Montenegro

International dialling code: +382

Driving on the right

European Emergency Dial: 112 (general emergencies), 122 (police), 123 (fire department) and 124 (ambulance service).

Border Crossing(s)

Entry: The main border crossing between Croatia and Montenegro lies on the Adriatic Highway between Dubrovnik and Herceg Novi. Debeli Brijeg is on the Montenegrin side and Karasovici is on the Croatian side.

There is also a second, much smaller border crossing between the two countries at Kobila – Vitaljina, but this was temporarily closed in September 2018. It was due to reopen in Spring 2019; it is not known if it has opened.

Additional information: While things run smoothly most of the year, this border crossing is VERY busy in peak season, and you are advised to either avoid, if possible, or make sure you have left plenty of time if you are catching a flight. There may be additional delays on roads approaching the border crossings between Montenegro and Croatia as Croatia implements an EU decision on enhanced border controls which involves additional checks.

Only enter Montenegro through recognised border crossings.

If you are planning a mountaineering (or 4WD?) tour which involves crossing borders other than at an official border crossing point contact the National Tourist Organisation for advice.

On entering Montenegro, make sure the border police put an entry stamp in your passport. This helps avoid problems related to verifying the length of your stay in the country.

Approximate time to clear: 60 - 120 mins. For traffic density see the webcam

Exit: See Albania

Additional information: EU Country - normally no formal border checks.

Approximate time to clear: 5 mins

Documentation

Passport: For British Citizens your passport should be undamaged and in accordance with local law should be issued in the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of departure from Montenegro. Under Montenegrin law you must carry a valid form of ID with you at all times, for example a driving licence, passport or equivalent, otherwise you may be fined. Keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place.

VISA's: British passport holders do not require a visa to enter Montenegro for short-term stays of up to 90 days. The Montenegrin law considers “stays of 90 days” as 90 days in total in a 180-day period, counted from the first entry date.

EHIC: You should apply for a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before you travel. If you already have an EHIC, make sure it hasn’t expired.

Driving licence: Visitors can drive using a valid UK or other EU/EEA driving licence. To drive you must have a valid driving licence and International Driving Permit (IDP). If you bring your own or a rented vehicle into the country, you must have the original vehicle registration/ownership documents and a locally valid insurance policy with you. If you fail to carry the right documents, you will be refused entry and the car may be impounded until you can prove ownership.

Insurance: If you need car insurance for Montenegro, then you need to arrange it either in advance or buy it at the main Croatian crossing at Debeli Brijeg.

Registration: You must register with local police within 24 hours of your arrival in Montenegro.

Insurance: Check if your insurance provides European Green Card vehicle insurance valid in Montenegro. Drivers of cars registered on foreign plates and without a valid green card will be asked to buy temporary insurance valid for Montenegro, and available for purchase at all official border crossings (“granichno osiguranje” in Montenegrin).

Logistics

Roads: The standard of roads is fair to poor with conditions worsening in rural areas, especially in the winter and after bad weather. In particular the two-lane Moraca Canyon in Montenegro can be dangerous when conditions are poor and there’s overcrowding. Roads leading to Montenegro’s coastal areas are in better condition, but can be overcrowded during the summer season. The only toll in Montenegro is the Sozina tunnel between Lake Skadar and the sea.

Information on local road closures is available on the Auto-Moto Association of Montenegro website or by telephoning 19807, +382 20 234 999 or +382 63 239 987. You can also use these numbers to ask for roadside assistance.

An alternative (best?) way to drive from Split to Montenegro would be via Bosnia, missing the Adriatic coast entirely. Here is how to do it, and the first view of Boka Bay is all the more magnificent after the stress-free inland drive. Simply head for the town of Trebinje is Rebublika Srpska, and then make your choice. You can drive to Herceg Novi or towards Niksic a little further north. Be aware that the Herceg Novi crossing comes with a 3 euro road toll.

Weather: BBC forecast for Kotor

Fuel: You'll find them in every town and in the villages in between, especially on main roads. On the coastal Adriatic Highway between Herceg Novi and Ulcinj there are petrol stations every 10km or so. There are also stations on the roads leading in and out of Podgorica and the roads to Kolasin and Zabljak. The towns are close together too, meaning you'll never be too far from a petrol station. Just make sure you don't let yourself get really low and you'll be fine.
When you refill, you fill first and then pay. Luckily for us Montenegro petrol stations are still service stations, meaning they have staff who'll do the pumping for you. You just tell them how much you want and which kind. Then you go inside to pay. You can pay by credit card at all of them.

Water: As a general rule, tap water is drinkable in Montenegro but there can be problems. For instance, it's advisable not to drink the water in Herceg Novi in May as they close off and clean the pipes from the main reservoir (in Croatia) and revert to a local reservoir. Bottled water is cheap and readily available.

Food: TBC

Vehicle / trailer repairs: Main cities.

Bottle Gas or Refills: See website www.myLPG.eu

LPG: In addition to cooking gas for those with tanks, LPG is also used to power vehicles. Details of LPG gas stations and connectors can be found on the website myLPG.eu. A list of Points of Interest (POI's), a list of stations, can also be downloaded in other applications and on other devices like Garmin, TomTom, Google Earth and iGO primo. Links can be found here.

Gas adapters: A Dish adapter is used here.

Currency: Euro

Health

The Montenegro Customs Administration advises travellers of the main regulations regarding import of food, medicines, flora and fauna species, animals, tobacco and alcoholic beverages and firearms, in their downloadable guide.

Pets

Places to stay

Name / Point of contact / Email / Tel No / Website

Price per night

Hotels

Campsites including places (like hotels) that allow camping within their grounds

Wild camping

Wild camping is technically illegal in Montenegro (or at least that is what I read). However, outside of National Parks, touristy areas, and the beach, you will have no problem wild camping. I am speaking from experience!

Things to do and places to see