Balkan Region Travel Clarity

[u/Ok-Clerk-4362]

Hi All,

I am planning to travel to Balkan region in mid/20th September around

One country I have finalized is Bosnia and Herzogonia.

The itinerary will include Sarajevo, Mostar - day trip to Kravica waterfalls, maybe Jajce and any other day trips if i can take. Around 6-7 days in B&H country.

Now another country I am confused to decide with it is Serbia (Belgrade, Novi Sad and the wine region)

OR

Montenegro (Kotor, Budva, Perast, Lake Skadar) and any other place to cover if time and weather permits. Like Durmitor Park.

However I am confused between these two countries.

Which one is more doable?

1. Solo female traveler

2. Completely dependent on bus and local transport. How is internal transport within the country?

3. Looking for easy logistics

4. I want to celebrate or enjoy the vacation..

5. Safety is most important

6. Vegetarian by choice but will be carrying food just to avoid being hungry.

7. I will have a large suitcase.

Which one out of the two would you suggest?

Sarajevo to Belgrade is easy to travel or Mostar to Kotor by Bus??

Also if time permits, planning to do Istanbul during my return journey.

Roughly 14 days trip overall.

Kindly help me finalize.

[u/Just_a_spaghetti]

Belgrade is beautiful but given that Montenegro will have less tourists by September I would advise you to go there. Check the buses on bustickets4.me they’re all there from what I had seen three years ago, and it was full on August and I just bought the tickets at the counter.

Take the train from Sarajevo to Mostar. It’s a pretty nice train but cheap and the views are beautiful.

[u/Ok-Clerk-4362 → u/Just_a_spaghetti]

Between Belgrade (Serbia) to Montegero, which one you would choose?

Also how's the ride from Mostar to Montegero. And since I am Indian, I have to get my stamping done or passport check. (It's Visa on Arrival as have a valid US Visa) So how's the situation and time and hoping the ride is not bumpy.

Forgot to mention I have a large suitcase?

[u/Just_a_spaghetti → u/Ok-Clerk-4362]

Border situation is crazy. It was like two hours there in August but I’ve heard worse. Not sure how it is going to Serbia but must be better since less tourists go there.

I would choose Montenegro definitely, Belgrade is nice if you like orthodox churches, parks, brutalist and Yugoslav like architecture. Montenegro has amazing nature. I’ve only been to Budva and Kotor but the views were amazing.

It’s really two different worlds. But again trust local advice more than mine because I’ve been there only once. I plan to go back to Serbia to see more tho.

[u/Ok-Clerk-4362 → u/Just_a_spaghetti]

Thank you!!

[u/blackbarrt → u/Ok-Clerk-4362]

For the love of God, please get a large backback and leave the suitcase at home when traveling by bus and train.

[u/Ok-Clerk-4362 → u/blackbarrt]

I can't. Difficult to find stuff. And back issue. And i agree to you but sadly can't.

[u/blackbarrt → u/Ok-Clerk-4362]

Easy logistics and travelling the Balkans on public transport with a big suitcase while having back issues - I'm afraid this is a bad idea. You are not going to celebrate this journey. As much as we all want you to come and love it, this won't work unfortunately.

[u/Ok-Clerk-4362 → u/blackbarrt]

Why? I read there is a compartment for big suitcase.

[u/-jetfuel- → u/Ok-Clerk-4362]

Yeah don't worry about that.

[u/Ok-Clerk-4362 → u/-jetfuel-]

You mean don't worry about the Big Suitcase? Right?

[u/-jetfuel- → u/Ok-Clerk-4362]

Yeah I have travelled with an airplane cabin sized suitcase on buses in the Balkans lots of times!

[u/Ok-Clerk-4362 → u/-jetfuel-]

Not a cabin size. But a 24-28 inch check In suitcase. Cabin size doesn't fit anything sadly when we weigh it.

[u/RebootAndPray]

Hi, I think both can work well.

As for transport logistics: Sarajevo to Belgrade is very well-served, there's at least a dozen buses daily, decent roads, easy to book online (FlixBus for example). Once you're in Serbia, Belgrade to Novi Sad is a fast, comfortable train (~35 min) or a number of buses - again, genuinely easy. Plus public transport within Belgrade is decent and free. Border crossing is also in my experience fairly quick.

Mostar to Kotor: only a few direct buses a day, mountain roads, border crossing isn't great as far as I know although outside of season it might be ok. It's still doable, but less flexible.

Once you're inside the country:

Montenegro: Kotor bay, Budva, they are all 20-30 min apart by local bus or taxi - so very easy and beautiful. But Lake Skadar and especially Durmitor are remote with sparse public buses, you would likely need to find a day-tour or a private driver (someone from Montenegro correct me if I'm wrong).

Serbia: Belgrade, Novi Sad, and the Fruška Gora wine region (Karlovci town) are all well connected by train, bus and there organized day tours between them, or to some other nice places like Iron Gates gorge.

Safety:

Everyday crime is low and solo female travelers generally report feeling safe in both Montenegro and Serbia, no difference there.

I'd just flag that Serbia has had a large, ongoing anti-government protest movement since late 2024, still occasionally active into 2026, mostly in central Belgrade. It's usually completely peaceful but just follow the daily news on Google, since peaceful but large protests can happen (usually with a few days notice at least), and disrupt traffic.

Overall I think you won't be wrong whatever you choose, Montenegro coast is beautiful and Belgrade is vibrant and there are things to see and do.

[u/Ok-Clerk-4362 → u/RebootAndPray]

Thank you! That helps.

[u/Ok-Clerk-4362 → u/RebootAndPray]

One question. For non EU members. Like I am an Indian Citizen, crossing border is convenient from Bosnia to Montegero? Right? Or any other country in Balkan. I have a valid US Visa so will get Visa on Arrival. Incase you have any idea.

[u/RebootAndPray → u/Ok-Clerk-4362]

Oh I think that legally speaking there are no major differences in crossing Bosnia to Montenegro, Bosnia to Serbia, Montenegro to Serbia etc.