Located in Southern Europe, the countries in the Balkans include Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania. Balkan travel usually includes visiting a few of these countries! Unlike most areas in Europe, the Balkan Region is not easily accessed by train. Although trains are out of the question, there are a number of ways to travel between cities in the Balkans! I’ve traveled between Slovenia, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia so this post will focus on traveling between these countries.
And don’t forget to pin this for later!
If you’re planning a trip to the Balkans, make sure to grab the travel planners linked below. There are a total of 8 templates. Six of the templates list suggestions and travel tips for the most popular cities in the region. There is also a place for you to add your travel information as well as blank templates. They’re a great way to plan your trip and stay organized.
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BUS
Buses are the most cost effective form of transportation in the Balkan States! Most buses are between 15 and 25 euros. If you’re looking to cut down on cost, this is the best option.
I recommend booking your ticket online prior to departure to ensure availability. I booked my ticket approximately two weeks before taking the bus. During peak season, I would probably book earlier to be on the safe side.
Travel Tip: Be sure to have cash with you for the bus ride as there is generally a 1-2 euro charge upon arrival at the station. Checked luggage is generally a euro as well.
The buses are pretty basic but have plenty of space for luggage and personal items. The major bummer about taking the bus is they’re generally, the slowest option. While the travel time listed online isn’t terrible, in actuality, the trip might take a lot longer due to traffic and slow border control!
I traveled from Kotor to Dubrovnik which was supposed to be a 2 hour 15 minute bus ride but it took close to 4 hours because border control took such a long tome! We also took a bus when we traveled from Sarande Albania to Tirana and I honestly wouldn’t recommend it. The bus was super small and crammed. It felt more like a locals bus than a bus for tourists. With that said, If you’re a budget traveler then it’s probably the best option.
Pro Tip: If you’re contemplating taking a bus from Kotor to Dubrovnik, I actually recommend taking a taxi! Once we arrived to Kotor, we found out you can take a taxi from Kotor to Dubrovnik for approximately 130 euro. If you have two or more travelers this is much easier than taking the bus! Click here for other set rates from Kotor.
FERRY
Ferries are most commonly used to travel between the Greek Islands, Albania, and Croatian cities along the coast. The ferry is generally reasonably priced as it’s around 40 euros round trip (depending on your route).
If you don’t enjoy being in the car, taking the ferry is the way to go! Being on the water in in these countries is incredible. You will pass a number of small islands as you go from one city to another. Ferries are easy to take and the scenery is unbelievable!
There are a number of different ferry companies so I’ll link the companies I’ve used below. Ferries are seasonal so be sure to check the schedule in advance! Tickets are easy to purchase online and you only need to book a few days in advance.
Booking:
- Greece – Blue Star Ferries
- Croatia – Ferry Croatia
- Corfu Island Greece to Sarande Albania – Ionian Seaways
DAYTRIP
Daytrip is the most expensive form of transportation listed however, it’s also the most convenient. Daytrip is a private car service and your driver will pick you up and drop you off right at your hotel!
I utilized Daytrip a few times throughout my trip to the Balkan countries. Our drivers spoke English and were extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Their cars were very clean and I had a pleasant experience with the company. If I could afford it, this would be the only way I would travel!
My favorite thing about riding with Daytrip is that you’re able to customize your itinerary! For instance, if you’re traveling from Dubrovnik to Split, you can choose to make a quick stop in cities along the way. Each stop will cost anywhere from 20-45 euro (in addition to the total price) and you’re able to customize how long your stops are.
I booked my rides with Daytrip approximately two weeks before my travel date. If your budget allows, I highly recommend using Daytrip!
Travel Tip: If you’re traveling from Mostar to Kotor or vice versa, I highly recommend using Daytrip. It is a pretty far drive which is why Daytrip makes the most sense. Some of the bus routes listed were 6-10 hours when it should be less than 3.5 hours to travel between these cities!
As you can tell, there are many ways to travel the Balkans. I hope this guide helps you in your Balkan travels. I had a really hard time figuring out how to travel from city to city on my first trip. It’s an absolutely beautiful region to explore so I hope you enjoy your trip :)
Here are a few articles to help you plan your Balkan trip –
Safe Travels,
Sarah :)
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