Language

Bosnian is the official language. In the Republika Srpska, cyrillic may be used.

Guide Books

The Lonely Planet Western Balkans guide is useful for the entire region of the former Yugoslavia. Bradt also have a guide book specifically on Bosnia. If you’re a member then be sure to have a look in the Oxford Union, as they have quite an extensive collection of guide books which you might be able to borrow.

Getting there

Most people fly to Zagreb (in Croatia) and then catch a train or bus to the town they are staying at. This is a long journey but will cost much less than £20.

You can also fly in via Split or Dubrovnik. Of course, you can always fly into or out of airports further away, and make a longer holiday of it. Budget airlines serve cities such as Sofia, Istanbul, Budapest. The flight search engine SkyScanner.net is useful.

Taxis

Agree a price with the taxi driver before you get in. If he charges more then refuse to pay.

Buses

They are generally really cheap. Beware: they may add extra charges for luggage. It is worth considering getting an overnight bus if the journey is long.

Visas

You almost certainly won’t need a visa if you’re from the UK, but check a good guide book beforehand.

Getting money

ATM machines are common in the main cities but it’s worth taking over some currency (Euros are widely accepted)

Travel

The Croatian coast is gorgeous (and once again becoming a popular tourist destination) and it’s not too expensive to get there, though cities like Dubrovnik are pricey. Sarajevo and Mostar are definitely recommended as places to visit. The Montenegrin coast is spectacular.

Last updated: December 24th, 2008