01 May 2027
Twin share
£3,295pp
Single from £3,990
Escorted tour
Balkans by Rail: Ljubljana to Pristina, 7 Countries – 16 Days
Seven countries by train and road with a small group, from Lake Bled and Plitvice to Sarajevo, Kotor, Belgrade, Ohrid and Pristina.
16 days
From £3,295
Tour overview
This 16-day small-group journey crosses seven countries of the Balkans largely by train, from the Alpine lakes of Slovenia to the young capital of Kosovo. Groups have between 4 and 18 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout and local guides in the main cities. You travel on local and intercity trains, public buses, taxis and private vehicles, and spend one night aboard the famous overnight sleeper from the Montenegrin coast to Belgrade. You stay in comfortable city hotels for 14 nights, with breakfast daily and three dinners.
The journey begins in Ljubljana, Slovenia's riverside capital, with a day trip by bus to Lake Bled at the foot of the Alps. A train along the Sava valley takes you to Zagreb, with a full day at Plitvice Lakes National Park and its chain of turquoise lakes and waterfalls. One of the longest travel days follows, by rail and road into Bosnia and Herzegovina, for a guided walk in Sarajevo, where East meets West, and the chance to visit the Tunnel of Hope from the 1990s siege.
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A scenic train ride through the Neretva gorge brings you to Mostar and its Old Bridge, before you reach the Adriatic with time in Dubrovnik's walled old town and a night in Tivat, Montenegro. After a walking tour of Kotor on its fjord-like bay, you board the overnight sleeper from Bar, one of Europe's great railway lines, crossing high viaducts and tunnels to Belgrade.
Belgrade offers a guided walk, a free day or an optional train to Novi Sad on the Danube, before the last rail journey to Niš in southern Serbia. A transfer takes you to Skopje for a traditional Macedonian dinner, and on to Ohrid, a 3,000-year-old town on one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes, with a boat ride on the water. The final day visits the monastery of Saint Jovan Bigorski on the way to Pristina, capital of Kosovo, for a farewell dinner.
The physical rating is medium, with long travel days, early starts dictated by train timetables, and luggage to manage at stations. The sleeper uses shared second-class compartments. This trip suits curious travellers who enjoy slow travel and want to understand the region's complex history.
Trip highlights
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Lake Bled and Ljubljana (Days 1–2)
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A full day at Plitvice Lakes National Park (Day 4)
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Sarajevo and the rail journey to Mostar (Days 6–7)
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Dubrovnik and Kotor on the Adriatic (Days 8–9)
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The overnight sleeper from Bar to Belgrade (Day 9)
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Lake Ohrid by boat and a farewell dinner in Pristina (Days 14–15)
Your route
17 stops from Ljubljana to Pristina
- Ljubljana Days 1–2
- Lake Bled Day 2
- Zagreb Days 3–4
- Plitvice Lakes NP Day 4
- Vrpolje Day 5
- Sarajevo Days 5–6
- Mostar Day 7
- Dubrovnik Day 8
- Tivat Days 8–9
- Kotor Day 9
- Bar Day 9
- Belgrade Days 10–11
- Niš Day 12
- Skopje Day 13
- Ohrid Day 14
- Saint Jovan Bigorski Day 15
- Pristina Days 15–16
Why choose this tour
Seven Balkan countries in a little over two weeks, with tickets, borders and connections handled. A rare chance to ride the Bar–Belgrade line, one of Europe's most spectacular railways.
Best suited to
- Rail enthusiasts and slow travellers
- Travellers interested in recent European history
- Solo travellers looking for a sociable group
- Return visitors to Croatia who want to go further
Day-by-day itinerary
16 days from Ljubljana, Slovenia to Pristina, Kosovo
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Day 1 · Ljubljana Arrive in Ljubljana
Meet your leader and group in Slovenia's capital, beneath its castle on the Ljubljanica River.
- Hotel
- B&B Hotel Ljubljana Park or similar
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Day 2 · Lake Bled, Ljubljana Lake Bled and Ljubljana
Take a public bus to Lake Bled at the foot of the Alps, then return for an afternoon walking tour of Ljubljana.
- Hotel
- B&B Hotel Ljubljana Park or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Zagreb Train to Zagreb
A three-hour train ride along the Sava River into Croatia, with a walking tour of Zagreb on arrival.
- Hotel
- Zonar Zagreb Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Plitvice Lakes National Park Plitvice Lakes
A full day at the UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes, with its turquoise lakes, waterfalls and woodland trails.
- Hotel
- Zonar Zagreb Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Vrpolje, Sarajevo To Sarajevo
A long travel day by train and road into Bosnia and Herzegovina, arriving in Sarajevo.
