Montenegro Tour by train – Private tour

A train ride that quietly steals your attention. This private half-day blends a Podgorica to Kolašin rail journey with guided time in Kolašin, Biogradska Gora National Park, and the Morača Monastery. I love how the route feels scenic and paced, not rushed, with a guided plan that still gives you room to wander. One possible drawback: it runs on fixed timing, so if you want long, flexible stays at one spot, you will feel the clock.

The best part for me is the mix of practical transport plus real sightseeing. You get road transfers to and from the station, a 1.5 hour train ride with canyon views, then structured guided stops that include national park and monastery entrance. Expect the day to be about 6 hours total, then add transfer time based on where you start and end.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• Train window views from Podgorica to Kolašin, including canyon areas and the Morača river corridor
• Kolašin at 954 m elevation, a mountain town stop with guided context and free time
• Biogradska Gora National Park, the first declared national park in Montenegro
• Biogradsko Lake in the forest, a focused nature visit rather than a long stop with no direction
• Morača Monastery (1252), one of Montenegro’s most monumental Orthodox monasteries

Podgorica to Kolašin by train, canyon views included

The day starts with pickup and a drive to Podgorica Railway Station. Depending on where you are staying, that initial transfer is about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, so it is not just a quick hop to the station. Then comes the train portion: about 1 hour 30 minutes from Podgorica to Kolašin.

This is where the tour earns its name. You sit on the train and watch the north of Montenegro roll by high above the area’s cliffs and canyon edges. You get views of the Morača river and the Platije canyon, and the ride feels like you are traveling through the geography instead of just along it.

Then there is a standout moment: you cross the Mala Rijeka bridge, described as one of the highest in Europe. The bridge is 498 m long and 200 m high, so even if you are not a train person, you will likely be looking out the window like it is your job.

One practical note: this section is scenic, but it is still time on a train. If you hate sitting still, you might prefer a tour with more breaks between transfers. If you like views and calm motion, this part is the payoff.

Kolašin at 954 m, a guided town stop with breathing room

Once you arrive, you head to Kolašin, which sits at 954 m above sea level. The town is described as a place with excellent holidays, and you can feel that mountain-town rhythm immediately, especially if you are used to coastal schedules that move fast.

You get a guided tour of Kolašin, so you are not just walking around guessing what to prioritize. After that, you also get time in the city centre for a walk, or you can optionally add lunch featuring traditionally prepared Montenegrin specialties.

That middle section is a smart design. The guided portion gives you context, then the free time lets you reset, stretch your legs, and choose your own pace. You will typically have about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes here, depending on how the day flows.

A small consideration: your time in Kolašin is not meant to be an overnight deep-dive. If your dream is to explore more villages, do extra hikes, or linger for photos, you might end up wanting more time. Still, for a half-day with multiple major stops, Kolašin hits a good balance.

Biogradska Gora National Park and Biogradsko Lake

After Kolašin, you drive about 30 minutes to Biogradska Gora National Park. This is not just a drive-by. You get national park sightseeing and a tour around Biogradsko Lake in the centre of the forest.

Biogradska Gora is noted as the first declared national park in Montenegro, and that matters more than you might think. It is one of the reasons the park is treated with care and why the experience tends to feel intentional, not chaotic. You are there with a guide, so you get the “why” behind what you are seeing, not only the “what.”

The Biogradsko Lake focus is a big value point. Instead of scattering your time across random viewpoints, the itinerary organizes around a single, meaningful destination. The lake is described as being in the heart of the forest, so you get that classic forest-and-water contrast people look for in this region.

Is it a long hike day? The information you have suggests a guided sightseeing and lake tour, about 1 hour on this portion. So think of it as nature time with structure, not a full endurance outing. If you want something active, you might supplement independently later in your trip. If you want a nature highlight without overcommitting, this fits.

Also, since park entrance is included, you do not need to worry about budgeting or tickets mid-day. That is small, but it keeps your head clear and your time focused.

Morača Monastery, Orthodox architecture and a mountain pause

Next you transfer to Morača Monastery, about 40 minutes by drive from the national park area. Your guided visit lasts about 30 minutes, which is just enough time to see the key features without turning the monastery visit into a long lecture.

The monastery is dated to 1252, and it is described as one of the most monumental Orthodox monasteries in the country. That combination, old and significant, changes the feel of the stop. You are not passing a quick roadside church. You are visiting a major religious site, and the guide’s perspective should help you understand what you are looking at.

