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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made independent rail holiday

Belgrade to Bar Railway

Nine-day Balkan rail journey from London to coastal Kotor via sleeper train.

Illustration of Belgrade to Bar Railway

Tailor Made Rail's 9-day independent rail holiday carries you from London through France and the Alps to the Balkans, concluding on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro. The journey opens with Eurostar and high-speed TGV to Strasbourg, then branches southeastward via an overnight sleeper from Zurich to Zagreb, where you board a coach to Belgrade. The highlight arrives on day 5: the Belgrade to Bar Railway, one of the world's most scenic rail lines, descends through the mountains of southern Serbia into Montenegro. After a free day in Belgrade and a private car transfer through the former capital Cetinje, you settle into the walled coastal town of Kotor for three nights, with options for day trips to nearby villages and the Bay of Kotor. All accommodation includes breakfast, and the return journey is by economy flight from nearby Tivat, though flight-free alternatives by ferry or overland are available. This trip suits repeat rail travellers seeking celebrated rail lines and independent explorers who value unstructured time in unfamiliar cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 3 involves a coach journey from Zagreb to Belgrade rather than an all-rail route; an all-rail alternative via Budapest is available on request with an extra night.
  • Return from Kotor is by economy-class flight from Tivat; flight-free alternatives (summer ferry to Ancona or overland via Croatia) are listed as options.
  • Single supplements apply for sole occupancy; pricing is based on two people sharing a room.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg

    London to Strasbourg

    Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel to Paris or Lille, then a high-speed TGV to Strasbourg, arriving in time for dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Onboard sleeper train

    Strasbourg to Zurich for sleeper to Zagreb

    Open-ticket journey via Basel to Zurich, with time to explore before boarding an evening sleeper train through eastern Switzerland and Austria in a private compartment with washbasin.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Belgrade

    Arrive Zagreb and on to Belgrade

    A few hours to see Zagreb, then a reserved-seat coach journey to Belgrade. Check in for a 2-night stay (an all-rail alternative via Budapest, with an extra night, is available on request).

  4. Day 4overnight: Belgrade

    Belgrade

    Free day in the Serbian capital, at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.

  5. Day 5overnight: Podgorica

    Belgrade to Podgorica

    The legendary Belgrade-Bar line south through the mountains of southern Serbia, briefly dipping into Bosnia, arriving in Podgorica in the evening.

  6. Day 6overnight: Kotor

    Podgorica to Kotor via Cetinje

    Private car transfer with an hour-long stop in Montenegro's former capital Cetinje, arriving in Kotor for a 3-night stay.

  7. Day 7overnight: Kotor

    Kotor

    Explore the Bay of Kotor and the Adriatic coast, with optional day trips to Perast, Herceg Novi or Porto Montenegro.

  8. Day 8overnight: Kotor

    Kotor

    Second free day in Kotor, with options including Cetinje, Budva, Sveti Stefan or Petrovac.

  9. Day 9

    Depart Kotor

    Return to the UK by flight from Tivat; flight-free alternatives include a summer ferry from Bar to Ancona, or an overland route via Croatia.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the overnight sleeper from Zurich to Zagreb, sleeping in a private compartment with washbasin as the train passes through eastern Switzerland and Austria.
  • Day 5Travel the legendary Belgrade to Bar Railway south through the mountains of southern Serbia and briefly into Bosnia, arriving in Podgorica.
  • Day 6A private car transfer from Podgorica to Kotor includes a stop in Cetinje, Montenegro's former capital.
  • Day 7Explore the Bay of Kotor and the Adriatic coast, with optional day trips to Perast, Herceg Novi, or Porto Montenegro.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 8 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Overnight sleeper from Zurich to Zagreb
  • Coach journey from Zagreb to Belgrade
  • Private car transfer from Podgorica to Kotor with a lunch stop in Cetinje
  • Flight from Tivat to London in Economy Class
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar, TGV, the overnight sleeper from Zurich to Zagreb, the Belgrade to Bar Railway, and a return flight from Tivat in standard class with seat reservations where required.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail holiday. You travel on your own with easy-to-follow travel documentation and emailed tickets; there is no tour guide accompanying you. Tailor Made Rail offers proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions.
What is included in the price?
All rail journeys in standard class, seat reservations, eight nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast, the overnight sleeper from Zurich to Zagreb, a coach journey from Zagreb to Belgrade, a private car transfer from Podgorica to Kotor with a lunch stop in Cetinje, and a return flight from Tivat.
How many free days are there?
You have a full free day in Belgrade (day 4) and two free days in Kotor (days 7 and 8). Days 2, 3, 5, and 6 involve travel.
Which hotels are included?
Hotel des Vosges in Strasbourg (1 night), Moskva Hotel in Belgrade (2 nights), Ramada by Wyndham in Podgorica (1 night), and Cattaro Hotel in Kotor (3 nights).
Can I avoid flying home?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail lists a summer ferry from Bar to Ancona and an overland route via Croatia (Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb) as flight-free alternatives.

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