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Montenegro Toll Roads 2025: Complete Guide
System: Limited tolls on A1 highway and Sozina tunnel
Operator: Monteput (highway infrastructure company)
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Coverage: A1 Smokovac-Mateševo (41km) + Sozina tunnel (4.2km)
Technology: Traditional toll gates + ENP electronic units
Do I Need to Pay Tolls in Montenegro? 2025 Update
Mostly no. Montenegro has very limited toll infrastructure compared to neighboring countries. Only two locations require toll payments:
A1 Highway (Smokovac-Mateševo): €3.50 for cars, covers 41km of modern motorway connecting central Montenegro to the Serbian border.
Sozina Tunnel: €2.50 for cars, 4.2km tunnel connecting Podgorica to the coast, saving 25km of mountain driving.
Kamenari-Lepetane Ferry: €4.50 for cars, 10-minute crossing of Boka Bay (saves 30km drive around the bay).
All other roads: Completely free including coastal highways, mountain routes, and city connections.
Montenegro Toll Costs: Current Rates
A1 Highway Tolls (Smokovac-Mateševo)
| Vehicle Category | Description | Toll Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Motorcycles | €1.50 | Two-wheeled vehicles |
| Category 2 | Cars (height ≤1.9m) | €3.50 | Standard passenger vehicles |
| Category 3 | Cars with trailers/high vehicles | €5.50 | Height >1.9m or with trailers |
| Category 4 | Light trucks (≤3.5t) | €7.00 | Commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tons |
| Category 5 | Heavy trucks (>3.5t) | €12.00-18.00 | Based on axles and weight |
Sozina Tunnel Tolls
| Vehicle Category | Description | Toll Cost | Alternative Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Motorcycles | €1.00 | M2 via Virpazar (free) |
| Category 2 | Cars | €2.50 | M2 via Virpazar (free) |
| Category 3 | Cars with trailers | €4.00 | M2 via Virpazar (free) |
| Category 4 | Light trucks | €5.00 | M2 via Virpazar (free) |
| Category 5 | Heavy trucks | €8.00-12.00 | M2 via Virpazar (free) |
Kamenari-Lepetane Ferry Rates
| Vehicle Type | Cost | Journey Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians | Free | 10 minutes | Walk-on passengers |
| Motorcycles/Scooters | €2.00 | 10 minutes | Two-wheeled vehicles |
| Cars | €4.50 | 10 minutes | Standard passenger vehicles |
| Cars with trailers/Caravans | €9.00 | 10 minutes | Additional charge for trailers |
| Trucks (up to 5t) | €9.00 | 10 minutes | Light commercial vehicles |
| Trucks (>5t) | €12.00 | 10 minutes | Heavy commercial vehicles |
| Buses | €14.50 | 10 minutes | Public and private buses |
How to Pay Montenegro Tolls
A1 Highway & Sozina Tunnel
- Cash: Euros accepted at all toll gates
- Credit/Debit cards: Widely accepted
- ENP electronic unit: €20 device + €20 minimum top-up
- Toll4All system: Cross-border electronic payment (Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia)
Kamenari-Lepetane Ferry
- Cash: Euros only (most common method)
- Credit cards: Available but not always reliable
- Online booking: Available at trajekt.me
- Payment timing: Pay at ticket kiosks near ferry terminals
Recent Changes (2025)
- A1 Highway operational: Fully opened in July 2022, now established as major north-south connection
- Ferry service improvements: New ferries added to reduce waiting times during peak season
- Electronic payment expansion: ENP units now compatible with regional Toll4All network
- Tunnel traffic increase: Sozina tunnel served 676,190 vehicles in early 2025, continuing strong growth
- Ferry schedule optimization: Enhanced frequency during summer months (June-October)
Geographic Coverage & Alternatives
A1 Highway (Bar-Boljare Project)
- Current section: Smokovac (near Podgorica) to Mateševo (near Kolašin) - 41km
- Purpose: Connects central Montenegro to Serbian border
- Alternative routes: E65/E80 through Morača canyon (free but mountainous)
- Future expansion: Northern section to Serbian border planned
- Engineering feat: 42 tunnels and 92 bridges over mountainous terrain
Sozina Tunnel
- Route: Part of M-1.1 highway (E65/E80)
- Function: Bypasses Paštrovska Gora mountain range
- Time savings: Reduces Podgorica-Bar journey by 25km
- Alternative: M2 road via Virpazar to Petrovac (free, scenic route)
- Operational since: July 2005, Montenegro's longest road tunnel
Kamenari-Lepetane Ferry
- Location: Verige Strait, narrowest part of Boka Bay
- Distance saved: 30km drive around bay via Kotor-Perast-Risan
- Frequency: Every 15 minutes in summer, hourly in winter
- Capacity: Multiple ferries, 50-70 cars each
- 24/7 operation: Year-round service with maximum 15-minute wait
