Bosnia & Herzegovina Travelers Notes

Transportation can sometimes feel overwhelming in foreign lands, but let me assure you that public transportation is available and mostly ease-free in Bosnia & Herzegovina.  Here are the exact routes that I took on my journey.

Transportation

In general, bus transportation is better than train in Bosnia when ranking timeliness, cleanliness and overcrowding.  Bosnian trains are a bit old (a donation from the Swedish government). The rail system was badly damaged in the wars and is repaired but not optimal.  In addition, everyone smokes on the train and they are often overcrowded.  One exception noted below for Mostar to Sarajevo.

Dubrovnik to Mostar

Bus: I used Bus Croatia for the trip to Mostar. Buses were clean and on time. There are several border crossings as the road weaves out of Croatia to Bosnia, then back into Croatia, then back into Bosnia.  The border crossings were a more strict as this is not the Schengen zone and you may have to exit the bus.

Dubronvik: There is a public local bus that will take you from downtown Dubrovnik to the main Bus Station.

Mostar: The bus station was a 10-15 walk into the old town area.  Walkable.

Mostar to Medjugorje (DayTrip)

Local Bus: Operated by the local Mostar Bus and departs across the street from the main Mostar Bus Station (Same as for Blagaj).   40 min trip one-way. Schedule posted and was accurate.   The main Bus station also has larger bus companies that operate on this route.  Note: There is also a Mostar West/Croat Bus Station to make things confusing which I did not use.

Medjugorje Town: Walkable from the bus station to the church. Apparition Hill is ~1 mile from the church on a path.

Mostar to Blagaj (DayTrip)

Local Bus: Operated by Mostar Bus and departs across the street from the main Mostar Bus Station (Same as for Medjugorje).   Schedule posted though on the return trip was not accurate and I ended up joining some other travelers and negotiating a taxi return.   Use Rome2Rio.com to check suitable rates in the region for a taxi.  Note: There is also a Mostar West/Croat Bus Station to make things confusing which I did not use.

Blagaj Town: Blagaj is a very small town and walkable from the bus to the Dervish Monastery (~5 min)

Mostar to Sarajevo

Train: This was the only time it was recommended to take a train in Bosnia.  The train was old but I took the first train of the day and had a seat. The train was generally uncrowded but there were smokers (despite no smoking signs) and I shared a compartment with young backpackers.   Train timetables are online.

The train was recommended for this leg due the scenery passing through rugged terrain and mountain valleys.  Pictures on this post were taken from the window of the train.

Sarejevo: From the train station, there is a tram or trolley that will take you into town.

Sarajevo to Belgrade

Private Van: I used Gea Tours as recommendation by blogger The Blonde Gypsy.  As she notes in her write-up, the arranged pickup time was early to accommodate the other traveler who had flights.  The driver had to take a non-direct route as he said the roads in this part of Bosnia & Herzegovina were bad.

Belgrade: I was dropped off at the hotel directly.  The main tourist areas were walkable.  Several of the other sites are accessible via public transport.

Travelers Transportation Resources

Resource 1: Rome2Rio.com provides point-to-point transportation, times, costs, and links to ticketing offices.

Resource 2: Rick Steves’ Croatia and Slovenia also covers Bosnia and has well documented options and detailed instruction.