Planning a Balkan Motorcycle Trip: Route, Season, Borders and Money

Which countries belong on your route?

“The Balkans” is a big place. For a motorcycle trip from Central Europe, the countries of the former Yugoslavia are the obvious choice: they border one another directly and link up easily into a round trip.

• Slovenia: the Julian Alps, the Vršič Pass with its 50 hairpins and the emerald-green Soča Valley – the perfect start.
• Croatia: the Adriatic coast road (Jadranska Magistrala), the gravel passes of the Velebit and Biokovo with its summit, Sveti Jure.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: high plateaus, mountain lakes, Mostar and hundreds of kilometres of gravel – the off-road heart of the Balkans.
• Montenegro: the switchbacks above the Bay of Kotor, Durmitor and the Tara Canyon.
• Serbia: Tara National Park, Zlatibor and the meanders of the Uvac Canyon.

Tarmac or gravel?

The Balkans have something for both kinds of rider. If you love corners, Slovenia, the Croatian coast and Montenegro offer some of the finest roads in Europe. If you're after gravel, you'll be happiest in Bosnia and western Serbia – here, unsurfaced tracks between villages are perfectly ordinary roads.

For tarmac fans, we run the Balkan Grand Tour: around 3,500 km through five countries. For off-road riders, the highlight is the Bosnia Marathon, with around 70% gravel.

The best time to ride

• May and June: green landscapes, long days, pleasant temperatures. In May there can still be snow in the mountains.
• July and August: often above 30 °C on the coast, with plenty of traffic. It stays more pleasant in the mountains and on the high plateaus.
• September and early October: the best time for many riders – warm sea, fewer tourists, dry tracks.
• November to April: cold in the mountains and many passes closed. The right time to plan next season.

Borders: Schengen and non-EU

Slovenia and Croatia are part of the EU and the Schengen Area. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia are not – there are checks at these borders, and at weekends and during the holiday season you may have to wait. Smaller border crossings are often quicker.

German, Austrian and Swiss citizens can enter all five countries with a valid national ID card or passport. Before every trip, check the latest entry requirements with the German Federal Foreign Office, the Austrian Foreign Ministry or the Swiss FDFA – or your own country's foreign ministry.

Documents and insurance

• ID card or passport, driving licence and vehicle registration document
• A letter of authorisation from the owner if the motorcycle isn't registered in your name
• Green Card: ask your insurer which countries you need one for and whether your comprehensive cover applies outside the EU. Most insurers issue the Green Card free of charge. (Bosnia and Herzegovina does not require one.)
• Travel health insurance that includes repatriation – check whether off-road riding is excluded

Money and mobile phones

In Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro you pay in euros. Bosnia and Herzegovina uses the convertible mark (€1 = 1.95583 KM) and Serbia the dinar. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in towns, but carry cash in mountain villages.

Bosnia, Montenegro and Serbia are not part of the EU roaming zone. Check your mobile plan's terms before you go, or get an eSIM for the region.

Ride on your own or join a guided tour?

The Balkans are easy to explore independently. A guided motorcycle tour is still worth it if you're short on time, want to ride the best roads without lengthy research, or want to go off-road. In Bosnia especially, verified GPS tracks matter, because landmines may still lie away from known routes – more on this in our article Off-road in Bosnia.

On a guided tour, the route, hotels and emergency team are all taken care of, and you ride in a group of like-minded people. You'll find all current dates and prices in the overview of our Balkan motorcycle tours.

Frequently asked questions