The Best Way to Travel Around the Balkans: Buses, Trains, Ferries and Drivers

Travel know-how

The best way to travel around the Balkans

For most travelers, the easiest way to get around the Balkans is by road. Buses link almost every town, rental cars give you freedom, and a private driver removes the stress of borders and mountain roads. Trains and ferries are slower but add some of the most memorable journeys in the region.

Here is how each option works, what it suits, and what to check before you go.

Buses: the backbone of Balkan travel

By bus

Buses are the most widely used way to travel between Balkan cities, including across borders. Routes such as Sarajevo–Mostar, Kotor–Dubrovnik, Skopje–Ohrid and Tirana–Shkodër run several times a day in season.

Good for: budget travelers and anyone happy to follow fixed timetables.
Tickets: usually sold at the bus station or online. Expect a small extra charge for large luggage.
Good to know: international buses stop at every border for passport checks, so allow extra time in summer.

Trains: slow, scenic and selective

By train

The rail network is patchy, but a few lines are worth riding for the views alone. The Belgrade–Bar railway crosses the mountains of Serbia and Montenegro on high viaducts and through long tunnels. The Sarajevo–Mostar line follows the Neretva valley, and Ljubljana–Zagreb is a practical link between two capitals.

Trains are usually slower than buses, and timetables change with engineering works, so check the current schedule shortly before you travel.

Rental car: freedom with paperwork

By car

Driving lets you reach mountain villages, monasteries and quiet beaches that buses skip. Main roads are generally good; mountain roads are narrow and slow.

Cross-border permission: confirm in writing that your rental company allows travel to every country on your route.
Insurance: most non-EU Balkan countries require a valid Green Card insurance certificate. Kosovo usually requires separate insurance bought at the border.
One-way fees: dropping a car in another country can be expensive, so compare this with a round trip.
Coast road: since the Pelješac Bridge opened in 2022, you can drive between Dubrovnik and the rest of Croatia without crossing the short Bosnian coastline at Neum.

Ferries and the coast

By ferry

Ferries are the natural way to explore the Croatian islands, with frequent connections from Split and Dubrovnik in summer. Seasonal international ferries also link Italy with Croatia, Montenegro and Albania, which makes it easy to start or end a Balkan trip on the Italian side of the Adriatic.

Book ahead in July and August, especially if you are taking a car.

Private driver or guided journey

Door to door

For multi-country trips, a private driver is often the most relaxed option. Your driver handles border crossings, parking and route choices, and can stop wherever the view or the coffee is good. It also makes the most of limited time, because you are not tied to bus timetables.

This is how most Balkland journeys run: private, executive vehicles with professional drivers, and cross-border logistics handled end to end.

Borders, money and timing

Practical

Borders: Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania are in the Schengen Area; Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo are not, so expect passport checks between them. Check the current rules for the EU’s Entry/Exit System and ETIAS before you travel.
Money: the euro is used in Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Bulgaria. Elsewhere you will need local currency, and cash is still useful in villages and small restaurants.
Connectivity: roaming is not always included outside the EU, so a local or regional eSIM is worth considering.
Timing: border queues and coastal traffic are heaviest in July and August. Spring and early autumn are easier for road travel.

Key takeaways

Summary

Buses are the most widely used and cheapest way to travel between Balkan cities.
Trains are slow but offer some of the region’s best scenery, especially Belgrade–Bar and Sarajevo–Mostar.
A rental car gives freedom, but check cross-border permission and Green Card insurance first.
A private driver is the most relaxed choice for multi-country trips with limited time.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

What is the easiest way to travel between Balkan countries?

For independent travelers, buses are the easiest and most reliable. For a multi-country trip with limited time, a private driver is the most comfortable option.

Can I take a rental car across Balkan borders?

Usually yes, but only if your rental company allows it. Ask for written permission for each country and check that your Green Card insurance covers them.

Are there trains between Balkan countries?

A few international and domestic lines run, but the network is limited and timetables change, so check the current schedule close to your travel date.