The National Tourist Organization of Serbia operates a helpful website www.serbia-tourism.org. The official website for the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro is www.visit-montenegro.com.
The Tourist Office Organization of Belgrade is at 1 Decanska, Belgrade (381/11-3248-404; www.tob.co.yu).
Serbia & Montenegro by Rail
Passes -- Rail Europe offers a Balkan Flexipass (p. 845) and the Eurail Select Pass (see chapter 2), which cover rail travel through Serbia and Montenegro. There is no single railpass for the country, nor is one really needed, as most travelers pass through here en route to somewhere else -- often Bulgaria.
Practical Train Information
International trains run through Serbia (not Montenegro) and go on to some of the former Yugoslav republics and surrounding countries. The main rail link coming down from Hungary arrives in Belgrade and goes on to Macedonia or Bulgaria. Even international lines tend to be slow moving and overcrowded. Domestic trains are often a physical disaster, in poor condition, even more overcrowded than international trains, and subject to endless delays.
Two trains link Belgrade with Budapest (7 hr.) and two trains a day run to Vienna (11 hr.). There are also two trains a day to the Greek city of Thessaloniki, going on to Athens, the total journey taking 22 hours. The Balkan Express goes from Belgrade to Sofia in Bulgaria in 9 hours; the trip from Belgrade to Istanbul takes 23 hours.
International trains from Belgrade include stops at Novi Sad and Subotica for places in the north and west, and they also stop at Nis for passengers heading east. Montenegro is serviced by a domestic line from Belgrade, which runs to the coastal town of Bar, the republic's only port. A total of four fast (and we use the term loosely) passenger trains make the run daily between Belgrade and Bar via Podorica. From Belgrade to Bar, figure on a minimum trip time of 8 hours.
Although international lines are generally safe (the usual precautions are advised), domestic train travel through the country should be undertaken with care, as assaults and robberies of visitors have been reported.
For information about rail travel in Serbia and Montenegro, go to the main Belgrade rail station on Savski Trg (381/11-3614-811; www.serbianrailways.com).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
