Driving to Sarajevo and where to park
Tolls at the gate, paid zones in the centre and free parking with a garage in Ilidža.
You reach Sarajevo by car on the A1 motorway from the north or on the main road from Mostar; motorway tolls are paid at toll gates. Street parking in the centre is paid by zone, currently 3 KM an hour in zone I and 2 KM in zone II. In Ilidža, River Walk has free parking with an underground garage.
In this guide
Motorways and tolls
Bosnia and Herzegovina has no vignette. Tolls on the A1 motorway are paid at the toll gates, in cash or by card. The tolled sections near Sarajevo run north towards Zenica and south-west from Sarajevo Zapad to Tarčin, on the way to Mostar. For Ilidža, leave the A1 at Sarajevo Zapad. Current toll prices are published by JP Autoceste.
Rules to know
Check these before you set off, and ask your insurer whether your policy covers Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h outside them, 100 km/h on expressways, 130 km/h on motorways
- Dipped headlights are required day and night, all year
- The blood-alcohol limit is 0.3 g/l
- Winter equipment is compulsory from 1 November to 1 April: winter tyres, or summer tyres with at least 4 mm of tread and snow chains carried in the car
- Carry your driving licence, the vehicle registration document and proof of insurance
Parking in the centre
Public street parking in Sarajevo is run by KJKP Rad and divided into zones. Since 27 July 2026 an hour costs 3 KM in zone I and 2 KM in zone II, and a day ticket costs 30 KM in zone I and 15 KM in zone II. A towed car costs 200 KM to recover, so park only in marked bays. The lanes of BaščaršijaSarajevo’s Ottoman-era bazaar and old town, with craft shops, cafés and restaurants around the Sebilj fountain. Tram line 3 from Ilidža runs here.12 km · tram line 3 · about 17 min by car are for pedestrians.
Parking at River Walk
Parking is free for guests, with outdoor spaces and an underground garage on site. Tell reception before you arrive if you need a garage space, are coming with more than one car or drive a tall vehicle: +387 33 837 337.
Leave the car and take the tram
For the old town, the simplest plan is to leave the car at River Walk. The Ilidža tram stopThe last stop of tram line 3, which runs between Ilidža and Baščaršija in Sarajevo’s old town.600 m · about 7 min on foot is about 7 minutes away on foot, line 3 runs to Baščaršija, and a single ticket costs 2.20 KM, less than an hour of parking in the centre.
Day trips by car from Ilidža
Ilidža is on the side of the city where the roads to the mountains and to Herzegovina begin. These are driving times without stops or traffic.
- Bjelašnica: about 25 km, about 32 minutes
- Jahorina: about 34 km, about 43 minutes
- Konjic: about 49 km, about 48 minutes
- Travnik: about 92 km, about 1 hour 26 minutes
- Mostar: about 118 km, about 2 hours 10 minutes
Questions
Do I need a vignette to drive in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
No. Motorway tolls are paid at toll gates on the tolled sections of the A1, in cash or by card.
How much is parking in Sarajevo?
Street parking currently costs 3 KM an hour in zone I and 2 KM an hour in zone II, with day tickets at 30 KM and 15 KM. Prices are set by KJKP Rad and can change.
Are winter tyres compulsory in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Winter equipment is compulsory from 1 November to 1 April, whatever the weather: winter tyres, or summer tyres with at least 4 mm of tread plus snow chains in the car.
Is parking free at River Walk?
Yes. Guests park free of charge in outdoor spaces or in the underground garage.
Can I rent a car at Sarajevo Airport?
Yes, car rental companies have desks at the airport, about 6 minutes’ drive from River Walk.
Sources and visitor information
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