- Hotel
- Hotel Cosmopolit or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Sarajevo, Tunnel of Hope Sarajevo
A guided walk through Sarajevo's layered history, including the site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination, with the chance to visit the Tunnel of Hope.
- Hotel
- Hotel Cosmopolit or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Neretva valley, Mostar Rail to Mostar
An early, scenic train ride through the Neretva gorge to Mostar, with a walking tour around the Old Bridge.
- Hotel
- Hotel Bristol or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Dubrovnik, Tivat Dubrovnik to Tivat
Drive to the Adriatic for time in Dubrovnik's walled old town, then cross into Montenegro.
- Hotel
- Hotel Helada or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 9 · Tivat, Kotor, Bar Kotor and the sleeper train
A free morning in Tivat and a walking tour of Kotor, then board the overnight sleeper from Bar to Belgrade.
- Hotel
- Overnight sleeper train
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Belgrade Belgrade
Arrive in Belgrade early for a walking tour, with a free afternoon.
- Hotel
- Hotel Prag or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 11 · Novi Sad, Belgrade Novi Sad option
An optional train to Novi Sad, Serbia's laid-back second city on the Danube, or a free day in Belgrade.
- Hotel
- Hotel Prag or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 12 · Niš Train to Niš
The final rail journey of the trip, around six hours south to the historic city of Niš.
- Hotel
- New City Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · Skopje Skopje
Transfer to North Macedonia's capital for an orientation tour and a traditional Macedonian dinner.
- Hotel
- Hotel Centar or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 14 · Ohrid, Lake Ohrid Lake Ohrid
Drive to the 3,000-year-old town of Ohrid for an afternoon boat ride on one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes.
- Hotel
- Aleksandrija Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 15 · Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery, Pristina Bigorski Monastery to Pristina
A long day's drive to Kosovo via the monastery of Saint Jovan Bigorski, ending with a farewell dinner in Pristina.
- Hotel
- Hotel Begolli or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 16 · Pristina Trip ends in Pristina
The trip ends after breakfast. Luggage storage is available if your flight leaves later.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Ljubljana (2 nights) B&B Hotel Ljubljana Park or similar
- Zagreb (2 nights) Zonar Zagreb Hotel or similar
- Sarajevo (2 nights) Hotel Cosmopolit or similar
- Mostar (1 night) Hotel Bristol or similar
- Tivat (1 night) Hotel Helada or similar
- Bar to Belgrade (1 night) Overnight sleeper train
- Belgrade (2 nights) Hotel Prag or similar
- Niš (1 night) New City Hotel or similar
- Skopje (1 night) Hotel Centar or similar
- Ohrid (1 night) Aleksandrija Hotel or similar
- Pristina (1 night) Hotel Begolli or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 14 nights in comfortable hotels and 1 night on an overnight sleeper train
- Meals 15 breakfasts and 3 dinners
- Transport trains, public buses, taxis and private vehicles, including the Bar–Belgrade sleeper
- Guided visits Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Belgrade, Skopje and a boat ride on Lake Ohrid
- Visit to the monastery of Saint Jovan Bigorski
- Tour leader throughout, with local guides
Not included
- Flights to Ljubljana and from Pristina
- Meals not listed
- Optional excursions, including Novi Sad
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a relaxed pace — there are long travel days and early starts
- You want a private sleeper cabin — compartments are shared
- You want a beach holiday — time on the coast is short
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £3,295 per person, twin share, tour only. 7 upcoming departures.
15 May 2027
Twin share
£3,295pp
Single from £3,990
05 Jun 2027
Twin share
£3,295pp
Single from £3,990
28 Aug 2027
Twin share
£3,295pp
Single from £3,990
04 Sep 2027
Twin share
£3,295pp
Single from £3,990
11 Sep 2027
Twin share
£3,295pp
Single from £3,990
18 Sep 2027
Twin share
£3,295pp
Single from £3,990
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How much of the trip is by train?
Much of it: Ljubljana to Zagreb, Zagreb towards Sarajevo, Sarajevo to Mostar, the Bar–Belgrade sleeper and Belgrade to Niš. Other legs are by bus, taxi or private vehicle.
What is the sleeper train like?
Basic second-class compartments shared with other travellers, with bedding provided. Private compartments are not available.
How long are the travel days?
Some are long. The journey to Sarajevo and the drive to Pristina can each take most of the day, with border crossings and regular stops.
How fit do I need to be?
The physical rating is medium. Expect walking tours on cobbles and hills, early starts and managing your own luggage at stations.
Is the Balkans safe to visit?
The countries on this route are popular with visitors. Check the FCDO travel advice for each country before you travel.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 16, and travellers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary