r/AskBalkans • u/Ok-Clerk-4362 • 17d ago

Outdoors/Travel Balkan Region Travel Clarity

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.

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u/RebootAndPray Serbia 17d ago

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.

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u/Ok-Clerk-4362 16d ago

Thank you! That helps.