Getting Around Podgorica
Podgorica sits at the centre of Montenegro, which makes it the country's main hub for both rail and road travel, and its airport is the country's principal gateway for international flights. For a visitor, that means the city is generally easy to reach and easy to navigate once you're there — though the local transport network is modest rather than extensive.
On Foot
Podgorica is a medium-sized city, and walking is a genuinely practical way to get around if you base yourself in the right area. If your accommodation is near the city centre or in the "Preko Morače" district, you can reach all the main points of interest on foot.
Rail, Metro and Trams
Podgorica has no metro or tram system. Rail in the city means the national railway network, which is oriented around longer-distance travel rather than moving around town.
The main train station (železnička stanica) sits near the city centre, and the coastal city of Bar is reachable by train. International services connect Podgorica with Belgrade, continuing on to Bar; these include a day train and a night train, and they are known for running chronically late. The day train is summer-only. For tickets and pricing, see the general guidance on rail travel in Montenegro.
Buses and Public Transport
City buses are the main form of public transport within Podgorica. Line maps are hard to find, but Google Maps shows routes and schedules — though not live times, so treat the timetables as a rough guide rather than a real-time tool.
- A single ride costs €0.90 and can be purchased on board from the driver.
- Some older blog advice warns that drivers give no change and refuse €2 coins, but as of September 2025 this was not the case.
The main bus station (Glavne autobuska stanica) sits next to the railway station, about a ten-minute walk from the city centre. It serves a range of domestic destinations as well as neighbouring countries. Taxis usually wait just outside the station exit, and scheduled city buses also run to the town centre.
- The cash desk is open from 05:00 to 24:00.
- Expect a station tax of €1–2 per person, including on online tickets.
- If you buy online, you need a printed ticket to pass through the gates to the buses. You can email a PDF to the printing service listed by the station and collect it from the ticket counter for a €3 fee.
- A touchscreen machine at the station will also sell and print tickets.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are plentiful in Podgorica, with more than 20 companies typically operating new, air-conditioned European sedans. Taxi stands are virtually everywhere in the city, and you can also reach a taxi by calling a dispatcher.
- Fares run about €0.40 per kilometre, and there is usually no starting fare.
- Given the size of the city, no trip within Podgorica should cost more than €3 or €4.
- As with all taxis in Montenegro, it's wise to agree on a price in advance.
For app-based options, the TeslaGo app offers a taxi service similar to Uber, with a fleet made up entirely of Teslas; it is available in English and provides price estimates. MonteGO is another option, connecting passengers with licensed local taxis and offering airport transfers with upfront fare estimates and live ride tracking.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Podgorica Airport (TGD) lies south of the city and is served by airlines including Air Serbia, Austrian Airlines, Ryanair, LOT Polish Airlines, Turkish Airlines and WizzAir. It is a hub for Montenegro's national flag carrier, Air Montenegro. There are three main ways into town.
By bus. A fairly regular shuttle bus appears to be scheduled around flight times. Tickets can be bought from a touchscreen in the terminal or from the driver — but drivers have been known to charge €5, well over the advertised rate, so buying from the machine is the better bet unless you're in a hurry. The bus stop is not signed from the terminal building; you'll find it in the car park toward the left-hand side. The bus terminates at the main bus terminal in town, where you can make onward connections, and some services run directly to the coast from the airport.
By taxi. Taxis are abundant in front of the terminal, but they charge a hefty flat rate of €12–15 to the city centre — and drivers often interpret that as per person. Haggle out a price in advance. Going the other way, a metered taxi from the city centre (Republic Place) to the airport costs €5–6.
By train. There is no bus or other public transport link to the nearby Aerodrom train station. The only alternative is to turn left as you leave the terminal and walk roughly a kilometre alongside the dusty road until you reach a bridge; the dilapidated station is to the left of it. Trains run roughly every hour in each direction, with Bar about an hour away and Podgorica about eight minutes. If you just hop on, you can buy the ticket from the conductor — €1.20 to Podgorica.
If you're arriving at the coast instead, a taxi from Tivat Airport to Podgorica takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and has a fixed price of €30. Note that there is no bus service from Podgorica Airport to the coast, so on exiting the terminal you'll be surrounded by drivers competing for your fare. Hotels in Kotor offer airport transfers for €70–80, and roughly half that is a more realistic figure — so don't accept quotes of €120 or more for the drive to the coast.