The best way to explore Sarajevo is by a combination of walking and trams.

The historic centre is compact; the main tram line runs through the valley across the city, whilst buses and minibuses serve the neighbourhoods on the hillsides. Public transport fares are relatively expensive by local standards, costing 2,20 bam per journey. We describe this in detail below.

Transport in Sarajevo at a glance:

• Baščaršija and the historic centre – on foot
• Ilidža – tram 3
• Main railway and coach stations – tram 1
• Dobrinja and the southern part of the city – trolleybus 103
• Hillside neighbourhoods – minibus or taxi, or on foot for a good cardio workout 😉

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On foot

You can easily explore Baščaršija, Vijećnica, the Latin Bridge, the Ferhadija pedestrian zone and the Eternal Flame on foot.

Most of the main sights are within a radius of about 1.5 km, and waiting for a tram would often take longer than the walk itself.

It’s about a 2.5 km walk from Baščaršija to the modern Marijin Dvor district, taking 30 to 40 minutes. The main train and bus stations are approximately 3 km away.

The main axis of the city along the Miljacka River is mostly flat, but the neighbourhoods to the north and south of the centre rise steeply into the hills.

A short distance on the map can therefore mean a very steep climb. If you’re staying on a hillside, it’s often worth taking a taxi or minibus up and walking back down to the centre.

Public transport in Sarajevo

Public transport is operated by GRAS and Centrotrans.

Tourists will mainly use GRAS trams and trolleybuses, whilst Centrotrans buses and minibuses serve the outlying and hilly neighbourhoods.

The tram fleet has been significantly modernised in recent years. There are 25 new Stadler low-floor trams in operation, alongside which the older Czechoslovakian Tatra K2 trams still run. The trolleybuses have also undergone a major refurbishment.

Most daytime services run from 5.00 am to 11.00 pm. Tram line 3 also offers a free night service.

Trams

The Sarajevo tram network is very straightforward. It consists of a single main line between Baščaršija and Ilidža (or, more precisely, the Hrasnice area beyond Ilidža) and a short branch line to the main railway station.

All tram services are operated by GRAS.

The following lines are the most important for visitors:

• 3 Baščaršija – Ilidža – the main and most frequent route across the entire city
• 1 Baščaršija – Željeznička stanica – a direct link between the historic centre and the main railway station
• 4 Željeznička stanica – Ilidža – a connection between the railway station and the western part of Sarajevo (however, this line runs at very long intervals)

Tram 3 usually runs every few minutes (4–7 minutes) during the day; at weekends and in the evenings, the intervals are longer.

The branch line to the main station has fewer services than the main route. If Tram 1 (which usually runs at intervals of around 20 minutes) has not run for some time, walk for about 7 minutes to the Muzeji or Tehnička škola stop, from where Tram 3 continues to Baščaršija.

In the city centre, trams run on a one-way loop. The stop for the opposite direction may therefore be on a different, parallel street (usually about 200 metres away).

Timetables (though not updated very frequently) can be found on thegras.ba website, or in a much more comprehensive and up-to-date form on thejavniprevozks.ba website.

Trolleybuses, buses and minibuses

The most useful route is trolleybus line 103, Trg Austrije – Dobrinja.

The Trg Austrije stop is a few minutes’ walk from Vijećnica, and the route continues through the southern part of the city and Grbavica to Dobrinja.

Buses and minibuses are not just for the housing estates on the outskirts of the city.

They are often the only form of public transport to the steep slopes above the city centre. However, they run less regularly than trams, so always check the specific timetable.

Only seasonal services run to Bjelašnica, most commonly at weekends in winter and during school holidays.

You cannot rely on them running every day all year round. A GRAS mountain ticket costs 6.10 KM one way or 8.50 KM return.

GRAS and Centrotrans: what’s the difference?

Buses in Sarajevo are operated by two transport operators – GRAS and Centrotrans. These are not two completely separate networks, as their services form part of the same public transport system for the Canton of Sarajevo. However, each operator uses its own single-journey tickets.

GRAS operates all of Sarajevo’s trams and trolleybuses, as well as some of the buses and minibuses.

Centrotrans operates only buses and minibuses, covering urban, suburban, commercial and seasonal routes. Centrotrans also provides long-distance services – it has a website for these, but no official website for services around Sarajevo.

The most important rule for passengers is this:

• you always need a GRAS ticket on trams and trolleybuses
• check the operator’s logo before boarding a bus or minibus
• A GRAS ticket cannot be used on Centrotrans buses, and vice versa

The Javni Prevoz KS app displays the timetables for both operators and the current location of their vehicles. However, please note when buying tickets: the app only sells electronic tickets for GRAS vehicles. For Centrotrans buses, please purchase their own tickets.

