenegro, we stayed in five locations: Kotor, Bar, Pljevlja, Žabljak and Ostrog. Our cheapest accommodation was a dorm bed at the (lower) Ostrog Monastery, which cost EUR 5.00 (as of December 2024: EUR 10.00) per person per night. Our most expensive one was a short-term rental apartment two kilometres from Kotor at EUR32.84 per night (as of March 2025: EUR58.07).
If your travel style is similar to ours, budget (at least) EUR19 per person per day for accommodation.
| Name | Property Features | Location | Type | Price Indicator | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Sol Apartmani | Very close to train and bus station, yet quiet | Bar | Apartment | $$ | Book Now |
| Les appartements Prives Bar | Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property. 1100m from Bar train station Mountain views Fully equipped kitchen | Bar | Apartment | $$$$ | Book Now |
| Summer apartment | Balcony Washing machine Close to Seafront yet still walking distance to bus and train station | Bar | Apartment | $$ | Book Now |
| Apartman Donji Kraj | 24-hour front desk Fully equipped kitchen | Cetinje | Apartment | $$ | Book Now |
| Apartmani vuk | Excellent location 24-hour front desk Packed lunches are available | Cetinje | Apartment | $ | Book Now |
| Brvnara Borovik | Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property. Mountain and garden views | Cetinje | Family Bungalow | $$ | Book Now |
| Apartments Kaleta | City views, family friendly, kitchen facilities | Kotor | Apartment | $$ | Book Now |
| Kotor Center W | Beachfront Allergy-free units | Kotor | Apartment | $$$ | Book Now |
| La Rocca Apartment | Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property Historic building Inside the Old Town | Kotor | One-bedroom Apartment | $$ | Book Now |
| Apartmani Djurovic | Modern apartments in a central location overlooking the beach and Old Town | Ulcinj | Apartment | $ | Book Now |
| Bozovic Studio Apartman | Entire place is yours, parking, shuttle service, kitchen facilities | Zabljak | Apartment | $$ | Book Now |
| Cozy lux mountain apartment | Entire place is yours, breakfast available, parking, views, pet friendly | Zabljak | Apartment | $$$ | Book Now |
| Villa Jezero 4 | Entire place is yours, parking, views, family friendly, kitchen facilities | Zabljak | Apartment | $$ | Book Now |
You don't have to stay in Kotor Old Town to enjoy spectacular views of Kotor Bay
How much to budget for Groceries and Dining?
In Montenegro, we spent more on dining than on groceries (about 60/40). We bought most of our groceries at local produce markets and at VOLI (the supermarket brand we found to have the lowest prices). As of 2025, you can also compare supermarket prices between different brands on Cijene.me.
Unsurprisingly, dining out was more expensive in tourist towns such as Kotor than in more remote regions of the country. As such, our most expensive meal out was dinner at Hotel Bokeljski Dvori at the Bay of Kotor for EUR23.00 (adjusted for inflation: EUR31.97). Our cheapest meal was lunch at Cukarland Café in Cetinje for EU5.00 (adjusted for inflation: EUR6.95) – a total for two people, respectively. And while stopping at a tourist café or restaurant for lunch is easy, we generally tried to go where the locals went, a block or more away from the main streets. The reward is a more authentic experience. Find one where the menu is only in Montenegrin, and you’re on to a winner.
If your travel style is similar to ours, budget (at least) EUR12 per person per day for groceries and dining.
Below is a price example of everyday consumer staples (as of 2025) to give you an idea of what things cost in Montenegro:
| Item | Price in EUR |
|---|---|
| 500g local cheese | 5.00+ |
| 1 kg potatoes | <1.00 |
| 10 free-range eggs | 3.20 |
| 1 litre milk | 1.20 |
| Bread loaf | 1.00+ |
| 500g chicken breast | 4.50 |
How to save money on dining and groceries
One of the reasons we travel is to experience the local cuisine, but dining out all the time can quickly get expensive. We therefore always try to book accommodation with access to a kitchen - either a private kitchenette or our host's kitchen. That way, we can store food in the fridge and make meals. Paul and I eat out only once a day (sometimes only once a week), usually at lunchtime. This allows us to sample local dishes while taking advantage of great lunch deals. It also means we don't have to roam around unknown parts of town every night in search of a restaurant.
