For many years, Montenegro has been in special demand among Russians, because in addition to a friendly attitude, this country is much cheaper than other European countries. People come here for natural beauty and a comfortable climate. Some people prefer to buy real estate in Montenegro in order to relax in full, without depending on the hotel reservation. Recently, tourists have often come to Montenegrin resorts using a private car.
Montenegrin, Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian and Albanian are spoken in this hospitable country. Of course, many speak English. Local residents are sympathetic to Russian tourists. There are several car routes from Russia to Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. In our article, we will consider the most optimal.
Optimal route
According to the reviews of tourists who have already traveled the entire route to Montenegro by car from Moscow, the best option is a bunch of Belarus-Poland-Slovenia-Montenegro. In between, of course, you will have to cross the borders of other European countries that are part of the European Union.
The distance between Moscow and Podgorica is approximately 2,700 kilometers. For more comfortable movement, it is better to provide an extra night, then the travel time will be not 3, but 4 days. If you go without haste and look at the sights of the places that come across on the way, you can stretch the pleasure for 5 days.
Experienced tourists are advised to make the first stop for the night in Minsk. According to other travelers, it is better to pass the Polish border first, and only then arrange an overnight stay, since this particular post will be the most difficult of the entire trip. According to the calculations, all expenses in one direction (gasoline and toll roads) will cost 320-350 euros (about 26 thousand rubles) + 140 euros (about 11 thousand rubles). This is taking into account the travel by car. To calculate the route and place the necessary stops, including border posts, it is best to use the convenient service of the Internet navigator.
The cost of hotels along the way can start from only 15 euros (1000-1200 rubles). It will increase depending on where the tourists stay (highway, suburb or city center). The cost of gasoline in Montenegro is slightly different from the rest of Europe. For one liter here you can pay only one and a half euros (about 115 rubles).
It is better to calculate the route so that you can go toMontenegro in summer. In the country you can find both sandy and pebble beaches. Almost all of them are located in bays, which implies the absence of strong winds and waves. When moving around Montenegro by car, you can carry your umbrella and other accessories for a beach holiday, and not rent them on the beach.
From Moscow to Poland
The first day, according to the calculated route, begins with a trip to Belarus. To avoid all Moscow traffic jams, it is best to leave very early (at 4-5 am) and move along the M1 highway. In general, the condition of the roadway on it is tolerable, although in some places you can meet repair teams.
Since the route lies to Montenegro through Belarus, it is best to prepare a "green card" when approaching the border. There is almost no control there due to very warm relations between the two countries. According to the reviews of tourists, it is best to refuel in advance in Russia, as Belarusians will have more expensive gasoline.
The next border will be with Poland, here it is much more serious. Despite the fact that all car travel forums report crossing the border in Brest, seasoned ones advise driving to Peschatka, as the process moves faster there even with a large number of cars. You can view all the border posts between Belarus and Poland on the official website of the Belarusian border service. It is there that you can find information about the passage time and the number of cars queuing for verification.
Wowhile traveling to Montenegro from Moscow by car, when passing the Polish border, you must provide for at least two hours of waiting. In general, this is the most difficult border on the whole path. Another quick post, for which you have to make a small detour, is called Domachevo. However, tourists report that the maneuver is worth it, as the time will still be faster than in Brest.
Since the described route is the safest way, the Poles should be given their due, because they even check the cleanliness of the car itself. They also ask you to turn on the dashboard to check the operation of all the necessary bulbs, they may also ask about the availability of spare ones.
In fact, traveling by car to Montenegro is a very exciting adventure. For example, after entering Poland, especially in the evening, you can feel like a hero of a fairy tale thanks to the narrow ornate streets. Here you need to be careful and follow the traffic rules. In Europe, within built-up areas, the maximum allowed speed is 50 kilometers per hour, and the maximum allowable excess is three kilometers per hour. Be careful on the roads!
Sights on the way to Poland
In addition to the beautiful landscapes that accompany all the way while traveling by car from Moscow to Montenegro, you can and should see the sights along the way. For example, in Belarus, travelers recommend visiting the Brest Fortress, and in Poland, be sure to take a walk in the central part of Warsaw. In this case, the car can be left in one of the city parking lots. To walk around European cities, tourists are advised to use a convenient application on their phone - IZI. Travel, where you can use an audio guide for free.
