How the public transport in Belgrade works (a guide for tourists)

Well-known for its cultural attractions, stunning architecture, and vibrant nightlife, Belgrade is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Balkan Peninsula. 

Belgrade is quite a large city. While the downtown area can be explored on foot, you will need to use public transportation if you want to really see the rest of the city.

I am often asked if Belgrade has a reliable public transport system. If you don’t mind the crowds during rush hours, public transport is a great option for visiting the capital of Serbia. This ultimate guide to public transport in Belgrade will hopefully answer all of your questions.

How do you get around Belgrade?

Belgrade has a structured public transportation network which includes:

• Trams
• Trolleys
• Buses

There are more than 170 bus lines, 12 tram lines, and 8 trolleybus lines in Belgrade. The network covers 4 zones, but you will probably end up using zone 1 in the city center, which is where most of the tourist attractions are located. 

Other zones cover the outskirts of the city and the suburban areas. I should also mention that the public transport in the city is operated by a public utility company.

If you are planning to use public transport in Belgrade at night, keep in mind that buses run less frequently, often in a different schedule. 

In addition to public transport, you can get around Belgrade by taxi, bicycle, or car rental.

Buying public transport tickets in Belgrade

The good news is that buses, trolleys, and trams in Belgrade have the same unified ticket system. This means that your ticket can be used in any of these transport methods. This does not apply to trains and some private bus companies in Belgrade.

What I like about public transport in Belgrade is that it is reasonably priced. You can get a single bus ticket for less than 1 euro.  

Belgrade Plus

As of May 2023, travelers in Belgrade can purchase tickets for public transport through a brand new city transportation system called “Belgrade plus“. The previous company BusPlus doesn’t operate anymore in the capital of Serbia.

How to purchase tickets for public transport

You can purchase tickets for public transport in Belgrade both by an SMS message or via the new Belgrade Plus App. 

The procedure for purchasing a ticket via SMS is fast and simple. Send an SMS message to number 9011, specify your desired ticket type, and purchase the ticket. This is the most traditional method, but it is quite restrictive for travelers because it requires you to have a local SIM card number.

Read also: The best prepaid SIM cards in Serbia

The good news is that, with the introduction of the Belgrade Plus App, you no longer need to have a local SIM card to purchase public transport tickets in Belgrade. 

To buy a ticket, all you have to do is connect your card to the new mobile application Belgrade Plus App and get it all sorted out through the app. Another thing that is new with the app is that all rides are free after midnight.

The App was recently updated and now can be used in English as well!

Types of tickets available for public transport in Belgrade

You can choose between several different types of tickets for using the public transport in Belgrade. Here are the main options that would be interesting for travelers:

• 90-minute ticket: Travelers can hop on buses, trams, and trolleys and enjoy 90 minutes of unlimited travel for less than 1 euro. 
• Daily Ticket: A daily ticket costs 120RSD (which is around 1 euro).
• 7-day ticket: You can also purchase a ticket for 7 days in one zone for 800 RDS (approx. 7 euros). For two zones, a 7-day ticket will cost you 1,000 RSD (cca 8.50 euros).
• 30-day ticket: Monthly tickets are also available via the new Belgrade Plus, but I only recommend them if you will be staying in Belgrade for a long time. A monthly ticket costs 2,500 RSD (21 euros) for one zone and 3,500 RSD (30 euros) for two zones.

Recent changes in public transport in Belgrade

With the new system that was implemented recently in 2023 in Belgrade, the public transport went through a few changes. A few of them are important to share:

• Buying tickets from the driver is no longer possible, you must sort out your ticket before you get on the transport
• There are no validators for tickets in buses, trams, and trolleys
• From midnight to 4 in the morning, you can hop on a bus for free
• Instead of controllers, the communal police will be checking passengers for tickets

Read also: Best FREE things to do in Belgrade

Other ways for getting around in Belgrade

Using public transport is not the only way of getting around Belgrade. If you are looking for other alternatives, you will find options such as hopping on a bicycle, driving your car, or taking a taxi.

Let me guide you through each of these options below:

Getting around Belgrade with a bicycle

Although the capital of Serbia is not as bike-friendly as cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, renting a bicycle and cycling around the city is still an option. Especially if you will be traveling during the summer, exploring Belgrade by bike can be a very nice activity!

You can expect to find many bicycle rental shops throughout the city. Some of the most popular shops include E-Bikes, Bike Zone, and Belgrade Bike Central.

There are many bike lines in Belgrade, but I must admit that some of them are not always well-maintained. Downtown Belgrade is a bit hilly, so make sure you are in good shape before hopping on a bike to cruise through the city center.

