Budva And Boat Ride, 10 Hours

Montenegro Tour From Perast to Kotor and Budva with Boat ride runs through Dubrovnik Smile. Rated 4.7 across 1,034 reviews. Runs 10 hours. From $97.

Overview

This is a full day trip from Dubrovnik that packs Montenegro's Bay of Kotor into a single outing: a short stop at the bay itself, an hour in Perast, an optional boat ride out to Our Lady of the Rocks, two hours of free time inside Kotor Old Town, and two more hours in Budva before the drive back. The tour runs about 10 hours, though several travellers reported it stretching longer when border traffic is heavy. Your driver acts as the guide, giving commentary on the road and tips on what to see and eat at each stop, then leaving you to explore on your own.

Groups travel in a van or a minibus, with the vehicle matched to the size of your party. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the tour sets off at 6:45 am, so pickups happen before that. It is a group tour rather than a private one.

The trade-off is the driving. Reviewers again and again describe a long day with significant stretches on the road, and the border between Croatia and Montenegro can add real waiting time in either direction. Bring a passport or EU ID, euros for the extras, and some patience.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup is included and happens before the 6:45 am start. Exact times vary by location and are sent by message, so watch for them before departure.
2. Bay of KotorA 10-minute stop with free admission.
3. PerastOne hour in the town with free entry, used as the base for the boat trip out to the island church.
4. Our Lady of the RocksA 30-minute stop reached by boat, which is not included in the tour price and costs €10 per person. Entry to the church site is also not included.
5. Kotor Old TownTwo hours of free time. Entrance is not included, and a Bay of Kotor entrance tax of €3 per person applies. A local guide in Kotor can be arranged by request but is otherwise not included.
6. BudvaTwo hours with free admission. Reviewers were divided on this stop, with one calling it a letdown and others enjoying the contrast of old and new.
7. Return and drop-offThe drive back to Dubrovnik, with hotel drop-off included. Reviewers reported that border waits can lengthen the return leg.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up repeatedly in both the listing and traveller reviews, and they shape how the day feels.

• Bring a passport. Montenegro is outside the EU, so a valid passport or EU ID is required on the day of travel, plus a visa where one applies. The listing states that Indian passport holders need a multi-entry Schengen visa. Without documents you will not cross the border.
• Carry cash. The official currency is the euro. Reviewers pointed out cash needs: the €3 per person Kotor entrance tax and the €10 per person boat fare to Our Lady of the Rocks are both extra. Gratuities are also not included.
• Pace yourself. Expect a very long day. Multiple reviewers reported the total running well past the scheduled 10 hours once traffic and border waits are counted. One advised sitting on the right side of the vehicle for views on the way out, noting the return light can be better for photos.
• Free time, not guided walks. The driver gives commentary on the road and recommendations at each stop, but most sightseeing is independent. Several travellers liked this format, since you walk around at your own pace rather than moving as a group.
• Food and drink. Drivers are frequently praised for restaurant and food suggestions at the stops.
• Listen up front. One traveller in the third row of the van struggled to hear the guide's commentary. If hearing the commentary matters, aim for a front seat.

Common issues. The honest downside is time: reviewers describe long stretches of driving and, in a few cases, days stretching to 11 or even 14 hours because of border queues, and some felt the three stops were rushed. The €10 boat ride and €3 per person entrance tax are extra, and in the off season the operator requires a minimum of four bookings to run the trip; if the minimum is not met you are offered a different date or a full refund. Budva divided opinion, with some reviewers calling it the weakest stop. One reviewer also reported a missed pickup with no response on the day, an isolated account among otherwise positive ones.

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