Serbia
General train travel information for SERBIA. Rail travel tours, accommodation, sightseeing.
Brief History
Serbia's railways were founded in 1854. In 1881, Serbian National Railways was formed, which later became Yugoslav Railways. In the 1990s, the railways faced problems due to the break-up of Yugoslavia, but since the early 2010s a modernisation and reconstruction programme started. In 2015, the railways were split into separate companies: Srbija Voz, Srbija Kargo and Serbian Railways Infrastructure. Work is underway to modernise the lines, increase train speeds and acquire new rolling stock.
General Information and Statistics
Serbia Voz has been the main passenger rail operator in Serbia since 2015. Serbia Voz reports more than 15 million passengers in 2019.
There are 3,739 kilometres of railway lines in Serbia Some 1,279 km of track (33.6% of the network) is electrified.
What connections to other countries there are.
As per 2023 Srbija Voz only operates international trains to:Pogdorica and Bar Montenegro from Belgrade.
The international connections to Croatia, Romania, Hungary, North Macedonia and Bulgaria are currently freight only.
Are trains fast in Serbia in general? How much time to cross the country?
Serbia's high-speed train
Since March 2022, the reconstructed Belgrade-Novi Sad railway is also the first new high-speed train.
The train moves at a speed of around 200 km/h, so it covers the distance between Belgrade and Novi Sad in 35 minutes!
What railway companies are available?
The following railway companies currently operate in Serbia:
Srbija Voz: Srbija Voz is the national operator of passenger railways in Serbia. It operates passenger trains within Serbia and international routes
Serbia Cargo: Srbija Cargo is Serbia's national freight rail operator. It is responsible for the transportation of goods and cargo on the railway network.
Serbian Railways Infrastructure: Serbian Railways Infrastructure is responsible for the management and maintenance of railway infrastructure in Serbia, including tracks, stations and signalling systems.
The three companies were established in 2015 as part of the restructuring and unbundling of functions in the Serbian Railways system.
What train types are available in Serbia
Here are some common train types that you may encounter:
Regional trains: Regional trains connect small cities and towns within a certain region. They usually make frequent stops along their route, allowing you to travel shorter distances.
High-speed trains: such as the SOKO trains in Serbia, offer high-speed travel between specific destinations. They are designed to provide efficient and fast connections between major cities.
Night trains: Night trains are designed for night travel, with sleeping compartments or reclining seats for passengers. They allow you to travel long distances while you sleep, saving time and money.
Are there high-speed-trains available?
Since March 2022, the first new high-speed train has been running on the reconstructed Belgrade-Novi Sad railway. The train moves at a speed of around 200 km/h.
Most important train stations / hubs.
The main railway stations in Serbia are Beograd, Novi Sad, Niš, Subotica, Kragujevac, Vrsac.
Websites to buy train tickets for Serbia?
https://webapi1.srbvoz.rs/ekarta/app/#!/home
Mobile apps to buy train tickets in Serbia?
Srbija voz has a nice app.
Possible to buy a ticket at a railway station in Serbia?
You can buy tickets from vending machines (Kiosk) as well as from the ticket office.
Can I buy my ticket by phone?
You can reserve a seat for an international train over the phone or ask the operator for up-to-date information. It is not possible to buy a ticket over the phone.
Return the ticket.
Reimbursement of unused tickets in Serbia is made through railway ticket offices and requires submission of relevant documents. The application for reimbursement must be submitted by the specified deadline, depending on the type of ticket. In case of refund of the ticket, a fee of 10% of the refund amount is charged, except in some situations. If you purchased your ticket with a bank card, the refund will be credited to the same card. For more information about ticket refunds, please contact JSC Srbija Voz Revenue Control Department or Srbija Voz officials.
Train ticket prices
"Serbia Voz" always offers special discount tickets. With your "Serbia Serbia Voz" ticket you can get discounts at certain tourist, dining establishments and museums for 24 hours.
The "Buy a ticket and get a discount" campaign was organized in cooperation with tourist organizations and commercial entities in Belgrade, Vrsac, Jagodina, Valev, Niš, Užice and Zlatibor.. You can buy tickets for journeys within Serbia for as little as EUR 5,7 - even on major routes such as Novi Sad to Subotica.
