After having spent some days by the beaches of the Adriatic Sea in Croatia, traveling from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo will be a transition from bright blue views to a green city that beautifully melds its rich history with dynamic cultural life.
Your car trip covers 146 miles (236 km) and lasts around 4 hours and 10 minutes with Daytrip. You’ll start the journey by passing through coastal roads and Croatian villages. After crossing the border, your views will change from seascapes to a mix of Mediterranean and mountainous terrain, with green hills, deep valleys, and rivers. Before you arrive in Sarajevo, the mountains will have grown higher, and the roads more curved.
Overall, the drive from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo will be full of coastal views, hilly landscapes, and a certainly memorable trip in the Balkans.
About Sarajevo
Although Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina share a border and a long history, getting from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo makes one realize the two cities and countries are quite distinct. Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stands at the crossroads of various empires and cultures that are so different from each other.
Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influences left a lasting imprint on the city’s architectural and cultural landscape, which can be felt by each visitor. Baščaršija, the old town, and the Latin Bridge are remnants of Turkish rule, while the Sacred Heart Cathedral and Orthodox churches belong to the city's “Jerusalem of Europe” quality.
In Sarajevo, you’ll stand where East meets West and witness a cultural coexistence like you’ve never before. And you’ll get the chance to explore Sarajevo beyond its military conflict.
From Dubrovnik to Sarajevo: travel tips
To make sure your trip ends up being absolutely fun and smooth, take a look at our useful tips:
Check border requirements
Prepare all the necessary documents, including passports and possibly visas, for border crossings beforehand and keep them near during the trip.
### Pack well for the trip
Regardless of the season you’re traveling in, have a bottle of water and your preferred snacks ready with you. Keeping a pair of sunglasses and a tube of sunscreen in your bag always comes in handy, especially during the summer months.
### Have local currency
Exchange some Bosnian Convertible Marks beforehand for anything you might want or need to buy on the way. as euros are not widely accepted in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
How to get from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo
The distance from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo can be traveled in several different ways, and each option comes with diverse experiences. Find out which alternative suits you the most by checking our list:
### Dubrovnik to Sarajevo by car
It is possible to drive from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo if you are fine with driving for about four hours and traveling around 146 miles (236 km). There are a couple of routes available, with the most common one involving crossing the Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina border at Ivanica or Neum. Although driving is flexible and scenic, it comes with potential traffic, delays at border crossings, and fuel and toll costs.
### Dubrovnik to Sarajevo by bus
There are direct buses traveling between Dubrovnik and Sarajevo. The most frequent one is once daily, at 8 AM, operated by Centrotrans Eurolines, and lasts 6 hours and 45 minutes. Arriva buses also offer direct travel but less frequently, mostly twice a week. It is quite a cost-effective option. Bus tickets start around $40 (€35).
### Dubrovnik to Sarajevo by bus and train
If you’d like to add a train ride to your journey, that’s also possible. But you would make your trip almost twice as long. Firstly, you can get from Dubrovnik to Čapljina by bus, which would take you 2 hours and 45 minutes. Then, from Čapljina, you can hop on a regional train to Sarajevo. The stopover would be a long one, often around 6 hours, but you can explore Čapljina in the meantime.
### Dubrovnik to Sarajevo by private car service
The most direct, seamless, and fun way to travel from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo is by booking a private car service like Daytrip. With your local and English-speaking driver, you will learn insightful facts about the Balkans, travel safely and comfortably, and arrive at your exact destination after exploring interesting stops along the way. Secure your seat in a comfy sedan with two other guests for $134 (€125).
Things to do when you get to Sarajevo
The Jerusalem of Europe is alive with a long history embedded in every street, and full of multicultural energy buzzing around. So when you finally arrive from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo, you’ll have a lot to explore!
### Wander in Baščaršija
This old town is the soul of Sarajevo and was the main center during Ottoman rule. Trading made the city a highly significant and lively center. Walking through the narrow streets of traditional shops, with the smell of Bosnian coffee filling your lungs with happiness, is certainly a beautiful Bosnian experience.
### Visit the Tunnel of Hope
To learn more about the hard days Sarajevo endured, visit the Tunnel of Hope. During the siege of Sarajevo, during which the city was cut off from the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a tunnel was built under the Sarajevo Airport. Thanks to this tunnel, the people in the city were able to receive crucial help and supplies, including food, weapons, and medical aid.
### Marvel at the Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque
The biggest mosque in Bosnia and Herzegovina dates back to the 16th century and is a testament to early Istanbul architecture. It is also one of the most outstanding examples of Ottoman architecture. Check here for more information about the mosque's tickets and timetables.
