Sarajevo Airport to the City Centre: Taxi, Bus or Car? (2026)

All the ways to get from Sarajevo Airport into the city: the shuttle bus to Baščaršija, what a taxi should cost, public transport, and picking up a rental car right at the airport.

Rental car for the drive from Sarajevo Airport to the city centre

Photo: @ab_rent_car

AB RENT A CAR•October 14, 2026•5 min read

Sarajevo International Airport is about 12 km from the city centre, around 20–30 minutes by road. You have four options: the airport shuttle bus (cheapest, about 5 KM), a taxi (about 25–40 KM), public transport (slow with luggage), or a rental car picked up right at the airport. Here's how each one works, and which one makes sense for your trip.

This guide is written by the AB Rent a Car team, based on what our customers ask us when they land in Sarajevo.

In this guide

All options at a glance
Airport shuttle bus
Taxi
Public transport
Rental car
Which option is best for you?
Frequently asked questions

All options at a glance

Option	Price	Time to the centre	Best for
Airport shuttle bus	About 5 KM	About 30–35 minutes	Travelling light on a budget
Taxi	About 25–40 KM	About 20–30 minutes	Late arrivals, short city stays
Public transport	A few KM	45+ minutes with changes	Very tight budgets, little luggage
Rental car	Free pickup	About 20–30 minutes	Day trips, families, longer stays

Prices are approximate and can change. Check on the day.

Airport shuttle bus

The Centrotrans airport shuttle runs between the airport and the old town, stopping near Baščaršija.

Price: about 5 KM per person
Journey time: about 30–35 minutes
Timetable: a handful of departures a day, timed roughly with the main flights. Check the current times before you fly
Pay: in cash (KM). Euros are sometimes accepted, but don't count on it

Good to know: if your flight lands late in the evening, there may be no shuttle until the next morning.

Taxi

Taxis wait outside the arrivals hall.

Fair price: about 25–40 KM to central Sarajevo with the meter running, depending on traffic and where exactly you're going
Use the meter, or agree the price before you get in. A very high flat price is a sign to choose another taxi
Taxi apps work in Sarajevo and show the price in advance
Cash: have some KM ready. Not every taxi takes cards

Public transport

You can reach the centre by bus and tram via Ilidža, with a change on the way. It's the cheapest option, but slow, crowded at rush hour and hard with big suitcases. We'd only recommend it if you're travelling light and have time.

Rental car

If you plan to leave the city at all, for Mostar, Jahorina, Vrelo Bosne or a road trip, picking up a car at the airport saves you the transfer and a second trip back.

Free pickup and return at Sarajevo Airport with AB Rent a Car. Our team meets you at the airport with your car
No credit card needed: the deposit is cash, from €200 depending on the car
Automatic only: every car in our fleet is automatic, which makes Sarajevo's hills easier
About 20–30 minutes to the centre on the main road through the city

Staying in the old town? Parking there is paid 24/7 and limited. The parking across from the City Hall (Vijećnica) is the best choice. Ask your host about parking before you arrive. Read our guide to driving and parking in Sarajevo.

Prefer not to drive on day one? We can deliver the car to your address in Sarajevo instead, for 29.34 KM (about €15) each way.

More on how pickup works in our Sarajevo Airport car rental guide.

Which option is best for you?

Two or three days in the city only: shuttle bus or taxi. You don't need a car in the old town.
Arriving late at night: taxi, or a rental car waiting for you.
Family with children or lots of luggage: a rental car or a taxi. The bus gets crowded.
Planning day trips or a road trip: a rental car from the airport. It's cheaper than a taxi in and out plus tours.
Flying out early in the morning: a rental car you return at the airport, so you don't depend on a taxi at 5 am.