Given that the article deals with the optimal route for traveling to Montenegro by car, the former Auschwitz concentration camp will also be on the way. It is difficult to recommend it, since everyone reacts to this tragedy of the 20th century in their own way, but you can definitely look at it from the car window. If you move a little away from the route and turn towards Krakow, you can look at the completely calm life of this city, which has an interesting history. Once it was the Polish capital, and all the sights of Krakow are conveniently located along the Royal Road.
From Poland to Slovenia
The next day of travel to Montenegro from Moscow by car is assigned to the way to Slovenia. This is the longest stretch of one thousand two hundred kilometers. A big plus is the chic road surface, on which the car does not just drive, but literally glides silently. The highway is almost everywhere two-lane and filled with trucks.
In order not to trail behind a loaded heavy truck, you need to carefully look at the signs of interchanges, with which you can bypass the busiest sections of roads. Tourists are also advised to refuel before entering the Czech Republic in order to save on the price of fuel. When telling how to get to Montenegro, you need to mention the purchase of a vignette. This is a special sticker that sticks to the windshield of a car and allows you to drive on toll roads in the European Union. You need to buy it near the city of Mikulov at the box officeany gas station. The best solution would be to purchase several stickers at once: one for the Czech Republic, and the rest for Austria and Slovenia. The cost of a vignette ranges from 8 to 12 euros per piece (800-1000 rubles), and its validity period is about a week, but a sticker valid for a month is the cheapest.
On some forums you can read that it will be possible to get to the border of Montenegro without this sticker. But if a policeman stops such a driver on the way, he will not get off with a simple apology, and fines in Europe are high. This should also be taken into account by those who like to save money.
Then the path continues to Vienna, follows through Graz to Maribor. Austrian roads do not have a single flaw. Riding them is a pleasure. Due to the long road, entry into Slovenia may already be closer to midnight, so it is important to purchase a vignette for this country in advance so as not to look for it at night.
Given that Slovenia became a member of the EU not so long ago, when crossing the border, you can stumble upon inactive and abandoned inspection posts. You can spend the night in Maribor, and in the morning move towards Zagreb, after walking through the picturesque surrounding areas. There are many hotels in Maribor, but you need to book a room in advance, as not all receptions are open 24 hours a day.
From Slovenia to Montenegro
We are analyzing further how to get to Montenegro from Slovenia. Our path lies through Croatia. Given that it is not part of the European Union, it will have to go through border control. To get toborder, you should go to Split, after which choose the route to Dubrovnik. After crossing the border, there is an exit to the autobahn under the number A1. He is paid. Money is deposited at the exit. The fare along the entire length of the route is 35 euros (2200-3000 rubles). A slight sadness from such expenses will be brightened up by the chic mountain landscapes that open on both sides of the road.
In general, the distance and route Moscow-Montenegro by car for an experienced motorist is not difficult. An exception may be the last hundred kilometers of the journey. They will need to pass along the Yadran highway, which has a large number of serpentines, and its lanes are quite narrow. Therefore, for those who get motion sickness in such traffic conditions, it is better to take care of special tablets in advance.
On the same stretch, you will have to cross Bosnia and Herzegovina with a small section of the Balkan coast ten kilometers long. The line at the border here rarely lasts longer than twenty minutes. The Bosnian border is a formality.
The first city that will appear before travelers after crossing the Montenegrin border will be Herceg Novi. The distances between towns in Montenegro are small, like the country itself, but it is advisable to take into account the time difference between Moscow and Montenegro. It is 2 hours. This country is switching to daylight saving time.
Sights on the way to Slovenia and Montenegro
In the Czech Republic on the way there will be the town of Brno, which is in second place after Prague in terms of population. In it you can findquite a lot of interesting architectural objects with a unique history. Tourists are advised to stop by the Dietrichstein Castle in Mikulov, and in Olomouc to try the local cheese, which has earned fame throughout Europe. Of course, you should not miss the opportunity to see Prague, in particular, climb Kutná Hora and visit the most popular Ossuary with Skulls.
