Private car transfer from Belgrade to Sarajevo

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.