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Explore Worldwide · Escorted tour

Balkans Rail Adventure

16-day escorted rail journey from Ljubljana to Pristina through seven Balkan nations

Illustration of Balkans Rail Adventure

Explore Worldwide operates this 16-day escorted journey from Ljubljana, Slovenia to Pristina, Kosovo, crossing seven Balkan countries by rail, sleeper train, bus, and private vehicle. The itinerary balances rail travel with guided exploration: you will board a local train from Ljubljana to Zagreb following the Sava River, ride the scenic Sarajevo-to-Mostar line, and experience the historic Bar-to-Belgrade overnight sleeper train built during the Yugoslav era, sleeping in second-class compartments. Days centre on UNESCO World Heritage cities (Dubrovnik, Kotor, Ohrid) and natural sites such as Plitvice Lakes National Park, with walking tours led by local guides and a tour leader from Explore Worldwide. The pace is fast, with mostly one-night hotel stops and long travel days; Day 5 involves a five-hour train and six-hour road journey to Sarajevo, and the final leg to Pristina spans up to eleven hours. This tour suits repeat rail travellers, history enthusiasts keen to explore stories of the former Yugoslavia, and those who prefer the security of an escorted group across multiple countries and border crossings.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are marked 'or similar'; your final accommodation depends on the tier and city selected.
  • Day 5 is one of the longest travel days: a five-hour train from Zagreb to Vrpolje followed by a six-hour private vehicle journey to Sarajevo with a dinner stop.
  • Day 8 includes two international border crossings (into Croatia, then into Montenegro) and up to 7.5 hours of road travel.
  • Single supplement (GBP 665 from) is substantial; the double-occupancy from-price is GBP 3,110, making the single roughly 21 percent more per night.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Ljubljana

    Join trip in Ljubljana

    Our journey through the Balkans begins today in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. This historic city lies in the shadow of its old castle and along the banks of the Ljubljanica River. Tour leader meets group at hotel reception at 6pm. No activities planned; free to arrive at any time. Recommended to visit the castle if arriving early. Welcome meeting this evening.

  2. Day 2overnight: Ljubljana

    Visit Lake Bled, afternoon Ljubljana walking tour

    Morning excursion to Lake Bled by public bus (approx. 1 hour). Free time to explore the lakeshore, take a pletna gondola to the island church, or visit Bled Castle. Return to Ljubljana in the afternoon for a guided walking tour including the Opera House, National Gallery, Republic Square, and Triple Bridge. Evening free.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zagreb

    Morning train to Zagreb (Croatia). Walking tour of Zagreb on arrival.

    Board a local train to Zagreb (approx. 3 hours), following the Sava River and crossing into Croatia. Guided walking tour of Zagreb on arrival, including the Gothic Zagreb Cathedral and 13th-century Saint Mark's Church. Bags taken to hotel. Free time for lunch then hotel check-in around 3pm. Free afternoon and evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Zagreb

    Visit Plitvice National Park

    Full day at Plitvice Lakes National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), approx. 3-hour drive from Zagreb. Explore by boat and on foot along wooden boardwalks (5-6 hours walking). Optional picnic lunch in the park. Return to Zagreb for the evening. Stock up on snacks for tomorrow's train journey.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Sarajevo

    Travel to Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

    One of the longest travel days. Local train from Zagreb to Vrpolje (approx. 5 hours) through the Pannonian Plain. Private vehicle from Vrpolje across the border and by road to Sarajevo (approx. 6 hours including dinner stop at a local restaurant). Arrive Sarajevo by mid-evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Sarajevo

    Walking tour of Sarajevo, chance to visit Tunnel of Hope Museum

    Morning guided walking tour of Sarajevo: assassination site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Austro-Hungarian City Hall, Bascarsija bazaar, Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, Cathedral of Jesus' Heart, Old Synagogue, and local metalwork artisans. Free afternoon - optional visit to Tunnel of Hope Museum (extra cost, includes transport and local guide). Evening free.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7railovernight: Mostar

