This post may contain affiliate links. Find more info in my disclaimer.
Everything you need to know about the Kotor Bay ferry, including timetables and where to buy tickets.
Taking the Kotor Bay ferry can save you a lot of time when you're travelling between the Herceg Novi and Tivat parts of the Bay of Kotor. It can also become part of a great 'around the bay' day trip itinerary... scroll down to the bottom of this page for ideas.
The ferry, known locally as the trajekt, only takes 5 minutes and it's a fun ride. You'll be treated to some lovely scenery and you'll be able to take lots of photos, especially on sunny days.
Make sure you keep a look out for the two islands of Perast while you're crossing. You'll get a view of them in the distance when you're in the middle of the channel.
The ferry runs across the narrowest part of the Bay of Kotor, the Verige Straits. And it docks in Kamenari on the Herceg Novi side and Lepetane on the Tivat side.
The name Lepetane is derived from the word 'lepote' meaning beauties. Centuries ago, swashbuckling Bay of Kotor sailors would return home to the bay and their families, passing Lepetane on their way. They'd drop their 'beauties', their mistresses, off here and carry on to their homes. Hence the name Lepetane.
If you're arriving into Montenegro via Dubrovnik airport and you're staying Tivat, Lustica Peninsula, Budva, Bar, Ulcinj or Skadar Lake, you'll probably want to take the Kotor Bay ferry. You can drive around the bay and in fact I highly recommend it, it's one of the most scenic drives in Montenegro, but you might not want to do it when you've just arrived.
If you're staying in Kotor, or anywhere in between Herceg Novi and Kotor (like Perast), you should drive around the bay. It'll be faster.
If you're staying in Muo, Prcanj or Stoliv, you can take the ferry across and then turn left and take the seaside road to your destination.
There are 6 ferries running 24 hours a day throughout the summer months. The ferries depart as soon because they're full around the clock. You don't have to wait more than 15 minutes for a ferry to fill up, even if you're the first one on it.
Between mid-July and mid-August, there can be long wait times for the ferry. If you can, try to avoid arriving, departing or using the ferry on the weekends in this period. If you can't avoid it, the best time to use the ferry is early morning (before 8:30am) and late afternoon.
6am - midnight daily: The ferries depart when they're full or every 15 minutes.
Midnight - 6am daily:
Departures from Kamenari: midnight, 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am, 4.50am, 5.20am, 6am.
Departures from Lepetane: 12.30am, 1.30am, 2.30am, 3.30am, 4.30am, 5.05am, 5.40am.
You can only buy tickets for the Kotor Bay ferry at the ticket kiosks where the ferries dock. You can pay for your tickets with cash and bank card.
Park your car in the queue and go to buy a ticket at the counter. Here is the price list:
Visiting Kotor?
The Kotor Beyond The Wall guidebook is the safe and easy way to explore Kotor's most beautiful sights, discover hidden gems and find authentic experiences at your own pace.
There's a bus that goes from Igalo to Kamenari and back every half hour. Because of Herceg Novi's one way system, it goes along the lower road that passes the old town towards Kamenari and returns via the main road, which is the Adriatic Highway.
There are two buses running through Herceg Novi, only one goes to Kamenari. Be sure to check the bus you get on has a sign in the front that says 'Iglao - Kamenari - Igalo'.
The bus fare depends on how far you're travelling, but will be €1.50 at most.
Bus Schedule
Departures from Igalo every 30 minutes on the hour and half past from 5.30am - 1am.
Departures from Kamenari every 30 minutes at 20 past the hour and 10 to the hour from 5.20am - 1.50am.
* On Sundays the buses go every hour instead of every 30 minutes. It departs from Igalo every hour on the hour. It departs from Kamenari every hour from 5.50am.
Bus Schedule
1st June - 31st August: Departures from Tivat centre by Magnolia Square (see map below) every hour, on the hour from 6am - 10pm daily.
1st September - 30th May: Same as above except no departures at 10am, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm or 10pm. Service stops at 8pm.
The trip is 6km and takes approximately 15 minutes in both directions. The bus fare is €0.70.
1st June - 31st August: Departures from Tivat centre by Magnolia Square (see map below) every hour, at half past the hour from 6.30am - 10.30pm daily.
1st September - 30th May: Same as above except no departures at 10.30am, 5.30pm, 7.30pm, 9.30pm or 10.30pm. Service stops at 8.30pm.
The ferry can get really busy and a little stressful for visitors. Follow my top tips for an enjoyable trip across the bay:
If you have a rental car (I recommend Localrent.com for the best car hire in Montenegro), taking a drive around the Bay of Kotor will show you some of the most beautiful scenery in Montenegro. You can incorporate both a drive around the bay and a trip on the Kotor Bay ferry in one day trip.
Here are some suggested itineraries you can use:
From Herceg Novi:
From Tivat/Budva/Kotor:
Visit Montenegro
Bay of Kotor
Rent a Car in Montenegro
Book your accommodation anywhere in the world through any of the search boxes on our site and we'll make a donation towards sterilising stray animals in Montenegro.
It costs you nothing, and you get the biggest selection and lowest prices guaranteed. It's a win-win!
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.