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Tailor Made Rail · Rail Holiday

Bosnia by Rail

11-day London to Mostar rail journey via Heidelberg, Zagreb and Sarajevo

Illustration of Bosnia by Rail

Tailor Made Rail's Bosnia by Rail is an 11-day journey from London to Bosnia and Herzegovina, built around rail travel with one overnight sleeper crossing. The trip begins with a Eurostar and TGV connection from London through Paris to Heidelberg, where a free day allows time for the Old Town and Heidelberg Castle before boarding the overnight sleeper train from Stuttgart to Zagreb in a private 2-berth cabin. From Zagreb, travel continues by coach to Banja Luka for two nights, then by train to Sarajevo for three nights and on to Mostar for three more, with a scenic rail journey along the Neretva River between the two. Hotels are booked with breakfast at each stop, and each city is left for independent exploration on foot, from Banja Luka's Kastel Fortress to Sarajevo's Baščaršija quarter and Mostar's Stari Most. The trip suits travelers comfortable navigating cities independently and interested in Bosnia's Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian history, with optional day trips available from Mostar.

Price history

Across 2 checks, this price has held at £1,249 every time.

£1,2493 Sep12 Sep

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 2 of 2 points are a live read of the operator's page.

What to know before you look closer

  • All named hotels (InterCity Hotel Heidelberg, Hotel Integra, Courtyard by Marriott Sarajevo and Villa Meydan) are marked 'or similar,' so the final property in each city may change.
  • The Zagreb to Banja Luka leg on day 3 is by coach, not train, and the day 5 transfer to the Zenica train station is by private road transfer rather than rail.
  • The operator publishes no current departure dates in the available materials; confirm availability directly with Tailor Made Rail before booking.
  • The return journey on day 11 is not fixed: travelers choose between flying home from Sarajevo, traveling overland, or extending to Dubrovnik, and this final leg is not included in the package.

Day by day

The operator's published day-by-day is incomplete (days 7, 10 are not published). Day counts and hotel changes are not calculated from it.

  1. Day 1railovernight: Heidelberg

    London to Heidelberg

    Start out from St Pancras this morning and catch the Eurostar to Paris. It's a short walk from here to the Gare de l'Est where you board your onward service by high-speed TGV across the German border to Mannheim and Heidelberg. On arrival, check in for an overnight stay at the InterCity Hotel Heidelberg (or similar). You'll arrive in time for dinner in this lovely city on the River Neckar.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Overnight sleeper train to Zagreb

    Heidelberg & Overnight to Zagreb

    You have almost a full day today to explore Heidelberg, with your bags safely stowed at your hotel. Wander the cobbled lanes and lively squares of the Old Town, stroll along the banks of the River Neckar, or head up to Heidelberg Castle for wonderful views. In the early evening, make your way back to the station for the train to Stuttgart. Here, you'll have time for dinner before boarding the overnight sleeper train to Zagreb.

  3. Day 3overnight: Banja Luka

    Zagreb to Banja Luka

    Arrive in Zagreb this morning and stretch your legs with a walk to the city's main coach station. There's plenty of time before your comfortable coach leaves for Banja Luka. Arrive in the evening and check in for a 2-night stay at the Hotel Integra (or similar).

  4. Day 4overnight: Banja Luka

    Banja Luka

    Spend the day exploring Banja Luka, a relaxed riverside city and the second largest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At its heart is the Kastel Fortress, overlooking the River Vrbas, while nearby you'll find the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and the pedestrianised streets of the city centre.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Sarajevo

    Banja Luka to Sarajevo

    After breakfast this morning, you'll be picked up from your hotel by your private transfer driver and taken by road to Zenica. Here, you'll pick up the train for a scenic journey to Sarajevo. On arrival, check in for 3 nights at the Courtyard by Marriott Sarajevo (or similar).

  6. Day 6overnight: Sarajevo

    Sarajevo

    You'll have two full days to explore Sarajevo, a fascinating city where Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and modern influences sit side by side. Wander through the lanes of Baščaršija, see the Sebilj fountain, visit the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and follow the streets towards the Latin Bridge. Explore Sarajevo's more recent history at the War Childhood Museum or the Tunnel of Hope, or take the cable car up Mount Trebević.

  7. Day 8railovernight: Mostar

    Sarajevo to Mostar

    Today you return to Sarajevo's main train station and travel on one of the most scenic railway journeys in the Balkans. The route follows the Neretva River through a dramatic landscape of rugged mountains, deep valleys and blue-green water. On arrival in Mostar, make your way to the Villa Meydan (or similar) and settle in before heading out to explore.

  8. Day 9overnight: Mostar

    Mostar

    You'll have two full days to enjoy Mostar and explore more of the Herzegovina region. Discover the Old Town, cross the Stari Most for views along the Neretva River, and perhaps climb the minaret of the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. Optional day trips are available to the Kravice Waterfalls, the village of Blagaj, or Sutjeska National Park.

  9. Day 11

    Depart Mostar

    Leave Mostar today for your onward journey. You can either return to Sarajevo and fly home, or travel overland back to the UK. Alternatively, continue your holiday with a transfer or bus ride to Dubrovnik, from where you can fly home or take the ferry across the Adriatic and make your way back to London through Italy.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Boards the overnight sleeper train from Stuttgart to Zagreb in a private 2-berth cabin.
  • Day 4Explores Banja Luka's Kastel Fortress, which overlooks the River Vrbas.
  • Day 8Rides the scenic railway from Sarajevo to Mostar, following the Neretva River through rugged mountains and deep valleys.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • Overnight sleeper from Stuttgart to Zagreb in a private 2-berth cabin
  • 9 nights' hand-picked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From £1,249 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,687 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?
Yes. Standard-class rail journeys are included throughout, along with an overnight sleeper train from Stuttgart to Zagreb in a private 2-berth cabin. The Zagreb to Banja Luka leg is by coach, and the Banja Luka to Zenica leg is by private road transfer.
What hotels are used?
9 nights of hand-picked accommodation with breakfast: the InterCity Hotel Heidelberg, Hotel Integra in Banja Luka, the Courtyard by Marriott Sarajevo, and Villa Meydan in Mostar, each listed as 'or similar.'
What is not included?
The included list covers rail travel, the sleeper cabin, and hotel breakfasts only. It does not mention flights, additional meals, or the optional day trips to Kravice Waterfalls, Blagaj, Sutjeska National Park, or the Dubrovnik extension.
When does this tour run?
The operator publishes no departure dates in the available materials. Confirm available dates directly with Tailor Made Rail before booking.

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