Podgorica (TGD) is Montenegro's main airport, and if your flight lands here rather than at Tivat you've got a longer — but perfectly manageable — run down to the coast. It's inland by the capital, so you cross to the sea via the Sozina tunnel before turning south for Budva and Bečići. There's no direct airport bus, taxi rates aren't always fixed, and a transfer needs booking in peak weeks. Here are all the ways down, with rough 2026 costs. See also our getting to Bečići overview.
At a glance
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Distance | Roughly 65 km to Bečići |
| Drive time | About 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Private transfer | Around €55–70 for a standard car (fixed) |
| Airport taxi | Roughly €50–65, not always fixed |
| Direct bus | None from the airport (see workaround) |
| Toll | Sozina tunnel, around €2.50 each way |
| Car hire | From ~€25–30/day booked ahead |
In short: a pre-booked private transfer is the easiest way to cover the longer distance in one hop; a taxi works if you confirm the fare first; and the bus is cheap but slow and indirect. Factor the small Sozina tunnel toll into any self-drive.
How far is Podgorica Airport from Bečići?
Podgorica Airport lies about 65 km from Bečići, and the drive typically takes an hour to an hour and a quarter. The route leaves the capital, dips through the Sozina tunnel — which carries a small toll of around €2.50 — and drops down to the coast near Bar before running north-west along the shore to Budva and its neighbour Bečići. It's roughly three times the distance of the Tivat run, so the choice of transport matters a little more here for both cost and comfort.
Option 1: Private transfer
A pre-booked private transfer is the most comfortable way to swallow the longer distance: fixed price, a driver waiting in arrivals, and a single door-to-door journey with no changes. For the Podgorica-to-Bečići route we saw standard cars quoted at roughly €55–70, with one operator pricing Bečići specifically at just under €69. Larger vehicles for families or groups cost more, but because it's charged per car the per-person price drops as your party grows. This is the option most families and first-time visitors pick, especially after a long-haul flight.
Over an hour-plus in the car, comfort counts more than on the short Tivat run — so if you're a family or a larger group, it's worth booking a car with enough boot space and, where needed, a child seat (mention it when you reserve, as it isn't always fitted by default). A reputable operator will also monitor your flight and hold the pickup if you're delayed, which takes the pressure off a late or connecting arrival.
Option 2: Taxi from the airport
Taxis wait outside the terminal. Fares to the Budva area generally land between about €50 and €65, though rates aren't always fixed and can edge up in peak season — so agree the price before you get in. For two people, a taxi and a private transfer cost broadly the same over this distance; the transfer's advantage is the locked-in fare and the driver holding a sign with your name rather than a scramble at the rank.
Option 3: The bus workaround (no direct airport bus)
As at Tivat, no public bus serves Podgorica Airport directly. The budget route is a two-parter: first get from the airport to Podgorica's main bus station (a short taxi, since the airport is a little way out of the city), then take one of the frequent long-distance buses from Podgorica to Budva. That intercity leg costs only around €5–7 and takes roughly an hour and a half, after which you finish with a short local Budva–Bečići bus or taxi.
All in, it's the cheapest way down but easily the slowest once you add the transfer to the bus station and the wait for a departure — best for solo budget travellers travelling light. Our getting around the Budva Riviera guide explains the local coastal buses for that final stretch.
Option 4: Hire a car at the airport
Podgorica is a major car-hire base, so picking up a vehicle here makes sense if you're planning day trips or a wider Montenegro loop — the airport sits handily for the mountains and Skadar Lake as well as the coast. Economy cars start from roughly €25–30/day booked ahead, plus that ~€2.50 Sozina toll on the drive down. Read our renting a car on the Budva Riviera guide first — for a beach-only trip, the parking and summer traffic may outweigh the freedom.
Comparing your options
| Option | Rough cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | ~€55–70 per car | ~1h–1h15 | Door-to-door ease, families, groups |
| Airport taxi | ~€50–65 (confirm first) | ~1h–1h15 | Arriving without pre-booking |
| Bus workaround | ~€5–7 + transfers | ~2h+ overall | Budget solo travellers |
| Hire car | From ~€25–30/day + toll | ~1h–1h15 | Day trips and self-drive holidays |
These are 2026 ranges pulled from several transfer and taxi operators; seasonal demand shifts them, so use them as guides rather than quotes.
Tips for the longer transfer
Because this is a longer run than the Tivat hop, a little preparation pays off. Carry euros for the fare, the Sozina toll and any roadside stop — Montenegro is a euro country and not every driver takes cards. If you're self-driving, factor the toll into your route and keep coins or a card ready for the booth; it's a quick stop but an easy thing to be caught out by.
Break the journey if it suits you. An hour-plus after a flight can drag, and the drive passes close to the coast near Bar and Petrovac — a self-driver can pause for a coffee or a first glimpse of the sea, while transfer and taxi passengers go straight through. If you've booked a private transfer, note that the fixed price holds regardless of traffic, which is reassuring on a route where summer congestion around Budva can stretch the final stretch.
Arriving late? Podgorica takes some evening flights, and public transport thins out at night, so a pre-booked transfer or taxi is the sensible choice after dark rather than trying to piece together buses. For onward travel once you're settled, and the wider arrival picture, see our getting here and practical info pages.
Which airport should you fly into?
If you have a choice, Tivat (TIV) is far closer to Bečići — around 23 km versus Podgorica's 65 km — so it's the more convenient arrival for a beach holiday. Podgorica, however, often has more international routes and can be cheaper to fly into, and it's well placed if you're touring the interior too. Weigh the airfare saving against the longer, pricier transfer. Our Tivat Airport to Bečići guide covers the shorter run in full.
Staying connected on arrival {#connectivity}
A heads-up for US, UK and other non-EU arrivals: Montenegro is not in the EU, so the "roam like at home" allowances many European travellers assume don't automatically apply. Some EU carriers include Montenegro via fair-use or bilateral deals, and UK plans vary since Brexit — check yours before you fly, as standard roaming here can be expensive. If you're not covered, a Montenegro eSIM (small bundles typically start around €5–8) installed before landing gives you data straight off the plane, handy for finding your driver or hotel. It's the one bit of trip admin worth doing in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Podgorica Airport from Bečići?
About 65 km by road, with a drive of roughly one hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. The route crosses the Sozina tunnel (a small toll of around €2.50) to reach the coast, then runs to Budva and neighbouring Bečići. It's noticeably farther than the Tivat run, so plan a little more travel time.
How much does a transfer from Podgorica Airport to Bečići cost?
A pre-booked private transfer generally runs around €55–70 for a standard car, fixed per vehicle. A taxi from the rank costs broadly similar — roughly €50–65 — but rates aren't always fixed, so agree the fare before setting off. Larger vehicles for groups cost more but split well between passengers.
Is there a direct bus from Podgorica Airport to Bečići?
No. There's no bus from the airport itself. You'd take a short taxi to Podgorica's main bus station, then a Podgorica–Budva intercity bus (around €5–7, about 90 minutes), and finish with a local bus or taxi to Bečići. It's the cheapest option but slow once you add the transfers.
Should I fly into Podgorica or Tivat for Bečići?
Tivat is much closer — roughly 23 km against Podgorica's 65 km — so it's more convenient for a beach stay. But Podgorica often has more flight options and can be cheaper, and suits trips that also explore inland Montenegro. Compare the airfare saving against the longer, dearer transfer down to the coast.
