Montenegro – Important things to know before you go (Updated)
This post was originally published on 22nd November, 2021, but updated in March, 2022. Due to the evolving nature of the Covid-19 epidemic, governments around the world are constantly updating their entry requirements. We strongly recommend checking (no – triple checking) the most recent entry requirements up to the day of your flight/journey. In Central and South America, for example, many countries are requiring inbound (and sometimes also outbound, in the case of Colombia) passengers to submit a Health Declaration or some sort of entry form – usually available online – prior to travel. To be sure, we use the website IATA Travel Centre, which has thus far been super updated and accurate about any and all requirements before entering a country.
Montenegro is a country in Eastern Europe – one of the six republics that belonged to the former Yugoslavia, before becoming an independent nation only on the 3rd of June, 2006.
With a population of just over 620,000, in a land area (13,812 square km or 6,174 square miles), roughly nineteen times the size of Singapore, most citizens of Montenegro reside along the coast, in places like Budva, Tivat, Kotor, and Herceg Novi.
Sharing borders with Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia and Albania, Montenegro is a perfect springboard to the rest of the Balkans as it is very easy and affordable to take a bus directly to these countries from almost every major town in Montenegro.
To the south of Montenegro is the Adriatic Sea – this is where the major coastal towns like Herceg Novi, Tivat, Budva, and Kotor are located. The capital, Podgorica, is the largest city in Montenegro and is home to about a third of the country’s population. Unlike the other towns, It is located near the centre, towards the eastern side of the country. It is the administrative center where you can find the head offices of banks, international schools, consulates, and multinational companies.
Table of contents
Entry requirements
Covid Requirements – Montenegro recently updated its entry requirements on the 11th of March, 2022, to – Montenegrin citizens and foreigners can enter Montenegro across all border crossings without a COVID certificate. For more details, download their pdf here.
Visa exempt Philippine passport holders – Philippine passport holders need a visa to enter Montenegro. There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule. Philippine passport holders with valid visas from the following countries need not apply for a visa to enter Montenegro as a tourist, and can stay up to 30 days: USA, Schengen Area member countries, the United Kingdom, and Ireland; or, if they are permanent residents of those countries.
Applying for a Montenegro visa – For most Philippine passport holders, the first step is to contact the Montenegrin Honorary Consulate in Makati, Philippines. Because we did not have to go this route, we cannot provide any concrete information about the process. Contact details are below:
Useful information
Tourist registration – The very first thing any tourist arriving in Montenegro should do is to register their stay with the tourist office. This should be done within the first 24 hours of your arrival. However, if you arrive late on a Saturday, and tourist offices have closed, you may register on Monday as they are closed on Sundays. If you are staying at a hotel or hostel or on a holiday package, this is typically included in your total cost and will be done automatically for you; however, if you have booked your own accommodation through AirBnB, Booking.com, or Agoda, for example, your landlord needs to do this for you. In some cases, if this is not mentioned, be proactive and ask your landlord to help you with this – they should be familiar with the process. If you are staying with a friend (that is, not paying for your accommodation), you need to do this on your own.
There are many “Tourist Information” centers scattered in the town area. You can search for them in Google Maps. Your landlord will ask for your original passport, which is one of the requirements. Currently you need to pay EU1 per tourist per day, so you need to give your landlord the cash which will depend on how long you’re staying in their apartment. If you’re not comfortable handing a complete stranger your passport, you can go down to the tourist information office with them. Once the registration is done which should only take a few minutes, you and your landlord will each be given a piece of paper (a pink slip or on plain white paper which will serve as proof of registration and payment). DO NOT THROW THIS AWAY. Keep this with you until after you exit Montenegro as the border police might ask for it, and you could be fined for not having it on hand. Although the border police have never asked us for this, since most of our travels in and out of Montenegro were by land (either on a bus or train) where from experience they do not seem to be as strict, they just might; if you’re exiting the country by plane, they probably will ask to see it, it is better to err on the side of caution, as this could pose problems for you at the border.
Take note that you will have to register each time you move to a different accommodation in Montenegro. Yes, it can be tedious, but we’re very particular when it comes to important paperwork, and we like to have our minds at ease, knowing we’ve fulfilled all the requirements, rather than be anxious all the time. Makes traveling more fun and relaxing which is what it should be.
