Bosnia and Herzegovina – how to get there

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a stunning country – however it’s not always the easiest place to get to, as transport links are more limited than for some other countries.  

Flights

There is one major airport for flights into BiH – Sarajevo International Airport. This has flights from a number of European and Middle Eastern destinations, which can be checked on the airport’s website or by using a third party booking website such as Skyscanner. Some destinations offer daily or multiple flights per day – we found Vienna and Istanbul had the best options when we travelled. We did find the cost of flights to be more expensive than some other destinations, possibly due to the limited number of carriers flying in to Sarajevo.

Bus

Using long distance bus (coach) services is a cheaper option to travel between BiH and neighbouring countries including Croatia and Serbia. Websites such as GetByBus can show route and ticket options, with providers including FlixBus running regular services to major destinations in BiH including Sarajevo and Mostar. Be warned that journey times can vary from those advertised, especially if border crossings take longer than expected.

Train

BiH does not have direct train connections to its neighbouring countries – you’d need to get off the train in one country, catch a taxi or bus, and then reconnect to the train within the other. I’d recommend visiting the excellent Man in Seat 61 website for further information.

Private transfer

Another option for travelling between BiH and neighbouring countries is using private transfers. While more expensive than taking a bus, it is often a lot quicker and more comfortable (and allows for stops for food and sightseeing if desired!). Many companies offer transfers and quotes can be obtained online. We booked a transfer from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik through local company FunkyTours and found it to be excellent – the pricing was reasonable, our driver was great and it was a quick and seamless journey. You can read more about this in my other post.