Cheapest train to the closest nearby country?
Servibia Voz now only has an international train to Montenegro. From Beograd to Bar from EUR 20.
Where to find timetables.
Find train schedules on https://w3.srbvoz.rs/redvoznje
Buying tickets in advance or right before the train
Ticket prices in Serbia are fixed, depending on distance. You do not need to buy tickets in advance, but be aware that in high season, for the international train Serbia-Montenegro, day-today tickets may be sold out.
Types of tickets.
The SRB PLUS card is the best choice for travellers who want to travel frequently by train. The card provides a 30% discount on the price of a normal train ticket for domestic travel and is also the basis for season tickets (general season ticket and student season ticket). The card is valid for one year and applies to all categories of travellers (young people up to 26 years of age, adults and persons aged 60 and over).
SRB PLUS card prices
Adult 6,8 EUR
Persons older than 60 years 3,4 EUR
Young people under 26 years old 3,4 EUR
Interrail/Eurail Passes in Serbia
The Eurail and Interrail Pass is available for Serbia. The best option is to buy your Eurail or Interrail Pass on the official website. Serbia Pass costs from € 59. Global pass costs from €211.
Saver price.
The best way to save on train tickets in Serbia is to apply for an SRB PLUS card. This allows you to save up to 30% on each trip. You must be a Serbian citizen or a permanent resident of Serbia.
Is it cheaper to buy round-trip?
Buy single tickets, not return tickets. This will give you more flexibility if you need to change your travel plans. It is not cheaper to buy return tickets.
Flexible tickets.
Passengers under 26 years old, adults (aged 26 to 60) and passengers over 60 years old with permanent residence in the Republic of Serbia have the right to purchase a train ticket under the "Serbia Flexipass" offer (with "SRB PLUS" card) which allows travel on "Srbija Voz" a.d. trains for 8 days (at passenger's choice) within the period of validity of a ticket which is one month
Price for "Serbia Flexipass" offer
Price (dinars)
for young people up to 26 years old 17 EUR
for adults "26+" 29,8 EUR
for seniors "60+" 21,3 EUR
This offer is valid for 2nd class travel.
Serbia Flexipass offer is not valid for Regio Express and Inter City trains.
Balkan Flexis is an offer for travelling on the railways of South East Europe.
Rules of boarding.
On international trains, you will need a valid passport in addition to the ticket.
Discounts for group travel.
The official website has a separate page on group transport, but it does not open.
Age groups and discounts.
In domestic traffic, as well as in traffic with Montenegro, children under the age of six are carried free of charge, unless they need a separate seat. If a separate seat is required, there is a 50% discount for an adult passenger in 1st or 2nd class on all train types.
There are also discounts for people over the age of 60 and for young people under 26.
Age limitations for minors.
No information.
Handicapped passengers.
Stations equipped with orientation panels for the blind: Novi Sad, Subotica and Cacak, Belgrade city centre
Blind companion transportation
Blind people and people suffering from dystrophy and related muscle and neuromuscular diseases (plegia, cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis and multiple sclerosis) benefit from 75% of the normal price of a biolane.
Official pick-up and drop-off locations for passengers with special needs in wheelchairs are Belgrade Centrum, Novi Sad and Subotica.Carriage of people in wheelchairs is organized in the territory of Srbija Voz and in trains subject to availability of seats
Wheelchair accessible transportation is provided as part of the transportation service:
* a parking space for a road vehicle used for people with special needs in wheelchairs;
* access without stairs - special mobile cranes that lift people in wheelchairs to enter the passenger car, i.e. descend from the passenger car.
Seat reservations in trains in Serbia.
Reservations for international trains can be made by telephone. When purchasing a ticket, passengers can also purchase a seat reservation for a particular train, on the day of travel or in advance, but no earlier than two months before the date of the intended trip
It is not possible to book seats in advance for domestic trains.
Comfort classes on the trains.
On the trains of AO "Serbia Voz," there are different comfort classes available to passengers.