Portion sizes in many parts of the world are usually substantial, so we frequently share a three-course meal. The same applies if you go out for dinner: Order a starter or salad and a main, and that's usually enough for two people. An added benefit is that there is less food waste.
Every country has both more expensive and less expensive supermarkets for groceries. Ask your host about the more affordable options (for example, Aldi or Lidl in many European countries) and try to avoid convenience stores as much as possible.
Buying fresh produce at local markets keeps costs down, avoids packaging and supports local businesses
How much to budget for Transportation?
Inter-Country Travel
While we exclude transportation into/out of a country from our travel cost statistics, we do want to mention our experiences into and out of Montenegro (we travelled into and out of the country twice):
- Our first experience was a bus journey with Jadran Ekspres from Dubrovnik to Kotor and (unfortunately again) from Nikšić to Mostar. We wrote about our lousy experience in a Google review. We couldn’t avoid them the second time, as they were the only bus company doing the route that day.
- Our second experience was significantly more pleasant: an overnight train journey in our cabin (from Belgrade to Podgorica), followed by a bus journey from Podgorica to Tirana. Jadran Ekspres also served the latter route, but we had the choice this time. If you can, avoid them at all costs.
Unlike elsewhere in Montenegro, smoking is not allowed on buses - though this Jadran Ekspres driver didn't care
Intra-Country Travel
Public Transport
Bus and train travel in Montenegro might be slower, but it is not unpleasant (if you avoid Jadran Ekspres). You can even explore all the highlights Montenegro has to offer without hiring a car:
- Buses (at least those we took, excluding Jadran Ekspres) and the train between Podgorica and Nikšić were on time (we don’t consider anything within 15 minutes late).
- The Belgrade-Bar train may be late (we experienced up to 1 1/2 hours), but the scenery you’re travelling through makes (more than) up for it – after all, it goes over 435 bridges and through 254 tunnels.
Check the official Montenegro Rail website for up-to-date train timetables, then buy your ticket in person at the train station.
If your travel style is similar to ours, budget (at least) EUR7 per person per day for transportation within Montenegro.
Train travel in Montenegro is comfortable and inexpensive
Bar to Belgrade Railway: A Journey Worth Taking?
- if you booked online, you have to check in with the station office before boarding the bus and will be charged a station fee – usually EUR1 per person (the fee is already included if you buy your ticket in person);
- all bus companies require you to have a printed copy of your ticket when you board (you can get it printed at the bus station when you check in; it’s usually included in the station fee). Larger luggage items will have to go into the hold of the bus, again for a fee – usually EUR1 per item.
We always bought our bus tickets in person at the bus station (up to 30 minutes beforehand). At no point did we encounter any sold-out buses, but we did speak to people travelling from Kotor to Žabljak/Durmitor National Park who had to wait for a later bus (that same day) as the bus they wanted to take was full.
It may not be the most modern but Montenegro has an extensive bus network | Image courtesy of Victoria Kure on Unsplash
Taxis
The only taxis we took were in Kotor, so we can’t speak for elsewhere in the country. Taxi fares there were reasonable, with a base fee of EUR1 plus EUR1 per km travelled. If you want your driver to wait for you while you explore, budget EUR10-15 per hour. Just ensure you confirm the price before you get in.
