Getting Around Novi Sad
Novi Sad is a compact and manageable city for visitors. The city centre is quite small, with most interesting sights, bars, and hotels within easy walking distance of each other. Street maps are plentiful throughout the centre, making navigation straightforward on foot.
Walking
Walking is the most practical way to explore central Novi Sad. The compact layout means you can reach major attractions without needing motorised transport, and the abundance of street signs helps you orient yourself.
Public Transport: Buses
Novi Sad has an excellent bus network that connects the city centre with outlying areas, beaches, and nearby attractions. Buses operate from early morning until midnight, covering most of the city during daylight hours.
A single bus journey costs RSD 100 and must be paid in cash directly to the driver—tickets cannot be purchased in advance. Buses do not offer transfers on a single ticket, so each journey is a separate fare.
The town centre has two main bus stops: one after the underpass in Mihajla Pupina and another in Uspenska by the theatre. Bus lines 4, 10, 14, and 15 connect the railway and bus station to the town centre (lines 10, 14, and 15 stop at Uspenska; line 4 stops by the underpass). To reach Štrand beach, take lines 1 or 8 from either town centre stop. Line 3 runs to Petrovaradin fortress.
Bus frequencies vary throughout the day, ranging from every 10 minutes or less during midday to every 30 minutes in the evenings. Real-time schedule information is available through the NSmart app, Moovit, the Public Transport Novi Sad app, and the Yandex app, as the bus network is not incorporated into Google Maps.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are reasonably priced by Western standards. The minimum fare ranges from RSD 80 to RSD 100, with a typical cross-city trip costing RSD 150–200. Most drivers speak fair to excellent English. It is helpful to have your destination address written down.
Use only taxis affiliated with established firms. Unregistered taxis, particularly those found at the train station, may charge up to four times the correct fare. Reputable taxi companies include Pan, Vojvodjani, SOS, Delta, Novus, Naš, and Lav.
Bicycles
Novi Sad is exceptionally bicycle-friendly for the region. The city is flat and has dedicated cycle paths along most major avenues. Sidewalk cycling is not permitted, but the dedicated infrastructure makes cycling safe and practical.
A public bike-share scheme operates throughout the city with numerous stations, though bike maintenance can be inconsistent. Private bike rental is also available for higher-quality or specialised bicycles, and rental firms do not restrict you to returning bikes to specific stations.
Cars
Parking is available in three zones throughout the city: red (RSD 53 per hour), blue (RSD 44 per hour), and white (RSD 30 per hour). A daily ticket valid in all white zones and some blue zones costs RSD 95. Parking is managed through SMS: send a message to the appropriate number (8211 for red, 8212 for blue, 8218 for white, or 8215 for daily tickets) with your vehicle's licence plate in capital letters without spaces.
Rail Services
Novi Sad sits on the railway line connecting Budapest, Subotica, and Belgrade. The route between Novi Sad and Belgrade has been upgraded to a high-speed line, significantly reducing journey times. High-speed "Soko" trains are non-stop and more expensive than regional services.
As of July 2026, Novi Sad railway station is closed for repairs following a roof collapse. Trains currently stop at Petrovaradin, just across the river. From there, take any city bus to reach the town centre (flat fare RSD 100). Train timetables are available on the SrbijaVoz website, and ticket prices can be checked via the SrbijaVoz app. Regional tickets from Belgrade cost RSD 469, and Soko train tickets cost RSD 697 (note: some ticket sellers may charge an additional RSD 120 for upper-deck seating on Soko trains).
Arriving from Belgrade Airport
Belgrade airport, located approximately 70 km southeast of Novi Sad, is the most convenient entry point. The journey takes less than an hour. Several taxi companies operate regular shuttle services between Belgrade airport and Novi Sad at reasonable fares. Autoturist (tel. +381 63 504 587) and Belgrade Airport Transfer are among the options available.
While other regional airports exist—Budapest (250 km north) and Timisoara (130 km northeast) offer low-cost flights—Belgrade remains the most practical choice because journeys from other airports require land border crossings, which can add hours to your journey.