Bosnia and Herzegovina
How to get to Bosnia and Herzegovina: airports, flights and border crossings
Fly into Sarajevo (SJJ) for the classic Sarajevo–Mostar trip; Mostar (OMO) and Tuzla (TZL) suit Herzegovina and the north-east, Banja Luka (BNX) the north-west. Land arrivals by bus or car from Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro are easy and often cheaper. Choose Sarajevo unless your first stop is elsewhere.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Key facts
- Best airport for a first trip
- Sarajevo (SJJ) — 3 nights Sarajevo, 2 Mostar
- Other airports
- Mostar (OMO), Tuzla (TZL), Banja Luka (BNX) — few routes, some seasonal
- From the UKcheck
- Direct flights to Sarajevo from London and a few regional airports, roughly 2h 45m
- From the US and Canada
- No direct flights; connect in Istanbul, Vienna, Frankfurt, Munich or Zagreb
- From Australia and NZ
- Two connections minimum; 24h+ total
- Land entry
- Bus or car from Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro; no internal border checks between the two entities
- Currency
- Convertible mark (BAM, KM), fixed at 1.95583 to the euro
- Entry rulescheck
- Visa-free for US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland and most EU passports; 90 days in 180
Summary by airport and month
Four airports take international traffic. Route counts and schedules change every season, so treat the table as a starting point and confirm on the airline or airport site before booking.
- Sarajevo is the only airport with a wide year-round network.
- Mostar, Tuzla and Banja Luka are useful only if a route matches your dates.
- Flying into Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Belgrade or Split and continuing by bus or car is often cheaper.
| Airport | Best for | Typical routes | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarajevo (SJJ) | Sarajevo, Mostar, central BiH | Istanbul, Vienna, Frankfurt, Munich, Zagreb, London, seasonal Gulf | Year-round, busiest May–Oct |
| Mostar (OMO) | Mostar and Herzegovina | Very few routes; mainly seasonal charter and nearby Croatia airports | Summer only |
| Tuzla (TZL) | North-east BiH, Tuzla | Low-cost routes from Western Europe | Year-round |
| Banja Luka (BNX) | North-west, Una National Park | Limited scheduled and seasonal routes | Mostly summer |
Schedules change; verify with the airport or airline before booking.
Step by step
First, decide where you start. For the standard first trip — 3 nights in Sarajevo and 2 in Mostar — fly into Sarajevo and out of Sarajevo, or in to Sarajevo and out of Dubrovnik or Split if you want to end on the coast. For Herzegovina only, look at Mostar or Dubrovnik. For the north-west and Una National Park, Banja Luka or Zagreb works better.
Second, price the whole journey, not just the flight. A cheap fare into Tuzla or Banja Luka can cost more once you add the bus or car to Sarajevo. Compare the flight plus transfer against a slightly dearer ticket into Sarajevo.
Third, book the border crossing. Bus is the default for land entry: frequent services run from Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Belgrade and Podgorica to Sarajevo and Mostar. Trains are limited; the scenic Sarajevo–Mostar line is the notable one, and international rail links are sparse. Driving gives the most freedom, but check insurance cover for BiH and any cross-border fees with your rental company.
Fourth, sort entry paperwork before you fly. Most Western passports are visa-free for short stays; confirm your own case on the visa page. Carry your passport, not just an ID card, and expect a straightforward but sometimes slow border queue in summer.
Fifth, plan the last leg. Sarajevo airport is close to the city centre by taxi, bus or tram; Mostar and Banja Luka airports need a taxi or pre-booked transfer. Check the getting-around page for local transport.
| Route | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| London → Sarajevo | About 2h 45m direct | Direct routes exist but not daily (check) |
| New York → Sarajevo | 12–16h with one stop | Connect in Istanbul, Vienna, Frankfurt or Munich |
| Toronto → Sarajevo | 13–17h with one stop | Usually via a European hub |
| Sydney → Sarajevo | 24h+ with two stops | Via the Middle East or Europe |
| Zagreb → Sarajevo by bus | About 8h | Several daily services |
| Split → Mostar by bus | About 4–5h | Frequent in summer |
| Dubrovnik → Mostar by bus | About 3–4h | Popular with coastal itineraries |
| Belgrade → Sarajevo by bus | About 8h | Overnight options exist |
Times are 2026 estimates and vary by service and border queues.
Notes
Border queues at Neum, Gradiška and the Croatian crossings can add an hour or more in July and August. Allow slack if you are catching a flight.
The country has two entities plus Brčko District, but there are no internal border checks between them; you cross freely.
The convertible mark is pegged to the euro at 1.95583, so euro cash is easy to convert, though you pay in KM. Many places accept euros informally at a rough rate; do not rely on it.
Headlights must be on at all times when driving, and the right-hand side applies.
Travel insurance that covers the Balkans, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, is worth arranging before you go; check that your policy covers any adventure activities you plan.
- Carry your passport for border crossings even on short hops.
- Keep some cash in KM for buses, taxis and small cafés.
- Check your mobile plan or eSIM before arrival; roaming outside the EU can be costly.
- In winter, mountain roads can close; check conditions if driving from Croatia or Montenegro.
Questions people ask
What is the best airport to fly into for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Sarajevo (SJJ) for most first trips, because it has the widest year-round network and puts you 3 nights from Sarajevo and 2 from Mostar. Choose Mostar, Tuzla or Banja Luka only if a route matches your dates and first stop.
How long is the flight to Bosnia and Herzegovina from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ?
From London, about 2h 45m direct to Sarajevo when a direct route runs. From the US and Canada, 12–17h with one stop via Istanbul, Vienna, Frankfurt or Munich. From Australia and NZ, 24h+ with two stops. All 2026 estimates; check schedules.
Can I enter Bosnia and Herzegovina by land or sea?
Yes. Buses run from Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Belgrade and Podgorica to Sarajevo and Mostar, and driving is straightforward. There is a short coast at Neum, but no international ferry port of note; most sea arrivals come via Croatian ports and then by road.
Do I need a visa for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Most US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland and EU passport holders can enter visa-free for short stays, commonly 90 days in any 180. Rules can change, so confirm your own passport on the visa requirements page before booking.
Is it cheaper to fly into a neighbouring country?
Sometimes. Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb and Belgrade often have cheaper or more frequent flights, and buses onward are inexpensive. Add the transfer time and cost before deciding; for a Sarajevo-first trip, flying into Sarajevo usually wins.
How do I get from Sarajevo airport to the city?
The airport is close to the centre. Taxis, a local bus and the tram network connect it; a taxi is the simplest with luggage. Fares are modest by Western European standards. Check the getting-around page for current options.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialSarajevo International Airport
- officialMostar Airport
- officialTuzla International Airport
- officialBanja Luka Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage – Bosnia and Herzegovina