To register on your own, find the nearest tourist information office, tell them you’ve just arrived and want to register, and provide them with the following:
- Your original passport
- Exact address of your accommodation
- Dates of your arrival and departure from accommodation
- Landlord’s name
- Landlord’s ID number (JMB)
- Cash (you will be charged EU1 per day)
Currency – The currency in Montenegro is the Euro. Based on the two months we spent in the country, we’ve found that many establishments accept credit or debit cards, so you don’t need to carry loads of cash with you. And good news – many ATMs don’t charge any transaction fees at all. So if you plan to continue your travels after Montenegro, withdraw the cash you think you will need before leaving as you might not have as much luck with ATM fees in other countries (Hello, Albania!).
Banks – There are many banks and ATMs in Montenegro, and you can find them scattered in and around the Old Towns and even further out. As I mentioned, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by most ATMs when withdrawing money as most did not charge us any transaction fees!
Conversion fees are also very good and almost identical to current market prices. I suspect most of the other banks also don’t charge any transaction fees, but some do; however, they will inform you of this before you complete the transaction, so you have a choice whether to proceed or not. This happened to us once at an ATM machine in the Budva bus station.
Some of the banks we tried that did not charge us any fees when using our foreign cards are:
- Hipotekarna Banka
- PRVA Banka
- CKB Bank
SIM cards – We bought an MTEL SIM card which, for only EU15, allows you to make and receive local calls and SMS, PLUS a whopping 500GB of data for one whole month! As if this wasn’t enough, a week or so later, we received an SMS informing us of a promo they were running which was if you topped up a minimum EU5, they would reset your data allowance AND extend the validity of your 500GB until the last day of the year!
But wait, there’s more! To our delight, this promo lets you use your SIM card throughout the Western Balkans, as if you were still in Montenegro. So, even if you traveled to other countries like Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and North Macedonia, you’d still have your data with you. We have been in traveling for the past four months within the Balkans, and this SIM card with its massive data allocation and availability in multiple countries, has made moving around convenient and cost-effective. We’ve only spent a total of EU20 and haven’t topped up at all since the promo, and it’s still going strong. We’ve used this to make and receive phone calls within the Balkans numerous times as well (and only recently, just received a notification when trying to make a phone call that our balance was too low to make phone calls. However, upon checking our data balance, it shows that we still have over 470GB left until 31st December). In all our travels and experience with local SIM cards, this is the best deal by FAR we’ve ever encountered.
Outlets and plugs – Montenegro uses C & F outlet types (illustration below).
Getting around – It is very easy and affordable to move around in Montenegro. Having stayed for almost two months, we’ve tried them all.
Taxis – Taxis in Montenegro are cheap and the drivers are typically honest and will almost always use the meter. While it is entirely possible to flag down taxis from the road, most book a cab through the free phone app Viber, so I suggest you download this app in your smartphone if you don’t have it yet. We used TaxiMore and Maestro Taxi in Herceg Novi, and Palma Taxi in Budva (you need to find out which taxi companies are available in the town where you reside before trying to book a ride).
Here’s how it works (assuming you’ve already downloaded the Viber application to your phone:
- Save the taxi company’s number on your phone (please be sure that the taxi company you are sending your message to is based in the town you’re currently in!)
- Open Viber, send new message to taxi: “Hi, I’d like a taxi please. Pickup at [your location]. Thanks.” In some places like Budva, you need to also state your destination.
- Wait for a response (typically prompt, within a minute), but if you don’t get one in a minute, resend the message. During busy times, you may have to wait a bit longer or send a request to more than one taxi company.
- During summer, especially when you’re in a popular tourist area, you might find it difficult to book a taxi. So, try to book ahead (we’ve done this in Herceg Novi on a couple of occasions); although this is hit or miss – there were times when the operator told us we couldn’t do this, and other times when they were perfectly okay with it and confirmed the advance booking right away.
Taxis only accept cash. To be safe bring smaller notes as a typical ride within the town area will cost you no more than EU2-4 and sometimes even less, and some drivers might not have enough change. The flag down or minimum fee is EU1.60.
