Getting around Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is small but mountainous, so road and rail journeys are scenic but slow. With no metro and limited trains, buses and rental cars do most of the heavy lifting.
Trains
The national operator ZFBH runs a handful of lines. The most useful for visitors is the Sarajevo–Mostar–Capljina route, which winds through the Neretva canyon and is one of the prettiest rides in the Balkans. There's also a Sarajevo–Zenica–Doboj line. Trains are cheap (Sarajevo to Mostar is roughly 11 KM / 5-6 EUR) but infrequent — often just one or two departures a day. Buy tickets at the station; cash in convertible marka (KM/BAM) is safest.
Buses
Buses are the backbone of intercity travel. Sarajevo's main bus station (autobuska stanica) near Marijin Dvor connects to Mostar, Banja Luka, Tuzla and abroad. Note that East Sarajevo (Lukavica) has a separate station serving the Republika Srpska and Belgrade. Companies like Centrotrans and Flixbus are reliable. Sarajevo–Mostar takes about 2.5 hours for 15-20 KM. Buy online or at the counter; there's usually a small fee for stowed luggage.
Urban transport
Sarajevo has trams, trolleybuses and buses run by GRAS, plus a useful tram line down the main valley. Buy paper tickets from kiosks (cheaper) or the driver, and validate on board. Mostar and other towns rely on local buses and walking — historic centres are compact.
Ride apps and taxis
Uber and Bolt do not operate here. Use local taxi apps like TaxiHub in Sarajevo, or call a metered company such as Sarajevo Taxi or Crveni (Red) Taxi. Always confirm the meter is running. Fares are modest — most city rides cost 5-10 KM.
Car rental and driving
Renting a car is the best way to reach waterfalls, Pocitelj, Jajce or Sutjeska National Park. International agencies operate at Sarajevo Airport. Roads are generally good but mountain passes are winding; drive cautiously in winter. Keep your passport, green card insurance and headlights on at all times (required by law). Tolls apply on the A1 motorway around Sarajevo–Zenica.
Intercity tips
- Carry cash KM; rural ticket offices rarely take cards.
- Allow extra time — schedules slip and connections are loose.
- For Mostar day trips, the morning train out and afternoon bus back works well.
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