Two of the best areas to ride a bike in Belgrade are Zemunski Kej and New Belgrade.  

Getting around Belgrade with a taxi

The most expensive way of public transportation in Belgrade is taxi transportation. Even though the taxi fares in Belgrade are much cheaper than in other European capitals, it is still pricey compared to bus and tram tickets. 

However, catching a taxi can be the most efficient way to explore the city. You don’t have to worry about bus timetables and can save a lot of time.

All reputable companies are part of the local Taxi Association. There is also CarGo, a type of Serbian Uber. You can pay for a CarGo ride using credit cards, PayPal, or their CarGo credit.

Keep in mind that many taxi drivers are not fluent in English, but as long as you know your destination, you should be fine. The standard taxi fee starts at 170RSD (1.50 euros) and the ride is charged per kilometer depending on the time of the day and the zone.

Pro tip: Make sure you avoid using unregistered taxi drivers in Belgrade. These people are not members of taxi associations and charge several times more than the real price. You should avoid them at all costs. Many unregistered drivers in Belgrade can be found near the main bus station, the new train station, and the Nikola Tesla airport. 

How to distinguish the difference between a regular taxi and an unregistered taxi? All registered taxis have TX at the end of their registration plate and a sign of the taxi association.

Do you need to rent a car for your trip?

We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!

Get a quote here

Airport transfer in Belgrade

Want to get to the city center of Belgrade from the Nikola Tesla airport? There are a few options available.

1. Take public bus number 72 which departs every 30 minutes and goes to Zeleni Venac in Belgrade. The ride is approximately 40 minutes long.
2. Take the brand new bus line which runs from the airport Nikola Tesla to the Prokop train station in Belgrade.
3. The easiest way to reach the city center in Belgrade from the airport is by taxi.  Expect to pay around 20 euros for this ride.

Read more: The best airport for flying into Serbia

Parking in Belgrade

Just like any other capital in Europe, finding a safe parking spot in the center of Belgrade is a difficult task. If you are looking for a parking spot in the center of the city during working hours, forget about street parking as it is usually packed. 

Your best bet is to find a big parking garage to park your vehicle. Compared to other capitals in Europe, parking garages in Serbia are reasonably priced and affordable.

Paid parking in Belgrade is divided into three zones:

• Red Zone (1st) – 60 min
• Yellow Zone (2nd) – 120 min
• Green Zone (3rd) – 180 min

You can purchase a parking ticket from one of the local newsstands (kiosk) or by sending an SMS message that includes the registration number of the vehicle. Send SMS to 9111 for Red Zone, 9112 for Yellow Zone, and 9113 for Green Zone. You can also pay for parking through an app with your credit card – check out parking servis for more information.

FAQ: Popular questions about the public transport in Belgrade

Does Belgrade have good public transport?

The public transport in Belgrade works well and is good enough for tourists who will be focused mainly on the downtown and central areas of the city. Paying for bus, trolley, and tram tickets is easy and the tickets are reasonably priced.

However, compared to other European capitals, the public transport in Belgrade is not yet so well-developed. 

How do you pay for public transport in Serbia?

You can pay both by an SMS message and through the Belgrade Plus App.

What is the fine for public transport in Belgrade?

If you get caught in public transport in Belgrade without a ticket, you will need to pay 2,000 RSD (cca 17 euros).

The price may not be that high, but the worst part of it is the trouble of having to deal with the fine and everything. I strongly recommend you get the tickets before hopping on a bus or tram.

How do you travel around Belgrade?

You can use a network of buses, trolleybuses, and trams that run throughout the city.

Can I explore Belgrade on foot?

Many tourist attractions in the downtown area are concentrated close to each other and you can get around easily on foot. However, to explore different parts of the city and to see all of the attractions, it is best to use public transport or a taxi.

Do you tip taxi drivers in Belgrade?

It is quite common to tip taxi drivers in Belgrade if you are satisfied with the service.

Although Belgrade doesn’t have an underground metro system and buses can get crowded during peak hours, public transport in Belgrade is reliable. There are buses, trams, and trolleys that can take you anywhere you want to go. 

With the new Belgrade Plus company, it is easy to purchase tickets for public transport, which makes it much easier for tourists to explore the city using buses and trams.

More about Belgrade

• Complete 3-day itinerary in Belgrade
• Best areas to stay in Belgrade
• Free things to do in Belgrade
• Driving in Serbia

Other guides about traveling through Serbia

• Serbia 5-7 Days Road Trip Itinerary
• Most beautiful places in Serbia
• Best hiking destinations in Serbia
• Day trip to Novi Sad from Belgrade
• Visiting Tara National Park