The Dubrovnik-Montenegro ferry is a seasonal international fast-catamaran service linking Dubrovnik with Kotor and Budva in Montenegro. Adriatic Lines by Kompas operates the 2026 route with the high-speed passenger catamaran Antonija from 1 June to 30 September 2026.
For travellers starting in Dubrovnik, the two routes work quite differently. Kotor is the better same-day ferry trip, with a morning departure from Dubrovnik and an evening return on operating days. Budva works better as a one-way connection or overnight stay, because most Dubrovnik-Budva sailings leave in the evening.
Both routes depart from Dubrovnik Ferry Port in Gruž. This is international travel, so border-control formalities apply and passengers need a valid passport or EU identity card.
Dubrovnik to Montenegro ferry quick overview
| Route | Crossing | Best use from Dubrovnik | 2026 season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubrovnik - Kotor | About 2 hr 45 min | Same-day trip or one-way travel | 1 June - 30 September |
| Dubrovnik - Budva | About 2 hours | One-way or overnight stay | 1 June - 30 September |
- Operator: Adriatic Lines by Kompas
- Vessel: HSC Antonija
- Type: international high-speed passenger catamaran
- Departure in Dubrovnik: Port of Gruž
- Vehicles: this is a passenger-catamaran service, not a car ferry
- Documents: valid passport or EU ID card required
- Check-in: closes 15 minutes before departure
- Pets: not permitted on the Croatia-Montenegro route
Dubrovnik to Kotor ferry
The Dubrovnik-Kotor ferry is the more useful of the two Montenegro routes for visitors based in Dubrovnik. On operating days, the 2026 timetable gives you a morning departure from Gruž, arrival in Kotor around lunchtime and an evening sailing back to Dubrovnik.
- Depart Dubrovnik: 09:30
- Arrive Kotor: 12:15
- Return from Kotor: 17:30
- Arrive Dubrovnik: 20:15
- Crossing: about 2 hours 45 minutes each way
Can you visit Kotor from Dubrovnik by ferry in one day?
Yes. The timetable is specifically useful for a day visit. You have roughly five hours between arriving in Kotor and boarding the return ferry, enough for the Old Town, lunch and some additional sightseeing without dealing with road traffic or the land-border queue.
The trade-off is frequency: Dubrovnik-Kotor does not sail every day, so it needs to fit your travel dates.
Check Dubrovnik-Kotor ferry tickets and availability
Dubrovnik to Budva ferry
The Dubrovnik-Budva ferry takes about 2 hours, but it is less convenient for a conventional day trip from Dubrovnik. Most outbound sailings leave Dubrovnik at 18:00, arriving in Budva at 20:00.
During the main summer period there are also selected 06:30 departures from Dubrovnik. However, the matching return timetable does not provide a useful full sightseeing day in Budva. For most travellers starting in Dubrovnik, the ferry therefore makes more sense for a one-way transfer or overnight stay.
- Typical evening sailing: Dubrovnik 18:00 - Budva 20:00
- Crossing: about 2 hours
- Best for: continuing a Croatia-Montenegro itinerary
- Not ideal for: a standard same-day Budva excursion from Dubrovnik
Check Dubrovnik-Budva ferry tickets and availability
Dubrovnik-Montenegro ferry timetable 2026
The official 2026 timetable is divided into three operating periods. All times are local and remain subject to change.
1 June - 28 June 2026
Dubrovnik - Kotor - Dubrovnik
| Day | Dubrovnik - Kotor | Kotor - Dubrovnik |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 09:30 - 12:15 | 17:30 - 20:15 |
| Wednesday | 09:30 - 12:15 | 17:30 - 20:15 |
Dubrovnik - Budva
| Day | Depart Dubrovnik | Arrive Budva |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 18:00 | 20:00 |
| Friday | 18:00 | 20:00 |
| Sunday | 18:00 | 20:00 |
Budva - Dubrovnik
| Day | Depart Budva | Arrive Dubrovnik |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 06:00 | 08:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 | 11:00 |
| Sunday | 09:00 | 11:00 |
On 1 June, the first scheduled sailing is Dubrovnik-Kotor at 09:30.
29 June - 6 September 2026
Dubrovnik - Kotor - Dubrovnik
| Day | Dubrovnik - Kotor | Kotor - Dubrovnik |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 09:30 - 12:15 | 17:30 - 20:15 |
| Wednesday | 09:30 - 12:15 | 17:30 - 20:15 |
| Saturday | 09:30 - 12:15 | 17:30 - 20:15 |
Dubrovnik - Budva
| Day | Morning sailing | Evening sailing |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 06:30 - 08:30 | 18:00 - 20:00 |
| Thursday | - | 18:00 - 20:00 |
| Friday | - | 18:00 - 20:00 |
| Sunday | 06:30 - 08:30 | 18:00 - 20:00 |
Budva - Dubrovnik
| Day | Depart Budva | Arrive Dubrovnik |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 06:00 | 08:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 | 11:00 |
| Wednesday | 06:00 | 08:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 | 11:00 |
| Saturday | 06:00 | 08:00 |
| Sunday | 09:00 | 11:00 |
7 September - 30 September 2026
Dubrovnik - Kotor - Dubrovnik
| Day | Dubrovnik - Kotor | Kotor - Dubrovnik |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 09:30 - 12:15 | 17:30 - 20:15 |
| Wednesday | 09:30 - 12:15 | 17:30 - 20:15 |
Dubrovnik - Budva
| Day | Depart Dubrovnik | Arrive Budva |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 18:00 | 20:00 |
| Friday | 18:00 | 20:00 |
| Sunday | 18:00 | 20:00 |
Budva - Dubrovnik
| Day | Depart Budva | Arrive Dubrovnik |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 06:00 | 08:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 | 11:00 |
| Sunday | 09:00 | 11:00 |
Re-check the operator timetable before departure. Fast-catamaran services can be changed or cancelled because of strong wind, high waves or operational issues.