When is the best time to visit Sarajevo
The most favorable times for planning a trip from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo are during the late spring and early autumn months, specifically May, June, September, and October. May and June mean the beauty of spring in full bloom, with lovely temperatures that are comfortable for any activity you have in mind—around 73°F (23°C).
September and October are particularly appealing as the heat of summer dissipates, and the city enjoys the colorful transition into autumn. These months also avoid the main tourist season, which means a less crowded experience with a rich cultural atmosphere since this is the busy time of open-air cafes and cultural festivals.
Daytrip은 전 세계 14,800+ 개 도시를 경험할 수 있는 가장 편리한 방법입니다.
모든 여행자는 자신이 방문하는 국가의 문화에 대한 진정한 통찰을 받을 자격이 있습니다. 그리고 지구상의 모든 놀라운 장소는 방문하고 감상할 가치가 있습니다. 우리는 독특한 현지 지식과 진정한 인간적 연결이 다른 문화를 진정으로 이해하는 데 있어 대체할 수 없다고 믿습니다.
The distance between Dubrovnik and Sarajevo is too great for a day trip. The fastest option, traveling by car, takes at least 4 hours. Evidently, this leaves little time to explore the city and all it has to offer. The ideal amount of time to spare for Sarajevo is at least 4 days.
No, there are no direct flights from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo. If you are looking for air travel options, you need to consider connecting flights, which may include layovers in other cities, adding to travel time and cost compared to direct bus or car routes.
There are currently no direct trains from Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina. From Dubrovnik, the closest train station is in Čapljina, which is in Bosnia and Herzegovina. You can get to Čapljina by driving or taking a bus.
To get from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo, you can drive, take a bus, combine bus and train, or travel in the comfort of a private car service. Driving is flexible, taking a bus is direct, and booking a private car service is the most comfortable while combining bus and train makes the trip unnecessarily long.
The drive from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo takes around four and a half to five hours, covering approximately 146 miles (235 km). The road conditions vary, with well-maintained highways in Croatia and more variable conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in mountainous areas.
There are no direct flights between Dubrovnik and Sarajevo. The cities are close enough to make ground transportation feasible. You can take a flight to Zagreb or Belgrade and then catch another flight to Sarajevo, but it is not time-efficient with layovers.
가는 길에 이 명소들을 방문하세요
트레빈예
Trebinje is the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located 25km from the sea. It's a city of cultural and historical heritage and is believed to be one of the most beautiful towns in the country. City of sun, wine, and plane trees
트브르도슈 수도원
The aerial view of the Tvrdos Monastery along the hill are impressive, but nothing beats the history and the beautiful colors that lie inside. Wine making at the monastery
라딤랴
Evidence of Bosnia and Herzegovina's history, dating back to ancient times, can be viewed at the large ancient cemetery with tomb monuments of Radimlja. History that lies in stone
블라가이 테키야 수도원
The nearly 600 year old Blagaj Tekija Monastery is situated at the base of a cliff, next the the source of the river Buna. The serene, perfectly scenic monastery is a sight you won’t soon forget. A serene monastery nestled in rocks
모스타르
This charming riverside town is renowned for its UNESCO-listed Old Bridge (Stari Most), the Balkans' most celebrated span. A crossroads of culture
사라예보 전쟁 터널 박물관
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
"Dusko was a very careful driver and very considerate in accommodating rest stops on this quite long drive. We had a lot of luggage and he spontaneously carried all our heavy bags down many stairs on leaving our accommodation. He was also very knowledgeable about the history and issues of the Balkans.
"
JOHN S.
Malaysia
2024년 9월 25일
"We really did enjoy our trip with Mateo. He was very helpful in guiding us to the right places and giving us some of the history of the area. It was an enjoyable day.
"
Douglas S.
United States
2023년 9월 24일
"Thank you for yet another wonderful Daytrip experience. Admir was just great....a tremendous ambassador for his home country. My wife and I have nothing but praise for Admir.
"
Daniel C.
United States
2023년 7월 11일
"Fantastic journey. Mateo is not only a good and safe driver he is also super helpful with recommendations for sights and restaurants "
Hiew meng W.
Singapore
2022년 10월 5일
"It was a wonderful trip! Mateo is a great guide and driver! I highly recommend this day trip from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo!"
Shanna W.
United States
2022년 7월 6일
"Hold on to Adnan he was fantastic! He really made the long windy trip very informative and enjoyable.
"
Mike K.
