Croatia and Montenegro in April/May

After researching further, I wonder if hiring a driver to take me from
Croatia to Montenegro is a good idea. I hate to spend the extra money
(I travel alone, so no one to share cost with), but apparently taking
a bus greatly increases the chances of sitting at the border.

I have crossed several times. I've always used a driver but with regards to just getting across the border, the bus should be fine. Yes, you will be there while they check 48 passports vs two with a driver. The other advantage of the driver is that there are more than one crossing point and the drivers tend to call each other to choose which way to go for the fastest crossing. But neither difference in those regards I would think to be a deal breaker. I can’t imagine the trip taking more than 1 additional hour.

But here is my deal breaker for my taste. There is a lot of good stuff for my taste between Dubrovnik and Kotor. More than I have been able to do in one day … but I have made a number of trips and still finding new stuff. For me it has always been the points in between that were the best memories and trying to do that by connecting several buses so I could make the stops just wouldn’t work for me. Not sure how possible it is to be honest. There is a way to figure it out, but …

I'd considered spending a few nights in Mostar as well, but there
doesn't seem to be an efficient way to ease that into my plans.

That’s a great way to get from Split to Dubrovnik. Works pretty smooth. I suspect you might even find a tour that does that. I think its worth the effort. Its a lot less weather and beach dependent so you might get more enjoyment than hugging the coast.

From Montenegro, I'll catch a flight to Ljubljana to spend probably 4
nights before heading home. I think that will give a nice contrast to
all the nature in Croatia and Montenegro.

I didn’t realize Wizz and Air Montenegro both make the Titograd (TGD) to Ljubljana (LJU) run. That’s great. I have been putting off going to Ljubljana for years because you cant get there from here (most all “here(s)”). Now I can fly non-stop from Budapest to Titograd on Wizz for about $40 then head to LJU for another $40. Gotta figure out what to do next thought … ?? hmmmmmmm. Thank you!!

I generally travel alone as well. My June trip to Montenegro is sort of the exception. I want to show it to a friend so she will quit asking where I disapear to every year. Since its a full blown introduction tourist trip and not one of my escapes it does most of the points of interest along the coast and it does it in style with transfers, winery visits, boat rides, and the time split between 3, 4 and 5 star hotels. It is working out well under $300 a day for two people + Food and Drink + airfare to and from Budapest which was under $200 for the two tickets. I never count the food and drink, cause I would be buying that at home anyway. I didnt pay for any guides because these are all repeats for me and I know enough for the purpose. But if it were a first time, heck yes, guides are good. Oh, did i mention I know a good one in Dubrovnik? But also understand that I am a "Tourist" and not a "Traveler" so my style is somewhat unrefined.

By the way, you wouldnt regret doing Montenegro and Budapest. Quick non-stop service.

Dubrovnik is a fine place to start. You’ll be there before the crowds and heat really kick in. It’s an enjoyable place with plenty of options. I commented on your other post, but Cavtat, Lokrum, or a boat tour are all easy ways to fill days in Dubrovnik. With all that going on, 4 nights is a solid start. If you’re using it as a base for day trips, five nights is not crazy.

2-3 nights in Korcula would be good, but will require backtracking through Dubrovnik. Figuring out transportation and timing to get from Korcula to Montenegro might get tricky. This might be a handy place to utilize some private transportation (cost vs convenience/comfort.) You could get around this by splitting your nights in Dubrovnik and putting Korcula in between. It’s possible you could swing back south via Mostar adding a couple nights there, but I can’t give any insight into transportation. Given the transportation issues, you could cut it out of convenience and use those days elsewhere.

Regarding the border crossing at Montenegro, you’ve only got to do this once so I would not incur added expense of a private transfer just to avoid a delay. Odds are in April/May it won’t be much of an issue anyway.

I appreciate the responses. I'm trying to balance seeing as much as I can see with not overloading the trip. I tend to start researching ideas then suddenly I want to see and do everything. I'm really trying to keep that in check and remind myself the trip will be wonderful even if I don't see every town, island or beach. More than anything I think I want this trip to be relaxing.