Tickets and prices
Ticket prices depend on the route, direction and sailing. Use the live booking system for the fare on your exact date.
Dubrovnik-Kotor official 2026 fares
| Ticket | Adult |
|---|---|
| One way | €60 |
| Same-day return / day trip | €75 |
Children and infants have separate fare categories. Check live availability for the exact age-based fare.
Dubrovnik-Budva prices
Budva fares vary with the sailing and direction, so use the current booking result rather than relying on one static price.
Check-in and travel documents
- Travel document: valid passport or EU identity card.
- Check-in closes: 15 minutes before departure.
- Buying at the port: arrive at least 60 minutes before departure.
- Online ticket: keep it accessible and follow the boarding instructions shown on your booking.
Luggage, bicycles and pets
- Hand luggage: one item up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 8 kg.
- Checked luggage: one item up to 100 x 50 x 30 cm and 20 kg.
- Bicycles: accepted for a fee, subject to capacity.
- Electric bicycles and scooters: not permitted under the operator's current conditions.
- Pets: not allowed on the Croatia-Montenegro route.
HSC Antonija - the Dubrovnik-Montenegro catamaran
Adriatic Lines operates the route with HSC Antonija, a high-speed passenger catamaran with a capacity of 242 passengers and a top speed of 36 knots.
- Air-conditioned passenger salon
- Comfortable seating
- Luggage storage
- Bar/kiosk for drinks and snacks
- Accessible facilities
Passengers who need mobility assistance should contact the operator in advance, as the carrier asks for prior notification.
Dubrovnik, Kotor and Budva ferry ports
Dubrovnik
Port of Gruž
Obala Ivana Pavla II 1
20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
The terminal is around 3 km from the Old Town and next to Dubrovnik's main bus station. See our Dubrovnik Ferry Port guide.
Kotor
Port of Kotor
85330 Kotor, Montenegro
The port is conveniently placed for the historic Old Town, which is especially useful when you only have a few hours on a day trip.
Budva
Port of Budva
Slovenska obala bb
85310 Budva, Montenegro
The port is on the central waterfront close to Budva Old Town and the main accommodation area.
Dubrovnik to Montenegro: ferry vs bus or car
| Option | Main advantage | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Fast ferry | Avoids road traffic and the land-border queue | Seasonal and not daily |
| Bus | Runs beyond the ferry season | Border delays can make journey time unpredictable |
| Car | Freedom to explore Montenegro | Traffic, border queues and parking |
| Private transfer | Door-to-door travel | Higher cost |
For Kotor: the ferry is especially attractive when the schedule fits because it turns the route into a practical same-day trip.
For Budva: the ferry is stronger as part of a multi-stop itinerary than as a same-day excursion from Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik Day Tour: Montenegro with Kotor, Perast, Boat Ride
Explore Montenegro on a small-group day trip from Dubrovnik, combining the coastal towns of Perast and Kotor with a boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks.
The tour starts in Perast, where you have free time before taking the boat to the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks. From there, continue to UNESCO-listed Kotor for a guided Old Town tour followed by around three hours to explore independently, walk the city walls or stop for lunch.
The group is limited to 18 people, with hotel pickup and return to Dubrovnik included. It is a convenient alternative to planning the border crossing, transport and sightseeing separately.
Weather, schedule changes and cancellations
The fast catamaran can be affected by strong winds and rough seas. Adriatic Lines has cancelled individual Montenegro sailings during the 2026 season for both weather and technical reasons, so check current travel notices shortly before departure.
If the ferry is essential to a flight, hotel check-in or another non-refundable connection, leave a sensible time buffer rather than depending on the final possible sailing.
More ferries from Dubrovnik
For routes to Mljet, Korčula, Hvar, Split, the Elaphiti Islands and Italy, continue with our Dubrovnik ferries guide.
FAQ - Dubrovnik to Montenegro ferry
Is there a ferry from Dubrovnik to Montenegro?
Yes. Seasonal fast catamarans connect Dubrovnik with Kotor and Budva from 1 June to 30 September 2026.
How long is the Dubrovnik to Kotor ferry?
About 2 hours 45 minutes. The scheduled sailing leaves Dubrovnik at 09:30 and arrives in Kotor at 12:15.
Can Kotor be visited as a ferry day trip from Dubrovnik?
Yes. On operating days, the ferry returns from Kotor at 17:30, giving you roughly five hours in Kotor.
How long is the Dubrovnik to Budva ferry?
About 2 hours.
Can Budva be visited as a ferry day trip from Dubrovnik?
The timetable is not particularly suitable for it. Most Dubrovnik-Budva departures leave at 18:00, so the route works better for a one-way trip or overnight stay.
Does the ferry run every day?
No. Kotor and Budva operate on selected days and the weekly pattern changes during the season.
Can I take a car?
No vehicle booking is offered on this high-speed passenger-catamaran service.
What documents do I need?
A valid passport or EU identity card is required.
Are pets allowed?
No. Adriatic Lines does not permit pets on the Croatia-Montenegro ferry route.