Is Bosnia & Herzegovina or Montenegro cheaper?

Bosnia & Herzegovina is the cheaper of the two: roughly under $35–65/day in Bosnia & Herzegovina versus $35–130/day in Montenegro.

When is the best time to visit Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Montenegro?

Bosnia & Herzegovina is at its best in May, June, August, September; Montenegro peaks in May, June, September.

Is Bosnia & Herzegovina or Montenegro better in August?

Bosnia & Herzegovina is the better of the two in August. Bosnia & Herzegovina has the edge in January, August, December, and both are at their best in May, June, September.

How long do you need in Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Montenegro?

Plan 1–1 weeks for Bosnia & Herzegovina and 1–2 for Montenegro.

Should I choose Bosnia & Herzegovina or Montenegro?

Pick Bosnia & Herzegovina if you want somewhere cheaper across the board, stronger for history, more off-the-beaten-path. Both deliver on nature, culture, food, so on those either works.

Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Montenegro

Two strong destinations, different in important ways. Here's the side-by-side, then a verdict on which suits which traveler.

Southern Europe

Bosnia & Herzegovina

East meets West in one small, absurdly cheap country layered with living history.

Best time to visit

January: fine
February: avoid
March: fine
April: fine
May: peak
June: peak
July: fine
August: peak
September: peak
October: fine
November: avoid
December: fine

Peak Fine Avoid

Southern Europe

Montenegro

A whole country where mountains drop straight into the Adriatic.

Best time to visit

January: avoid
February: avoid
March: fine
April: fine
May: peak
June: peak
July: fine
August: fine
September: peak
October: fine
November: avoid
December: avoid

Peak Fine Avoid

Read our full guides about Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Side by side

Emphasised where they differ. Muted rows are much the same either way.

	Bosnia & Herzegovina	Montenegro
Best time	May, June, August, September	May, June, September
Climate	mild	mild
Budget	Backpacker – Budget · under $35–65/day	Budget – Mid-range · $35–130/day
Trip length	1–1 wks	1–2 wks
Visa	Visa-free for most Western passports (90 days). Verify before travel.	Visa-free for most Western passports (90 days). Not in the EU or Schengen. Verify before travel.
Currency	BAM (Convertible Mark), pegged to the euro; euros are often accepted.	EUR (€).
Language	Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (Latin and Cyrillic scripts). English among younger people and in tourism.	Montenegrin. English in tourist areas.
Tap water	Tap water safe.	Tap water generally safe in towns; bottled is common.
Safety	Very safe today; be mindful that landmine-clearance signs still exist off marked paths in a few rural areas.	Generally safe; usual caution with summer crowds and coastal driving.

General guidance — visas, safety, and health change, so check your government's travel advisory and the official sources before you go.

Bosnia & Herzegovina or Montenegro, month by month

Which of the two is the better bet for each month of the year, scored on how well the season suits each place.

Which to choose

Choose Bosnia & Herzegovina if:

You want somewhere cheaper across the board.
You want somewhere stronger for history.
You want somewhere more off-the-beaten-path.

Choose Montenegro if:

You're already drawn to it — its strengths fit your trip.

Both deliver on nature, culture, food — so on those dimensions either works.

Common questions

Is Bosnia & Herzegovina or Montenegro cheaper?: Bosnia & Herzegovina is the cheaper of the two: roughly under $35–65/day in Bosnia & Herzegovina versus $35–130/day in Montenegro.
When is the best time to visit Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Montenegro?: Bosnia & Herzegovina is at its best in May, June, August, September; Montenegro peaks in May, June, September.
Is Bosnia & Herzegovina or Montenegro better in August?: Bosnia & Herzegovina is the better of the two in August. Bosnia & Herzegovina has the edge in January, August, December, and both are at their best in May, June, September.
How long do you need in Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Montenegro?: Plan 1–1 weeks for Bosnia & Herzegovina and 1–2 for Montenegro.
Should I choose Bosnia & Herzegovina or Montenegro?: Pick Bosnia & Herzegovina if you want somewhere cheaper across the board, stronger for history, more off-the-beaten-path. Both deliver on nature, culture, food, so on those either works.