Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Montenegro: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
Landed in Podgorica earlier this summer and had no euros on me. The exchange counter was open but the rate was so bad I decided to take my chances outside. Walked to the first ATM I could find which was from Addiko Bank and used my N26 card. Rate was fair and the only thing I had to watch out for was the ATM asking if I wanted it to convert. Said no and let N26 do its thing. Definitely recommend skipping the airport counters unless you’re really desperate.
Came into Montenegro through the land border from Croatia and didn't deal with an airport counter, but figured I’d share. I tried withdrawing with my Wise card from an Erste Bank ATM in Herceg Novi and got a decent rate but the ATM tried to trick me into accepting their own conversion. Declined it and let Wise handle the conversion instead which saved me a few euros. Based on what others told me, airport exchange counters in Podgorica and Tivat both give worse rates than bank ATMs in town.
Arrived in Tivat last month and made the mistake of exchanging 100 euros at the airport kiosk. Lost about 8 euros compared to what I would have gotten from the ATM. The rates were really skewed and they also had a “service charge” that wasn’t shown upfront. Later in Budva I withdrew money from an NLB Bank ATM with my Monzo and the rate was much closer to mid-market. In hindsight, should’ve avoided the airport exchange completely.
I just landed at Podgorica Airport two weeks ago and checked the exchange counter out of curiosity. The rate was terrible, like almost 10 percent lower than what Wise showed on my app. Ended up skipping it and used the CKB Bank ATM just outside the arrivals area. Got a way better rate with my Revolut card and no extra charges from the bank side. Only fee came from Revolut itself since I had crossed the monthly free withdrawal limit.