Montenegro vs. Neighboring Countries
| Country | System Type | Coverage | Typical Car Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montenegro | Limited tolls | 41km highway + 1 tunnel + 1 ferry | €10.50 total max | Most roads completely free |
| Croatia | Distance-based tolls | All highways | €20-40 per journey | Comprehensive toll network |
| Serbia | Distance-based tolls | All highways | €15-30 per journey | Extensive highway network |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Very limited tolls | A1 Sarajevo-Zenica section only | €3-15 maximum | Similar to Montenegro |
| Albania | Limited tolls | A1 highway sections | €5-10 per journey | Growing toll network |
Planning Your Montenegro Journey
Cost Considerations
- Budget travelers: €0 possible using only free roads
- Convenience seekers: €10.50 maximum for all tolls (A1 + Sozina + Ferry)
- Northern route: A1 highway €3.50 for faster Serbia connection
- Coastal route: Sozina tunnel €2.50 saves time to beaches
- Bay crossing: Ferry €4.50 saves 30km drive around Kotor Bay
Travel Tips
- Free alternatives exist: All toll roads have free alternative routes
- Ferry timing: Summer queues can reach 45 minutes, arrive early
- Cash recommended: Some locations prefer cash payments
- ENP units: Worth considering for frequent travelers or cross-border trips
- Scenic alternatives: Free mountain routes often more beautiful than toll roads
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid all tolls in Montenegro?
Yes, all toll locations have free alternative routes. The E65/E80 via Morača canyon replaces A1, M2 via Virpazar replaces Sozina tunnel, and driving around Boka Bay replaces the ferry.
Is the A1 highway worth the toll?
For travel to Serbia, yes - it's safer and faster than the winding mountain road through Morača canyon, especially in winter conditions.
How much time does Sozina tunnel save?
About 30-45 minutes compared to the free M2 route via Virpazar, plus avoids challenging mountain curves.
Are there plans for more toll roads?
The northern A1 extension to the Serbian border is planned but no construction timeline confirmed. Otherwise, Montenegro maintains a free road policy.
Can I use Croatian or Serbian toll devices in Montenegro?
Yes, ENP units are compatible with the regional Toll4All network covering Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.
What happens if ferry services are disrupted?
The drive around Boka Bay via Kotor takes 40-45 minutes instead of the 10-minute ferry crossing. During bad weather, this may be the only option.
Do I need a Green Card for cross-border driving?
Yes, when driving between Montenegro and neighboring countries, ensure your car insurance includes cross-border coverage or obtain a Green Card.
Regional Transportation Corridor
Belgrade-Bar Railway Connection
The A1 highway parallels the historic Belgrade-Bar railway, creating a crucial transportation corridor connecting Serbia's capital to Montenegro's main port.
- Strategic importance: Links landlocked Serbia to Adriatic Sea
- Economic impact: Facilitates trade between Central Europe and Mediterranean
- Tourism benefit: Improves access to Montenegro's mountains and coast
- Future development: Complete A1 highway will create fast road-rail corridor
Adriatic Coast Access
Montenegro's limited toll system focuses on key bottlenecks rather than comprehensive coverage:
- Mountain bypass: A1 avoids dangerous winter conditions in Morača canyon
- Coastal access: Sozina tunnel provides direct Podgorica-Bar connection
- Bay efficiency: Ferry eliminates long detour around Kotor Bay
- Tourism support: Tolls fund infrastructure serving both locals and visitors
Contact Information
Monteput (Highway Operator)
- A1 Highway information: Available at toll gates
- ENP unit sales: Podgorica office and toll gate locations
- Customer service: Local support for electronic payment issues
Ferry Services
- Website: ferry.co.me
- Schedule information: Posted at terminals and online
- Booking: trajekt.me for advance purchases
- Emergency contact: 112 (European emergency number)
General Transportation
- Road conditions: 1988 (traffic information)
- Weather alerts: Monitor for mountain and ferry disruptions
- Border information: Check current requirements for neighboring countries
Links for Future Updates
- High Priority: Monitor A1 northern extension construction progress
- Medium Priority: Track ferry service improvements and capacity expansions
- Low Priority: Follow regional toll harmonization with Serbia and North Macedonia
- External links: Watch Monteput and ferry operator announcements for service changes
