Travel to Serbia
Flying to Serbia
Most international visitors arrive in Serbia by air via Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG), located approximately 18km (11 miles) west of central Belgrade near Surčin. It is the country's principal international gateway and probably the busiest airport in the western Balkans. The airport has undergone significant expansion in recent years and now functions as a regional hub linking Southeast Europe with the rest of Europe, the Middle East and parts of North America and Asia.
Air Serbia, the national carrier, dominates operations at Belgrade and has expanded its network considerably since the 2010s. The airline operates direct services to major European cities including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Zurich, Rome and Istanbul, as well as regional destinations throughout the Balkans and former Yugoslavia. Air Serbia also operates long-haul services to New York and selected seasonal or charter routes. A large number of European carriers also serve Belgrade, including Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, KLM, Swiss, Wizz Air, Ryanair and easyJet.
For travellers from Western Europe, the most common connecting hubs are Vienna, Istanbul, Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich. Turkish Airlines provides extensive onward connections through Istanbul, particularly for travellers arriving from Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Niš Constantine the Great Airport (INI), in southern Serbia, handles a smaller number of international services, mainly operated by low-cost carriers linking Serbia with cities in Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and other parts of Europe. While considerably smaller than Belgrade, it can be a useful entry point for travellers heading directly to southern Serbia or neighbouring North Macedonia and Bulgaria.
Flight times:
From London to Belgrade: 2 hours 40 minutes (direct).
Airport guides
Airport Code: BEG. Location: The airport is located 18 km (11 miles) west from central Belgrade Money: Two bank branches operate on the ground floor of Terminal 2. Several ATM machines and currency... Read more
Travel by rail
International rail connections to Serbia exist, though the network is far more limited than during the Yugoslav period and rail travel in the Balkans generally remains slower than road or air transport. Belgrade remains the principal rail hub, with most international services operating through the capital.
The most important international route is the high-speed line between Belgrade and Novi Sad, which forms part of the wider modernisation project linking Belgrade with Budapest in Hungary. The Serbian section between Belgrade and Novi Sad is already operational and significantly faster than older Balkan rail services, while work continues on the extension towards Subotica and the Hungarian border. Once completed, the route is expected to become one of the most important rail corridors in Southeast Europe.
International services also connect Serbia with Montenegro via the famous Belgrade–Bar railway, regarded as one of Europe's most scenic rail journeys. The line crosses deep canyons, high mountain bridges and dramatic landscapes before descending to the Adriatic coast at Bar. The journey is long, typically around 11 hours, but the scenery rather than speed is the attraction. Sleeper and couchette options are usually available on overnight departures.
Regional international trains also operate between Serbia and neighbouring countries including Croatia, Hungary and North Macedonia, though services can be infrequent and schedules are subject to change. Rail infrastructure across much of the Balkans suffered decades of underinvestment, and international rail travel in the region often requires patience and flexibility.
Belgrade's main railway station for most current passenger services is Belgrade Centre (Prokop), located south of the historic city centre. Travellers should check schedules carefully in advance, as international train timetables in the Balkans can change with relatively little notice.
Rail passes:
Serbia participates in the Eurail and Interrail network, and most domestic trains operated by Srbija Voz can be used with valid Eurail or Interrail passes. Seat reservations are generally inexpensive and are compulsory on some higher-speed and international services, including the Belgrade–Novi Sad route and the Belgrade–Bar railway to Montenegro.
Driving to Serbia
Serbia shares land borders with Hungary to the north, Romania to the northeast, Bulgaria to the southeast, North Macedonia to the south, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the west, and Montenegro to the southwest. Its central position in the Balkans and on the main overland route between Central Europe and Turkey means that road travel through Serbia is extensive, with a constant flow of freight traffic, regional buses and private vehicles crossing the country.
The principal north-south route is the A1 motorway, part of the Pan-European Corridor X, which runs from the Hungarian border near Subotica through Novi Sad and Belgrade before continuing south towards Niš and North Macedonia. This is Serbia's busiest and most important highway and forms the backbone of overland travel through the country. The motorway network has expanded significantly in recent years, and most major international routes into Serbia are now modern toll motorways or dual carriageways.
From Hungary, the Horgoš–Röszke crossing is the main entry point and one of the busiest border crossings in Southeast Europe, particularly during summer when large numbers of Turkish diaspora travellers transit between Western Europe and Turkey. Long queues are common during July and August. From Croatia, the principal crossing is at Batrovci–Bajakovo on the motorway between Zagreb and Belgrade. Travellers arriving from Bulgaria generally enter via the Gradina crossing near Dimitrovgrad on the route from Sofia to Niš.
Getting to Serbia by boat
Serbia is landlocked, but the Danube River is an important international waterway and plays a significant role in river cruising and freight transport across Central and Southeast Europe.
Cruise ships:
Belgrade is a regular stop on Danube cruise itineraries operating between Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria. Most cruise vessels dock along the Sava and Danube riverfronts near the city centre, allowing easy access to Belgrade's historic districts and Kalemegdan Fortress. Novi Sad is also included on some itineraries, particularly those focusing on the wider Danube region.
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