It all comes down, therefore, to how much time you need to reach one of these three points. The drive from Podgorica takes approximately 1h and 30m, from Kotor 2h and 20m, from Dubrovnik around 3h and 30m, while from Sarajevo you will need slightly less than three hours, and from Žabljak via Piva Mountain around 1h and 30m for a distance of just under 45 kilometres. Admittedly, navigation apps will show you more optimistic travel times, as the hairpin bends above Piva and the tunnels carved into the rock impose a pace that apps often fail to account for.
This is precisely why, below, we will describe each of the four routes mentioned, with realistic driving times and all the necessary details. We will also explain how to get to Plužine without your own car, what to expect at the border crossings during peak season and how long it takes to get from the town centre to Piva Canyon.
Where is Plužine located?
Plužine is a municipality in the far northwest of Montenegro, located above Piva Lake and within Piva Nature Park, which connects Durmitor with Sutjeska in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The town itself lies at an elevation of around 675 metres, while the nearest larger urban centre is Nikšić, less than a two-hour drive away. This position explains why the question of how to get to Plužine always comes down to the same thing, namely the direction from which you enter the municipality.
How far is Plužine from larger cities in Montenegro and the region?
The journey from Podgorica to Plužine covers around 109 kilometres and takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes, while Sarajevo, despite being in another country, is quite close, at a distance of only 123 kilometres. The table we created covers the eight most common starting points, with distances, realistic driving times, border information and details about direct bus services.
| Starting point | Distance | Driving time | Border crossing | Direct bus |
| Podgorica | ~109 km | 1h 45min | No | Yes, one departure daily |
| Nikšić | ~59 km | 1h | No | Yes, several departures daily |
| Kotor | ~149 km | 2h 20min | No | No |
| Budva | ~166 km | 2h 30min | No | No |
| Žabljak | ~50 km | 1h 30min | No | No |
| Dubrovnik | ~197 km | 3h 30min | Yes | No |
| Sarajevo | ~123 km | 2h 40min | Yes | Yes, two departures daily |
What the table does not show is that almost all of these routes merge at some point in Nikšić, from where they follow the same road through the Duga Gorge. The only exception is the route from Bosnia, which enters the municipality via Šćepan Polje and follows the river. According to the Glušica bus company timetable, there is also a direct Podgorica, Nikšić, Plužine, Šćepan Polje, Sarajevo service, which operates every day.
How to get to Plužine from Podgorica?
The answer to the question of how to get to Plužine from Podgorica comes down to a single route, as Plužine can only be reached via Nikšić. The route is around 109 kilometres long and takes one hour and 45 minutes. The first half of the journey is the easiest part of the drive, while the second requires a little more attention.
The good news is that the main road from Nikšić towards Plužine has since been thoroughly reconstructed. According to the Transport Administration, the 5.6-kilometre section from Jasenovo Polje to Vidrovan was reconstructed first, followed by the approximately 15-kilometre route from Zaborje to Jasenovo Polje. In practical terms, the road from Nikšić to the turn-off for Brezna, where the popular Montenegro Ethno Village is located, is now in excellent condition.
The rest of the route to Plužine is of solid quality, so you will not encounter any problems while driving, although the reconstruction of that section is also planned.
The route via Nikšić and the Duga Gorge
The drive to Nikšić follows the main road via Danilovgrad, a section that is wide and very well maintained. From there, the road continues past Krupac Lake and Slano Lake before gradually climbing towards Duga, the gorge that separates Nikšić Field from the Piva side.
This final part does not require anything special from drivers. The reconstructed section we mentioned covers most of the route, while the rest is of good quality and easy to drive. Traffic is light, so you will reach Plužine faster than you might expect.
There are still two things worth keeping in mind. Slow down through Zaborje and Seljane, as livestock occasionally wanders onto the road. We would also point out that, in the immediate vicinity of these two villages, near the village of Rudinice, you will find Izlazak Ethno Village overlooking Piva Lake and the Komarnica Canyon, which is a perfect place for a short break.
Are there buses from Podgorica to Plužine?
There is, but only one per day, as this is a service that runs towards Šćepan Polje and continues to Foča and Sarajevo. If that departure time does not suit you, the remaining option is to change buses in Nikšić, from where several services depart for Plužine throughout the day.
The route between Nikšić and Plužine is operated by the bus company Cicmil Prevoz, and the timetable is as follows:
- First departure: Nikšić 06:50, return from Plužine 08:00
- Second departure: Nikšić 12:30, return from Plužine 15:00
- Third departure: Nikšić 17:30, return from Plužine 18:50
It is important to mention one thing here that passengers often overlook. The last bus from Plužine to Nikšić departs at 18:50, so the morning departure is the only logical choice if you are considering how to get to Plužine without a car and return to Podgorica on the same day.