We took many taxi rides in Montenegro, and there were only a couple of occasions when felt cheated and this was when we flagged a no-name taxi in Herceg Novi due to the intense heat outside, who charged us EU3.50 for a ride that lasted no more than three minutes. Another occasion in which we were cheated was when we took a cab from the Budva bus terminal to our apartment, and we noticed that the meter was running way too fast. We ended up paying EU5 for a ride that took less than 7 minutes with zero traffic, for a fare that should have been less than EU2 (we know this for a fact because when we booked a cab from our apartment to the bus station a week later, our total fare was only EU1.80).
Taxis we used in Montenegro and their phone numbers:
- TaxiMore (Herceg Novi): +382 6701 9730
- Maestro Taxi (Herceg Novi): +382 6901 9530
- Palma Taxi (Budva): +382 6801 9577
Download the Viber app and send them a message to numbers above and you should be on your way in no time!
Buses – Every major town has a central bus station (or search for “Autobuska Stanica” on Google Maps), where you can find buses that go to other towns and even other countries. Although you can book a ticket online, it is much easier to just go to the bus station, head for the ticket counter, provide your destination and ask when the next departure is, then purchase a ticket directly from them. You can also buy a ticket directly from the driver, especially if your bus leaves very early or late and the ticket counters are closed. Buying a ticket online is not advisable as it will cost you a bit more, and you have to print the ticket or it will not be accepted at the station which is an extra expense on your part. You should also be aware that if you have luggage that can’t fit in the bus and that needs to be stored in the luggage compartment, you will have to pay the driver EU1 per luggage. This is typical practice in all the bus stations in the Balkans so I suggest you have some small change left over. In addition, bus terminals will typically charge a EU1 terminal fee on top of your ticket price, so don’t be surprised when they ask you for a Euro more per ticket that you purchase at the counter.
There is a third way to take the bus, which is to flag one down. We’ve never tried this as we are not familiar with the timing and where exactly we should wait for the bus. Based on our experience, there doesn’t seem to be any specific spots where these buses stop to pick up passengers as we stop in random places. We also noticed that many locals don’t necessarily get off at the final destination, but walk up to the driver to get dropped off along the way.
If you need to use the toilet, most bus stations will have a EU0.50 fee per use. I suggest buying a coffee which will cost you only EU0.80 – EU1.20 if the bus stop has a cafe and use their toilet instead to your heart’s delight while you wait comfortably for your bus to arrive. However, not all bus stations have cafes with their own toilets, so ask the waiter first before you place your order. This only applies for domestic travel; typically when you’re taking an international bus (that is, going to a different country), buses will usually have a toilet. However, due to Covid, you are not allowed to use them at the moment. There will be pit stops along the way, though, so you don’t need to worry.
As for masks, although it is a requirement, almost no one in the bus (including the driver in some instances) wears one.
So that you don’t have to wait too long for your bus at the station, you can check bus schedules at getbybus.com or busticketfor.me and time your arrival.
Train – We took the train from Bar to Belgrade after our time in Herceg Novi. There is currently no way to purchase tickets online, so you need to buy yours at the station. Although your ticket has a seat number, we noticed that no one seemed to care about them, so feel free to claim the best spot available once you’re in the train. No one will bother you. If you’re worried about not getting a ticket as you can’t book online, fear not – there are seats aplenty – but to be safe we suggest arriving at the station at least 1-2 hours before departure. Or, if you’re in Bar and you want to be really sure you have a seat, you can book a day in advance, but will have to pay an additional EU3 for the reservation.
We took the day train on the way to Belgrade which was roughly a 12 hour ride through some nice scenery but which got old after the first few hours. Although the ride was not uncomfortable, some of the passengers insisted on smoking in between the train cars every 10 minutes which resulted in the car smelling of smoke almost throughout the entire journey.
To make matters worse, the air conditioning suddenly died, which made the car stuffy, and made the long ride less than ideal.
There is a toilet available in all the train cars, which is a godsend on such a long journey.
Perhaps the best part of the train ride was the immigration process. Exit and entry is a breeze as the border officials get onto the trains with a scanner and stamp, and all you need to do is to give them your passport for both exit and entry. There is no need to get off the train, queue, then return to the train which is very convenient, especially if you’re carrying a lot of luggage. Another plus is the legroom and overall space – compared to buses which are cramped – trains allow you to stretch your legs and are much more comfortable to sleep in.
This particular train ride to Belgrade, or back, is considered one of Europe’s most spectacular train rides, and is covered in more detail here.
