How To Get From Podgorica To Dubrovnik (& Dubrovnik To Podgorica)

Written by our local expert Drita

Drita is a shy Albanian girl. Her Mom is from Kosovo, her Dad from Serbia. She loves to travel & share travel trips to help first-time travelers explore Albania & the Balkans.

Here is how you can get from Podgorica to Dubrovnik &, of course, from Dubrovnik to Podgorica.

The great thing about the Balkan region is that you can explore several different countries within the space of one trip. Borders are easily crossed as long as you have the proper documentation.

If you’re spending time in Podgorica and you want to head over to Dubrovnik in Croatia, is it possible?

Yes! It’s also surprisingly quick too.

Podgorica is, of course, the capital of Montenegro and has plenty of things to see and do in its own right. From the stunning Millennium Bridge to the Clock Tower and the beautiful Old Town, you can also head out into the countryside and check out Lake Skadar National Park. But, if you want to head to Dubrovnik for a short trip, nobody could blame you either!

Dubrovnik is super-popular, and you’ll notice crowds aplenty during the summer months. However, the rest of the year is much quieter, and you can usually explore with much more comfort. Of course, the Old Town walls are the highlight, but the old buildings within the city are jaw-dropping in their architecture. You’ll find everything from nightlife to shopping, history to culture in Dubrovnik.

But, how can you get between the two?

Remember, no matter which direction you’re traveling in and how you do it, you’re crossing borders between Montenegro and Croatia. That means you will need your passport, any COVID vaccination documentation, and your license and International driving license papers if you’re driving.

Queues at the border aren’t often too bad, but you may have to wait a short while during the summer months, depending on how many other people are crossing simultaneously.

Podgorica To Dubrovnik By Bus (And Back Again)

There is one long-distance bus service per day between the two cities, which takes between 4-5 hours, depending on traffic and how you’re traveling.

Taking the bus isn’t the most time-efficient way, and you’re not going to be able to visit the two cities in a day if you choose this option. However, if you don’t want to drive, you can take the bus and stay overnight.

Podgorica To Dubrovnik By Car

Your second option is to drive yourself. You can easily hire a car from a major car hire provider and cross the border, as long as you have all the necessary driving documentation as you do so.

Driving yourself is much faster and takes 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on traffic. You will travel for just 150KM along the M6 highway, and it’s one high-quality road, so there are no problems with having to take detours.