Transfers vs. Public Transport and Taxi in Budva
Budva is a resort town in the Central part of the Adriatic coast of Montenegro. Budva Riviera is considered to be the largest tourist center of the country.
The nearest airport is Tivat Airport, 20 km away from Budva. It takes about 25 minutes by car and 40 minutes by bus to get there. It will take at least an hour to get to Podgorica Airport, which is located 60 kilometers away from Budva.
How to get from Budva to the airport, train station or neighboring cities
There are few ways to leave the town:
- Buses and shuttles from Budva. In order to get to Tivat or Podgorica as well as to the nearest towns and villages, you can take a bus or a shuttle from the central bus station of Budva. However, there are no direct routes to the airports;
- Taxi in Budva. You can order one by phone. In Montenegro, taxi apps such as Uber do not work;
- Transfer in Budva. It can be booked online in advance.
It can be difficult to find public transport later in the evening. So if you decide on spending a day on the beach in the country, and then coming back in town, it’s better to plan in advance how to get back in Budva in the evening.
Transfer vs. Taxi in Budva booked by phone
Advantages of a private transfer
The price of travel to Tivat will be the same: a taxi will cost about 20-30 euros, and transfer will cost 20 euros. In addition, the transfer driver not only brings you to the place of your destination but also arrives at the exact time, helps with your luggage and drives at a comfortable speed.
It’s 10-30 euros cheaper than a taxi to Podgorica. The price of the transfer to Podgorica, including the airport of Podgorica, is 40 euros. While a minimum taxi price is 50-70 euros.
It’s 5-15 euros cheaper to go to Dubrovnik. Local taxi fare is 110-120 euros, and the fixed transfer price is 105 euros.
You don’t need to buy a local SIM card and find out the number of a taxi service. The procedure of calling a taxi in Montenegro is rather old fashioned: You need to buy a local SIM card, so that you don’t spend money on expensive Internet roaming, then to find a taxi service number, and call a dispatcher. With Kiwitaxi it’s much simpler: you pre-order a transfer online, and the driver will be at the point of departure at the appointed time.
Transfer in Budva vs. Bus or Shuttle
Advantages of a private transfer
You won’t have to walk for half an hour to get to the airport. The bus from Budva goes only to the station in Tivat — there is no transport going to the airport. So if you don't want to walk nearly three miles, book a transfer from Kiwitaxi. The driver will meet you at the hotel and take you directly to the airport.
No need to wait for transport or adjust to the schedule. Buses leave more or less once in half an hour, and there are generally only 2-3 shuttles a day. You can order a transfer to any city of Montenegro for any time you need. Without waiting.
With a transfer, you can also leave at night, which is impossible in case of public transport as there is none operating after 10 p.m.
The disadvantage of a private transfer
More expensive. The cost of a bus ticket to Tivat is 2 euros and a shuttle one is 8 euros. You can travel to Kotor for 3 euros, and to Dubrovnik — for 20 euros.
What is worth visiting in Budva?
First of all, you should go to the local beaches. Most popular ones are Slovenska (Slav beach), Guvance, Mogren, Richard's Head, and Pizana. There is a diving center on the territory of the "Duke Lee" beach club. Three dives plus lunch and drinks at the bar will cost you 200 euros.
You can also visit historic sights in the Old Town area. Walking through the Old Town square, take a look at the Archaeological Museum. And, of course, do not miss the opportunity to visit the Church of St. John, St. Trinity and St. Maria.
Children will enjoy the water Park "Mediteran" and Luna Park. And there is a mini zoo with peacocks, deer, and rabbits close to the Central bus station.