How to Travel From Belgrade to Sarajevo in 2024: Detailed Transport Guide

The Belgrade Sarajevo train has been discontinued, but there are other great options to travel between these two capitals easily. This is a complete guide for traveling from Serbia to Bosnia using the Belgrade to Sarajevo bus, airplane, or car.

The bus service runs daily from Belgrade to Sarajevo. The first departure from Belgrade is at 06:15 AM, and the last one is at 10:30 PM. The journey spans approximately 344 km and takes about 6 hours and 30 minutes to 8 hours, depending on the bus operator. Five different bus companies provide this service. The ticket prices range from 2,760 to 2,820 RSD.

This information is updated monthly and reflects the latest travel conditions. However, details like visas and timetables can change, so it’s wise to double-check before your trip. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. For visa inquiries, please contact the relevant embassy or consulate.

Buying Tickets for the Belgrade to Sarajevo Bus Online

If you’re planning a trip from Belgrade to Sarajevo, especially during the busy season from April to October, it’s wise to secure your bus tickets a few weeks in advance. Weekends, holidays, or special events can increase demand significantly, making tickets harder to find. You should try to reserve your tickets as early as possible to avoid any last-minute hassles.

While you can buy tickets online for the Belgrade to Sarajevo bus, it’s important to note that the official main bus website doesn’t offer the option to pre-purchase these specific tickets. However, there’s a workaround. You can purchase tickets for the return journey from Sarajevo to Belgrade online through the Polazak.rs website.

Here’s a quick guide on how to do it:

Visit the Polazak.rs website.
Switch to English by selecting the option in the top right corner.
Choose your destination.
Note that not all transport companies offer online ticket sales, so select the ones that do.
On the next page, you’ll be asked to enter your full name, date of birth, email, and phone number.
The final step takes you to the Authorization Gateway. Here, you have 3 minutes to complete your payment using Visa or Mastercard.

Buying Bus Tickets from Belgrade to Sarajevo at the Station

To buy bus tickets from Belgrade to Sarajevo, the most reliable method is to purchase them in person at the bus station.

You should head to the main bus station in Belgrade, which is currently situated near the Belgrade waterfront, close to the old train station. It’s important to know that there are plans to relocate this station to the site of the old flea market in New Belgrade soon. I’ll make sure to update this article when that happens.

At the station, you can purchase your ticket at any time since there are many departures throughout the day. You’ll need to present a valid ID or your passport to buy your ticket. Payment can be made in cash or by card, and there are ATMs on-site if you need them.

In addition to your bus ticket, you’ll also need to buy a platform ticket, which costs 120 RSD. This is a standard procedure at many bus stations.

Once you’re at the ticket counter, you can choose your preferred departure time and seat. The staff at the counter will help you with the available options and guide you through the process.

Ride Sharing from Belgrade to Sarajevo

While I haven’t personally used ride-sharing services for the Belgrade to Sarajevo route, I have experience using them for trips to Zagreb. The most popular platform for this kind of travel is BlaBlaCar. Based on the current listings online, the prices for a ride from Belgrade to Sarajevo range from around $16 to $23, (1,800 – 2,500 RSD).

Belgrade to Sarajevo by Car

I’ve traveled this route several times using different methods, and here’s my take on it. Currently, the capitals of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are among the “most distant” in terms of travel experience. The journey of about 300 kilometers theoretically takes five hours, but in reality, it often exceeds six hours, especially since breaks are necessary due to the challenging nature of the route.

Right now, the best and fastest option is to take the highway from Belgrade to Sremska Mitrovica, and then head through Bogatic and Loznica to the “Mali Zvornik” border crossing. From there, the route follows along the Drina river and then veers into the mountain region.

This path is beautiful but demanding. While there aren’t many sharp turns, the road is narrow and of variable quality, making overtaking a challenge, especially if you find yourself behind a slow-moving truck or bus.

There are alternative routes, but as mentioned, this one is currently the best and fastest. Another scenic route, if you’re interested in sightseeing, goes from Belgrade through Cacak and Uzice to Visegrad and Rogatica, and then over Romanija to Sarajevo. This road isn’t straightforward either, but it’s manageable if your car is in decent condition.

However, be cautious when traveling from Visegrad to Ustipraca. At Ustipraca, there’s a turn to the left towards Gorazde, but it’s advisable to avoid this route. Instead, continue straight towards Rogatica. This might not be the shortest or the best route for you.

The path via Loznica and Zvornik might be closer and is supposed to be good, but I haven’t taken it myself, so I can’t offer personal advice on it. It might be worth researching or asking around for more information. Someone familiar with that route might also offer insights in the comments.

Belgrade to Sarajevo by Airplane

Winter in Belgrade is nice, and so is Sarajevo, nestled in its mountainous setting. If you’re looking to bypass the challenges of snowy roads, taking a plane should be your choice.

Air Serbia has daily flights from Belgrade to Sarajevo that take only 50 minutes.

This fast flight is a great choice if you don’t want to drive through the snowy area between these cities.

Ticket prices for this route start at around RSD 8,682, but they can reach as high as RSD 25,000. These costs vary depending on factors such as how far in advance you book, the demand, and the class you choose. To get the best price, you should book your flight well in advance, especially during peak travel times or holiday seasons.

Sarajevo’s International Airport is conveniently located a short distance from the city center, making your transition from air to exploring the city both quick and easy.

Applying for a Bosnian Tourist Visa Online

Most nationalities do not require a tourist visa to visit Bosnia. To simplify things, here’s a list of countries whose passport holders can enter Bosnia without a visa.

If you’re not from these countries, you can find the necessary documentation on the official portal. The visa prices are as follows, all in Bosnian KM: