How to Book Train Travel From Belgrade to Bar

The Belgrade to Bar railway was built to connect Serbia to the coastal city of Bar, Montenegro. Bar is Montenegro's main seaport. The railway, which is approximately 476 km long, was completed in 1976 and provides the only way to get from Serbia to Montenegro by train.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Passport
• Computer with Internet access

How to Book Train Travel From Belgrade to Bar

1. Book your train travel directly from Rail Europe by calling their number (888) 832-RAIL or visiting the Web site (see Resources).

2. Purchase a point-to-point ticket, and understand that you can still get off and on along the way. Rail passes are accepted on this line, but the pass will probably be more expensive than a regular ticket.

3. Make sure that you reserve a seat prior to your trip, since the trains are often overcrowded. You will also need to reserve a sleeper car if you are traveling overnight. Both of these reservations require an additional fee.

4. Be prepared to wait. The Belgrade to Bar line is known for delays. You can check the Serbian Railways Web site for current information on the lines and possible delays.

5. Stretch your legs in the capital city of Podgorica on your way to Bar. The buildings here are relatively modern, although the train station needs to be renovated. The city, centrally located among several rivers, is just a couple of hours away by car from both ski and seaside resorts. There are plenty of shops, cafes, parks and theatres to make your stay here worthwhile.

6. Pack a book or a blanket: the scenic trip from Belgrade to Bar takes about 9 to 10 hours.

7. Decide when you are going to travel: during the day or overnight. There are 4 passenger trains running daily between Belgrade and Bar, 2 of which are overnight trains.

Know Your Destination

8. Take a trip to the beach once you get to Bar. Although Bar is a modern city with several nice beaches, most tourists visit nearby small towns like Sutomore, located within Bar's municipality.

9. Travel out to the Castle of King Nikola and the Haj Nehaj Fortress (the remains of a 15th century fortress) to get a feel for the historic value of this area.

Tips & Warnings

• You cannot book tickets on the Serbian Railways Web site.
• If you're riding the train overnight and comfort is important to you, pay extra to upgrade to a cabin with 2 beds.
• Buying the ticket at the train station might save you money, but it may be safer and simpler to book your tickets through a travel agent if you're not a seasoned traveler.
• Serbian Railways does have a direct customer service line at this point, but you can email them via the Serbian Railways Web site.
• Unlike most European train stations, the station in Bar is not centrally located downtown. You'll need to book additional transportation arrangements to get to your hotel or final destination.
• Many travelers have reported back that the trains traveling these lines are old and dirty. You may want to dress accordingly.