Yes. Foreign visitors to Bosnia-Herzegovina will receive an entry stamp when they enter the country and an exit stamp upon leaving. While passport stamps are fun to collect, they also serve to prove your legal entry and exit. Make sure you get your exit stamp upon leaving!
What is the fastest way to get from Belgrade to Sarajevo?
In about 4 hours, you can travel door-to-door on a flight with AirSerbia out of Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG). However, if you are traveling in the winter or during foggy conditions, the flight may be delayed due to Sarajevo’s geographical shape within a valley.
What is the easiest way to get from Belgrade to Sarajevo?
Door-to-door service with a private driver is the easiest way to navigate Serbia and Bosnia’s road system, border control, and multilingual road signs. With a local, English-speaking expert behind the wheel, you can relax and take in the scenes of the countryside.
Is there a train from Belgrade to Sarajevo?
No, there is no train between Belgrade and Sarajevo. The mountainous terrain and low population density make it difficult for Serbia and Bosnia to maintain a robust train infrastructure network. Buses are the mass transit option of choice for traveling around these countries.
Can I pay with a credit card in Bosnia?
Probably not. Bosnia has a cash-based economy and you will frequently come across stores, taxis, and restaurants that do not take credit cards. Use a trusted bank ATM in a bank branch to withdraw cash. The Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark (BAM) is the official currency.
How do I get from Belgrade to Sarajevo?
You can ride the bus, take a flight, or hire a private driver. Hiring a private driver gives you the opportunity to fully experience the unique features of this region and Balkan culture without the constraints of the limited bus options to smaller cities and points of interest.
Driving through the Balkans, especially from Belgrade to Sarajevo, requires a little more preparation and flexibility than other trips you may have taken. A slower way of life and the vintage infrastructure will give your road trip that bit of spontaneity you’ve been looking for.
Despite the bumps in the road, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful, unspoiled views of nature available in Europe. The forests and fields grow wild in the summer and the agrarian lifestyle is more than just passing scenery. Pull over for fresh fruit from roadside stands and carefully maneuver around the goats grazing next to the roads.
If you don’t feel fully transported back in time yet, tour the Ethno Village Stanisici for traditional Bosnian architecture from peasants and kings alike. In Visegrad, see the UNESCO-listed bridge and Ottoman-era architecture. These places are difficult to reach by public transit, so Daytrip's easy sightseeing options are a blessing!
As the Bosnian countryside becomes more mountainous and urban, you’ll know Sarajevo is near. Welcome to the capital!
About Sarajevo
Sarajevo, or “the European Jerusalem,” is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnia-Herzegovina or BiH) and the meeting point of the East and West in Europe. It was founded by the Ottoman Empire in the 1450s as the governor’s palace (Saray) in the lowlands (evo/ovo), from which the name Sarajevo was formed.
In the 1490s, the Ottomans invited Jews expelled from Spain to settle in Sarajevo. Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived alongside each other for centuries, as evidenced by the many houses of worship you’ll pass on your drive from Belgrade to Sarajevo.
### The 1984 Winter Olympics
Sarajevo saw a huge tourism and economic boom when it was chosen to host the 1984 Winter Olympics. It was the first Slavic-speaking country to host the Winter Olympics and the only communist host until 2022 (in Beijing, China). In anticipation of the event, the roads, train stations, and sports centers were renovated.
Access to remote mountainous areas used for skiing events was majorly improved and the Sarajevo Airport added an international terminal. It ushered in a period of global recognition and prosperity for Yugoslavia, and the Olympic sites were used in the years following for other international winter sports events.
### The Siege of Sarajevo
Any remaining glory on the world stage that Sarajevo reaped after hosting the Olympics quickly faded as Yugoslavia fell into chaos. Like neighboring socialist republics, political unrest and ethnic tensions came to a head in the 1990s and brought Yugoslavia to its knees.
The Siege of Sarajevo (1992-1996) lasted nearly four years and was the longest siege of a capital city in modern warfare. It caused unimaginable damage to the city and its residents. It lasted three times longer than the Battle of Stalingrad, and one year longer than the Siege of Leningrad, but remains an under-recognized conflict in European studies.
### Sarajevo Today
Scars from the Yugoslav Wars are still healing in Sarajevo. The reconstruction of buildings and infrastructure has both preserved historic sites and harkened Bosnia-Herzegovina into the modern era. A city once again open to the world!
Visitors to Sarajevo tend to fall in love with the unmistakably old-world Ottoman atmosphere. The call to prayer echoes through Sarajevo’s tight, cobblestoned alleys as people conduct business, sip their coffee, and sell goods at the endless market stalls. It has a youthful energy and resilience while preserving the traditional Bosnian lifestyle.
From Belgrade to Sarajevo: travel tips
As you plan for your Belgrade to Sarajevo transfer, keep these tips in mind for a smooth trip!
Be prepared for the border crossing
When you reach the Serbian border with Bosnia, you’ll first have to show your passport to the Serbian border agents, who will stamp that you’ve exited Serbia. After a few hundred feet of driving, you’ll show your passport again to the Bosnian border agents for stamps that you’ve entered BiH.
At any point during these two stops, you may be asked to open your suitcases or for the agent to look in the trunk of the car. Ideally, this process takes no more than a few minutes, but you may run into light traffic on Friday nights or Sunday evenings from people taking weekend trips.
### Practice cultural sensitivity
When traveling around Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, it's essential to practice cultural sensitivity. Most residents experienced profound loss during the 1990s. Show respect by avoiding politicized discussions, being respectful at memorials, and if locals choose to share their experiences, listening attentively and empathetically.
