We will forever be glad that our travel path saw us taking the Serbia Bosnia border crossing from Kotromon to Vardiste. This is one of the four Serbia Bosnia border crossing points from Belgrade to Sarajevo (albeit one of the lesser travelled routes). And the drive through the mountains and following the Drina River is stunning.
The road from Uzice in Serbia to Visegrad in Bosnia and Herzegovina follows much of what was once the famous Sargan Eight train journey that historically connected Belgrade and Sarajevo.
Today the mountain roads are quieter away from the main transport route. But the drive is stunning and the journey by road is through a historic and interesting part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Here is everything you need to know about the Serbia Bosnia border crossing at Kotromon and Vardiste from Uzice to Visegrad.
Crossing overland to and from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina – EU and Schengen Area requirements
Serbia is not a member of the EU or a Schengen member state. And neither is Bosnia and Herzegovina.
However, travel between the two countries has similar requirements for travel as within the Schengen Area.
Neither Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina uses the Euro as currency.
- RSD: The Serbian Dinar (RSD / Dinar) is the official currency of Serbia.
- BAM: The Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark (BAM / Marka) is the official currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Is a vignette required for Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina?
No. A vignette is not required for travel on the roads in Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The toll for motorways and roads in both countries are calculated based on the distance travelled and the category of your vehicle.
Documents required for the Serbia Bosnia border crossing from Belgrade to Sarajevo
Driving between countries and across borders in much of Europe is straightforward. And for countries that are within the EU and Schengen Zone there are often no border control stops at all.
However, the Serbia Bosnia border crossing does have border control at each crossing point.
Although you may not be asked on the day; these are the specific documents required for the Serbia Bosnia border crossing:
- Passport
- Green Card (The green card is an international certificate of insurance providing visiting motorists with proof of the minimum compulsory insurance cover required by the law of the country visited).
- International Driving Permit (required; but you might not be asked)
Options for the Serbia Bosnia border crossing by road
There are four main operational border crossing points between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Sremska Raca (SRB) to Bosanska Raca (BIH): This is the most western Serbia Bosnia border crossing with four crossing lanes.
- Mali Zvornik (SRB) to Karakaj (BIH): Two lane crossing over the River Drina.
- Trbusnica (SRB) to Sepak (BIH): This is the main road from Belgrade to Sarajevo.
- Kotroman (SRB) to Vardiste (BIH): This eastern border crossing from Kotroman to Visegrad is a small, single lane crossing. This is the Serbia Bosnia border crossing we used.
Read on for all the details of the Serbia Bosnia border crossing from Kotroman to Vardiste and Visegard.
About the Serbia Bosnia border crossing from Kotroman to Vardiste (and Visegrad)
The Vardiste Kotroman border crossing from Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina is a small border control point in the northeast of Bosnia.
It is a two-laned border crossing with a short distance between the Serbian and Bosnian border terminals.
The largest town closest to the Serbia Bosnia border crossing on the Serbian side of the border is Uzice. On the Bosnian side of the border the largest border town is Visegrad.
From Uzice to the Serbia Bosnia border crossing at Kotromon
On the Serbia side of the border the drive from Uzice follows the famous Sargan Eight trainline.
This historic narrow gauge train line was constructed in the 1920’s and was once part of the line connecting Belgrade to Sarajevo. Operations of the train were suspended in the 1970’s but the line has since been restored as a tourist attraction and runs twice daily during the summer between Mokra Gora and Sargan Vitasi.
The roads from Sargan Vitasi to the border is a beautiful drive through the winding mountain roads. There are numerous rest-stops and viewpoints and many of these have memorials to the historic conflicts of the region.
- Tip: It is worth a mention that the roads on both sides of the crossing are mountainous and local drivers that know the roads well and speed often. (Take care!).
Eco Tax before exiting Serbia at the Serbia Bosnia border crossing
Less than one kilometer from the Kotromon border terminal in Serbia is a barrier-arm stop to pay an Eco Tax in Mokra Gora.
This is an Environmental Protection Fee (Eco Tax) to be paid in cash traveling both ways (entering Serbia at Kotromon or departing via the Serbia Bosnia border crossing.
- Tip: The Eco Tax at Mokra Gora is 200 RSD or 3 EUR and can be paid in either Serbian Dinar or Euro cash only.
Crossing the Serbia Bosnia border from Kotromon to Vardiste
The entire crossing from Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina took us less than 20 minutes from Mokra Gora and Kotromon to Vardiste.
Exiting Serbia
Drive on 500 metres from the Eco Tax stop to the Kotromon border terminal.
The Serbian immigration and customs is a two-lane border crossing point that operates 24 hours a day. There was no waiting time at all when we crossed (in May).