United States
2021년 10월 21일
"Nikki was an excellent driver and good conversationalist. He showed us the points of interest along the beautiful Dalmatian Coast and talked to us about his family farm in the area. He helped us develop our understanding of events in the Balkans over the last 30 years or so. He pointed out the walls of Ston and, upon learning our interest in the cultivation of oysters, stopped at an oyster farm where we were able to do a tasting. At our stop in Mostar, he recommended a great restaurant where we had one of our most memorable meals on our trip.
"
Charles M.
United States
2021년 10월 19일
"Everything went great. The driver was pleasant and got us to our destinations at a timely manner. Overall, we had a great trip and experience.
"
Azra C.
United States
2020년 2월 7일
"We enjoy our trip with Armin from dubrovnik to sarajevo, He is very friendly and we stop for a lunch ehih he recommend a very delicious bosnian authentic food"
Roy Christian W.
Indonesia
2019년 10월 26일
"Hi Sir, it's was a pleasant journey. The driver provided us with a lot of informations along the way. We feel very comfortable travelling in his van."
WONG S.
Malaysia
2019년 10월 23일
"It was excellent thanks. Mili knew all the short cuts and quickest roads thru the borders. Being from Mostar, he was well placed to know where to park there and so on.
Highly recommended.
"
Mike G.
United Kingdom
2019년 10월 8일
"fabulous driver. he had lots of local information , great driver and helpful at border crossings. Highly recommended"
Libby M.
2019년 10월 4일
"Marko H was an excellent driver - safe driving, courteous, helpful, and friendly. Some miscommunication as he was waiting for us outside one of the Dubrovnik Gate. Highly recommend Marko as Daytrip driver."
Roger J.
United States
2019년 9월 18일
"Our trip was fantastic! Salih was on time to pick us up, he was an excellent driver, his English was extremely good, he had a great sense of humor and was knowledgeable.
We enjoyed our time with him and would highly recommend him.
Denise and Stephen"
Denise S.
2019년 9월 16일
"Hello, our trip with Marko was great, he was very professional and friendly. We didn't expect such a curvy road, but that's our fault. Marko bought us lunch in a little Bosnian town which was very nice. I would reccomend mydaytrip to my friends.
Thank you
John"
John C.
2019년 8월 15일
"Hi Marketa,
Thank you for your email. Sorry for the delay in replying.
We were very happy with the trip.
The driver Nikica J was excellent. He was very polite and his driving was very got. While driving he kept us informed of the places around us. He took us to Mostar and gave enough time to spend there and have lunch. His recommendation of local restraint was excellent.
We were very happy with your company service and we will use DAYTRIP again.
The car was a Mercedes Benz and it was very clean and very comfortable.
We thank you for providing this service.
Regards
Gamini W.
Sent from Mail (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986) for Windows 10
From: Team Daytrip (mailto:daytrip@mydaytrip.com)
Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2019 9:20 PM
To: bubsy@xtra.co.nz (mailto:bubsy@xtra.co.nz)
Subject: Daytrip: Please tell us how we did (5DAA06)
We want to hear your feedback!
Dear Gamini,
Thank you so much for traveling with Daytrip!
May I ask how you liked the trip from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo, your driver Nikica J., and the overall experience? Is there anything we can improve upon next time? We’re a young company and know there’s always room for improvement, so we appreciate any kind of feedback!
Thank you.
Kind Regards,
Marketa B.
Team Daytrip
Daytrip Europe Ltd, 3 Gower Street, WC1E 6HA London, United Kingdom"
Gamini W.
New Zealand
2019년 7월 29일
"The trip with Nicky was great! He was extremely professional and friendly. I wouldn’t change a thing. "
Gabe G.
United States
2019년 7월 26일
"Hello,I’m very happy with the experience, and Elvis was great. No complaints! Thank you for asking.
Cheers,
Kaitlin"
Kaitlin M.
2019년 7월 21일
"We had a very good trip with Muamer. The booking was convenient and we felt safe during the trip. Muamer made a few very interesting stops which allowed us to learn more about the country."
Holly L.
2019년 7월 8일
"e had a great experience. We really liked Amer. Our stopover on the way to Sarajevo was at Mostar and Amer gave us a guided tour and then took us to a beautiful little restaurant by the river. We would have never found it by ourselves and this is where we really appreciated having a local person guiding us around and telling us all about the history. It felt more like we had a friend showing us around rather than someone we paid to drive us. When we got to Sarajevo he gave us some suggestions on what guided tours we should do, which we did and really enjoyed them. "
