Sarajevo to Mostar is one of the most scenic train rides in Europe — the line follows the Neretva canyon for two hours through mountain gorges. It's also a busy bus corridor, a reasonable rental-car drive, and a classic organised day-trip route. Four options, each with a clear use-case.
1. Train — the scenic pick
Bosnian railways run 2–3 daily trains from Sarajevo to Mostar (and continue to Čapljina at the border). Duration is about 2.5 hours; fare is €12–18 one-way. The route follows the Neretva river through the Jablanica canyon — spectacular mountains, turquoise river, Ottoman bridges glimpsed from the window.
Pros: by far the most scenic option. Comfortable modern Talgo trains (introduced in recent years). Central stations in both cities. Relaxing. Cons: limited daily departures. Trains can be delayed (infrastructure is old). Sarajevo station is 2 km from old town; Mostar station is 10 minutes walking from old town.
Works for: travellers valuing the journey as much as the destination. Anyone not in a rush.
2. Bus — cheapest and most frequent
Buses run hourly during the day (06:00 to 20:00 or so) between Sarajevo and Mostar. Multiple operators (Centrotrans, Globtour, etc). Fare is €9–15. Duration is 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes depending on operator.
Pros: cheapest option. Frequent departures. Reliable. Central bus stations in both cities. Cons: less scenic than train (road runs along but you see less of the canyon). Comfort varies by bus — some are modern, some are older.
Works for: budget travellers, backpackers, anyone with a flexible schedule.
3. Rental car — flexibility + scenic route
Drive yourself. Car rental in Sarajevo is €35–60/day. The drive is 130 km, 2 to 2.5 hours, following the M17 road along the Neretva valley. Scenic, winding in places, generally well-maintained.
Pros: stop anywhere for photos. Add Konjic (halfway) for lunch or the Tito Bunker. Kravica adds 40 minutes each way from Mostar on the same day. Cons: parking in Mostar old town is pay-and-display. If you've never driven on Balkans roads, winding mountain sections require attention. Don't rush — the scenic route rewards slower pace.
Works for: confident drivers, couples who want to extend Mostar with a same-day Kravica or Blagaj side trip.
4. Organised tour from Sarajevo
Day tours from Sarajevo that include Mostar + Kravica + often Konjic, Blagaj, Počitelj in a single 12-hour loop. Typical price €80–100 per person. Pickup in central Sarajevo, return around 19:30–20:30.
Pros: covers 5 stops in one day. Guide narrates history, war, regional context. Transport + logistics handled. Includes the Neretva canyon drive in both directions. Cons: 12 hours is a long day. Fixed schedule means limited time at each stop (90–120 minutes max per location). Over 5 hours of driving total.
Works for: travellers with only one day to spend outside Sarajevo, first-time visitors who want a concentrated Herzegovina introduction. See From Sarajevo day tour — €89 per person, 12 hours, includes Kravica swimming.
One-way drop-off option: some tours offer free one-way drop in Mostar instead of Sarajevo return. If you're continuing toward Dubrovnik or Split after Mostar, this can save a trip back to Sarajevo.
Which is best? - Time-rich, scenery-focused: train (scenic, relaxing) - Budget: bus - Multiple stops in one day: tour (Kravica + Mostar + 3 others in 12 hours) - Extended Herzegovina exploration across multiple days: rental car
Connection to Kravica: the train and bus don't directly serve Kravica. You'd need Mostar then a local tour, taxi, or rental car to reach the waterfall. The Sarajevo organised day tour is the only option that includes Kravica as a stop.
For the full Sarajevo-day-tour details see our Sarajevo tour page.
Photos from this route
