Montenegro is a small country located on the Adriatic coast. The country has a diverse tourist offer and is not as expensive as Croatia. The country attract visitors to the mountains, gorges, beaches, lakes and one of the most beautiful railway lines in Europe. Due to cheap flights from Central Europe the number of tourists is rising steadily. Train travel in Montenegro is limited to two scenic railway lines: Bar – Bijelo Polje and Podgorica – Nikšić.
Last updated: 09.06.2024
Train travel in Montenegro – domestic trains
Passenger trains in Montenegro run on only two railway lines, but both lines are among the most beautiful railway lines in Europe.
Bar – Bijelo Polje (part of the Belgrade – Bar railway)
Podgorica – Nikšić (56 km)
There are no passenger trains to Tuzi and tracks don’t reach the most beautiful cities in Montenegro.
Željeznički prevoz Crne Gore – timetable and prices, English version available
Train trip from Podgorica to Bijelo Polje is better option that a travel from Belgrade to Bar by train. This section of the Belgrade – Bar railway line offers the most beautiful views from the train. You don’t need to travel all day long.
Both passenger and freight trains are operated by Željeznički prevoz Crne Gore (ŽPCG)
The quality of rolling stock varies. The railway line Podgorica – Niksic is served by modern air-conditioned CAF Civity electric multiple units. Local trains from Podgorica to Bar are often served by Soviet-era RVR multiple units. Trains from Bar to Bijelo Polje are usually comprised of electric locomotive and 2nd class carriages. Ticket prices are moderate.
Train travel in Montenegro – international trains
There are only passenger trains to Serbia. Famous all over the world Belgrade – Bar train currently run from Zemun to Bar. Overnight train comprised of seat carriage, couchette cars and sleeping cars runs all year round. During summer season additional daytime train is launched.
In 2024 a seasonal daytime train (with transfer) between Bar to Novi Sad will run from 15.06. do 16.09.2024 and from Novi Sad to Bar from 14.06 to 15.09.2024)
Bar (dep. 09:00) –> Beograd Centar (arr. 19:28) –> Novi Sad (20:28)
Novi Sad (dep. 08:20) –> Beograd Centar (dep. 09:31) –> Bar (arr. 20:37)
Seat reservation is compulsory. Ticket from Novi Sad to Bar costs 26,80 € (23,80 € + 3 € seat reservation), from Beograd centar to Bar 24 € (21 € + 3 € seat reservation).
It is not a direct train, because passengers will change trains at Bijelo Polje station. Serbian part of the route is served by Stadler Flirt electric multiple units, between Bijelo Polje and Bar in Montenegro passengers travel in seating carriages with compartments owned by Željeznički prevoz Crne Gore.
Albania:
There are no passenger trains to Albania. In 1986 the railway line from Podgorica to Shkoder was inaugurated. There has never been a passenger train between Albania and Montenegro and the line from the beginning is used only for freight transport. The passenger train between Podgorica and Shkoder would has huge tourism potential.
Railways in Montenegro – a brief history
The history of the railway in Montenegro began in 1901. This year, the narrow gauge railway from Gabela (present day Bosnia and Herzegovina) – to Zelenika in present day Montenegro was completed . The first train arrived in Zelenika on July 16, 1901. Only short part of this railway lies within Montenegrin territory – section Sutorina – Zelenika was 11,5 km long. Due to this fact many historians and railway enthusiasts consider that the beginning of the railway in Montegro was in 1908. The Gabela – Zelenika line (760 mm) ran along the coast and trains ran at a speed of 20 km/h.
In 1905 the construction of the port in Bar began. One year later the construction of the Bar – Virpazar railway line started. On September 26, 1908, the first locomotive ran on the Bar – Virpazar route. The line connected the port of Bar with the port of Virpazar on Lake Skadar. In 1927 the narrow gauge railway line Podgorica – Donja Plavnica was completed. From Bar to Virpazar the cargo was transported by train. From Virpazar to Donja Plavnica the ferry across Lake Skadar he carried people and goods, then the cargo was transported to Podgorica by train.
The ceremonial opening of the railway line from Podgorica took place in Nikšić on April 20, 1947. The line 56 km long with a total length of 3,241 m, has 11 tunnels, the longest of which was 1,230 m long, seven stations, bridges and two viaducts. The first train to Podgorica made his journey on July 12, 1948.
The 1950s saw the dynamic development of the port in Bar and narrow gauge tracks were replaced by standard gauge tracks. In 1959, the standard gauge line connected Bar and Podgorica, so there was no need to use a ferry across Lake Skadar.
In 1968 Gabela – Zelenika line was closed and in 1976 the narrow-gauge Belića – Nikšić was closed and dismantled.