Entering Bosnia and Herzegovina
From the Serbian border terminal to the Bosnian side is only 1.2km. Our first taste of Bosnian hospitality was at the immigration booth where the officer said, “New Zealand? That is a long way. Please enjoy your stay with us.”
The immigration processing was very fast. The customs officer asked if we had only personal goods in our vehicle and welcomed us onwards into Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We parked and jumped out just beyond the border control at what we initially thought were money exchange booths. We still aren’t quite sure what the booths were (some transport authority?) but everyone was extremely friendly and while we couldn’t change money at the border it isn’t far from the border to Visegrad where there is an Addikko Bank ATM.
There is a large Mankom Service Station, shop and café just beyond the Serbia Bosnia border crossing. The staff are great here and we had a(nother) very friendly welcome to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Tip: Don’t worry if you haven’t got cash for Bosnia and Herzegovina yet. Payment for fuel and coffee (and anything else) can be made at the Mankom Service Station by card.
And a bit about Bosnia and Herzegovina, first
If like us, you have heard about the war in the Balkans but don’t know too much about the details it is worth doing a bit of research to understand a bit more before visiting.
In summary, as a result of the war in the 1990’s, Bosnia and Herzegovina was divided into three parts: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (where most of Sarajevo is located), the Serbian Republic (not to be confused with Serbia) and the District Brcko (mostly neutral).
These three parts are represented on the recognisable blue, yellow and white national flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
However, both the Federation and Republic are not on amicable terms. While this mostly affects visitors with the challenge of public transport between the two parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Driving between Belgrade and Sarajevo over the Serbia Bosnia border crossing is pretty straightforward as a foreigner.
From the Serbia Bosnia border crossing to Viegrad – Vardiste to Visegrad
The first sizeable border town from the Vardiste border is the historic town of Visegrad. It is worth a stop at Visegrad. Not only is the town beautifully positioned on the Drina River but this town of Bosnia has an important place in both the history of the region and the more recent history of the Bosnia war.
Visegrad history is documented from early Ottoman rule and more recently in the war in Bosnia during the 1990’s when ethnic cleansing reached the town. Some of the stories from the war and massacre are horrific and I uncomfortably must admit I didn’t know the extent of the effects of the Bosnia war in smaller towns like Visegrad and Gorazde.
Today Visegrad is a slow and picturesque riverside town with little evidence of the difficult events from some thirty years ago.
The historic Ottoman bridge Mehmed Pasa Sokolovic was built in 1577 AD.
You can park in the carpark opposite (it isn’t cheap; especially if you don’t yet have BAM). But for a motorhome there aren’t any other clearly visible parking options in Visegrad.
It is worth getting out for a wander in Visegrad. You can walk right across the bridge to the other side. There are many restaurants and cafes lining the riverside. And we found a few bakeries and a small(ish) supermarket to restock.
- Tip: The supermarket and restaurants accept payment by card but the parking in Visegrad only accepts cash in BAM or EUR.
Visegrad to Gorazde (BIH)
It was a well welcomed sight driving in to Gorazde as we spotted an automotive parts store.
However, without beating around the bush the first thing that’s noticeable in Gorazde is the very visible aftermath and remains of the war. There are many buildings that are derelict and many that from what we have been told have been left untouched as a reminder of the atrocious past.
For us, Gorazde ranks up there as one of the most emotionally deep-travel experiences we have ever come across. The people we met in Gorazde and the hospitality as soon as we arrived was hard to describe.
We weren’t going to stop, but as we entered the town, we spotted the MotoRex automotive parts store and pulled in to see if they had a front wheel bearing in stock. The next is a story for another time; but long story short we ended up spending the next two days in Gorazde with a local family and their friends from the region.
We lost count on the first day as to how many coffees and welcomes we received. The history of the town is both horrific and incredible. And the resilience and strength of the community is one that we felt moved to experience, even for a few days.
From Gorazde you can drive onwards to Sarajevo or towards Foca and the Bosnia Montenegro border.
- Read all about the Bosnia Montenegro border crossing at Hum here.
Crossing the Serbia Bosnia border in the other direction (from Vardiste to Kotromon)
Crossing the border from Bosnia to Serbia from Vardiste (BIH) to Kotromon (SRB) is the same just in the other direction.
There is an Eco Tax (200 RSD / 3 EUR) on the Serbian side of the border just after the border terminal when entering from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Final thoughts on the Serbia Bosnia border crossing at Kotromon / Vardiste
Overall, a smooth border crossing. Despite the slight shock of the Eco Tax at Mokra Gora (only because we were confused and had purposely pre-spent all our Serbian dinar) everything about the Serbia Bosnia border crossing was straightforward and friendly.
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