Are buses and public transport free for tourists in Belgrade?

I’m writing this from Belgrade, so I am bringing you the news directly from the ground. YES THEY ARE! 

This wasn’t something I had even thought about until I got here, but after getting a bus from an airport hotel into the centre of Belgrade, here is what I found out. 

Anxious Travel Guy, are the buses really free?

I told the manager of the hotel I was staying at I was heading to the centre after staying the night, and he gave me two buses that would take me there, and told me they were free. I wasn’t sure if this was just for locals, if you had to share a pass or anything, or maybe tourists would have to pay, but I confirm you just walk on to the bus, and that’s that!

I got on the bus near the airport, and it took me into the centre of Belgrade

Buses in Belgrade are indeed free for everyone! 

Firstly, shout out Belgrade. What an initiative! Belgrade is now the biggest city in Europe to offer free public transport, and selfishly, here is hoping others offer it soon. It can be tough to try and figure out how to get around using public transport in a city you’re not familiar with, can you pay with your card, is it cash only etc, so as a frequent traveller, I love seeing this. 

It was as simple as waiting at a bus stop, and getting on. What more could you want?

Are there any exceptions?

I was able to get into the centre of Belgrade fine, so it doesn’t appear there are any areas that are excluded from this initiative. 

I’ve had a quick look online, and it looks like there are only a couple of times where you’ll have to pay for public transport in Belgrade.

I found this on Reddit: ‘Everything is free except minibus A1 to Airport (400 rsd) and E minibus lines. Buses, trams, trolleys and even Bg voz city trains are free.’

And this great website, Belgrade Card, also had some very useful information on the only times that transport isn’t free, and unsurprisingly, they involve trips to the airport. This is understandable, as the airport is a decent distance from the centre of the city:

Minibus Express and A1 Airport Line Ticket Prices

Minibus Express Lines (E1, E2, E6, and E9): 200 RSD per ride.

A1 Express Bus (Slavija Square – Nikola Tesla Airport): 400 RSD per ride.

Besides that, it looks like everything else is covered.

What was your experience like using public transport in Belgrade?

Mixed, I can’t lie, but this was all on me and an hour or so where I just appeared to forget how to function.

I got on the first bus into the centre of Belgrade fine from near the airport, but then the bus took a turn I wasn’t expecting (to be honest, don’t know what I was expecting). So I had to jump off, and it took me a little bit of time to find the next bus stop. I jumped on the right bus, thought I would be golden, but it stopped before I had reached my destination, as there were road works.

I then saw the next bus I needed to get on at the last moment, panicked, tried to jump on as the doors were closing, my bag got stuck, I had caused a scene, and it was going in the wrong direction. 

I then had to get off shortly after, cross the road, and finally I was going the right way and got to where I needed to be going. 

The last bus was pretty crowded, but the others weren’t as busy, and they do have air conditioning, which works to varying degrees, pardon the pun.

I was a bit flustered as I had all my stuff with me, it was super hot, so if I took a minute or two to slow down, I think it would have been easier.

A Belgrade bus in all its glory. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Summary: 

If you want the TL;DR, it’s this: Buses and public transport are free in Belgrade. There are only a couple of exceptions, mostly involving journeys to the airport, so keep that in mind, and enjoy your Belgrade stay!