Scenic Railway Between Bosnia and Croatia Reopens for Summer Season
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A seasonal train service connecting Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Ploče, Croatia, has resumed for the summer.
- The route, considered one of Europe's most scenic railway journeys, travels through diverse landscapes along the Neretva River.
- The train operates on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until September 27, with one-way tickets costing 15 euros.
The scenic railway line connecting Sarajevo and Ploče has reopened for its summer season, offering a unique travel experience along one of Europe's most beautiful rail routes. The train, operated by Željeznice Federacije BiH, will run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until September 27.
This international rail link is the only direct connection from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Adriatic coast. The journey, which takes approximately three hours and twenty minutes, traverses approximately 200 kilometers of varied terrain. It winds through the mountainous regions of central Bosnia, past Jablaničko Lake, through Mostar and Čapljina, and finally to the Neretva River valley and the Adriatic coast.
The route is renowned for its dramatic scenery, featuring canyons, bridges, tunnels, and steep cliffs, particularly along the emerald waters of the Neretva River. The British newspaper The Guardian has previously recognized this stretch, especially the Sarajevo to Mostar section, as one of the most stunning railway journeys globally.
Historically, the railway was built in 1891 as a narrow-gauge line to transport goods and passengers through challenging mountain landscapes. It was modernized and converted to standard gauge in 1966, extending to the port of Ploče and establishing Bosnia and Herzegovina's direct rail access to the Adriatic. After service disruptions in the 1990s, the seasonal line has been reintroduced and is rapidly gaining popularity among travelers.
Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.