    Scenic rail trip to Mostar and walking tour of the city

    Early start for the scenic rail journey from Sarajevo to Mostar (just under 3 hours). Arrive late morning; taxis to hotel to drop luggage. Guided walking tour of Mostar including a traditional Turkish house, mosque, old bazaar, and Stari Most (Old Bridge) over the Neretva River. Free afternoon and evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Tivat

    Visit Old Town Dubrovnik (Croatia), travel to Tivat (Montenegro)

    Travel from Mostar to Dubrovnik (approx. 4.5 hours, crossing into Croatia). Approx. 3 hours free time in Dubrovnik's UNESCO-listed Old Town. Continue south along the coast into Montenegro to Tivat (up to 3 hours). Two international border crossings today. Evening free in Tivat.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9railovernight: Overnight train (Bar to Belgrade)

    Morning in Tivat, walking tour of Kotor, board overnight sleeper train to Belgrade (Serbia)

    Free morning in Tivat; optional swim at nearby pebbly beach. Around midday, short drive (30 min) to Kotor for a guided walking tour of the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Optional climb to San Giovanni Fortress. Continue south to Bar (approx. 2 hours) to board the overnight sleeper train to Belgrade (approx. 12 hours). Second-class sleeper compartments with 2-3 bunk beds and bedding provided. Single rooms/private compartments not available.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10overnight: Belgrade

    Walking tour of Belgrade; free afternoon to explore

    Arrive Belgrade around 7am. Taxis to hotel; luggage storage available (no early check-in). Breakfast at hotel. Three-hour guided walking tour: Republic Square, National Museum, National Theatre, Kalemegdan Park, Belgrade Fortress, views of Sava and Danube confluence. Free afternoon to explore Skadarlija district or riverbanks.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11railovernight: Belgrade

    Optional train excursion to Novi Sad, free time

    Optional day trip to Novi Sad by train (1 hour each way). Guided tour of Petrovaradin Fortress, Greek School, and Orthodox Cathedral, partly on foot and partly by local bus. Free time in the pedestrianised centre. Return to Belgrade by train in the afternoon. Free evening; tour leader recommends Serbian restaurants.

    Meals: Breakfast

  12. Day 12railovernight: Nis

    Train to Nis; free afternoon to explore further

    Early start; taxis to Belgrade station for the final rail journey to Nis (approx. 6 hours). Free time in Nis to visit the Constantine the Great Memorial Complex, 18th-century Nis Fortress, and possibly the Crveni Krst concentration camp (subject to opening hours). Evening stroll along the Nisava River or Obrenoviceva Street.

    Meals: Breakfast

  13. Day 13overnight: Skopje

    Orientation tour of Skopje (North Macedonia), included traditional Macedonian dinner

    Private transfer to Skopje, capital of North Macedonia (approx. 3 hours, crossing an international border). Walking tour of Skopje: ancient fortress, Old Bazaar (12th-century), St. Saviour Church, Holocaust Museum. Free afternoon. Included dinner at a traditional North Macedonian restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  14. Day 14overnight: Ohrid

    Journey to Ohrid with afternoon boat ride on the lake

    Drive approx. 4 hours to Ohrid (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Two-hour guided tour including the National Workshop for Handmade Paper, Ohrid pearls, Church of Saint Jovan the Theologian at Kaneo, and Ancient Macedonian Theatre. Weather-permitting boat trip on Lake Ohrid. Free choice of local restaurants for dinner, many with live music.

    Meals: Breakfast

  15. Day 15overnight: Pristina

    Visit to Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery en route to Pristina (Kosovo). Included farewell dinner.

