TL;DR — Belgrade → Sarajevo → Mostar is the classic two-leg Balkan bus adventure. Book both hops on Bookaway. Expect $15–$30 for Belgrade–Sarajevo (7–8 h) and $8–$15 for Sarajevo–Mostar (2–2.5 h).
Leg 1 — Belgrade to Sarajevo
One of the most scenic overland crossings in the Balkans. Buses leave from Belgrade's main bus station and arrive at East Sarajevo or central Sarajevo. Journey time: 7–8 hours including the border. See our dedicated Belgrade → Sarajevo route page.
Pro tips for this leg
- Grab a window seat — the Drina River valley views are stunning.
- Bring snacks and water; some operators have limited stops.
- Have your passport on your lap — border control adds 30–60 minutes.
- Download your Bookaway ticket offline before the border.
Sarajevo — where East meets West
Ottoman mosques next to Austro-Hungarian cathedrals, traditional ćevapi joints next to specialty coffee shops. Spend at least 2 full days.
2-day Sarajevo itinerary
- Day 1 morning — Baščaršija bazaar and Bosnian coffee at a kafana.
- Day 1 afternoon — Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and the Latin Bridge.
- Day 1 evening — Ferhadija Street and ćevapi with somun.
- Day 2 morning — Yellow Fortress (Žuta tabija) for the classic rooftops-and-minarets view.
- Day 2 afternoon — War Tunnel Museum for context on the 1990s siege.
- Day 2 evening — Inat Kuća dinner and the Vrelo Bosne river park.
Leg 2 — Sarajevo to Mostar
One of Europe's most beautiful short bus rides: 2–2.5 hours through the Neretva River canyon — limestone cliffs, emerald water and Ottoman-era villages. Sit on the right side of the bus heading south for the best views. See our Sarajevo → Mostar route page.
Mostar — the jewel of Herzegovina
Centred on the 16th-century Stari Most arching over the turquoise Neretva, Mostar is the kind of place that stops you mid-sentence. Compact enough for a day, magical enough that you'll wish for two.
1-day Mostar itinerary
- Sunrise — Stari Most before the crowds; watch divers prepare their 21-metre leaps.
- Late morning — Kujundžiluk bazaar for copper and hand-painted pottery.
- Afternoon — Climb the minaret of Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque for the classic aerial bridge shot.
- Late afternoon — Day-trip 12 km to Blagaj Tekke, a dervish monastery at the base of a 200 m cliff.
- Evening — Dinner at a riverside terrace overlooking Stari Most as the lights come on.
Why Bookaway is your best travel companion
The Balkan bus scene is legendary in the "chaotic charm" category — outdated websites, non-English signage, ticket-window queues. Bookaway aggregates the local operators into one clean app: search routes, compare prices, pay securely, download your QR ticket for offline use.
Ready to go?
Both legs of the Belgrade → Sarajevo → Mostar route are bookable in minutes. All you need is a sense of adventure and a window seat.