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Tivat Airport: Everything You Need to Know

BY SARAH

Tivat Airport is the best airport to use for a stay on Montenegro’s stunning coastline. However, navigating this tiny airport can be stressful without the right information.

Tivat is the smallest airport I've ever seen. The airport has limited facilities, opportunistic taxi drivers, and gets very crowded in summer. People are often caught unawares when flying into Tivat, and it can get your trip off to a bad start.

I’ve traveled through Tivat Airport over 20 times in the past 15 years. Along the way, I’ve picked up tips to make the experience as easy as possible.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through airport facilities, onward transport options, give you practical advice, and share some local secrets!

About Tivat Airport

Tivat Airport is one of Montenegro’s two international airports. The other is in Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital city. Here’s what you need to know about Tivat:

Tivat Airport Code: TIV

Location: 4km from Tivat, 8 km from Kotor, and 21km from Budva.

Facilities: Tivat Airport has a single terminal with basic amenities, including cafes, a basic duty-free shop, free WiFi, and car rental services. There is a modest business lounge which is included with a Priority Pass membership, or you can pay hourly.

Opening Hours: Open from early morning to late evening, with reduced schedules in the off-season. Tivat Airport does not have nighttime landing facilities. If your flight is delayed until after dark, it will be rerouted to Podgorica, which is 2 hours’ drive from Tivat Airport.

Tivat Airport is very small and gets extremely busy in summer. In July and August the queues on arrival and departure sometimes go out the door. On the other hand, we often get through security and pick up our luggage in less than 20 minutes. It depends how busy it is when you arrive. I recommend packing water and snacks just in case.

The check-in area is small and gets very crowded in summer. Although it looks chaotic and there’s a long queue for security, the passengers of only one flight are allowed to check-in and pass security at a time. If you arrive on time (at least 2 hours before departure), you will get to your gate on time.

Despite the summer crowds, Tivat is still the best option for a stay in the Bay of Kotor. Your other options are Podgorica Airport in the capital city and Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia.

Podgorica Airport is a good option if you’re staying south of Budva (Budva, Sveti Stefan, Petrovac, Bar or Ulcinj) or anywhere in the north of Montenegro. If you’re staying in the Bay of Kotor, I recommend flying to Tivat because it’s the most convenient.

Dubrovnik is a good alternative if you’re visiting any time outside of July and August. During the peak summer months, it can take hours to cross the Montenegro-Croatia border. At other times of year, it’s relatively quick and easy to get from Dubrovnik Airport to Montenegro.

Tips for Using Tivat Airport

Pack drinks and snacks for arrival in Tivat in summer. If it’s busy, it can take a long time to get through passport control and there are no facilities this side of security.
If you are traveling with only a cabin bag, print out your boarding pass. Tivat Airport does not always accept digital boarding passes (on your phone). If you have check-in luggage, you’ll get a printed boarding pass at check-in. There are no self check-in machines.
The duty free shop is generally more expensive than what you’ll pay for duty free on your flight.

Local's Tip: One of Tivat’s best bakeries, Davidović, is located just a 5-minute walk from Tivat Airport. After checking in our bags, we walk there for coffee and burek (Balkan pie). Coffee and pie here cost around €1.60 each here compared to €6 each for Coke and croissants at the airport cafe.

Getting to and From Tivat Airport

Whether you plan to hire a car or take a taxi to your accommodation, I recommend planning your onward travel in advance. In summer, rental car agencies and taxis are fully booked, but there are plenty of unregistered taxis in front of the terminal ready to charge you double the usual fare.

Car Rental at Tivat Airport

Hiring a car is one of the best options for a stay in Montenegro, especially if you’re planning to do a lot of sightseeing.

If you’re renting a car, agencies like Hertz, Avis, and Sixt have desks inside the terminal and you can book a car with them through Discover Cars.

Before you book, check out Localrent for car hire. They work with smaller local agencies to offer car hire at up to 25% lower than the big agencies. I also love that they have simple contracts, low deposits and great customer service.

You can browse Localrent cars available from Tivat Airport below.

I highly recommend booking in advance because agencies are often fully booked, especially in summer.

Not sure whether to hire a car for your stay? I have a series of articles to help you with car hire here:

The airport offers on-site parking for short and long-term stays. Short-term parking is relatively cheap at €1 an hour.

Taxis

Taxis are available outside the terminal, however a lot of these are private drivers who’ll try to charge you much more than usual.

There is a price list in the parking area for taxis so you can check how much you should pay and use this to negotiate a price before you get a taxi. Expect to pay around €10–15 for a trip to Tivat or €25–30 for Kotor.

Alternatively, you can call a taxi service like Red Taxi, which uses meters and charge a reasonable fee. However, these can be hard to come by and you could wait a long time for a taxi in summer.

Private Transfers

This is the best option if you are not hiring a car for your stay. You can book your transfer online and know that a driver will meet you at the airport with a nameplate. They’ll also wait for you if your flight is delayed.

The best places to book online airport transfers in Montenegro are:

Buses

There is a bus stop for the local bus 400m from the airport. Take the Tivat-Gradiošnica bus to the Tivat Airport stop. You can tell the conductor you want to go to 'Aerodrom'. Find more info here.