    Full-day journey to Pristina (up to 11 hours with stops). First stop: Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery. Continue through Mavrovo National Park with a lunch stop in a local village. Cross into Kosovo from North Macedonia (border can take 1+ hour). Arrive Pristina; farewell dinner included.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  16. Day 16

    Trip ends in Pristina

    Trip ends this morning in Pristina. No activities planned; free to depart at any time. Luggage storage available at hotel. Pristina International Airport 'Adem Jashari' (PRN) is a 25-minute drive away.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Public bus excursion to Lake Bled; optional pletna gondola ride to the island church and Bled Castle above.
  • Day 4Full day at Plitvice Lakes National Park: boat and wooden boardwalk exploration of turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls.
  • Day 7Scenic rail journey from Sarajevo to Mostar, just under three hours, followed by walking tour of Stari Most (Old Bridge) over the Neretva River.
  • Day 9Board the Bar to Belgrade overnight sleeper train, a Yugoslav-era route, for a 12-hour journey in second-class sleeper compartments with bedding provided.
  • Day 14Weather-permitting boat trip on Lake Ohrid, one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes, after visiting the Church of Saint Jovan the Theologian at Kaneo.

Included

  • 15 breakfasts
  • 2 dinners (Skopje farewell dinner and Pristina farewell dinner)
  • 14 nights comfortable hotel accommodation
  • 1 night basic overnight train (Bar to Belgrade)
  • Explore Tour Leader throughout
  • Driver(s)
  • Local guide(s)
  • Guided walking tour of Ljubljana
  • Excursion to Lake Bled
  • Guided walking tour of Zagreb
  • Full-day visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park
  • Local train Zagreb to Vrpolje
  • Guided walking tour of Sarajevo
  • Scenic rail journey Sarajevo to Mostar
  • Guided walking tour of Mostar
  • Visit to Dubrovnik Old Town
  • Guided walking tour of Kotor
  • Overnight sleeper train Bar to Belgrade (second-class sleeper with bedding)
  • Three-hour walking tour of Belgrade
  • Optional guided tour of Novi Sad (included in tour)
  • Train to Nis
  • Private transfer to Skopje
  • Walking tour of Skopje
  • Drive to Ohrid with guided tour and boat trip (weather permitting)
  • Visit to Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery
  • Drive through Mavrovo National Park

Not included

  • Flights
  • Airport transfers (unless booked separately)
  • Lunches (except where noted)
  • Dinners not specified as included
  • Optional activities (Ljubljana Castle, Bled Castle, Pletna boat, Tunnel of Hope Museum, Dubrovnik City Walls, Novi Sad day tour supplement)
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas
  • Personal spending money
  • Tips for tour leader and local crew

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of GBP 3,110 includes six train journeys: local trains from Ljubljana to Zagreb, Zagreb to Vrpolje, Sarajevo to Mostar, Belgrade to Novi Sad (optional), Belgrade to Nis, and the overnight sleeper from Bar to Belgrade.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Explore Worldwide provides a tour leader throughout, local guides at major stops, and drivers. Groups are capped at 16 people.
What is the overnight train like?
The Bar to Belgrade sleeper is a second-class sleeper train with 2-3 bunk beds per compartment and bedding provided. The journey takes approximately 12 hours.
Which hotels are included?
Fourteen nights in three-star or equivalent hotels: B&B Hotel Ljubljana Park, Zonar Zagreb Hotel, Hotel Cosmopolit (Sarajevo), Hotel Bristol (Mostar), Hotel Helada (Tivat), Hotel Prag (Belgrade), New City Hotel (Nis), Hotel Centar (Skopje), Aleksandrija Hotel (Ohrid), and Hotel Begolli (Pristina). All are noted 'or similar'.
How much walking is involved?
Most days include guided city walking tours with stairs and uneven surfaces. Day 4 at Plitvice Lakes is the most demanding, with 5-6 hours of walking on wooden boardwalks. Optional activities such as fortress climbs are available but not required.
What meals are included?
Fifteen breakfasts and two dinners (in Skopje and Pristina). Lunches are not included except where noted; most meals are on your own.

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