But if you want to skip the history and just get to Belgrade from Bar (or vice versa) – here’s all you need to know:
You have two options whether you’re departing from Bar or Belgrade – the Day Train or the Night Train. The Day Train departs at 9am every day and will arrive approximately 12 hours later to its final destination, with stops in between to pick and drop off passengers, while the Night Train departs from Bar or Belgrade at approximately 8pm.
A one way Day Train ticket cost us around EU22 one way per person. No way to buy online, buy your ticket at the station. Credit cards (I only tested this mode of payment when taking the Night Train from Belgrade back to Bar, so you may need to check if they accept cards at the Bar train station) and cash are accepted.
The Night Train has more seating options but will cost you more if you choose the sleeper train with couchettes and bed sleepers. For example, you need to add to the price of your train ticket another EU6 for a couchette and EU15 to EU20 for a bed. We bought the normal ticket and felt quite happy with our decision since the train was not full, and we had plenty of space to move about. One advantage of the night train over the daytime one is that most people will try to sleep, so the ride was much quieter.
Food
Montenegro, and indeed many countries in the Balkans, share many common foods. It draws its influences from many cultures, including Ottoman, Greek, Persian, Mediterranean and Central European cuisines.
We were excited to try out the local food – here’s the list of our favorites:
Dolma – Who doesn’t like stuffed things? Dolma typically refers to stuffed dishes, like bell pepper, tomato, eggplant or zucchini, typically with rice. meat and many other ingredients.
Burek – I fell in love with Burek the first time I laid eyes on it. Burek is a pastry made with layers of thin, flaky and buttery dough, that is stuffed with meat, cheese, or spinach. It’s hard to go wrong when buying burek in the many Pekaras (bakeries) all over the town.
Cevapi – You can find and order cevapi in most restaurants, and for good reason. These skinless morsels of heavily seasoned minced beef or veal, grilled to perfection, with their accompanying flatbread, sliced raw onions, kajmak, and sour cream, is a combination that is so perfect you will moan with pleasure when you take your first bite (down to the last). Out of all the dishes we’ve tried, this is my hands down favorite. In fact, it is probably on the list as one of my top ten dishes ever.
Burgers and pizzas – We were surprised by how popular burgers and pizzas are in Montenegro, as you can find them everywhere. We loved the massive stuffed burgers (typically with cheese and some sort of ham) and the pizzas which you can buy from many stalls and restaurants, or order online from Glovo, an app you can download and use all over the Balkans to order food and groceries.
Palancinka – Unlike the traditional American pancake you might be more familiar with, palacinkas are thin, more crepe-like and typically served with many layers piled on top of the other. It is very versatile in that it can be served as both a sweet or savory dish, depending on the filling.
Wafers (Huh?!) – Can I just say that the wafers in Montenegro are the best? I never really liked wafers before, but I bought a box when we first arrived because we were hangry and I couldn’t think of what else to buy in the store. Not too sweet, crunchy, and extremely satisfying, I have found that no matter what brand, I have never been disappointed, and I now have a box with me at all times (God help my waistline!).
Glovo – Although this is NOT a dish, if you’re staying in Montenegro or anywhere in the Balkans for as long as we have, I highly recommend downloading this app on your phone as it allows you to order food and medicines, and have them delivered to you during those times when you’re feeling lazy. In some countries like Bosnia & Herzegovina, you can even order your groceries through this app.
Overall impressions
Montenegro is undeniably beautiful and it is not hard to imagine falling in love and wanting to stay longer.
When we first decided to go to Montenegro, most of our friends did a double-take and asked us where in the heck we were going again – and we had to point out on a map precisely where Montenegro is located. And after spending about two months in total in this wonderful country, we wonder why Montenegro is not as popular as we feel it should be. From the friendly people, beaches, cheap booze, and generally low prices, we suspect it will only be a matter of time before Montenegro finds itself on more bucket lists.
WANT TO BE AN AIRBNB HOST?
As long-term travelers, we book most of our accommodations on Airbnb. It is convenient, simple and quick, and you will never have to find yourself arriving at your destination in the middle of the night, with nowhere to go. Airbnb gives us the freedom and flexibility to adjust our travel plans in an instant. Having met many hosts all over the world, we know that being a host will not only provide you with additional income, but you will also be able to meet (and perhaps even make friends) with interesting people from all over the world. If you think you’d make a great Airbnb host, here’s my invitation link to learn more.