We are taking a Balkan tour in September. Before that, we are spending a few days in Budapest and then taking a train to Sarajevo, where our tour starts. I'm having trouble finding info about the train from Bud to Sar, even on Eurorail. Does it travel daily? Do I buy a ticket there, or in advance? If in advance, how?
Also, for touring Croatia and Slovenia, would you recommend early September or early October? We are not big beach people, more into history and culture.
Posted on Jul 11, 2011
Richard, my wife and I were in the Balkans last November and the weather was generally good...cool and dry...so I think either September or October would be great. We took an overnight train from Venice to Zagreb to meet our tour. We arrived at 4:15am but had arranged for a very early check-in at the tour hotel which was great. We spent extra for a sleeping compartment on the train which was a mistake. We were awakened by officials five times in the six hour train trip for border crossings (passport, customs, etc.). We should have had first class comfortable seats which would have been much better. Even in November Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro were wonderful and "the last war" a bit confusing.
Posted Jul 13, 2011
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They say that there is a train from Budapest-Sarajevo,
http://www.interrailnet.com/countries/bosnia-herzegovina/bosnia-herzegovina-train-travel
http://www.zfbh.ba/zfbhenx/konekcija_en.php for the time table for trains.
It can be a tricky and time consuming transfer, you might want to look for flights.
If beaches are not a big factor both October and Sept. are nice for Croatia and Slovenia. The crowds will be thinned out a bit but things are still open.
Have a great time, I love Sarajevo and Croatia.
Posted Jul 13, 2011
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Richard I can't speak for rail travel in that part of the world, but what I can tell you about is Croatia's weather in the autumn. The temperature in September and October is OK (no chance of snow anyway!) but as with Europe in general in can be wet at this time of the year... Croatia is well known for its seaside resorts at Split and Dubrovnik but I'm not sure I'd recommend them as destinations given that you're arriving right at the end of the season. However, you certainly can have an interesting weekend in the capital, Zagreb - perhaps include a trip to Marshal Tito's birthplace up in the mountains above the city too.
If you end up in Macedonia or Kosovo I was there two weeks ago, and in Belgrade last autumn, so have further advice if you need it!
Posted Jul 16, 2011
Add a commentSorry you said Budapest too didn't you! You absolutely must go to the market hall - it's a little microcosm of Hungarian food and culture. When you're there, see if you can find the fading portrait of Margaret Thatcher (the Iron Lady) over one of the stalls... There are interesting local foods served at little eateries on the upper balconies so you can do some people-watching and enjoy local fayre at the same time :)
Posted on Jul 16, 2011
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