Day Trip Plus Boat Cruise

From Dubrovnik: Montenegro Day Trip with Boat Cruise runs through Select Dubrovnik d.o.o.. Rated 4.5 across 1,971 reviews. Runs 11 hours. From $56.

Overview

This full-day trip starts with hotel pickup in Dubrovnik and heads about 45 kilometers south to the Montenegrin border. Once across, the day is built around the Bay of Kotor, seen from both the road and the water. The first stop is Perast, where the group gets a guided tour plus free time, before a boat carries you across the bay.

On the water, the itinerary includes a visit to Our Lady of the Rocks, a man-made island and one of Montenegro's most recognizable sights. The cruise then continues to Kotor, a Venetian port town on the UNESCO list since 1979, ringed by 4.5 kilometers of walls. A licensed local guide leads a 30-minute tour of the Old Town, after which you get 2.5 hours of free time for lunch, museums, shopping or a climb up the walls. The return drive to Dubrovnik, with drop-off back at your hotel, rounds out a day that runs about 11 hours in total.

It suits travellers based in Dubrovnik who want a first taste of Montenegro without arranging their own transport or border logistics. The group travels by bus, so expect a shared experience rather than a small or private outing. Bring a passport, comfortable shoes and some cash, since several small fees on the day are cash only.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup in DubrovnikComplimentary pickup from your hotel or one of the listed bus stops around Dubrovnik, with details sent by email.
2. Scenic drive to MontenegroA bus tour along the Adriatic coast toward the border, about 45 kilometers south of Dubrovnik. This transfer takes 2 hours.
3. PerastA guided tour with free time, sightseeing and a walk, lasting 50 minutes in total.
4. Bay of Kotor boat cruiseTwo optional cruise segments: a 30-minute scenic cruise and a 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise on the bay.
5. Our Lady of the RocksA short visit to the man-made island. Entry to the church on the island is an extra 5 euros per person, cash only.
6. Kotor guided tourA licensed local guide leads a 30-minute tour of the UNESCO-listed Old Town.
7. Kotor free time2.5 hours for shopping, sightseeing, museums, walking the walls or lunch at your own cost.
8. Return drive and drop-offA scenic drive back along the coast lasting 2.5 hours, ending at your hotel or another listed drop-off point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape how this day goes, from border paperwork to cash-only fees.

• Passport and paperwork. Everyone needs a valid passport, or an ID card for EU citizens.
• Bring cash. The Montenegro entry tax of 3 euros per person and the 5 euro church entry on the island are cash only. Food, drinks and any museum entries are also at your own expense.
• A long day. The tour runs 11 hours, and several travellers noted the border crossing can add delays. The total time on the bus is substantial, so plan accordingly.
• Group pace. This is a shared bus tour, and one reviewer mentioned a group of around 40 at the start. Free time in Kotor is generous at 2.5 hours, while Perast gets 50 minutes.
• Weather and walking. The listing recommends comfortable shoes, and reviewers describe hot conditions in summer as well as a rain shower that cut into free time. Kotor has restaurants to duck into if the weather turns.
• Boat segment order. The listing marks the bay cruises as optional, and at least one reviewer found the boat portion ran in a different order and shorter than expected. Treat the cruise as a highlight, but not one with a fixed sequence.

Common issues. The honest friction points are the border, the clock and the extras. Border queues can stretch the day, and one reviewer said clearer expectations about delays and total duration would help. The entry tax and island church fee are cash only, and food is not included. One reviewer reported the boat ride departing from Kotor rather than arriving by boat, and running shorter than advertised, so the cruise order is not guaranteed. Time in Perast is brief, and one reviewer wished it were longer. The listing notes pets are not allowed. Cancellation is possible up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Which Tour Fits Your Trip