Belgrade Public Transport

THE HEADLINE: IT’S FREE

Since 1 January 2025, riding Belgrade’s regular public transport costs nothing. The city abolished fares on all standard city and suburban lines — buses, trams, trolleybuses and the BG Voz suburban train — making Belgrade the largest city in Europe with free public transport.

That means:

  • No tickets, no cards, no validation on regular lines — just get on and ride.
  • The old BusPlus smart-card system you may read about on older blogs was already abolished in April 2023 (briefly replaced by Beograd plus), and payment was scrapped entirely from 2025.
  • Exceptions that still charge: the A1 airport minibus (see airport transfers) and the E-prefix express minibus lines, where you pay the driver or per the operator’s current rules.

City policy can always change — if you’re reading this well after mid-2026, confirm fares are still abolished before assuming, but as of now: free.

THE NETWORK

Belgrade’s network is dense: roughly 150+ daytime bus routes, tram and trolleybus lines concentrated in the older parts of the city, and the BG Voz train linking suburbs across the Sava. Regular services run from about 4:00 am to midnight, after which a smaller set of night lines takes over (different routes and lower frequency — check before relying on one).

Trams are the most useful lines for many central journeys (the number 2 circle around the old town is a classic orientation route). New Belgrade’s wide blocks are best covered by buses.

FINDING ROUTES AND TIMES

Most stops show a route map, and busier stops have electronic arrival displays. For live planning, apps are the way to go:

  • Google Maps — decent coverage of Belgrade transit routes
  • Moovit — live arrivals and route planning
  • Local journey planners and the city transport authority’s current app (names change — search “Beograd” + “prevoz” in your app store)

PRACTICAL TIPS

  • Rush hours (roughly 8–10 am and 4–7 pm) are crowded; free transport made buses busier, not emptier.
  • Pickpockets work crowded lines like in any big city — keep bags zipped and phones off the back pocket.
  • Vehicles range from brand-new to museum pieces; summer air-conditioning is not guaranteed.
  • Drivers rarely speak English, but you don’t need to interact — there’s nothing to buy.

BEYOND THE CITY

Intercity travel is a separate system with paid tickets — see trains and intercity buses. Driving and parking in the city have their own rules: parking in Belgrade and driving in Serbia.