If you’re visiting the Balkans and planning to head to Bosnia & Herzegovina, chances are that at some point you’ll need to travel from Sarajevo to Mostar or the other way around from Mostar to Sarajevo.
Despite being two of the most popular cities to visit for travellers in the country, information on the internet is scarce about what is the best way to go about it. If you’re about to embark on this journey in the near future, here’s everything you need to know about travelling from Sarajevo to Mostar by bus, train, car or organised tour.
Sarajevo to Mostar Bus
The easiest and most popular way to travel from Sarajevo to Mostar is by bus. Leaving from the central bus station in Sarajevo (not East Sarajevo Bus Station where you might have arrived from Belgrade!), there are frequent buses throughout the day.
The current bus schedule for Sarajevo to Mostar is 06:15, 06:00, 08:15, 09:00, 09:55, 11:30, 12:30, 12:45, 13:00, 14:30, 15:30, 18:00 & 19:55. Going in the opposite schedule from Mostar to Sarajevo, the schedule is 04:55, 06:00, 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 09:30, 12:10, 12:50, 15:00, 16:00 & 18:15.
The bus costs 17 BAM (equivalent to approximately €8.50) and takes about 2.5 hours. You will also need to pay 2 BAM if you have luggage to put in the hold and 1 BAM if you need to use the toilet at either Sarajevo Bus Station or Mostar Bus Station.
There doesn’t appear to be a reliable way to buy tickets online, with prices inflated on most online booking sites and tickets needing to be printed. In peak season, it might be worth going to the Bus Station a day or two before to book tickets, otherwise, you shouldn’t have any problems with tickets selling out.
Depending on where you’re staying in Sarajevo, you might need to take a taxi or public transport to get to the Bus Station. One option is to take a tram and you can buy a ticket for 1.6 BAM at a newsstand or 1.8 BAM on board. You must validate the ticket when you get onto the tram.
Another option is to take a taxi and you should expect to pay around 5 BAM from the Sarajevo Old Town. There aren’t any working taxi apps at the moment so make sure to get into a taxi with a working meter.
When arriving in Mostar, the Bus Station is actually quite close to the Old Town and depending on where you’re staying, you could probably walk within 10 to 15 minutes. If you want to take a taxi, you should expect to pay around 2.5 BAM to go from the Bus Station to the Old Bridge area.
Sarajevo to Mostar Train
The Sarajevo to Mostar route is one of the few in the Balkans where there is actually the option to take the train!
There are currently two daily trains that operate this route departing at 07:15 & 16:49 from Sarajevo and arriving in Mostar at 09:05 & 18:44. If you’re taking the train from Mostar to Sarajevo, it departs 06:39 & 17:05, arriving at 08:33 & 18:55.
Tickets for second class seat cost 11.90 BAM and it’s possible to purchase tickets online up to three hours before departure or alternatively directly at the train station. You can view the latest schedules and prices directly on the Bosnia Railways website.
The train is cheaper and faster than the bus, however, with only two departures per day, it might not be as convenient for your Balkans travel route!
Sarajevo to Mostar by Car
Driving through the Balkans is becoming a more popular option for travellers, with many car rental companies allowing you to take their cars across borders. While there are some car rental companies in both Sarajevo and Mostar, you can also find many choices in nearby cities like Dubrovnik, Split or Belgrade.
If you’re looking to find a deal on car hire, we always suggest searching on Rentalcars.Com to find a suitable option. They compare rates across major companies available ensuring you get a good price! It’s also worth purchasing third party excess insurance from iCarHireInsurance to ensure you are not liable to pay anything in the event of making a claim.
When renting a car in the Balkans, make sure you read the policy details to ensure you can take the car across borders. When driving in Bosnia you will also need a green card that proves you have insurance which the car rental company should provide for you.
Sarajevo to Mostar Tour
While many travellers will embark on a Mostar day trip from Split or Dubrovnik, it’s also possible to go from Sarajevo to Mostar on a tour. This is a good option if you are short on time and want to see as much of Bosnia as possible.
One great option for a guided tour is this full-day trip. It includes sufficient time to explore Mostar as well as stops in Počitelj and Blagaj which can be difficult to visit independently. The tour includes transport to and from your hotel in Sarajevo, museum entrance fees and even some burek! Click here to view schedules and latest prices.
If you want more time to explore Mostar independently or heading to Croatia after your visit to Sarajevo, then this guided tour is a great choice and it leaves you in Mostar rather than returning to Sarajevo. It follows a similar itinerary to the above tour but undoubtedly gives you more flexibility for planning the next leg of your journey. Click here to view the schedule and latest prices.
Where to Stay in Sarajevo
If you’re looking for some accommodation choices during your stay in Sarajevo, here are a few options.
Hostel Franz Ferdinand – One of the most popular places to stay for backpackers in Sarajevo, this hostel offers a range of different dorm options as well as some private rooms. There is a large common area, free breakfast and the staff are willing to share plenty of tips about the city. Click here to see their latest prices
Hotel VIP – A great hotel located in the heart of Sarajevo offering rooms suitable for up to two people. They offer a free airport shuttle, daily breakfast and there is an on-site restaurant. Click here to see their latest prices
Hotel Sana – Another hotel option, located right next to the historic Old Town area. They have a range of private rooms with breakfast included and clean and modern amenities. Click here to see their latest prices
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to find other hotels in Sarajevo!
Where to Stay in Mostar
If you’re not travelling from Sarajevo to Mostar as a day trip, here are some options for where to spend the night.
Hostel Majdas – A fantastic option for backpackers, this hostel has a range of comfortable and clean dorm rooms with a delicious homemade breakfast served every morning. Majdas’ brother organises a fantastic day tour around the region that is definitely worth going on. Click here to see their latest prices
Hotel Eden – A comfortable hotel located near Stari Most that offers a range of private rooms suitable for couples and families. Breakfast is included daily and guests have access to an indoor swimming pool. Click here to see their latest prices
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Mostar!
Travelling from Sarajevo to Mostar is a relatively straightforward journey with travellers having the option of either taking the bus, train, driving or going on an organised tour.
Are you planning on travelling from Mostar to Sarajevo or back? Have you been recently? Let us know in the comments below!
Hey, do you have any info on travelling from Sarajevo to Banja Luka? There’s hardly any online. Thanks.