Getting Around Belgrade
Belgrade has an extensive public transport system combining buses, trams, trolleybuses, and trains. Since January 1, 2025, all public transport in Belgrade is free—making it one of Europe's largest cities to offer completely free public transit. This applies to buses, trams, and trolleybuses throughout the city and suburbs. The only exceptions are suburban trains and express bus lines marked with an "E" route number.
Buses
Buses are the mainstay of getting around Belgrade. The network covers almost every part of the city and suburbs through numerous lines operated by GSP Belgrade (the city-owned company) and several private carriers. All operators participate in the Integrated Tariff System, meaning your journey can span multiple operators and vehicle types on a single ticket.
Regular city buses are numbered up to 100, while suburban lines are numbered above 100. The system also offers night lines for after-hours travel. Quality varies across the fleet: buses serving the city center and wealthier neighborhoods tend to be newer air-conditioned vehicles, while those in outer areas may be older. During peak hours, buses can become very crowded, with certain lines like the 26, 83, and 50 particularly busy.
Two main terminals serve local buses. The first is located at Železnička 4 (next to the disused railway station) for west and southwest suburbs. Zeleni Venac serves the north, including Zemun and Batajnica, as well as some western areas. A steep ten-minute walk separates these two terminals with no direct bus connection between them.
For journey planning and real-time information, use the Beograd +plus app, which provides timetables and live tracking for all services.
Trams and Trolleybuses
Trams operate on 11 routes throughout the city. Most lines converge around the Slavija-Vukov Spomenik area, though lines 11 and 13 serve Novi Beograd separately. Line 2 is a circular route around the city center.
Trolleybuses run on 7 lines organized along two main corridors. One corridor runs from Studentski trg (near Republic Square) through Crveni Krst to Konjarnik and Medaković. The other connects Zvezdara to Banjica, served by multiple lines (40, 41, and 28).
Suburban Trains
BG:Voz (BG:Train) operates suburban rail services. One line runs from Batajnica in the west through Zemun and Novi Beograd to Beograd Centar, then continues north through Karađorđev Park and Vukov Spomenik to Ovča across the river. A second line runs south from Beograd Centar via Rakovica to Resnik. Trains depart every 30 minutes normally, with 15-minute intervals during rush hours. Unlike buses and trams, suburban trains are not free.
Walkability
Belgrade's city center is reasonably walkable for visitors. However, distances between major landmarks and terminals can be significant. For example, a ten-minute uphill walk separates the two main local bus terminals at Železnička 4 and Zeleni Venac, with no direct bus connection. The newly relocated Bus Station at Antifašističke borbe 2 in Novi Beograd is roughly an hour's walk to the city center, making public transport advisable for reaching it.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available throughout the city. To minimize risk of overcharging, order by mobile app (such as Yandex Go, CAR:GO, or Pink Taxi Beograd), which tracks your route and calculates the fare automatically. Phone ordering is also reliable. If using a physical taxi stand, request a slip from a vending machine to guarantee a fixed price with no hidden charges. Avoid hailing taxis from the street, as unofficial operators may overcharge.
Getting from the Airport to the City
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is located 18 kilometers west of the city center. Several transport options connect it to the city:
- Bus 72: Runs every 30 minutes and is free. It takes approximately 50 minutes, operating daily from 05:00 to 23:30. The bus departs from outside Departures and picks up arriving passengers from the Arrivals level below. It serves Novi Beograd railway and bus station before continuing to Zeleni Venac near Republic Square.
- Bus 600: Runs every 30–40 minutes to Beograd Centar-Prokop (Central Train Station) via Novi Beograd station and is free of charge (from January 2026).
- Minibus A1: Offers a more comfortable, air-conditioned option running between the airport and Slavija Square, with stops at Fontana (Novi Beograd) and the main bus station. The journey takes 30 minutes. Pay the driver in Serbian dinars (RSD 400) or euros (€4, as of January 2026). This service also runs at night, with a short break around 02:00–04:00.
- Taxi: Multiple options exist depending on your risk tolerance. The safest approach is to order via a mobile app such as Yandex Go, CAR:GO, or Pink Taxi Beograd, which will meet you at Departures. Alternatively, order by phone. Less reliable is requesting a slip from a vending machine near baggage claim for a fixed-price fare picked up at Arrivals. Avoid taxis waiting at Arrivals, as unofficial operators frequently overcharge.
Buying Tickets
Since January 1, 2025, public transport on buses, trams, and trolleybuses is entirely free for all passengers. No tickets need to be purchased for these services. Suburban trains are the exception and do require paid tickets. Express bus lines marked with an "E" designation also charge fares.
Getting Between Key Transport Hubs
The main public transport interchanges are Zeleni Venac (for northern routes and some western areas), Novi Beograd railway station (for trains and convenient connections to city transport), and Beograd Centar railway station (the modern central station, though somewhat inconveniently located 2 kilometers south of downtown). The recently relocated Belgrade Bus Station at Antifašističke borbe 2 is directly south across the street from Novi Beograd railway station, making train-to-bus transfers straightforward at that location.