Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the country’s largest railway hub. The Sarajevo train station is a very large building, from which around ten trains depart each day.
The station was built between 1947 and 1952, designed by architects from Czechoslovakia and the German Democratic Republic. At the time of its opening, it was one of the most modern railway stations in Europe. Today, the station’s architecture and atmosphere evoke the era of the former political regime. For visitors from Western and Central Europe, a visit to Sarajevo’s railway station can feel like stepping several decades back in time.
The original Sarajevo train station, built in 1882 as a narrow-gauge station, has not survived. It was demolished in 1979, and a housing estate made of prefabricated blocks was built on its site.
Currently, the station is far too large for the current level of passenger traffic, and there are no indications that the number of train connections will increase significantly in the future. Officially, smoking is prohibited inside the station, but the smell of cigarette smoke is present throughout the building. There is also a ban on photography at the station, but this rule is not enforced either.
Passenger services at the Sarajevo train station include:
– Ticket office (tickets sold only until 5:00 PM, with a lunch break)
– Toilet
– Two cafés
There is no tourist or railway information service at the station.
Luggage storage (garderoba) is available at the adjacent bus station. Money can be exchanged at the nearby post office.
The station has three covered platforms. Platforms are accessed via an underground passage—except for platform 1. The passage is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with baby strollers, or those carrying heavy luggage. In practice, such travelers are unable to use the station.
A tram stop is located near the station. Tram line 3 offers easy access to the city center. Day tickets are available, but the website of Sarajevo’s public transport company contains very little useful information.
Walking from the train station to the city’s main attractions takes 20–30 minutes, depending on your walking pace.
About 100 meters from the station stands the Avaz Twist Tower, a 36-story office building. On the 35th floor, there is a café, and one floor above, tourists can enjoy panoramic views of the city from an observation deck (the railway station and tracks are also visible from there).
Useful websites:
KJKP Gras – public transport in Sarajevo
Related articles:
Train travel in Bosnia and Herzegovina – a comprehensive guide
Train from Sarajevo to Mostar – a passenger’s guide
