Overview
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country in Europe according to softwareleverage. Bosnia-Herzegovina is geographically characterized by its green, mountainous landscape, which is best explored from one of the national parks. The country that suffered the terrible war in the Balkans in the 1990s is still scarred by the events of that time. The infrastructure only partially works and land mines still make some areas impassable. But there are also many other interesting sides to Bosnia-Herzegovina, above all the cosmopolitan capital Sarajevo with its Turkish tradition and lively coffee house scene. Elsewhere one finds historic forts, wonderful old mosques, Monastery and Catholic shrines. Perhaps the most striking symbol of the country’s troubled past and bright future is the reconstructed Old Bridge over the Neretva River in Mostar.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Lufthansa (LH) offers non-stop connections between Munich and Sarajevo. Eurowings (EW) connects Cologne non-stop with Sarajevo. Austrian Airlines (OS) flies non-stop from Vienna to Sarajevo. Wizz Air (W6) connects Berlin, Memmingen, Dortmund, Frankfurt (Hahn) and Basel-Mulhouse with Tuzla. Ryanair (FR) offers, among other things, flight connections from Berlin and Memmingen to Banja-Luka.
Flight times
Munich – Sarajevo: 1 hour 25 minutes; Dortmund – Tuzla: 2 hours; Vienna – Sarajevo: 1 hour 5 minutes; Zurich – Sarajevo: 2 hours 50 minutes
Departure fee
Approximately €11 (US$12). This does not apply to transit passengers who do not leave the transit area.
Arrival by car
The journey from Germany and Austria leads via Slovenia and Croatia; from Switzerland via Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. Entry from the eastern neighboring countries of Serbia and Montenegro is also possible by land. Long-distance bus: Flixbus and Eurolines/Eurolines Switzerland connect Germany, Austria and Switzerland with various cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Toll: On the A1, the Lučani-Jošanica section of the motorway is subject to a toll. The amount to be paid depends on the distance. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card, or electronically using a special transmitter (ACC) available at the Jošanica toll station. Documents: The national driver’s license is recognized.
Arrival by train
There are connections to Sarajevo, Mostar, Doboj and Banja Luka from Zagreb and Ploce (Croatia), Belgrade (Serbia) and Ljubljana (Slovenia).
rail passes
The Interrail Global Pass is also valid in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Transportation
Traveling by plane
There are no domestic flights in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Traveling by car/bus
The road network in Bosnia-Herzegovina is around 22,000 km long. Sarajevo is a transport hub; the main connecting roads lead via Banja Luka in the north-west and Doboj in the north to the Croatian border, via Zvornik in an easterly direction to the Serbian border, via Mostar in the south to the Adriatic coast and via Foca in the south-east to the border with Montenegro. Toll: On the A1, the Lučani-Jošanica section of the motorway is subject to a toll. The amount to be paid depends on the distance. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card, or electronically using a special transmitter (ACC) available at the Jošanica toll station. Gas stations: The gas station network is sufficient.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
The roads are often insufficiently maintained and marked. Due to the still existing danger of mines, travelers should not leave paved roads and generally avoid driving at night.
Road classification
The road network includes freeways, expressways similar to freeways and country roads. Motorways are signposted with a letter and a number in white letters on a green background.
Car rental
Rental cars are available at the airports and in the cities. Drivers must be at least 21 years old (depending on the vehicle category) and have held their driving license for at least 1 year. Drivers under the age of 25 often have to pay a young driver fee. Some landlords state a maximum age of 75 years.
Taxi
Taxis are available everywhere.
Coach
The bus network is well developed and serves all cities; fares are cheap.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Telephoning is only permitted with a hands-free system. – The light must always be switched on when driving. – Children up to the age of 12 must be transported in appropriate child seats. – Alcohol limit: 0.3 ‰ or 0.0 ‰ for drivers under the age of 21 and drivers who have held their driving license for less than 3 years. Speed limits: – in built-up areas: 50 km/h; – country roads: 80 km/h; – expressways: 100 km/h; – Motorways: 130 km/h.
Roadside Assistance
The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; for vehicle damage: Tel. +49 (0)89 22 22 22, for illnesses: +49 (0)89 76 76 76. The ADAC partner club is the Bosnian Automobile Club BIHAMK in Sarajevo, Tel.: +387 33 21 27 72. In the event of breakdowns and accidents with the rental car, the car rental company should always be contacted first.
Documentation
The national driving license is recognised. The international insurance card for motor transport must always be carried with you.
Traveling in the city
Sarajevo can be explored by trams, buses and electric buses; the city center on foot. Single tickets are only valid for one trip; every time you change trains, you have to solve it again.
Locally on the way by train
The country’s rail network is around 1,000 kilometers long. Rail transport is operated by the railway companies of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ŽFBH) and the Republic of Srpske (ŽRS). The main axes are in south-north direction: Čapljina-Mostar-Konjic-Sarajevo-Zenica-Doboj-Šamac and in west-east direction: Dobrljin-Banja Luka-Doboj-Tuzla-Zvornik. Short sections of the Belgrade-Bar railway with a stop in Štrpci and the Šarganska osmica museum railway also pass through Bosnia-Herzegovina. The entire rail network is in a relatively poor condition; there are numerous places with reduced speeds.
rail passes
The Interrail Global Pass is also valid in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Balkan Flexi Pass is available for unlimited rail travel in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey for a choice of 3, 5, 7, 10 or 15 days.
