Tour by train

Mountains, rivers, and a remarkable railway await. This private excursion from Kotor combines a comfortable road transfer, a scenic train ride through the Morača Canyon, time in Kolašin, and a visit to Morača Monastery. I like the spectacular rail views and the fact that a guide and private vehicle handle the awkward connections. I also like that you see more than the usual Bay of Kotor sights in one long day.

The main consideration is the price: $286.97 per person is a serious spend, especially for a solo visitor. The schedule is also fairly long, running about six to seven hours, with up to 90 minutes on the road before you even board the train. This is best for people who value private transport, scenery, and an unusual route over a quick sightseeing stop.

Key points to know before booking

• The train crosses the Morača Canyon high above the river, giving you views that are difficult to reach by road.
• The Mala Rijeka bridge is the railway highlight, stretching 498 meters and rising about 200 meters above the ground.
• The route links Kotor, Podgorica, and Kolašin, with road transfers covering the parts not made by train.
• Kolašin sits at 954 meters above sea level, giving the outing a cooler mountain setting and access to nearby Bjelasica.
• Morača Monastery adds culture to a nature-focused day, with about 30 minutes set aside for the visit.
• This is a private tour, so only your own group participates, and pickup is offered from the Port of Kotor.

Why this train journey is different from ordinary sightseeing

Montenegro is famous for its coast, but the country changes character quickly once you head inland. The Bay of Kotor is all stone walls, water, and compact old towns. North of Podgorica, the route becomes a world of steep cliffs, river valleys, high peaks, and mountain settlements.

The railway between Belgrade and Bar is the reason this trip feels like more than a transfer. The full line runs 476 kilometers through Serbia and Montenegro and took 25 years to build, from 1951 to 1976. It opened on May 28, 1976.

The line also carries a little Cold War-era drama. The first passenger on the Blue Train was former Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito, traveling with his wife Jovanka and political leaders from the Yugoslav republics and federation. Tito later hosted figures such as Nehru, Nasser, Arafat, Brezhnev, and Mitterrand aboard the train.

You are not taking that presidential train, of course. Still, knowing the railway’s past gives the journey more weight. This was a major engineering project built to connect the interior with the Adriatic, not simply a sightseeing railway added for tourists.

From Kotor to Podgorica: the early start matters

The day begins at the Port of Kotor, or another agreed pickup point, with an air-conditioned car, minivan, van, or minibus. The drive to Podgorica Railway Station takes about one to one and a half hours, depending on where you are staying.

That transfer is useful because Kotor does not sit directly on the train route used for this excursion. You avoid figuring out the road connection yourself, finding parking in Podgorica, or arranging a separate return journey from Kolašin.

It also means you should be ready for a full day. The train portion is only one part of the outing. If you prefer late starts and unhurried café stops, this may feel organized around transportation rather than free time. If you want to see inland Montenegro without renting a car, the arrangement makes much more sense.

A licensed English-speaking guide accompanies the tour. That matters on a route with several moving parts. You have road transfers, a train departure, a stop in Kolašin, a monastery visit, and the return drive. The private format also lets your group ask questions along the way instead of being folded into a large coach excursion.

The Morača Canyon from the train window

From Podgorica, the train heads toward Kolašin, with the rail journey taking about one and a half hours. The train climbs into the north, and the views begin to open around the Morača River and the Platije Canyon.

Platije is the dramatic centerpiece. The canyon cuts through steep rock walls and cliffs that rise up to about 1,000 meters above sea level. From the train, you see the gorge from a different angle than you would from the road. The railway runs high through the cliffs, so the river may appear far below while the rock walls close in around the track.

I would keep your attention on both sides of the carriage. The most striking view can change quickly, and railway windows are not arranged like a sightseeing bus. If you have a choice of seats, a window seat is clearly preferable, though the tour information does not guarantee a particular side.

