BalkanTourGuide
Pillar guide · 14 min read

How to Travel the Balkans: Bus, Train, Ferry & Van

Buses run the Balkans. Trains exist but are slow. Ferries handle the Adriatic. Here is the no-nonsense breakdown of every mode, every cost, every booking trick — built from running the routes ourselves.

· 15K+ travelers helped· Verified carriers (Bookaway)· Updated for the 2026 season

Buses — the spine of the region

Intercity buses run between every Balkan city, multiple times a day, including across borders. Tickets cost €10–€30 per leg. Modern coaches have AC, USB and luggage storage at €1–€2/bag (always pay the driver at the door — keep small change). Border crossings add 20–90 minutes; just have your passport ready.

How to book: Use Bookaway for English-language tickets across the region in one search. In summer, book Dubrovnik–Kotor, Split–Dubrovnik, Kotor–Tirana and Mostar–Sarajevo 24–48h ahead. Other routes are walk-up.

Major operators: Lasta (Serbia), FlixBus (region-wide), Croatia Bus, Globtour (Bosnia/Montenegro), Eurolines, Hellas Bus (Greece).

Browse our 600+ specific bus routes at /routes.

Trains — slow, cheap and scenic

Use trains for three things: (1) the Belgrade–Bar line through Montenegro's mountains — one of Europe's great rail journeys, (2) cheap travel inside Serbia, Bulgaria or Romania, (3) the Sofia–Istanbul or Bucharest–Sofia night sleepers. Otherwise the network is too slow to be useful.

Ferries — the Adriatic

Two ferry zones: (1) Croatian islands — Jadrolinija and Krilo run daily from Split, Dubrovnik, Rijeka to Hvar, Brač, Korčula, Mljet. €5–€20 passenger, €40–€90 with car. (2) Adriatic international — overnight ferries Split/Dubrovnik/Rijeka ↔ Ancona/Bari (Italy), and Saranda ↔ Corfu, Durrës ↔ Bari (summer).

Shared vans & private transfers

On tourist routes (Dubrovnik–Kotor, Split–Mostar, Tirana airport runs) minibuses and shared 8-seater vans run alongside the buses, cost €25–€40, are 30–60 minutes faster and drop you door-to-door. Book the day before through Bookaway or any hostel reception.

Car hire

Rent in: Montenegro (for the mountains and Durmitor), Bosnia (countryside, Sutjeska), northern Albania (Theth, Valbona), Slovenia. Skip in: city-only trips. Old towns are pedestrianised, parking is a nightmare, and border crossings with rental cars need extra paperwork — confirm with your rental agency. Budget €30–€55/day for a small car, full insurance.

Popular cross-country routes

Each link below opens the live Bookaway booking page for that exact route — pick a date, compare operators and buy in one click.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to travel the Balkans?+

Intercity buses. Tickets cost €10–€30 per leg even across borders, run 6–20 times a day on busy routes and connect every city. Trains are cheaper in Serbia and Bulgaria but much slower and less frequent.

Is there a train through the Balkans?+

Yes, but the network is patchy. Belgrade–Bar (Montenegro) is the famous scenic line. Belgrade–Budapest, Belgrade–Sofia and most Bulgarian/Romanian routes work. Most other routes are bus-only — Croatia/Bosnia/Montenegro/Albania have minimal passenger rail.

How do I get from Croatia to Montenegro?+

Daily buses Dubrovnik → Kotor (2.5h, €22) and Dubrovnik → Budva (3h). Or take a shared van; faster border crossings. See our Dubrovnik-Kotor route page.

Are Balkan buses safe?+

Yes. Modern coaches with AC, charging ports and luggage holds. The big operators (Lasta, FlixBus, Globtour, Eurolines, Croatia Bus) run safe, on-time fleets. Night buses are common and fine.

How do I book Balkan buses online?+

Use Bookaway — covers the most Balkan routes in one search with English-language tickets and email confirmations. Or buy at the bus station 30–60 minutes before departure.

Can I take a ferry between Balkan countries?+

Yes — daily Adriatic ferries connect Croatia (Split, Dubrovnik, Rijeka) with Italy (Ancona, Bari), and seasonal lines connect Albania (Saranda) with Corfu and Italy (Durrës–Bari). See our Croatia ferry guide.