Getting Around Sarajevo
Sarajevo is a strung-out city where visitors will need to use multiple forms of transport. The city centre is reasonably compact for walking, but reaching some attractions requires public transport. The main transport modes are trams, trolleybuses, and buses, supplemented by taxis and on foot.
Walking and Walkability
The Old Town and central areas are best explored on foot. The city centre around Baščaršija and the south riverbank is pedestrian-friendly for exploring local attractions. However, the broader city is spread across hilly terrain with some steeply inclined streets, so distances between neighbourhoods can be significant. Walking is practical for central areas but supplemented by public transport for longer journeys.
Trams
Trams are a key form of public transport in Sarajevo. Tram #1 connects the Main Bus Station (at Put života) directly to the Old Town, making it a convenient first journey into the city. A single tram fare is 1.60 KM. Trams are the backbone of the public transport network for moving between central neighbourhoods.
Trolleybuses
Trolleybuses run frequent services across the city. Trolleybus 103 is particularly useful for visitors, running every 6–7 minutes during the day from Dobrinja to Trg Austrijski in the city centre on the south riverbank. A single fare is 1.80 KM per person, and luggage costs an additional 1.80 KM, paid to the driver. Ticket inspectors are frequent, so keep your ticket. Trolleybus 103 is the main connection to the airport via Dobrinja neighbourhood. Note that trolleybuses accept KM cash only.
Buses and City Transport
Urban buses provide local connections throughout the city alongside trams and trolleybuses. These operate on the same fare structure as trams and trolleybuses. Bus tickets can be purchased on boarding.
Tickets and Passes
Single journey tickets on trams, trolleybuses, and city buses cost between 1.60 KM and 1.80 KM depending on the mode. Payment is typically made directly to the driver or conductor in KM cash. Ticket inspectors are common on trolleybuses, so retain your ticket for the duration of your journey.
Long-Distance Rail
The Sarajevo Railway Station is centrally located near the bus stations. Train services are limited. A scenic route runs between Sarajevo and Mostar, with two trains daily taking around 2 hours. During summer, three trains per week extend south through Čapljina to the Croatian port of Ploče. An international summer service runs from Ploče to Sarajevo on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays via Mostar, costing €12 with a journey time of 3 hours. The railway station's ticket office is cash-only and operates slowly, but staff speak good English and can advise on alternative transport options.
Long-Distance Buses
Two bus stations serve Sarajevo. The Main Bus Station (Autobuska stanica Sarajevo) at Put života handles most long-distance services to destinations across Bosnia and Herzegovina and regional cities including Belgrade, Budapest, Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik. Buses run hourly to major cities like Tuzla, Mostar, and Banja Luka. The East Bus Station (Autobuska stanica Istočno) in East Sarajevo, Republika Srpska, serves Serbia and eastern destinations.
To reach the East Bus Station from central Sarajevo, take trolleybus 103 to its terminus and walk 400 metres, or take a taxi for around 15 KM. Note that a 2 KM station tax is charged per person at the East Bus Station; always insist on a receipt.
Long-distance buses charge luggage fees of around 2 KM or €1 per piece. Drivers insist on exact change in either currency. Tickets for intercity buses can be purchased online through operators like Flixbus and Centrotrans, from ticket desks in the stations, or from travel agents in the city centre (such as Centrotrans on Ferhadija). If you purchase online, you must buy an additional platform ticket at the station to access the departure area.
Getting from the Airport to the City
Sarajevo Airport (SJJ) is located 6 km southwest of the railway station in the Butmir neighbourhood. It is Bosnia's principal airport, though it is hemmed in by mountains and prone to fog, so flight delays are common in winter. The terminal closes overnight between 23:00 and 05:00.
By Airport Bus
The most straightforward option is the Centrotrans airport bus, which runs daily and roughly hourly between 05:30 and 22:00, timed to connect with flights. The bus travels to Baščaršija in the city centre, taking 20–30 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 5 KM; a return ticket costs 8 KM. Passengers pay on boarding. The first checked bag (up to 23 kg) per person is included; additional bags cost 5 KM each. The bus stops on request at central bus stops, often positioned near tram stops, though these may not be specifically marked for airport service.
By Trolleybus
A budget alternative is to walk 600 metres through the nearby Dobrinja neighbourhood to reach trolleybus 103. From the airport terminal, exit at the main gate onto Kurta Schorka highway, turn right and walk 200 metres with no sidewalk. Take the first left onto Andreja Andrejevića and cut through residential Dobrinja near Hotel Octagon. Emerge onto the main road and turn right along Bulevar Mimara Sinana. The trolleybus stop Dobrinja škola B is on the opposite side of the road (with westbound traffic) after 200 metres, before Mercator Center. Trolleybus 103 runs every 6–7 minutes during the day to Trg Austrijski in the centre, taking 25 minutes. From there, walk across the Latin Bridge to enter the Old Town. The fare is 1.80 KM paid to the driver. Avoid trolleybuses 107 or 108 if heading to Old Town. A map or compass is helpful for navigating Dobrinja.
By Taxi
Taxis are available but be cautious: taxi scams are notorious. A fair fare to the city centre should not exceed 20 KM, though some drivers attempt to overcharge foreigners. The legitimate tariff is 1.90 KM flagfall, then 1.20 KM per kilometre. Any "airport supplement" is bogus. Insist that drivers use the meter; if they refuse, walk away. Do not accept "fixed price lists" from drivers—these are often invented fares. If your hotel offers an airport transfer, rates vary widely, so compare with taxi fares first.
Airport Facilities
The groundside main hall after customs (on arrival) or before security (on departure) contains currency exchange booths, car rental desks, a bookshop selling local SIM cards, and a fast food area upstairs. There is no luggage storage. The airside area is small, with a cafe and duty-free shops accepting major currencies. Visitors with time between connections may consider visiting the Tunnel of Hope Museum near the airport, which preserves a tunnel created in 1993 as a lifeline to the besieged city—though this requires transporting luggage.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis operate throughout Sarajevo but require caution. Legitimate fares use a meter with a flagfall of 1.90 KM followed by 1.20 KM per kilometre. Some drivers are unwilling to use meters or claim airport supplements; insist on the meter or find another taxi. Within the city, typical rides cost significantly less than from the airport. Hotels may arrange transfers at rates varying from competitive to inflated, so comparing with meter fares is worthwhile.