Getting There & Away: Trebinje

Air Travel

Major Airports Serving Trebinje

Trebinje itself does not have a commercial airport. Travelers typically fly into nearby international airports and then continue their journey by land.

Closest Hubs

Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), Croatia: Approximately 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) away, the most direct entry point.
Mostar International Airport (OMO), Bosnia & Herzegovina: About 100 kilometers (62 miles), offers limited flights.
Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ), Bosnia & Herzegovina: About 260 kilometers (160 miles), the main international airport for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Airline Connections

You will not find direct intercontinental flights to any of the nearest airports. Travelers from North America, Asia, or other distant regions typically connect through major European cities like Frankfurt, Vienna, or Istanbul.

Direct Flights & Hubs

Dubrovnik (DBV): Numerous European airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Wizz Air have direct flights from major European cities.
Mostar (OMO) and Tivat (TIV): Flight options are limited, often seasonal or charter-based. Tivat (Montenegro) is ~70km from Trebinje.
Sarajevo (SJJ): Services from major European carriers like Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Austrian Airlines, giving good year-round connectivity.

Flight Deals

Consider services like Dollar Flight Club for discounted fares.

Compare Flights

Use flight aggregators like Skyscanner for best prices and routes.

Seasonal Fluctuations

Flight frequency and prices are higher during summer (June-August) for Dubrovnik Airport.

Airport Transfers to Trebinje

From Dubrovnik Airport DBV

Taxi: A direct taxi transfer to Trebinje is the most direct option (~30-45 min). Negotiate the price (~40-60 EUR). The route goes across the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Private Transfer: Pre-booked private transfers offer reliability and often a comfortable, hassle-free border crossing experience. Many local companies offer this.
Bus + Taxi: Take an airport shuttle to Dubrovnik city center. From there, take a local bus or taxi to the border, and then another taxi from the Bosnian side (Ivanica) to Trebinje. This method includes more logistical steps.
Car Rental: Consider DiscoverCars.com for renting a car at DBV.

From Mostar OMO & Sarajevo SJJ

Mostar (OMO): A direct taxi to Trebinje takes approximately 1.5-2 hours. Alternatively, take a taxi from the airport to Mostar's main bus station, then a long-distance bus to Trebinje.
Sarajevo (SJJ): A direct transfer takes about 3.5-4 hours. Take the airport bus to Sarajevo city center. From Sarajevo's main bus station, take a long-distance bus to Trebinje (~5 hours).
Seasonal Flight Availability: Mostar and Tivat often have seasonal routes, meaning fewer or no flights outside peak tourist months. Sarajevo maintains more consistent year-round connections.
Border Crossing Time: Factor in unpredictable border crossing times, especially during summer. Allow an extra 30-60 minutes for potential delays at the Ivanica border.

Airport Facilities

Dubrovnik Airport DBV

A well-equipped international airport. Facilities include car rental desks, numerous taxi services, shuttle buses to Dubrovnik city center, cafes, and duty-free shops.

Mostar International Airport OMO

Offers more basic facilities, including car rentals and taxis.

Sarajevo International Airport SJJ

More extensive facilities. Discover various car rental agencies, taxis, public transport connections to the city center, and a wider selection of shops and restaurants.

Land Transportation

Border Crossing Information

Trebinje's location makes land border crossings a frequent part of travel to and from the city. Border crossing queues can be long, especially during the peak summer season, weekends, or public holidays. Allow extra time in your travel plans for potential delays.

Crossings

From Croatia: The Ivanica crossing, near Dubrovnik, is the most common.
From Montenegro: The Sitnica crossing (for Herceg Novi) and Deleuša crossing (for Nikšić and Podgorica) are the main routes.
Procedures: Present your passport to immigration officials. If driving, have vehicle registration and green card (international motor insurance card) ready, covering Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Self-Driving & Requirements

Main roads in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including those to Trebinje, are generally in good condition. Some rural or mountainous roads can be narrower and less maintained.

Driving Essentials

Valid national driving license. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is needed if your license is not in a widely recognized language.
Vehicle registration documents and a green card (international motor insurance card) explicitly covering Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Safety: Be aware of local driving habits, which can be assertive. Roads in mountainous terrain may have sharp curves and call for careful driving.

Long-Distance Bus Options

Trebinje has a well-connected bus station (Autobuska Stanica Trebinje). Buses are a popular and affordable way to travel to and from the city. You can buy tickets at the bus station counter on the day of travel. For popular routes or during peak season, buying tickets a day or two in advance is advisable.

Connections & Companies

Regular bus lines connect Trebinje with other cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar, Sarajevo, Banja Luka), Croatia (Dubrovnik, Zagreb), Montenegro (Herceg Novi, Kotor, Podgorica), and Serbia (Belgrade).
Major Bus Companies: Look for services by Autoprevoz Trebinje, Globtour, and Centrotrans.
Online Booking: Some regional connections might make online booking possible via platforms like Busticket4.me.

Train Travel & Road Conditions

Trebinje does not have its own train station or direct train connections. For travel to Trebinje, bus travel is generally more convenient, direct, and frequent from other cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighboring countries.

Road Conditions & Safety

Roads around Trebinje are generally good. The main road connecting Trebinje to Dubrovnik (M6) is well-maintained.
Winter Driving: From November 15 to April 15, winter tires are mandatory. Carrying snow chains is also advisable for mountain passes during heavy snowfall.
Driving Laws: Headlights must be on at all times. Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited unless using a hands-free system.

Driving Laws

Drive on the right side of the road.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants.
Headlights must be on at all times, even during the day.

Speed limits are generally 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h outside urban areas, and 130 km/h on motorways.
Zero tolerance for alcohol while driving applies to young drivers and professional drivers; for others, the legal limit is low.
Watch for wandering livestock, especially on rural roads.

Sea/River Arrivals & Departure

Sea/River Travel Not Applicable

Trebinje is an inland city, so sea or river travel is not a direct means of arrival or departure for tourists.

Closest Water Access

Ferry Services and Cruise Ports: The closest major cruise port and ferry terminal is Dubrovnik, Croatia, approximately 30 kilometers away.
River Transportation: The Trebišnjica River is used for local recreational activities like kayaking or swimming, but it does not serve as a transportation route for long-distance travel.
For those arriving via Dubrovnik's port, land transfer options to Trebinje are available from Dubrovnik.

Departure Information

Bosnia and Herzegovina does not impose specific exit fees or taxes for departing travelers by land or air, beyond what is typically included in airline tickets. You will not face any additional charges at the border or airport for simply leaving the country.

Departure Procedures & Timing

For Flights from Dubrovnik Airport (DBV): Arrive at least 2 hours before departure for flights within the Schengen Area, and 3 hours for non-Schengen flights.
Border Crossing Time: Factor in unpredictable border crossing times, especially during the summer. Allow an extra 30-60 minutes for potential delays at the Ivanica border.
For Bus Departures: Arrive at the Trebinje Bus Station at least 20-30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. For international buses, have your passport ready for border checks.

Dubrovnik Airport

Offers standard international airport facilities for departing passengers.

Trebinje Bus Station

Provides more basic facilities, including a small waiting area and ticket counter.

Check Schedules

Always double-check your flight or bus schedule the day before departure for any last-minute changes.

Plan Your Journey

Consider transfer options carefully to match your budget and desired convenience for arrival and departure.

Getting There & Away