The tour notes add a human angle: visiting Morača Monastery is framed as a way to feel the modest life of seniors in harmony with nature. I would treat that as a tone-setting idea, not a guarantee of who you will see, but it points to the quiet, reflective mood this stop is built for.

One practical thing: food and drink are not included on the tour. So if you want to avoid feeling snack-stressed right before the monastery, plan your timing. Either eat on arrival in Kolašin, or bring something simple you can manage during the day.

Timing, transfers, and how this half-day really moves

This is a 6-hour experience, but it is also clearly built around pickup and drop-off logistics. You will be picked up from different starting points and then dropped back at your chosen area. That is important because your day may feel longer depending on where you are located.

Pickup is available in Podgorica, Tivat, Cetinje, Budva, Kotor, Bar, and Ulcinj (with price on request for pickup from other cities). Train travel is set at about 1.5 hours, and then the day is chunked into guided segments:

• Kolašin guided tour plus walking/free time, about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes
• Biogradska Gora sightseeing and lake tour, about 1 hour
• Morača Monastery visit, about 30 minutes

In the middle, you also have drive time: about 30 minutes to the national park, then about 40 minutes to Morača. And before all of that, you have the drive from your accommodation to Podgorica Railway Station, about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.

The tour runs seasonally, from March to December, and it can start between 8:00 and 10:00 depending on the time of year and local conditions. The organizer may cancel due to bad weather.

Bottom line: if you like early, guided structure and you want to hit three major highlights in one day, this is built for you. If you prefer slow travel and spontaneity over a schedule, you might feel the boundaries.

Price and value: what $324 per person buys you

At $324 per person for roughly a half-day, the price feels steep at first glance. But it is not only “a train ticket and a guide.” You are paying for several things working together:

• Transfers to Podgorica Railway Station and later back to your accommodation
• Train travel Podgorica to Kolašin (about 1.5 hours)
• Guided time in Kolašin, Biogradska Gora, and at Morača Monastery
• Entrance to Biogradska Gora National Park
• Morača Monastery tax for entry
• Road expenses and parking fees
• A licensed English-speaking tourist guide
• Private group service

Food and drinks are not included, and travel health insurance is optional, but the core sightseeing costs are covered. For me, that is where the value sits: you do not waste the day on admin, tickets, or figuring out transport between distant points.

It also helps that the group is private. The tour language is English, so you get a single shared guide experience with no need to chase along with a larger group. If you are traveling as a couple or small group and you want a clean plan with major sites, this price starts to make sense.

Who this Montenegro private train tour suits best

I think this tour is ideal if you match at least two of these:

• You want mountain views without doing the driving yourself
• You like guided sightseeing that still leaves room for a walk in town
• You are interested in a national park highlight plus a major historic monastery
• You are short on time and want a high hit rate in about 6 hours

It is also a good fit if you enjoy train travel and the idea of crossing the Mala Rijeka bridge with real height and length numbers makes you smile. (Same.)

Who might not love it: if you want to spend half your day hiking, or if you want a long, free-form exploration day with no schedule. This is structured on purpose.

Should you book this private train day trip?

If you want one focused morning or half-day that combines Podgorica to Kolašin by train, Biogradska Gora’s Biogradsko Lake, and the Morača Monastery (1252), I would book it. You get major highlights with entrance fees and key guided time included, and the train segment adds a genuine sense of “traveling through the region,” not just “being driven between stops.”

Book it especially if you like your sightseeing organized and your logistics handled. Skip it if you are hoping for a super flexible, no-rules day or if you think a 30-minute monastery visit and a 1-hour lake tour are too short for your style.

If weather is questionable when you travel, keep an eye on conditions. This tour depends on them, and the operator can cancel due to bad weather.

FAQ

How long is the Montenegro tour by train?

The total duration is about 6 hours, with extra time for transfers depending on where you’re picked up from.

What train route is included?

The tour includes train travel from Podgorica to Kolašin, with a duration of about 1.5 hours.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from Podgorica, Tivat, Cetinje, Budva, Kotor, Bar, and Ulcinj. Pickup from other cities may be available for an additional cost.

What are the main guided stops?

You get guided time in Kolašin, Biogradska Gora National Park (including a tour around Biogradsko Lake), and a guided visit to the Morača Monastery.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. The tour includes the entrance fee for Biogradska Gora National Park and the monastery tax for the Morača Monastery.

Are meals included?

No. Food and drink during the tour are not included.

What language is the guide?

The tour is guided in English.

When does the tour run?

It is available from March to December, and depending on the time of year it can start between 8:00 and 10:00 in the morning. The organizer may cancel due to bad weather.