Picking Up a Hire Car at Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)
Dubrovnik Airport is the highest-traffic gateway for travellers bound for southern Montenegro. It serves a broader roster of airlines than either TIV or TGD — British Airways, easyJet, Norwegian, Eurowings, Vueling, and numerous charter operators all fly here. When your preferred airline does not land at Tivat, flying into DBV and driving south is the well-established alternative.
The journey from DBV to the Montenegrin border takes around 30 minutes along the coastal E65. Past the Debeli Brijeg checkpoint you continue along the bay to Herceg Novi (15 min from the border), then to the Verige ferry crossing and onward to Tivat (60-90 min total depending on your route). Make sure your rental provider has included a Green Card valid for Montenegro — without one, border officers will refuse entry.
A practical note: if you use the A1 motorway section from the airport toward the border, a Croatian toll applies. The charge is modest (under 5 EUR) and payable by card or cash at the booth. The coastal road alternative skips the toll but adds about 10 minutes.
Entering Montenegro
Debeli Brijeg / Konfin is the sole coastal crossing between Croatia and Montenegro. During July and August, mid-day queues of 30 to 90 minutes are normal. Passing through before 8 am or after 8 pm reduces the wait considerably. Keep your passport, rental agreement, and Green Card in hand rather than stowed in luggage. Croatian exit and Montenegrin entry formalities happen at a single stop. Read our green card and border documents guide.
DBV Terminal Facilities
The terminal is located 20 km south-east of Dubrovnik Old Town on the E65 coast road. Short-stay parking is limited and pricey during the tourist season — if collecting a rental car, go straight from the desk to the car park and drive out rather than parking separately. ATMs, a bureau de change, and a duty-free shop are available inside.
Rental desks sit inside the arrivals hall. Complete your paperwork there, then walk out to the car park to collect the vehicle. Be aware that some operators use remote lots requiring a shuttle — check ahead of time whether your car is at the airport or at an off-site depot.
Driving to Montenegro
Leave DBV and turn right (south-east) onto the E65. The road passes through Cavtat and Gruda toward the border — it is a well-surfaced two-lane highway with sea views for much of the way. After clearing the checkpoint, the road descends into Igalo and Herceg Novi before tracing the bay shoreline to Tivat.
From Herceg Novi you have two options to reach Tivat: the full bay road through Risan and Perast (scenic, around 55 minutes) or the Verige car ferry at Kamenari-Lepetane (departures roughly every 15 minutes, 5-minute crossing, saving 30+ minutes). The ferry costs approximately 5 EUR per car and is cash-only. Late-night arrivals should check the timetable — service frequency drops after 11 pm.