How to get to Plužine from Kotor and the coast?
Kotor and Plužine are around 149 kilometres apart, and the realistic travel time is two hours and 20 minutes. The road leads via Risan and Grahovo to Nikšić, and from there follows the same route through Duga as the one from Podgorica. If you are departing from Budva, allow for an additional 30 minutes or so to reach Kotor.
There are no direct bus services from the coast. Those travelling without a car must travel to Nikšić and change there to one of the three daily departures we mentioned.
The route via Risan, Grahovo and Nikšić
For the first twenty minutes or so, you drive along the Bay of Kotor coastline to Risan, and then begins a climb that many people remember longer than the rest of the journey. The hairpin bends above Risan climb steeply and quickly, with views of the bay opening up behind every bend. The road is wide enough, but your driving pace is dictated by the person in front of you, and you should treat this as a rule for your own safety.
Once you reach Grahovo, the terrain levels out and the drive to Nikšić is quite relaxed, without excessive traffic. However, the problem during the summer season is not this section, but getting out of the Bay of Kotor itself. In summer, travelling through Kotor and Risan can take quite a while, which can significantly extend your journey.
When should you leave the coast in the morning?
If you are planning a full-day trip from the coast, the answer to the question of how to get to Plužine on time starts with one number, namely the time at which you want to arrive. Count backwards from that time, as leaving in the morning is the only way to avoid traffic when exiting the Bay of Kotor and still have enough time for the visit itself.
To arrive at around 10 a.m., leaving Kotor at around 7 a.m. gives you time for coffee and some leeway for unexpected situations.
The reason for this calculation is simple. A summer morning on the coast is the only part of the day when traffic through Kotor and Risan still flows normally, so every hour you delay your departure can easily mean at least an additional half an hour on the road, if not more.
How to get to Plužine from Dubrovnik?
Dubrovnik is around 197 kilometres from Plužine, and the realistic travel time is three hours and 30 minutes, with one border crossing along the way. Unlike the routes from Montenegro, there are genuinely two options here, as you can reach Nikšić from two completely different directions.
Via Trebinje or via Herceg Novi?
The first option leads through Trebinje and is the standard choice when traffic is a factor. It is around 35 kilometres from Dubrovnik to Trebinje, and from there it takes another hour to reach Nikšić via Vilusi, after which the journey continues along the familiar road through Duga. This route avoids the coast and is therefore almost always the first choice during the summer.
The second option goes via Herceg Novi and the Bay of Kotor, which seems shorter and more logical on paper. In practice, however, the same Bay of Kotor that slows down arrivals from the Montenegrin coast will slow you down just as much. During July and August, we recommend travelling via Trebinje (where there is certainly plenty to see), while outside the summer season, the difference between the two options becomes almost negligible.
What should you know about crossing the border?
Regardless of which route you choose, you will cross the border, which is why you must have a passport or identity card for every passenger in the vehicle. The crossing is generally quick and without excessive formalities, but during the summer season, it can take quite a while.
In July and August, the border crossings towards Trebinje and Herceg Novi can literally become “clogged up”, and a wait of at least half an hour is not uncommon. Therefore, if you are considering how to get to Plužine from Dubrovnik, leaving in the morning solves most of the problem here as well.
How to get to Plužine from Sarajevo?
Although it is in another country, Sarajevo is actually quite close, just 123 kilometres from Plužine and around two hours and 40 minutes away by car. The road heads south via Foča, then continues to the border crossing at Šćepan Polje and from there upstream along the Piva River. This is precisely why the question of how to get to Plužine from Bosnia is the simplest of all, as there is only one logical route.
The route via Foča and Šćepan Polje
The journey from Sarajevo to Foča follows the Drina Valley. You cross the border at Šćepan Polje, where the Tara and Piva rivers meet, and the crossing itself is generally quiet and quite quick, meaning that it will not take up too much of your time.
Only after you cross the border does the most beautiful part of the journey begin. You drive alongside the Piva River and through tunnels carved into solid rock, with views of the canyon stretching deep below you. This same section is why many people combine this route with rafting on the Tara, as Šćepan Polje is the starting point for the descent, and Plužine is only another half an hour away.
Bus from Sarajevo to Plužine
There is a direct bus, making this route a rare exception among all routes to Plužine. According to the Foča bus station timetable, the service to Plužine passes through Foča in the afternoon on its way to Nikšić and Podgorica.
