Train travel in Bosnia in Herzegovina is limited to a very few trains. Railway network is neglected, almost all international trains were suspended many years ago. I highly recommend travel by train from Sarajevo to Mostar – railway line is beautiful and train is very comfortable.
Last updated: 08.10.2024
The first railway in present day Bosnia and Herzegovina was opened on December 24, 1872. It was a standard gauge railway from Banja Luka to Dobrljin (101.6 km), constructed by the Ottoman Empire as part of the railway corridor from Constantinople to Vienna.
After the Congress of Berlin (1878), Austria-Hungary built numerous narrow gauge railways in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The railway line Sarajevo – Ploče was electrified in 1969, some of the main railway lines were electrified in 1992.
In December 2023 the railway line from Podlugovi to Vareš was reopened (32 km). It will be primarily used for freight traffic
Train travel in Bosnia and Herzegovina – domestic trains
Railway in Bosnia and Herzegovina is neglected and train stations are poor maintained. The country is a federation of two main territories – Republika Srpska and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, each with own railway administration. Before the pandemic, the number of passenger services increased and new long-distance and international trains were announced to be launched. But plans were abandoned. There are very few trains currently running.
The two companies operating passenger services in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
– Željeznice Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine (Railways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina)
– Željeznice Republike Srpske (Railways of Republika Srpska)
The most important railway junction is Sarajevo. The huge railway station serves only several passenger trains daily. The station was officially opened in 1952. It was one of the most monumental structures in the city of Sarajevo before the siege in 1992.
Currently there are no trains between Sarajevo and Banja Luka (the two largest cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina). Passenger train Sarajevo – Banja Luka was suspended.
Željeznice Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine – timetable
Željeznice Republike Srpske – timetable
IMPORTANT NOTICE: During floods in October 2024 part of the railway line from Sarajevo to Mostar was damaged (near Jablanica). 17 km of the railway line between Ostrozac and Grabovica (Unska Pruga – no passenger traffic) was also damaged.
Domestic trains operated by Željeznice Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine:
Sarajevo – Mostar – Čapljina
Sarajevo – Visoko – Zenica (- Maglaj)
Trains from Doboj to Tuzla were suspended until further notice.
The quality of the rolling stock varies. There are old electric multiple units, rusty and dirty carriages, and modern air-conditioned Talgo trainsets for daytime trains and overnight trains (equipped with sleeping cars). In old carriages and multiple units smoking is allowed. In the Talgo trainsets smoking is prohibited.
I recommend the train ride from Sarajevo to Mostar. It is one of the most beautiful railway lines in Europe, the tracks run along the Neretva River. The views from the window are breathtaking.
Ticket prices are moderate.
Željeznice Republike Srpske (ŽRS) runs the following trains:
Doboj – Banja Luka
Doboj – Petrovo Novo
Banja Luka – Novi Grad
Banja Luka – Dobrlјin
Novi Grad – Dobrlјin
Rolling stock of the Željeznice Republike Srpske company is old, rusty and dirty. Smoking in compartments and in the corridor is allowed. No new trainsets or carriages have been purchased in recent years, and there are no plans to modernize the existing rolling stock. Railway enthusiasts will certainly be satisfied with ex-DDR carriages.
Types of the trains in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Lokalni voz – regional train. Usually electric multiple unit or old carriages. The cheapest option, stops at all stations.
Brzi voz – fast train. Stops at main stations only, comprised of Talgo trainset (Sarajevo – Mostar) or Ex-Swedish old but comfortable carriages (Sarajevo – Maglaj). Brzi voz Sarajevo – Bihać was suspended.
Train travel in Bosnia and Herzegovina – international trains
The only international train from Bosnia and Herzegovina runs from 2022 during the summer season (June – August), only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Train from Sarajevo to Ploče in Croatia is operated by Željeznice Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine. Talgo trainset departs from Sarajevo in the morning and returns in the evening. The journey takes more than three hours in one way. Train covers the distance 194 km. Seat reservation is compulsory. Tickets are not cheap, but it’s a scenic ride with beautiful landscapes.
Tickets must be purchased at least one day in advance – when purchasing, you must provide your name, surname and passport number.
Passenger train from Zagreb to Sarajevo is cancelled. There have been information about plans to reinstate the train for many years but the train is still not running.
Train from Belgrade to Sarajevo was suspended many years ago.
A short section of a Belgrade – Bar railway line of passes through Bosnia but the trains don’t stop on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
All narrow gauge railways from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Montenegro were closed and dismantled.
Trains between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina – a comprehensive guide
Trains between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina – a comprehensive guide