I get it. My trips vary a lot but most often its a full day doing a 4 hour drive so I can see the little things and meet people. Then its a few days in one location with no need to do or see more than what I decide in the morning.

This time I land in TGD and go eat mom's home cooking, then a hotel on Shkoder lake. Yup, some plans for a boat trip on the lake but we could as easy end up on the deck and do nothing but eat good sea food. I have plans for a little of each day, but all is somewhat flexible so I can mostly do what suits me and the weather that day. From tge lake hotel to the Stari Bar hotel out of a period Balkans movie to a luxury beach hotel for the few last final nights. The transfers between the hotels are where I found the magic on previous trips and what I want to share in this trip.

But I tell you what I enjoy, not what you should enjoy. You can't do wrong.

It sounds like traveling from Split to Mostar to Dubrovnik isn't too time intense, and by visiting both Split and Dubrovnik I'll get plenty of coastal time so could cut Korcula and Budva from my trip. I'm okay with that.

If I do this, I need to find the most cost effective yet efficient way to cross the border 3 separate times though, which is not ideal. I found a few older posts about using a small tour company, but I don't do well with tours in general. I'm more interested in just getting a ride to and from. Does anyone have any ideas about this?

If he is available his name is Elvis. If he isn't available, Dijana will have a trusted plan B.

I know how hard this is. Its a balance between no regrets and no money. Put yourself in my shoes. Every goat has a name. Sorry Binky, but daddy wants a nice dinner in Budva. 24 hours later Binky is in the meat market and I have my dinner.

Oh, the border crossings? Generally they are just for show. Ive done all these borders multiple times. Once you get to the guard, its 3 minutes. They are looking for Albanians driving new expensive cars with UK license plates.

We used this service to take us from the Dubrovnik area to Mostar and were very happy with them: https://taxipajo.com/en/home/

KRS, see all sorts of great suggestions.

I was thinking and I tend to beat things to death. So, more suggestions.

From Split to Mostar, take the bus. Under $30 and under 4 hours. Plenty to choose from. (Flix Bus). By doing this you will miss the Kravica Waterfalls, but … its too early in the season to swim (a lot of the fun of the place), and you will miss a few interesting wineries, but I am not sure that wineries interest you. The bus will save you a bunch of money getting to Mostar and doesn’t take a lot more time. I am not a huge fan of buses but maybe it works well.

Spend a night in Mostar. Be selective about the hotel so you are down in the center of the old stuff. Even a great hotel won’t cost much in April so splurge a bit.

Now on the way out. Get a driver/guide. I am going to suggest Elvis or someone like him. Why the driver/guide? Because you drove past the world on the way to Mostar, time to slow down and see things. This is amazing country. I would leave sort of early and maybe have coffee at Blagaj Tekke. It’s a bit touristy but still has a local vibe about it. Lovely setting. I haven’t done the tour of the monastery yet. If you do it, do a report.

Then head to a town called Stolac so you can get a feel for real Bosnia & Herzegovina. Stop for lunch. Nothing tourist about this place but a lovely town with a river through it and some interesting restaurants along the river … and an old castle on the hill above. https://youtu.be/XOddJNhwLeU?si=xf8EYDNaJgcq-mv4

These are the kinds of places that stick with me. Stop along the way for a drink and buy some fruit and honey on the side of the road. Ask the drive to tell you each time you enter and leave the Bosnia & Herzegovina Federation. I think you will cross the border maybe 3 times (watch for the flags and the change from Latin to Cyrillic). Only about 3 hours of driving time, so even with stops you reach Dubrovnik at a reasonable time.

I appreciate the additional input. I was looking at some info online this morning about private transfers and it kind of seemed like there could be lots of scammy or shady companies out there. I also didn’t think about EES adding a new layer of challenge to this, although hopefully the system will be running smoothly by next spring.