The route also brings views toward the peaks of Maganik, Žurim, and Stožac. These names matter less than the overall effect: you are moving from the Mediterranean feel of Kotor into Montenegro’s higher interior, where the mountains become the main event.

The Mala Rijeka bridge is the engineering showpiece

The train crosses the Mala Rijeka bridge, one of the most memorable parts of the line. It is about 498 meters long and 200 meters high.

That height gives the crossing its impact. You are not simply passing over a small stream on a modest bridge. The railway carries you across a major gap in difficult mountain country, with the gorge and river far below.

This is the kind of view that rewards patience. The trip is not a sequence of attractions where you step off every 15 minutes. Much of the pleasure comes from watching Montenegro pass by at railway speed, with cliffs, river bends, and distant peaks changing gradually.

The route can also feel less predictable than a road journey. A driver can pull over when a view appears. A train cannot. That is part of the charm, but it also means you should not expect a photo stop at every point that catches your eye.

Kolašin at 954 meters: a mountain pause

The train reaches Kolašin after roughly 90 minutes. The town sits at 954 meters above sea level and is known for both winter and summer holidays.

The scheduled stop lasts about two hours and includes time at the Cultural Center Kolašin. This is a useful break after the train ride. You get to leave the carriage, stretch your legs, and see a highland town rather than spending the entire excursion looking through glass.

Kolašin is closely linked with Bjelasica, where a ski resort lies a few kilometers from town. The area is also known for its cool climate and mountain air, which explains the local nickname referring to it as an aerial spa.

The town stop is not designed as a major museum visit or an extended outdoor hike. You should think of it as a compact introduction to Kolašin, with time to look around before continuing. The information provided does not promise a particular meal, shopping session, or independent excursion, so do not book this expecting a full day in the town.

Biogradska Gora National Park is another important name associated with the area. It was declared Montenegro’s first national park in 1952. Its best-known natural feature is the forest of Biogradska Gora, with Biogradsko Lake in the center of the park.

That national park is part of the wider Kolašin story, but it is not listed as a separate stop on this tour. You should not assume there will be time to visit the lake or walk in the forest. The excursion gives you a taste of the mountain region, not a national park visit.

Returning through the narrowest part of Platije

The return journey takes you by road from Kolašin toward Morača Monastery and then back to your accommodation. The drive from Kolašin to the monastery takes about 40 minutes.

This road section provides a useful contrast with the train. On the outward journey, you view the canyon from above and from the rail line. On the return, the vehicle passes through the narrowest and deepest part of the canyon, where there is a break for photographs.

That change of viewpoint is one of the smartest features of the day. You are not simply repeating the same route in reverse. The train gives you height and long views, while the road brings you closer to the cliffs and the river.

Photography conditions will depend on weather, light, and the exact stopping place. The tour requires good weather, and that is reasonable here. Canyon scenery loses much of its appeal under heavy rain or poor visibility, while wet roads can make the mountain drive less pleasant.

Morača Monastery adds a quiet cultural stop

The final main stop is Morača Monastery, with about 30 minutes set aside for the visit. The monastery gives the day a cultural focus after several hours of mountains and railway scenery.

The stop is brief, so approach it as a compact visit rather than a long study of the complex. You will have time to see the site and absorb the setting, but not an extended religious or architectural tour unless the schedule changes.

Its position on the return route also makes practical sense. Instead of sending you straight back to Kotor after the canyon, the excursion adds one more meaningful stop before the final drive. After the monastery, the vehicle continues to your accommodation or agreed drop-off point.

The tour information does not specify particular frescoes, relics, services, or entrance arrangements. I would therefore avoid booking this part for one exact artwork or religious event. Its value is in the change of pace and the chance to connect Montenegro’s mountain scenery with its Orthodox cultural tradition.

What the private format really adds

This is a private activity, so only your group participates. That is a major advantage on a day involving a train schedule and several road transfers.