Second Class:
Second Class is the standard class available on most trains. It offers comfortable seating, air conditioning, and basic amenities.
First Class:
First Class provides an upgraded level of comfort compared to Second Class. It typically offers more spacious seating arrangements, additional legroom, and enhanced amenities.
Sleeper Class:
Sleeper Class is available on overnight trains or trains with sleeping compartments. Passengers in Sleeper Class have private compartments with beds or berths for a comfortable sleep during the journey.
Food and drink in trains / train restaurant in Serbia.
There is no restaurant or catering car on the Serbian trains. Stock up on food when travelling long distances. SOKO trains have a machine for making coffee.
Night trains in Serbia?
Currently, the only operational night train on an international railway line is from Belgrade to Bar (Montenegro).
Fast train (Brzi Voz)
Zemun - Beograd Centar - Valjevo - Priboj - Podgorica - Bar
Includes seats, couches/beds and berths
Booking is obligatory.
Important train routes in Serbia.
Beograd Centar - Uzici / 3:11 hours / from 5,7 EUR / 4 trains a day (July 2023)
Beograd Centar - Vrsac / 1:42 hours / from 3,50 EUR / 6 trains a day (July 2023)
Beograd Centar - Zlatibor / 4:53 hours / from 7,2 EUR / 2 trains a day (July 2023)
Beograd Centar - Novi Sad / from 0:36 hours / from 3,2 EUR / every hour (July 2023)
Beograd Centar - Valjevo / from 1:15 hours / from 4,1 EUR / train every 1-3 hours (July 2023)
International train routes.
There is direct international train from Serbia to Montenegro.
Tourist / scenic routes in Serbia.
JSC Srbija Voz, within the business tourist passenger transport, offers the use of the museum-tourist trains “Plavi Voz”, “Romantika” and “Nostalgija”.
It is possible to rent the exclusive train of Tito’s “Plavi Voz“ and the authentic train “Romantika“ for all types of celebration events, management celebrations, promotion activities as well as filming, tv clips and advertising clips and similar.
For these unique museums on rails there is a significant interest of the local and foreign tourists, nostalgic tourists and railway fans to which we offer the possibility to visit them, take a tour, take photos and memorize the unique historical artifacts. The ticket price for the tour is RSD 300.00 per person for individual visits and RSD 150.00 per person for group visits and the children, school children and students visits.
You must visit, perhaps the most attractive tourist destination in Serbia today, the unique railway line in the shape of number eight, “Šargan Eight“ and book the seat for the unforgettable travel by the train “Nostalgija”.
In addition to the mentioned trains, in the special offers you can rent also the other rolling stock of JSC Srbija Voz such as: electric multiple units, diesel multiple units, coaches and locomotives from the regular train compositions.
Luggage information.
The trains have special places for baby strollers, wheelchairs, bicycles, and luggage.
Bicycle on the train.
You are allowed to take your bike on the train. You have to pay a fee of 100 Dinar (approximately €0,85) and place your bike in one of the designated bike spaces on the train. If the train doesn't have any special bike places, you can only take your bike if you can fold it and store it as a luggage item.
Ski or snowboard on the train.
No exact information on the transport of skis and snowboards could be found.
Luggage lockers on the stations in Serbia.
There is no luggage lookers at the Belgrade railway station. There is a luggage lockers at the central bus station. The cheapest is the storage at Central bus station – 180 RSD (around 1.3 Eur) (2021).
Lost and Found Items.
There was no information from the official carrier. The most popular service in Serbia and Montenegro for finding lost things is https://tagmefy.com/serbia-and-montenegro/
Pets on the trains.
Small pets are allowed on trains if they are in a suitable carrier, such as a cage or basket, and can be placed as hand luggage. Small dogs that do not disturb passengers may also be transported.
Larger dogs may only be transported on second class trains and only if their owners are members of the army, police or blind people.
A dog may only travel in a compartment with the consent of all passengers in the compartment. Regardless of size, dogs must be placed in a carrier or have a muzzle. Larger dogs must also be kept on a short leash.
A fee of 50% of the normal price of a second-class passenger train is charged for transporting dogs in passenger carriages.
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