Tivat's main bus station is 1.4km (just over 1mi) from Tivat Airport. You can take intercity buses from the main bus station. There are also regular services to other countries in the region.

You can book tickets at the bus station or online at Busticket4.me. Print your bus tickets in advance to avoid being charged to print it at the bus station.

Airport Shuttle Services

Some hotels offer shuttle services to and from Tivat Airport. There are no group shuttle services.

Local’s Tip: During summer, give yourself extra time to get to the airport because traffic near the airport and coastal towns is heavier than usual.

Tivat Airport Map

Airlines That Fly to Tivat Airport

The airport is serviced by several international carriers, including budget-friendly options, with direct connections to major European cities. Here is a list of airlines and destinations that fly into Tivat Airport.

Air Montenegro

Year-round: Belgrade, Istanbul
Seasonal: Baku, Brno, İzmir, Ljubljana, Prague
Seasonal charter: Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius

Air Serbia

Year-round: Belgrade
Seasonal: Kraljevo, Niš

airBaltic

Seasonal: Riga

Austrian Airlines

Seasonal: Vienna

Avion Express

Seasonal charter: Vilnius

Azerbaijan Airlines

Seasonal: Baku

Braathens International Airways

Seasonal charter: Oslo

easyJet

Seasonal: Berlin, Bristol, Geneva, London–Gatwick, London–Luton, Manchester

Edelweiss Air

Seasonal: Zurich

Eurowings

Seasonal: Berlin, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart

flydubai

Seasonal: Dubai–International

FlyOne

Seasonal charter: Chișinău

FlyOne Armenia

Seasonal: Yerevan

Heston Airlines

Seasonal charter: Tallinn, Vilnius

Israir

Seasonal: Tel Aviv

Jazeera Airways

Seasonal: Kuwait City

Jet2.com

Seasonal: Birmingham, London–Stansted, Manchester

Lufthansa

Seasonal: Frankfurt, Munich

Luxair

Seasonal: Luxembourg

Luxwing

Seasonal charter: Bari

Norwegian Air Shuttle

Seasonal: Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo, Riga

Scandinavian Airlines

Seasonal: Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm–Arlanda

SkyUp

Seasonal charter: Gdańsk, Katowice, Rzeszów

Sun d'Or

Seasonal: Tel Aviv

Transavia

Seasonal: Paris–Orly

TUI fly Belgium

Seasonal: Brussels

Turkish Airlines

Year-round: Istanbul

Uzbekistan Airways

Seasonal charter: Tashkent

Search for Flights to Tivat

Where to Stay Near Tivat Airport

There is no accommodation at the airport. If you want to stay nearby, I recommend finding accommodation in Tivat. Tivat town is just 4km from the airport and offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury to budget stays.

Top Hotel Picks in Tivat

Regent Porto Montenegro: This luxury hotel is located in the Porto Montenegro marina, offering world-class amenities, stunning views, anda short walk to shops and restaurants.

Hotel Palma: Situated right on the waterfront, Hotel Palma combines modern comfort with a picturesque setting in the center of Tivat.

Casa Manor Boutique Hotel: Casa Manor Boutique Hotel offers tasteful and modern accommodations in a quiet area of Tivat, with beautiful sea views and a private beach.

Budget-Friendly Accommodation Near Tivat Airport

Sky-Pine: Affordable, self-catering apartment located in the heart of Tivat.

Hostel Anton: A budget-friendly choice with a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for solo travelers or backpackers.

You can find more accommodation guides below:

Local’s Tip: Book your accommodation early, especially during peak summer months, as hotels fill up quickly.

Things to Do Near Tivat Airport

Stroll Through Porto Montenegro Marina

Just a 10-minute drive from Tivat Airport, Porto Montenegro is a world-class marina known for its luxurious yachts, waterfront dining, and boutique shopping. Take a leisurely walk along the promenade, enjoy a meal with a view at one of the marina’s excellent restaurants, or explore its stylish shops.

Take a Boat Tour from Tivat

Tivat is a great starting point for boat tours that showcase Montenegro’s stunning coastline and hidden gems. Boat tours depart from Pine, the central waterfront and include visits to the Blue Cave, Our Lady of the Rocks, and other sites in the Bay of Kotor.

Relax at Almara Beach Club

If you’re looking for some sun and sea, head to Almara Beach Club, just a 20-minute drive from the airport. Known for warm waters and golden sand, this trendy beach club is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, or enjoying a nice seaside meal.

It’s a family-friendly destination with facilities like sunbeds, umbrellas, and an upscale restaurant. You can also use the free part of the beach, however this gets busy in summer, so arrive early to get a spot.

Final Thoughts

Tivat Airport is the best arrival airport for exploring Montenegro’s stunning Bay of Kotor and the Budva Riviera. Its convenient location and manageable size make it the best option if you’re looking to stay close to these destinations.

For a smooth arrival, book a transfer in advance or find a metered taxi to avoid being overcharged. If you’re planning to explore more of Montenegro, book a rental car to pick up at the airport.

For a smooth departure, give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and check in, and print your boarding pass if you only have carry-on luggage.