Car Rental
In Montenegro, we hired cars twice: for just one day in Kotor (from Oasis Car Rental) to visit the surrounding area and the old capital of Cetinje, and the second time in Bar (from Meridian Rentacar) to explore Bar, Ulcinj and Skadar Lake National Park over two days. The experience again was mixed:
- Kotor: Through no fault of our own, a local driver scraped us on the narrow winding roads above Kotor, causing a scratch on the rear side of our car. Despite taking his driver’s licence details, we had to pay EUR100 to the car rental company because we hadn’t called the police at the time (we were blocking the road, and the drivers behind us were already getting impatient). Learning from that: Call the police, no matter what.
- Bar: We arranged the car over the telephone a day in advance. A staff member from Meridian picked us up from our accommodation, took us to the rental car office to complete all the formalities, and dropped us off at the train station two days later, after we returned the car. The staff was friendly, the car was in top condition, and the service was impeccable.
Montenegro's roads can be very narrow, and local drivers are not the best: Though not our fault, this scratch cost us EUR100
Many leisure activities in Montenegro are free or low cost, and even the most adventurous traveller will find something affordable
How much to budget for Experiences?
Montenegro is rich in history and natural beauty. True to its name (Montenegro means Black Mountain), the country is mountainous, making for beautiful hikes with stunning vistas. Being on the Adriatic, it also has gorgeous beaches, so there is plenty to keep you busy.
While there are many (expensive) tours and activities, most of our experiences were either free or cost very little. They included
- a free walking tour of Kotor’s Old Town and a hike up to Kotor Fortress;
- exploring the sights around the Bay of Kotor, including the Roman archaeological site at Risan and the very interesting Maritime Museums in Perast (with their free guided tours) and Kotor.
- visiting various National Parks and
- exploring the old capital of Cetinje (an underrated gem surprisingly full of history and culture), the old town of Bar and Ulcinj (with its strong Islamic influences).
Paul also jumped at the opportunity to zip across the valley above Kotor on the Zip Line Njeguši. Our most rewarding hikes (in order of completion) were the one to Kotor Fortress and two hikes in Durmitor National Park near Žabljak:
- the hike around the Black Lake/Crno Jezero, the largest of 18 glacial lakes, and
- A full-day hike to the Ledena Pecina Ice Cave – a 16km medium-hard loop hike with >900m elevation gain and some pretty vertical (but doable) ascents/descents.
If your travel style is similar to ours, budget (at least) EUR7 per person per day for experiences.
How much do you budget for other things?
This category includes miscellaneous expenses such as communication, bank/FX fees, and entry/exit fees for a country. While the latter two weren’t an issue in Montenegro, our short-term rental in Kotor had Wi-Fi problems (which is not ideal if you work on the road). So, we ended up getting a mobile data plan with Airalo.
We also purchased travel insurance from a New Zealand-based company to cover any eventuality. The cost of this insurance is calculated daily and allocated based on the time we spend in Montenegro.
Travel Money Tips
Securing your currency needs overseas can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. We've saved a significant amount of money over the years simply by knowing what (not) to do. Here are our key tips:
- How not to get caught out by bad FX rates and exorbitant commissions;
- How to exchange cash on your overseas trip;
- Which debit/credit card is best for your overseas trip; and
- How do you avoid unnecessary fees when withdrawing cash?
If you need to transfer money to pay for your travels upfront, we recommend Wise and XE Money Transfer (we use them interchangeably, depending on which one offers the better FX rate and lower commission).
Should I tip for services in Montenegro?
Coming from New Zealand, where the concept of tipping for services is not typical or expected, I find it challenging to know what to do—even after completing all the research. When we went out for dinner in Montenegro, the service was very good, and the food quality was excellent. We left a small tip on the table, and we didn’t get a weird look or comment when we didn’t leave a tip. To be certain, you could always get the TipFox app.
How much cash do I need in Montenegro?
From a safety point of view, we like to have as little cash as possible, yet enough not to feel uncomfortable. In Montenegro, we paid 45% of our expenses in cash. The most significant cash payment was EUR150 to the car hire company in Kotor.
How much did it cost you to explore Montenegro?
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