When passing through Austria, it is worth stopping in Vienna and Graz, which is a UNESCO heritage. Well, Croatia is Plitvice Lakes and Dubrovnik (in addition to Zagreb with Split).
Visa for Russians to Montenegro and other documents
What kind of visa to Montenegro do Russians need to apply for? There is an agreement between the two countries, according to which citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in Montenegro for up to thirty days without a visa. Since the article is about traveling by car, the route of which runs through the countries of the European Union, you will additionally need to apply for a Schengen visa. Since Poland is first on the list, it is best to apply for a visa at the Polish Embassy.
Also, some countries may require additional documents. To travel to Montenegro, you should bring he alth insurance, a "green card" for your car, a printed hotel reservation in the nearest Schengen country through which the route runs, as well as an international driver's license, which should be taken care of in advance.
Arriving in Montenegro on vacation, a Russian who does not use the services of hotels must register with the local police department within the first 24 hours, and before leaving, remove himself from the register. In the case of staying at a hotel, this procedure is done by its administration. Do not forget to change the clock, because the time difference between Moscow and Montenegro is two hours.
Necessary equipment for the trip
What else will a traveler planning to cross the borders of different European countries need on the road? Firstly, a first aid kit with all the medicines that EU standards require. Secondly, a fire extinguisher with an emergency sign. In addition, reflective vests are widely used in Europe if an unforeseen stop on the track in the middle of the night is required. The vest must be in the cabin, not in the trunk.
If a person has a radar detector in the car, then before traveling it must be removed, as this can lead to serious problems if the car is checked by the police. If the trip is scheduled from November to the end of March, winter tires should be in the car in case the road is covered with ice or solid snow. Studded tires are banned in Europe and chains can only be used when there is solid ice on the road surface.
According to EU regulations, the windshield must transmit at least 75 percent of the light and be equipped with two rear-view mirrors.
Parking rules and traffic rules of Montenegro
The biggest plus of Montenegro for motorists is free parking on the streets. That is to park the carcan be just on the sidelines at no cost. Of course, you first need to make sure that there is no sign prohibiting parking. There are also paid parking lots in the country. They are marked with a warning sign.
Mostly money for parking can be taken in the central areas of the city, where most of the attractions are located, so the flow of tourists with cars is greater. But you can cheat by leaving the car, for example, a 20-minute walk in one of the yards, and walk to the center on foot. The cost of parking starts from one euro and can go up to 5 euros for one hour (about 300 rubles).
Montenegrin traffic rules do not differ from Russian ones, so there will be no difficulties on the roads. However, it is worth knowing some of the nuances. Thus, the maximum permitted speed within settlements should not exceed 50 kilometers per hour. Outside built-up areas, you can accelerate to 90 kilometers per hour. On highways and highways, the speed limit is 100 kilometers per hour, and on autobahns and highways it is allowed to drive up to 130 kilometers per hour.
There are strict rules about alcohol. This should be especially taken into account by those who like to drink in the evening at the bar. Citizens under the age of twenty-four are generally not allowed to drive with an alcohol level above 0 ppm. For other ages, 0.3 ppm is allowed.
The dipped beam rules are the same as in Russia. It must be turned on both day and night, otherwise they may be fined.
Important item - beltssecurity. They should be in the back seat too. Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seat of a moving car. And children under the age of five must ride in special seats installed in the back seat.
It is strictly forbidden to use a mobile phone while driving. If a person needs to talk while driving, a hand-free device must be used. If a policeman stops a driver who is talking on the phone while driving, the fine will be from 60 euros to 150 (more than 11 thousand rubles). All fines issued by the patrol must be paid in the near future. This procedure is carried out in any bank.
Traffic situation in Montenegro
Motorways in the country are free (unlike other EU countries), but the Sozina Tunnel must be paid. True, the price tag is small - two and a half euros (about 250 rubles). The atmosphere of friendliness and courtesy reigns on the roads of Montenegro, here everyone tries to follow traffic rules so as not to interfere with other road users.
In some places, picturesque landscapes can be admired from special panoramic platforms.
In case of emergency, call the police - 122, the fire department - 123 or an ambulance - 124.
