If you are in Sarajevo and looking for a way to reach Adriatic coast of Croatia here is the detailed route plan for you. No matter if you are a solo tourist or travelling with family and kids, we will give you enough information in order you could make your journey well planned and comfortable.
City break
First of all, do not hurry to leave Sarajevo fast. This city deserves to be explored.
Of course, all depends on how much time you have, but 1-2 days are highly recommended. You can easily fill them with immersing yourself in different eras of city’s life from the times of the Ottoman Empire to the Yugoslav wars. Here are some of our suggestions:
- get lost at Baščaršija (Ottoman style old town) with its numerous restaurants, cafés hookah bars and souvenir shops;
- visit Latin bridge to feel the atmosphere of the place where WW1 have been started;
- learn rich history of the country in National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- take a walk through Ferhadija which is one of main pedestrian streets in Sarajevo to be surprised by how old mosques neighboring with beautiful Gothic Cathedral of 19th century.
If you’d love to see more, you can also catch out some outcity landmarks – Sarajevo war tunnel and Olympic center in Jahorina, which hosted Olympic games in 1984.
First step
Now, when you are finished with visiting sights, it is time to go further to the sea. And the good news is that after 8 years of break Bosnia and Croatia are resumed train connection, which is definitely the most comfortable travel option in this mountainous area. There is a 194-kilometre railway connecting Sarajevo with Ploce – small Croatian town located on the Adriatic coast in Dalmatia.
To get directly to Ploce is not easy, because trains make this full route only on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) during the summer season from 7th of June until 1st of September (actual timetable for year 2024). So, just 3 days in a week during 3 summer months. If your travel day is out of this period you have to take a ticket to Capljina – Bosnian city which is located on the border with Croatia and 20 km away from the sea. This route performing all year round. But if you still not enough with Bosnian vibe you can make additional stop in Mostar – fantastically beautiful old city and UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also on our railway route. So, choose one of 3 destinations depends on what do you want and what date do you go: Ploce, Capljina, Mostar.
How to buy ticket, prices, timetable
Booking form on Bosnian railways website is weird but it is a workable, the website has English version.
Visit https://www.zfbh.ba/en/, choose “FAST TRAIN”, your date, “Sarajevo” as starting point and your destination.
Price is fixed all season and depends only on destination:
Sarajevo – Mostar 14.1 BAM (Bosnian Convertible Mark) which is ~7.2 EUR
Sarajevo – Capljina 17 BAM (Bosnian Convertible Mark) which is ~ 8.7 EUR
Sarajevo – Ploce 25 BAM (Bosnian Convertible Mark) which is ~ 12.8 EUR
Online payments with Visa/Mastercard are possible.
A 20% discount will apply if you book a round trip ticket
Children under 4 years old can travel free of charge.
There are 2 departures a day from Sarajevo to Mostar/Capljina – morning and afternoon with fast trains nr. 721 and nr. 723:
Extended route to Ploce during the summer time is made only by morning train nr. 723. Arrival time to Ploce with this train – 10:36.
There are also 2 back way trains, here are timetable with departure from Capljina and Mostar:
Extended route from Ploce during the summer time is made only by evening train nr. 722. Departure time from Ploce with this train – 18:26.
Be noticed: online booking is possible not earlier than 1 month in advance and no later than 3 hours before departure time. Tickets must be collected at the station before you travel.
Sarajevo railway station location
The railway station located on the west part from the city center and can be easily reached by taxi. We suggest to stay in Swiss hotel Sarajevo to be both near the center and railway station, to have great view from the hotel room and to get high quality service during your stay in Sarajevo.
Inside the train
Trains are made with Spanish-designed Talgo wagons. They are air-conditioned and quite comfortable. There are only 2nd class coaches and no buffet on board so take some snacks before the way if needed.
Last mile delivery
When you are in Mostar/Capljina/Ploce and still need to reach the seaside destination on Central or South Dalmatia we suggest you to order a private transfer with comfortable car/van right from the train station to your vacation destination.
Transfers are made with comfortable vehicles with licensed and professional drivers, can be ordered online on our website all year round:
https://www.rivierabus.com/private-transfers-dalmatia/
Please make a booking in advance because of high demand during the summer season.
We will equip the car baby seat if needed, make a stop on the way and organize door-to-door service right to your resort or apartment on any point of Adriatic coast.
Same route can be made for a back way with private transfer from the seaside to the point which is connected with Sarajevo by railway.