Tickets and fares

The following fares apply to GRAS city routes:

Ticket	Price	When it’s worth it
Single journey	2,20 bam	Up to 3 journeys per day
All-day	7,10 bam	From 4 journeys a day
Ten-day	50 bam	For longer stays

With Centrotrans, you only pay for a single journey – the same applies t 2,20 bam. The all-day ticket for 7.10 marks is not valid on Centrotrans buses.

A single ticket is valid for one journey only and does not allow for transfers. You will need a new ticket when transferring to another vehicle.

The all-day ticket is not valid for 24 hours from the time of validation, but only on the specific calendar day. It is valid on GRAS city routes in Zone A (so, for example, it is not valid in Bjelašinica).

Where and how to buy tickets: does contactless payment work?

• Single-journey ticket: 2,20 bam
  • ✅ from the driver of a tram, trolleybus or bus – cash only (you don’t need to have the exact amount, but try to get as close to it as possible)
  • ✅ via the Javni Prevozmobile app (you must register; payment with a foreign card worked fine for me); once on board, you must activate the ticket by scanning the QR code, which you’ll find by the doors
  • ❌ You cannot buy a single-journey ticket at newsagents or advance ticket offices
  • ❌ Contactless card payments are not accepted
• 7,10 bam day pass
  • ✅ available only at GRAS sales points (not at standard newsagents)
  • ❌ You cannot buy one from the driver
  • ❌ Cannot be purchased via the mobile app either
  • You’ll find GRAS kiosks at theBaščaršija, Ilidža, Stup, Otoka and Dobrinja stops

Validate your paper ticket upon boarding and keep it until you alight.

You can find the current fares on the official GRAS website.

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Apps and route finder

The most practical option is the official Javni prevoz KS app, which displays GRAS and Centrotrans timetables, real-time vehicle movements and current traffic restrictions.

You can also buy individual GRAS tickets via the app. Once you board, you must validate them by scanning the QR code on board the vehicle.

• The web version of Javni prevoz KS
• Android app
• iOS app

Google Maps is also quite good at finding connections. However, due to service suspensions and route changes, it is better to check the official app at the same time.

Night transport

Selected night services run every day and are free for all passengers:

• Tram 3 Baščaršija – Ilidža approximately every 30 minutes from midnight to 5.00 am
• Trolleybus 107 Dobrinja – Jezero approximately every 45 minutes from midnight to 5.00 am
• Centrotrans bus Baščaršija – Vogošća approximately every 30 minutes from 11.30 pm to 5.30 am

During track maintenance, trams may be temporarily replaced by buses. Check the app for the latest updates.

Taxis: do Uber and Bolt operate here?

Neither Uber nor Bolt currently operate in Sarajevo. You can hail a taxi in the street, book one through your hotel, or use the local mojTaxi app.

The current Sarajevo Taxi fare is:

• Flag-down fare: 3.50 KM
• 2.30 KM per kilometre
• Waiting charge: 23.00 KM per hour
• Luggage: 5.00 KM per item

For a 3 km journey with no waiting time and no luggage, you will pay approximately 10.40 KM; for 5 km, around 15.00 KM. There is no special surcharge at night, on Sundays or on public holidays.

Insist that the taximeter is switched on and, if in doubt, ask for a receipt. Card payments are only accepted in some vehicles, so it is safer to carry cash in convertible marks.

💬 Have you had any recent experience with a local ride-sharing app? Please let us know in the comments below the article, thanks!

The Kosi Lift in Ciglane

The Kosi lift is a public inclined lift in the Ciglane neighbourhood, which traverses the steep slope between Husrefa Redžića Street and Hakije Kulenovića Street.

For most visitors, it’s more of a transport curiosity and an opportunity to see a typical Sarajevo residential neighbourhood than a means of everyday travel.

A single journey costs 0.50 KM. You can pay by card or with coins in denominations of 0.10 KM, 0.20 KM and 0.50 KM.

Current operating hours are:

• Monday to Saturday 6.00–22.00
• Sunday 8.00–18.00

By car

A car isn’t very practical for getting around the centre of Sarajevo. Traffic is usually heavy, the streets on the slopes are narrow, and parking near Baščaršija is limited.

A car is mainly worth it for trips outside the city. If you’re staying in the city centre, it’s usually easier to leave it at your hotel or in a car park and get around Sarajevo on foot or by tram.