Bosnia and Herzegovina captivates visitors with its blend of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslav heritage. From Sarajevo's historic bazaars to Mostar's iconic Old Bridge, this Balkan gem offers stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and some of Europe's most affordable travel experiences.
- Public
- Sarajevo has a good tram and trolleybus network covering city center routes (BAM 1.60/$0.90 per ride). Mostar and other cities have limited bus service. Intercity buses are the primary long-distance transport.
- Taxi
- Taxis are widely available, affordable (BAM 2 base + BAM 1.20/km), and the best option for airport transfers and night travel. Use licensed taxis (yellow plates) or the Bolt app in Sarajevo.
- Rental
- Car rental recommended for exploring rural Bosnia, mountain areas, and day trips to less accessible sites like Lukomir or Sutjeska National Park. Roads vary from good motorways to rough mountain tracks.
- Walking
- Old towns in Sarajevo and Mostar are compact and best explored on foot. Cobblestone streets may be challenging for those with mobility issues but are manageable for most visitors.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Centrotrans bus - 5 BAM ($2.80), 25-30 minutes, matches flight schedule
- Shuttle
- Taxi - 20 BAM ($11), 15-20 minutes, agree on fare beforehand
- Bus
- Private transfer - 25-35 BAM ($14-20), pre-booked recommended
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
- Sarajevo
- Comprehensive city bus network. Single ticket 1.60 BAM ($0.90), buy from driver or kiosks. Route maps available at main stations. Runs 5:00-23:00 daily.
- Mostar
- Limited city buses, most attractions walkable. Single fare 1.50 BAM ($0.85)
- Other cities
- Most cities have basic local bus service, 1-2 BAM per ride
Alternatives
metro, tram, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- 2 BAM ($1.10)
- Apps
- Limited availability - CarGo app in Sarajevo, not widespread like Uber
- App Names
- Limited availability - CarGo app in Sarajevo, not widespread like Uber
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
- Overview
- Primary intercity transport. Extensive network, frequent service, modern coaches.
- Main routes
- Sarajevo-Mostar: 2-2.5 hours, 18-25 BAM ($10-14), hourly departures
- Sarajevo-Banja Luka: 4 hours, 30 BAM ($17), 6-8 daily
- Sarajevo-Travnik: 1.5 hours, 12 BAM ($7), frequent
- Sarajevo-Jajce: 3 hours, 20 BAM ($11)
- Mostar-Međugorje: 30 minutes, 8 BAM ($4.50)
- Companies
- Centrotrans - largest operator, modern fleet
- Autoprevoz - regional services
- Globtour - international routes
- Booking
- Online at getbybus.com or buy at station. Advance booking recommended for weekends/holidays
- Tips
- Arrive 15-20 minutes early
- Luggage fee usually 1-2 BAM per bag
- Toilet stops on longer routes
Flights
Routes: Occasional Sarajevo-Banja Luka connections, not regular
- Availability
- Very limited domestic flights due to small country size
- Recommendation
- Bus/car more practical for domestic travel
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Sarajevo International Airport
From centre: 12 km southwest
Options: Centrotrans bus - 5 BAM ($2.80), 25-30 minutes, matches flight schedule; Taxi - 20 BAM ($11), 15-20 minutes, agree on fare beforehand; Private transfer - 25-35 BAM ($14-20), pre-booked recommended; Ride-share (limited) - similar to taxi pricing
Mostar International Airport
From centre: 7 km south
Options: Taxi - 15 BAM ($8.50), 10 minutes; Hotel shuttle - often included with booking; Private transfer - 20 BAM ($11)
Banja Luka International Airport
From centre: 23 km north
Options: Taxi - 30-40 BAM ($17-22), 25 minutes; Bus - 5 BAM ($2.80), limited schedule; Pre-arranged transfer - recommended
Tuzla International Airport
From centre: 15 km
Options: Bus - 6 BAM ($3.40), 30 minutes; Taxi - 25 BAM ($14), 20 minutes
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Bolt
Most reliable ride-hailing app in Sarajevo. Significantly cheaper than street taxis with upfront pricing. Also available in Mostar and Banja Luka.
inDriver
Fare-negotiation app available in Sarajevo where you propose a price and drivers accept. Can be cheaper than Bolt for longer rides.
GetByBus
Online booking platform for Bosnian and regional intercity bus tickets. Book in advance for popular routes and weekend travel.
Maps.me (offline)
Download offline Bosnia maps before arriving — essential for rural driving where mobile data is unreliable. More detailed than Google Maps for mountain roads.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Bolt ride-hailing app works in Sarajevo and is often cheaper and more reliable than hailing street taxis — download before arriving
Tram line 3 in Sarajevo connects Ilidža park in the west to Baščaršija old town — the most useful route for tourists, running every 8-12 minutes
Intercity buses are more reliable and comfortable than trains for most routes; buy tickets at the station or via getbybus.com
Never leave paved roads and marked trails in rural areas due to residual landmine risk from the 1990s war
Driving from Sarajevo to Mostar on the M17 takes 2 hours and passes spectacular canyon scenery — highly recommended over the bus if budget allows
Airport taxis to Sarajevo center should cost BAM 20-25 ($11-14) — agree the fare before getting in or use Centrotrans airport bus for BAM 5