A private guide can answer questions about the railway, the canyon, Kolašin, or the monastery as they come up. The published experience does not provide the guide’s name, so you should not expect to request a particular person. It does confirm an English-speaking licensed guide.

The private vehicle is also important. You are not just buying a train ride from Podgorica. You are paying for the connection from Kotor, the transfer from Kolašin, the monastery stop, and the return to your accommodation.

One five-star account praised the private driver and guide, especially their good English and willingness to handle questions. That is useful praise because communication matters on a trip with a complicated route. The same account valued seeing the real Montenegrin countryside and mountains, which is exactly where this excursion earns its keep.

The tradeoff is flexibility. A private tour does not automatically mean an open-ended day. The train schedule and planned route still shape the outing. You have privacy within the group, but not unlimited time at every stop.

Is $286.97 per person good value?

At $286.97 per person, this is not a budget train excursion. The price makes the most sense for a small private group that wants a managed day without renting a car.

The package includes an air-conditioned vehicle, transport to Podgorica Railway Station, transport from Kolašin to your accommodation, a licensed English-speaking guide, and all listed fees and taxes. Group discounts may also be available, which could improve the value for families or friends booking together.

Food and drinks are not included. Restaurant and bar visits, along with other non-program costs, are extra. Travel health insurance is optional and also not included.

I would compare the cost with the alternatives you are considering. Driving yourself may appear cheaper, but you would need to manage the mountain roads, parking, the train schedule, and the return route. A regular public transport plan might cost less, but it would not provide the same private guide and door-to-door arrangement.

For a solo visitor, the price is harder to justify. For a couple or small group that wants an unusual, full-service outing, the value improves. You are paying for access to a difficult route and for someone else to coordinate the pieces.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see inland Montenegro without giving up a private vehicle and English-speaking assistance. It suits photographers, railway fans, mountain scenery lovers, and anyone who has already seen Kotor and wants a different side of the country.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Kotor and do not want to arrange separate transport to Podgorica. The combination of pickup, train travel, road scenery, and monastery visit gives you several distinct experiences in one day.

I would think twice if your main goal is to spend a long time in Kolašin or Biogradska Gora National Park. Kolašin receives about two hours, and Biogradska Gora is described as a nearby attraction rather than a scheduled stop. This is a scenic railway and canyon tour, not a national park hiking trip.

You should also consider your comfort with a long day and changing transport. The train ride itself is relaxed, but the full schedule includes road travel at both ends and between the main stops.

Practical details before you reserve

Pickup is offered from the Port of Kotor at E65, Kotor 85330, Montenegro. Confirmation is provided at booking, and service animals are allowed.

Most people can participate, and the activity is private for your group. The available information does not identify restrictions for specific mobility needs, so if you have concerns, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the train, vehicle, and monastery access will suit you.

Bring money for food and drinks because those costs are not included. Since the day centers on views, a phone or camera with enough battery is worthwhile. Keep in mind that weather affects the experience, particularly the canyon scenery and mountain roads.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Kotor train tour?

Book this tour if you want a private, well-organized way to reach Montenegro’s inland mountains and you value the journey as much as the stops. The high railway through the Morača Canyon, the Mala Rijeka bridge, the road through Platije, and the short visit to Morača Monastery create a varied day that is difficult to arrange casually.

Skip it if you want a low-cost outing, a long hike, or several free hours in Kolašin. At $286.97 per person, the price depends on how much you value private transport and a guide. For a small group seeking dramatic scenery and a glimpse of the country beyond the coast, this is one of the more distinctive day trips from Kotor.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is the Port of Kotor, E65, Kotor 85330, Montenegro. Pickup is offered.

How long does the tour take?

The full experience lasts approximately six to seven hours. The exact timing can vary with the pickup location and transport schedule.

How long is the train ride?

The train journey from Podgorica to Kolašin takes about one and a half hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food, drinks, restaurant and bar visits, and other non-program costs are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.