The Sarajevo Tunnel of Salvation, also known as the D-B Tunnel or, in English, the ‘ Tunnel of Hope ’, is one of the most powerful reminders of the Siege of Sarajevo. If you want to understand the city’s modern history, we highly recommend a visit.

The tunnel was built in 1993 beneath the runway at Sarajevo Airport. It connected the besieged neighbourhood of Dobrinja with Butmir on the other side of the airport, from where the route continued into territory controlled by the Bosnian army.

The passage, almost 800 metres long, was approximately one metre wide and, for the most part, only 1.5 to 1.8 metres high. Food, medicines, fuel, weapons and other supplies were brought into the city via this tunnel, whilst people from besieged Sarajevo also passed through it.

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What you’ll see in the museum

The museum was established in the Kolar family’s house, through whose cellar the Butmir entrance to the tunnel ran.

The exhibition illustrates the construction and operation of the tunnel through period photographs, maps, documents, videos and objects used during the siege.

You cannot walk through the entire original tunnel. The site includes the original entrance, 25 metres of authentically preserved passageway and a further 100 metres of restored tunnel.

Allow approximately 60 to 90 minutes for the tour. The guide’s commentary is more valuable here than at most of Sarajevo’s other attractions, as the exhibits alone cannot convey the full historical context as effectively.

Admission and opening hours

The museum is open daily:

• 1 April to 31 October: 8.30 am–5.00 pm, last admission at 4.30 pm
• 1 November to 31 March: 9.00–16.00, last admission at 15.30

Ticket prices:

• Adults – 20 bam
• Students and schoolchildren – 8 bam
• Children under 6 free
• Audio guide – 3 bam

Payment at the ticket office is by cash only, in BAM or euros. The museum does not accept payment cards or other currencies.

Opening hours and prices are published by the Sarajevo Memorial Centre.

How to get to the Tunnel of Salvation

The museum is situated in Butmir, on the opposite side of the runway from the terminal. Although the two locations are very close as the crow flies, you’ll need to go all the way round the airport, whether by car or on foot.

Public transport

From the city centre, take tram number 3 to the Ilidža terminus. At the adjacent bus terminus, change to GRAS bus number 32 heading towards Butmir or Kotorac.

Get off at Butmir at the turn-off onto Tuneli Street. The easiest way is to tell the driver “Tunel spasa” when you board and ask them to show you the correct stop. It’s then about a 10-minute walk to the museum.

Both the tram and the bus are operated by GRAS, but you’ll need a new single ticket for each journey. Route 32 can have long intervals between services, particularly at weekends, so check the next departure before setting off.

From the city centre, allow at least an hour for the journey; if you have to wait longer for the bus, it could take considerably longer. We describe how tickets work and how to look up services in the chapter on transport in Sarajevo.

By taxi

A taxi is a much more convenient option and takes about half an hour from the city centre. Depending on your starting point and traffic, you’ll pay around 30 bam to 40 bam one way.

There aren’t usually as many available taxis near the museum as there are in the city centre, so book your return journey via an app or arrange a pick-up with the driver in advance. Paying for the taxi to wait for the duration of your visit is usually not worth it.

By car

Enter ‘Tunel spasa Sarajevo’ into your sat-nav, not the airport terminal.

There are several private car parks right in front of the museum. Parking during your visit usually costs around 5 bam.

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