Dubrovnik to Kotor Drive | From €32/day | Car Hire Croatia

Dubrovnik to Kotor is a 94 km drive that punches well above its distance in terms of drama. Within two hours you’re through the Croatian border, across the Bay of Kotor, and parked outside one of the most photogenic walled towns in the Mediterranean. The road runs along the coast, through tunnels, and around the Bay of Kotor itself — it’s a route that rewards the car over the ferry every time.

Why Drive Dubrovnik to Kotor?

Kotor is in Montenegro, a separate country from Croatia, which means the drive crosses an international border. That makes it different from most Croatian coastal routes — you’re not just moving between towns, you’re entering another jurisdiction. The paperwork takes about 20 minutes at the border in both directions, and that’s it. No special permit, no special insurance (though check your hire car agreement to confirm cross-border cover is included — not all policies cover Montenegro).

The reason to do it by car rather than by ferry is the Bay of Kotor itself. The ferry cuts across the water and lands you in the town. The road drives around the entire bay — 24 km of waterfront, small villages, catamarans moored offshore, and mountains that drop straight into the sea. You see ten times as much from the car, and the car is also how you reach Perast, the Lovćen National Park road, and the観 光 villages above Kotor that the ferry can’t get near.

Route Overview: Dubrovnik to Kotor

Approximately 94 km and around 2 hours of driving time under normal conditions. You leave Dubrovnik heading north-east on the D8 coastal road, passing through the suburb of Orašac before arriving at the Croatia-Montenegro border crossing at Karasovići (Karasulfi on older maps). The crossing is usually straightforward — EU passport holders pass through quickly. Everyone else needs a valid passport and, for some nationalities, a Montenegro visa.

Once in Montenegro, the road improves significantly — the Montenegrin coastal highway (M-1) is well-maintained and runs through Herceg Novi, then around the Bay of Kotor to Kotor town. The final approach to Kotor is through a series of tunnels and the old town gate, which is pedestrian-only on the city-side approach — your GPS will route you to the car park near the north gate.

Key Stops Along the Way

Cavtat: 20 km from Dubrovnik, across the bay. Cavtat is the quieter alternative to Dubrovnik itself — a small fishing town with a waterfront promenade, excellent fish restaurants, and a view back across to Dubrovnik that most tourists miss because they never think to cross the bay. If you’re leaving Dubrovnik in the morning, start here for breakfast.

Herceg Novi: First major town on the Montenegro side, 45 km from Dubrovnik. The old town is built on a series of stepped lanes with a Forte di Mare (Sea Fortress) at the entrance to the harbour. Good for a coffee stop. The city’s annual arts festival in July draws a crowd.

Perast: 65 km from Dubrovnik, 10 km before Kotor on the bay road. This is one of the most photographed villages in the Mediterranean — a small baroque town with a harbour, two islands in the bay (Our Lady of the Rocks and St George’s Island), and no cars allowed in the old town centre. Pull over and walk. It’s five minutes from the main road.

Border Crossing: What to Know

The Karasovići crossing is open 24 hours and handles both foot traffic and vehicles. Processing time is typically 15-25 minutes in each direction in normal conditions. In peak summer (mid-July to late August), allow up to an hour at peak crossing times — mid-morning and late afternoon.

Your hire car agreement must explicitly allow Montenegro. Most Croatian rental companies do include cross-border cover for Montenegro — but confirm this before you set off. Some policies exclude it entirely, or only cover it with a paid upgrade. Insurance documents should state Montenegro explicitly.

Montenegro uses the Euro (€) as its currency — no currency conversion needed for EU visitors. Tolls on the M-1 are minimal to none in the coastal section. Fuel prices are slightly higher than in Croatia (approximately €1.50 per litre for petrol) and credit cards are accepted at most stations.

Driving Rules in Montenegro

Montenegro drives on the right, same as Croatia. The coastal road has an 80-100 km/h limit, with lower limits through villages. The tunnels are lit and in good condition. Speed cameras are present on the main coastal road — they’re marked with signs in advance in most locations.

The bay road itself is narrow in places — some sections near Herceg Novi and around the Bay of Kotor have single-lane chicanes. Local drivers are accustomed to this and will pass where possible. Take your time.

Montenegro does not require a vignette. However, if you continue north toward Budva or the Cetinje road, some inland routes do have tolls — small amounts (€2-€3) at fixed toll gates.

Parking in Kotor

Kotor’s old town is pedestrian-only at its core. Parking is available in the large public car park at the north gate (Šišova 1) and another near the south gate. Daily rate is approximately €10-€15 in peak season. Your hire car is fine to drive to the car park — it’s a 5-minute walk from there into the old town.

If you’re staying overnight in Kotor, book accommodation with parking included — not all hotels and guesthouses have it, and street parking in the old town is not permitted for non-residents.

What to Budget

Car hire in Dubrovnik with cross-border Montenegro cover starts from around €32 per day for a compact vehicle in shoulder season. In July-August, prices move to €45-€65 per day. SUVs and jeeps run €70-€100 in peak season. Always confirm cross-border Montenegro inclusion is in the rate — some budget desks advertise a low rate but exclude it from the standard policy.

Border crossing fees are not charged at Karasovići. Toll costs in Montenegro are minimal. Fuel for the round trip (190 km total) costs roughly €25-€30 at local prices. Parking in Kotor is about €10-€15 per day in peak season.

FAQ: Dubrovnik to Kotor by Car

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