How to get from Belgrade to Sarajevo
The mountainous terrain, low population density, and general lack of funds after Yugoslavia dissolved made mass transit and modern highways difficult to implement. The trip from Belgrade to Sarajevo takes between 4 and 8 hours, although they are a relatively short distance apart.
Private drivers from Belgrade to Sarajevo
Traveling through the Balkans, especially if it is your first time, requires a lot of preparation and research. Let Daytrip take care of the nitty-gritty details so you can spend your vacation doing what you love.
Your private driver from Daytrip speaks English and is local to the area. They know how to drive on the village roads and the possible detours needed to get you safely to Sarajevo. The total driving time is 4 hours and 50 minutes from your front door in Belgrade to your new accommodation in Sarajevo.
Although there’s only a short distance between Belgrade and Sarajevo, the roads are generally low-speed as you wind through the countryside and past villages lost to time. It is even possible you’ll need to wait for cows or goats to be herded across the road!
Hiring a driver means being able to engage with the local culture more closely than on a plane, but without the added stops and driving time from taking the bus. Seats start at just $60 for this happy medium!
### Buses from Belgrade to Sarajevo
Centrotrans, Lasta, Kondor, Alamanis, and Transprodukt operate direct buses from Belgrade to Sarajevo, with the trip taking 7 to 8 hours. Tickets cost around $25 to $32 and can be bought online, but the ticket must be printed out for most bus companies. Your hotel in Belgrade should have a printer you can use.
When you buy a bus ticket at the Belgrade bus station, they will give you a paper ticket and a token. The token costs an extra fee and is for entering the turnstiles to the bus terminals (don’t lose it!). If you bought your ticket online, you’ll need to also buy the token at the Belgrade bus station. When you reach the bus terminals, you’ll put your token in the turnstile to be allowed access to your bus.
Luggage is usually an extra fee per bag ($1 to $2). Have small bills (dinari or euros) on you to pay the driver cash directly when loading your bags under the bus. At least twice during the trip, the bus driver will pull into a rest stop for passengers to use the restroom, have a cigarette, and buy snacks.
At the border crossing, the driver may collect everyone’s passports to hand to the border agents while everyone stays on the bus. Alternatively, you may all have to exit and line up at the border agent’s booths individually with your passports. It depends on the traffic, the current political situation, and if the weather is particularly cold.
### Flights from Belgrade to Sarajevo
AirSerbia has one daily flight from Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) to Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ). You’ll need to take a 20 min taxi or bus ride between each airport and their respective city. Tickets cost $85 to $107 and flights last 45 to 55 minutes.
The total travel time is around 4.5 hours after you account for check-in, security, waiting for your luggage, and transportation to and from the airport. And, since Sarajevo is in a valley, flights are frequently delayed or canceled in the winter months when the fog is heavy.
Things to do when you get to Sarajevo
You saw so much of the country already on your transfer from Belgrade to Sarajevo! Once you’ve settled into your hotel and exchanged your Serbian dinar for Bosnian Marks, it’s time to explore the capital!
Start at the Bascarsija
This old bazaar and cultural center of Sarajevo is perfect for shopping and trying local delicacies. The Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque is in the heart of Bascarsija as a stunning example of Ottoman architecture. It dates back to the 1500s and was the first mosque to have electricity installed in 1898. If you’re wearing modest clothing, take a tour inside for a small donation.
### Save room for dessert
There is no more clear example of the influence of the Ottoman Empire on Sarajevo than in the city’s cuisine. If you need a little pick-me-up, duck into one of Sarajevo’s ornately decorated, cozy cafes in the Bascarsija for a traditional Bosnian coffee (a lighter take on Turkish coffee). Top it off with a piece of baklava, kadaif, or tufahije.
For a classic Bosnian dinner, you can’t go wrong with cevapi (minced patties served with pita) or burek (stuffed pita made with flaky dough). Bosnian cuisine is very meat-based, but the vegetarian version of burek, called “sirnica,” will be easy to find. Most Bosnians are Muslims, so pork options will be very limited but you can enjoy lamb and beef at any restaurant.
Rakija, a distilled fruit brandy, is the great unifier in the Balkans. It is the first thing offered when you visit someone’s home, and everyone swears their grandfather made it the best. Be sure to sample a few varieties made of plums, apricots, pears, and quinces.
### Learn about the Yugoslav Wars
The Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s are perhaps the least-taught of the European conflicts. Context is incredibly important to understanding the Sarajevo of today, and there is no better way to learn more about this era than at one of its many museums. Visit The Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide 1992-1995, The War Childhood Museum, and Gallery 11/07/95 during your stay in Sarajevo.
When is the best time to visit Sarajevo
The spring and summer are the best seasons for your trip from Belgrade to Sarajevo. The orchards and meadows are full of life and the days are long and warm. You’ll be able to sit on an outdoor patio and enjoy your Bosnian coffee and baklava without too much fear of rain.
Avoid visiting Sarajevo in the winter because it is cold and snowy with short days. The city lies in the Sarajevo valley of the Dinaric Alps, making the heavy fog stay for days at a time.
沿途参观这些景点
The Belgrade Aviation Museum
The history of flight in Serbia is housed in a purpose-built modernist building. Shiny Panes for Planes
Novi Sad
Situated on the Danube River between Budapest and Belgrade, the city of Novi Sad is a center of culture and elegance, known for its tolerance and open-mindedness. Serbian Athens
Ethno Village Stanišići
Traveling back in time, the Ethno Village Stanišići takes us to simpler times and has a little treat in store for every age group. Transport back to a simpler time.
Visegrad
This medieval town has more to offer than Bosnia's best-known cultural artifact. A Nobel Inspiration
Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum
The construction of the Sarajevo Tunnel was more than a passage for arms and destruction during the war, it was a tunnel of hope. A light at the end of the tunnel
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