You can expect a total of two departures per day, one of which operates every other day, so make sure to check the timetable in advance. The ticket price is around ten euros, and the journey takes slightly longer than travelling by car due to stops along the way and delays at the border.
How to get to Plužine without a car?
It is possible to reach Plužine without your own vehicle, but planning ahead here is not a recommendation, but a requirement. Bus services are available and reliable, but there are few of them, which is why your entire plan needs to be aligned with the timetable. Therefore, the question of how to get to Plužine by public transport is primarily a matter of good timing.
Bus services to Plužine
The main route into the municipality by public transport is via Nikšić, from where several buses depart for Plužine throughout the day. The bus drops you off at the station in the town centre, just a few minutes’ walk from accommodation and restaurants. As we have already mentioned, there are also direct services from Podgorica and Sarajevo, but they run far less frequently.
What you need to pay attention to is the return journey. The last bus from Plužine departs at 18:50, which is why organising a day trip requires you to check both your arrival and return in advance. We listed the timetable for the Nikšić to Plužine route, with three daily departures, earlier in the text. It is worth writing it down, as this information can be difficult to find online.
Is there a transfer to the canyon?
We have to be honest here, as there is simply no organised transfer from the centre of Plužine to the canyon. You must cover the 24-minute drive separating the town from the starting point in another way, and there are fewer options than you might expect.
In practice, it comes down to two things. The first is a local taxi, which is available in Plužine, but in limited numbers, so it is worth arranging one in advance. The second, and often more practical option, is to make arrangements with your accommodation host, as people here are generally willing to help with transport to the location.
What to do in Plužine and the surrounding area?
Once you know how to get to Plužine, the real question arises, which is how you will fill the days ahead (or potentially a day trip). This area is not a stop along the way, but a destination in its own right, with enough things to do to justify a stay of two to three nights. From canyons and lakes to mountain trails, the range of activities is broader than a town of this size might suggest.
At the centre of it all is Piva Canyon, located just a 24-minute drive from the town centre. Via Ferrata Piva is also located in this canyon, a protected climbing route that has become the main reason for visiting for a large number of visitors in recent years.
If this kind of adventure appeals to you, you can find all the details about the route itself, the equipment and preparation in the complete guide to Via Ferrata Piva. Those who want to combine the via ferrata with rafting on the Tara or kayaking on the lake will also find the overview of adventures that can easily be combined during a visit useful.
What awaits you upon arrival at the via ferrata?
Unlike the lake or hiking trails, this activity requires you to arrange your exact arrival time in advance. When making a reservation, we agree on a time, and you should arrive at the meeting point a little earlier, as the adventure does not begin immediately on the rock.
First, you will receive the complete equipment, including a helmet, harness and via ferrata set, followed by a short training session during which the guide explains the clipping technique. Only then do you begin the climb, fully secured and accompanied by a licensed guide. If you would like to book a time or check available dates, contact us through the contact page and we will help you with all the necessary details.
What else should you know before your trip?
A few small details can determine whether your journey goes smoothly or involves unnecessary stress, which is why we have highlighted everything worth checking before you get behind the wheel. These things are easy to overlook when you are thinking only about how to get to Plužine, but they are precisely what makes a significant difference:
- Fuel and signal. A petrol station is located at the entrance to the town. Along the section through Javorak and later in the canyon, the mobile signal can weaken or disappear completely, so an offline map is a useful backup. There are no turn-offs anyway, so you cannot miss the road to Plužine even without navigation.
- Winter driving. Javorak and the section towards Plužine are among the first to receive snow, so expect a slower and more cautious drive. In addition, winter equipment is mandatory in Montenegro from 15 November to 1 April, and on certain sections in the north regardless of the current conditions.
Getting there is only the first half of the story
Now that you know all the routes, the answer comes down to one question, namely where you are departing from. Every journey from Montenegro passes through Nikšić and Javorak sooner or later, while those arriving from neighbouring countries enter the municipality by crossing the border and following the river. The difference lies in the distance, but the logic is the same for everyone, as planning and an early departure always work in your favour.
What remains after all the tables and driving times is the impression that the effort required to get there pays off the moment you first see the canyon. If you are coming to Plužine for an adventure, book your via ferrata tour in advance and let us know where you are travelling from so that we can coordinate the time with your departure. In the end, the entire story of how to get to Plužine is actually just an introduction to what awaits you here. Welcome!
Ready to climb?
Via Ferrata Piva is the flagship route in Montenegro – the country’s only via ferrata built to the European EN 16869:2017 safety standard, run by the guide who wrote this article.
Book your adventureHave questions before booking? WhatsApp +382 63 486 212 or email matija@viaferratapiva.me. We answer every message personally.
