Belgrade to Bar Railway
- 9
- £1,249
- Montenegro
- Travel from the UK to Montenegro by train
- Sleeper train from Zurich to Zagreb
- Take the Belgrade to Bar Railway to Montenegrin capital Podgorica
- Spend time in lovely Kotor to round off your holiday
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Book a flight home or add a return overland journey
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 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
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office
***PLEASE NOTE – THE BELGRADE TO BAR DAY TRAIN ONLY RUNS JUNE TO SEPTEMBER***
Suggested Itinerary
Depart London today on a Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel to France. You will arrive into Paris or Lille, where you will then travel across to Strasbourg by high-speed TGV train, arriving in time for dinner. Check in for an overnight stay at the Hotel des Vosges (or similar), across the square from the station.
The Alsatian city of Strasbourg boasts a stunning half-timbered Old Town area clustered around a magnificent Gothic cathedral. There are plenty of places for an evening meal here or in the photogenic Petite France district.
You have all day today to reach Zurich, where your sleeper train to the Balkans awaits. The initial journey involves travelling from Strasbourg to Basel, and onwards from Basel to Zurich. Ticketing for these legs is completely open, so you can go any time you like throughout the day. Left luggage lockers are available at Zurich’s main station should you wish to drop your bags and go explore the city for a while before boarding the overnight train. This evening, your sleeper train departs Zurich, making its way through eastern Switzerland and into Austria. You will be in a comfortable private compartment with washbasin for this journey.
On arrival in Zagreb, you have a few hours to take a look at the Croatian capital before taking a comfortable coach from Zagreb to Belgrade, plugging the gap in the Balkan rail network. The coach travels along the motorway for much of the journey, and we will reserve you seats on board. On arrival in Belgrade, check in at the Hotel Moskva (or similar), for a 2-night stay.
Determined rail travellers may prefer to stick to the rails, rather than using a coach, which is possible but requires a slightly longer route via Budapest and an additional night along the way. Contact one of the team for details.
Spend a free day in the Serbian capital. This historic city is situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and its strategic location has made it the focus of numerous attacks and sieges throughout its history. The modern urban centre is an important centre of culture, with a wealth of different architectural styles, a wide range of museums to choose from and a yearly calendar of international events.
After breakfast in your hotel, transfer to the station and continue on the legendary Bar-Belgrade line south into Montenegro.
The train makes its windy way through the picturesque mountains of southern Serbia and even briefly dips into and out of Bosnia, although it does not stop here. In the evening, the train arrives in the Montenegrin capital Podogorica, where your journey ends and you adjourn to the Hotel Ramada by Wyndham (or similar) for an overnight stay.
There will be a private car transfer today, to collect you from your hotel and take you to Kotor. On the way, you stop at Montenegro’s original capital Cetinje for an hour-long stop and walk around. Once you reach the beautiful town of Kotor, you have 3 nights at the Historic Boutique Cattaro Hotel (or similar), with two full days to explore.
Spend your time in Kotor discovering the best of the stunning Fjord of Kotor and the beautiful Adriatic coast. Take a day trip along to the Venetian settlement of Perast and beautiful Herceg Novi. Immerse yourself in the glitz and glamour of Porto Montenegro near Tivat. Head up into the mountains to Montenegro’s original capital Cetinje, marvel at the views across the Bay of Kotor from the top of the “serpentine” road or take a trip down the coastline to bustling Budva, Sveti Stefan or Petrovac. You can either take the bus, hire a car or we can recommend our partners at Red Taxi Kotor who provide an excellent local fleet of cars with English-speaking drivers to transport you around the area and beyond.
Your time in Kotor comes to an end and you return back to the UK. Flights are available for you to purchase from Tivat or Podgorica airports, or even from Dubrovnik in neighbouring Croatia.
If you wanted to return flight-free to the UK, you can sail in the summer months from Bar to Ancona on the eastern coast of Italy, then return from there overland. Alternatively, you could head into Croatia, taking in Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb and back from there by train through Europe. Ask one of our rail experts for more details.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Strasbourg
Conveniently located on the Place de la Gare, opposite Strasbourg’s main station, the Hotel des Vosges offers comfortable, modern accommodation in a refurbished Art Deco building. Bedrooms are furnished in a relaxed, classic style with en suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi access and coffee & tea making facilities. The hotel also offers a cocktail bar and a well-equipped gym.
Belgrade
Hotel Moskva is housed in an Empire-style building considered a local landmark. Ideally set on Belgrade’s main street, it offers an a la carte restaurant and the well-known pastry shop. Elegantly decorated rooms feature air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Sauna, hammam are hot tub are available free of charge.
Podgorica
Connected with the popular Mall of Montenegro in the very heart of the capital, the Ramada Podgorica offers convenient and comfortable accommodation. Spacious bedrooms include individual climate control, a mini bar and an en suite with bathrobes and slippers. The hotel also has a top-floor restaurant with panoramic views and a spa with sauna, steam baths, a gym and massage treatments.
Kotor
Located inside the old town, which is a UNESCO-protected site, the Cattaro Hotel has uniquely decorated rooms in a renovated 18th century building. Guests can enjoy local cuisine and international dishes in the hotel’s restaurant or relax in the on-site bar.
