Tivat Airport to Kotor: Bay Road vs Tunnel

The two routes at a glance

The coastal bay road — what you actually see

Exit Tivat Airport (P1 car park) and turn right toward the bay. The road runs along the eastern shore of the Bay of Kotor — you have the bay on your left, hills on your right, and the water is rarely more than 50 metres away.

Lastva Grbaljska (about 4 km from the airport): a small village with a 12th-century church visible from the road. The bay view from here, looking across to the mountains, is the first "this is really something" moment of the drive. There is no parking lot — a roadside pull-in if you want to stop briefly.

Lepetane (about 7 km): the southern terminus of the Verige ferry that crosses to the western side of the bay (toward Herceg Novi). If you are continuing the bay loop, this is where you join the ferry queue. For Kotor, continue straight on the coastal road.

Dobrota (about 10 km): a long, quiet village that runs continuously along the bay into Kotor. The road here is narrower — one lane each direction with cars parked on the bay side. Hotel parking for most Dobrota hotels is on the bay side, sometimes accessed through a narrow gate. Drive slowly.

The road terminates at the Kotor harbour and parking area (Škaljari lot, €2–3/hour in summer). The old town North Gate is a 5-minute walk from the car park.

The Vrmac Tunnel — when to use it

The Vrmac Tunnel runs under the Vrmac peninsula, connecting the Tivat side directly to the Kotor side without the coastal road. The approach from Tivat Airport is: exit the airport, follow signs toward Budva, and take the tunnel junction (well-signed). You pay the €3.50 toll at the booth (cash or card), drive 4 km through the tunnel, and emerge on the outskirts of Kotor.

Use the tunnel when:

• You are in a hurry (flight connection, late arrival, ferry to catch)
• It is a hot July Saturday afternoon and the coastal road has backed up
• You have already driven the coastal road once this trip and want to save time

Take the coastal road when:

• This is your first time in Montenegro — start with the best view
• You have 40 minutes and want the experience
• It is early morning and traffic is light
• You are travelling with children who would enjoy seeing the bay from the car

Parking in Kotor once you arrive

No vehicles enter the old city walls — the gates are pedestrian only. The main options for parking:

Škaljari lot (along the bay wall, 50 m from the main Sea Gate): €2–3/hour in summer, fills by 09:00 in July–August. This is the closest parking to the old town and the most convenient if you are spending most of your time in the old town itself.

North Gate area: smaller lot, slightly cheaper, slightly further walk to the main square. Usually has space when Škaljari is full.

Dobrota road (free): about 800 m north of the North Gate, along the bay road toward Perast. Park on the bay-side verge (where locals park without signs). Free, but the walk is 10 minutes. Best option if you are arriving after 10:00 in peak season and do not want to spend time hunting for Škaljari space.

Towed vehicles in Kotor go to a compound 4 km away. The fine plus tow fee runs €80–120. Do not park on the bay promenade between the Sea Gate and the cruise terminal without a permit — it is signed and enforced aggressively in summer.

In reverse: Kotor to Tivat Airport for a flight

For the return journey — Kotor back to Tivat Airport — allow the following:

• Via tunnel: 15 minutes from Kotor town centre to the airport terminal. Reliable — use this if your flight is within 90 minutes.
• Via coastal road: 40 minutes in low season, 60–80 minutes on a summer afternoon. Do not take the coastal road if your flight is within 2 hours on a July or August afternoon.

We recommend the tunnel for all airport returns — the time saving is real and the €3.50 toll is irrelevant against a missed flight. The coastal road is for leisure, not airport transfers.

Frequently asked questions