If you've arrived on the Budva Riviera expecting to open an app, tap a pin and watch a car crawl toward you on a map, the first thing to know is that the ride-hailing world you're used to doesn't quite exist here. Montenegro does taxis differently — and getting around Budva and Bečići without overpaying comes down to knowing which firms to trust, how the fare is set, and when to skip the app entirely and simply phone. Here's how it actually works in 2026.
Your options at a glance
| Method | How it works | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local taxi firm (phone/Viber) | Call or message a licensed company; car dispatched | Reliable, metered rides day or night | Have the number saved before you need it |
| Local ride app | App-based dispatch on the coast (coverage varies) | App convenience without Uber/Bolt | Patchy availability in peak-summer crush |
| Hotel-arranged taxi | Reception books a known driver | Airport runs, late nights, groups | Slightly higher than a street meter |
| Street / rank taxi | Flag one down or take one from a stand | Quick short hops | Confirm the meter's running first |
| "Wild" (unlicensed) taxi | Touts near ranks and the airport | — | Avoid; no meter, inflated fares |
Note the absence from that table of the two names most visitors reach for.
No Uber, no Bolt — here's why it matters
As of 2026, Uber and Bolt do not operate anywhere in Montenegro, and neither do Lyft, Grab or Cabify. This isn't a temporary gap or a coverage issue in a small town — the global ride-hailing platforms simply aren't in the market, so downloading them before you fly is wasted effort. Budva and Bečići, despite being among the busiest resort areas on the coast, are no exception.
What fills the gap is a mix of licensed local taxi companies and a handful of home-grown apps. Some regional apps do provide app-based booking along the coast including Budva, and Budva itself has local operators; coverage and reliability vary by company and can thin out during the peak-summer crush, so treat any app as one tool rather than a guarantee and always keep a phone number as backup. App names and their coverage change, so it's worth a quick current check rather than relying on a name you read months earlier.
The most dependable method remains the oldest one: calling or messaging a licensed firm directly. Most Montenegrin taxi companies use Viber (and often WhatsApp) as their main booking channel rather than a slick app, and a licensed operator will usually have a car to you within minutes. Your hotel or apartment host can give you a number they trust — that local knowledge is worth more than any download.
How the fare is set
A legal Montenegrin taxi is easy to identify, and checking three things protects you from almost every overcharge:
- A "TAXI" roof sign and a working taximeter on the dashboard.
- Special number plates — the local city code followed by "TX". A taxi registered in Budva carries a plate like BD TX, so you can tell a properly licensed local car at a glance.
- The meter running from the start. By law the driver should start it immediately; if it isn't on, ask, or agree a price before you set off.
Fares are built from a starting charge plus a per-kilometre rate, and both are modest by Western-European standards. The catch is the coast in high season: Budva-area companies commonly raise the per-kilometre rate in July and August, and seafront ranks are where inflated prices are most likely. Exact rates differ between companies and change seasonally, so rather than trust a figure, confirm the meter is on — or, for a longer trip, agree the fare up front. For a fuller picture of moving around the coast, see our guide to getting around the Budva Riviera.
Typical fares you'll actually pay
Bečići and Budva effectively run into each other — barely 3 km apart along the coast — so a taxi between them is a short hop, usually in the region of €5–10 depending on the exact pick-up and drop-off, the season and traffic. In peak summer, at night, or from a busy seafront rank, expect the top of that range or a little more. It's a distance many visitors simply walk along the seaside promenade in 20–30 minutes, or cover by local bus for a euro or two — so a taxi here is a convenience, not a necessity.
Airport runs are the trips where a taxi (or a pre-booked transfer) genuinely earns its keep:
- Tivat Airport (TIV) is the nearest, about 23 km away — a 25–30 minute coastal drive. A taxi or fixed transfer typically runs roughly €35–45, more in peak summer; agree it before setting off.
- Podgorica Airport (TGD), Montenegro's main year-round airport, is about 65 km away — an hour and a quarter or so — with taxis and transfers around €50–60.
These are guide figures that move with season and demand, so treat them as a sense of scale rather than a quote. For the full arrival picture — airports, transfers and the budget bus route — see getting to Bečići. If you'd rather have your own wheels for exploring the Bay of Kotor and the wider Riviera, our car rental in Montenegro guide weighs up hiring against relying on taxis.
Avoiding the "wild" taxis
The one real pitfall is the unlicensed or "wild" taxi — cars without a proper roof sign, meter or TX plate, whose drivers tout for business near ranks, the bus station and, especially, the airports. They quote a "fixed" price that's well above the metered fare and have no accountability if something goes wrong. The defence is simple: use the official rank, a car you booked by phone, or one your hotel arranged, and glance for the roof sign, meter and TX plate before you get in. A legitimate driver won't mind; a wild one is banking on you not checking.
At the airports in particular, ignore anyone approaching you inside the terminal offering a ride. Head to the marked taxi rank or, better for a late arrival, arrange a pre-booked transfer in advance so a named driver is waiting.
Paying, tipping and practicalities
A few habits smooth every ride:
- Carry cash. Most Montenegrin taxis are cash-only in euros; only a few companies have card terminals in the car. Keep small notes handy — drivers rarely have change for large ones. (Montenegro uses the euro despite being outside the EU and the eurozone, so there's no currency to change if you're arriving from a euro country.)
- Tipping is light. Rounding up the fare is normal and appreciated; a large tip isn't expected.
- Pre-book anything time-critical. For an early-morning airport departure or a late-night return, arrange the car the day before through your hotel or a firm you've used, rather than hoping to flag one down.
- Save a number on arrival. Ask your host for a trusted local company and store it in Viber or your phone straight away — it turns every later trip into a two-minute job.
Handled this way, getting around Budva and Bečići by taxi is cheap, easy and low-drama. You just have to unlearn the reflex to reach for an app that isn't there, and lean on the local system instead — a phone call, a metered car and a bit of cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there Uber or Bolt in Montenegro?
No. As of 2026, neither Uber nor Bolt operates anywhere in Montenegro, including Budva and Bečići — nor do Lyft, Grab or Cabify. Instead you rely on licensed local taxi firms, usually booked by phone or Viber, plus some home-grown ride apps whose coverage on the coast varies by company and season.
How much is a taxi from Budva to Bečići?
The two are only about 3 km apart, so a taxi is a short hop, typically around €5–10 depending on the exact route, season and traffic — the higher end at night or from a busy seafront rank. Many people simply walk the seaside promenade in 20–30 minutes or take a local bus for a euro or two.
How do I book a taxi in Bečići?
The most reliable way is to call or message a licensed local company, often via Viber, rather than hail one. Ask your hotel or apartment host for a trusted number and save it on arrival. Reception can also book a known driver for you, which is worth it for airport runs and late nights.
How do I avoid being overcharged by a taxi?
Use only licensed cars — a "TAXI" roof sign, a working meter and local "TX" plates (a Budva taxi reads BD TX). Check the meter is running from the start, or agree the fare before a longer trip. Avoid unlicensed "wild" taxis touting near ranks and the airport, especially anyone approaching you inside the terminal.
Do Montenegro taxis take card?
Most don't. The majority of taxis are cash-only in euros, with only a few companies carrying card terminals, so keep small euro notes on hand and don't count on paying by card — particularly for airport transfers or late-night rides.
