Riding to Bosnia by Motorcycle: Route, Border and Documents

The route: via Slovenia and Croatia

From southern Germany, the classic way runs via Salzburg, the Tauern or the Karawanks Tunnel into Slovenia, then on via Ljubljana to Zagreb. From Zagreb you have two good options:

• Fast: take the Croatian A1 motorway towards Split and cross into Bosnia at one of the border crossings near Livno. From Livno it’s not far to Kupres.
• Scenic: via Karlovac to Bihać and across western Bosnia. Slower, but the journey itself becomes part of the tour – with views of the Una river and the karst country.
• By sea: if you’re coming from western Germany or Switzerland, you can also take the overnight ferry from Ancona to Split and skip the motorway miles.

Riding from Austria

From Austria, Bosnia is particularly quick to reach. From Vienna the route runs via Graz and Maribor to Zagreb, then as described above via the A1 and Livno, or the scenic way via Bihać. It’s around 800 kilometres from Vienna to Kupres and around 650 kilometres from Graz – comfortably doable in a day with a van or trailer.

From Salzburg, Tyrol and Carinthia, take the Tauern motorway or the Karawanks Tunnel to Ljubljana and on to Zagreb. From Vorarlberg the journey is about as long as from Switzerland.

Riding from Switzerland

From Zurich to Kupres it’s around 1,250 kilometres, depending on the route. Most riders go over the Arlberg or via Innsbruck to Villach, through the Karawanks Tunnel into Slovenia and on via Zagreb. Alternatively, you can go via Milan and Trieste – or ride to Ancona and take the overnight ferry to Split. From Split it’s only around 150 kilometres to Kupres.

A few things are specific to Swiss riders:

• The entry fee and all prices are in euros. The easiest way to pay from Switzerland is a SEPA transfer in EUR – ask your bank about fees.
• Locally you pay in convertible marks (KM) or euros; Swiss francs are accepted almost nowhere.
• Before you leave, check whether your Swiss motorcycle insurance is valid in Bosnia and Herzegovina and whether off-road riding is excluded.
• When you return to Switzerland, the customs duty-free allowances (BAZG) apply, for example for meat, alcohol and tobacco. You’ll find the latest rules in the “QuickZoll” app.
• Even with a Swiss mobile plan, Bosnia is usually an expensive roaming zone – a local SIM or eSIM is worth it.

Vignettes and tolls along the way

• Austria: on motorways and expressways you need a motorcycle vignette (ASFINAG); some tunnels and passes, such as the Tauern and Karawanks tunnels, charge an additional section toll.
• Slovenia: a motorcycle vignette is also compulsory on motorways here; it’s available as a digital e-vignette (DARS).
• Croatia: motorway tolls are charged by distance (HAC).
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: there is no vignette. The few motorway sections are tolled, and you pay at the toll booth when you exit the motorway.

Crossing the border: expect to wait

Since Croatia joined the Schengen Area in 2023, the border between Croatia and Bosnia has been an external Schengen border. That means there are checks – at weekends and during the holiday season there can be queues at the big crossings. Smaller crossings are often much quicker.

As a German, Austrian or Swiss citizen, you can enter with a valid national ID card or passport and stay for up to 90 days. Before you leave, check that your ID documents are valid for long enough, and look up the latest travel advice from your foreign ministry.

Documents for your tank bag

• National ID card or passport
• Driving licence (EU licences are recognised)
• Vehicle registration certificate
• You no longer need a Green Card for Bosnia and Herzegovina – many older guidebooks and forums are out of date on this. Even so, check with your insurer before you travel whether your third-party and comprehensive cover applies in Bosnia.
• A letter of authorisation from the registered keeper if the motorcycle isn’t registered in your name
• Travel health insurance that includes repatriation – and read the small print: some policies exclude off-road or motorsport activities

Road rules in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The main rules are the same as what you know from central Europe. There are a few points worth remembering, though:

• Dipped headlights are compulsory during the day too.
• The drink-drive limit is 0.3‰, and 0.0‰ for novice riders.
• Motorcycles may ride at up to 130 km/h on the motorway. Motorways are tolled, and you pay at the toll booth.
• Stick to the speed limits, especially when entering towns and villages – the police carry out regular checks.
• On country roads, expect animals, slow tractors and fallen rocks in corners.

Money, mobile and fuel

The local currency is the convertible mark (KM, internationally BAM). It’s pegged to the euro: 1 euro equals 1.95583 KM, and in everyday life people simply work with 2 to 1. Euros are accepted in hotels and at many petrol stations, but you’ll usually get your change in KM. In towns you can pay by card without any problems; in villages and small guesthouses you should carry cash.

Important for your phone: Bosnia and Herzegovina is not part of the EU roaming zone. Mobile data can get expensive quickly without the right plan. Switch off data roaming before the border and buy a local SIM card or an eSIM for the region.

There are plenty of petrol stations along the main roads, but in the highlands and on off-road stages they can be far apart. Fill up before every longer section – especially if you’re riding a small sport enduro.

Emergency numbers

• Police: 122
• Fire brigade: 123
• Ambulance: 124

Landmines: stay on known tracks

Since the war of the 1990s, Bosnia and Herzegovina is not yet completely free of landmines. There is no danger on roads and well-used tracks – but you should never ride cross-country or try out unknown tracks. We’ve put everything you need to know about this into a separate article: Off-road in Bosnia: rules and landmines.

Getting to the Bosnia Marathon

For the Bosnia Marathon, Hotel Adria Ski in Kupres is the shared base. Vans and trailers can stay there for the whole tour, so you ride the stages without carrying extra luggage. In the WhatsApp group before the start, many participants arrange to travel together – so you can share fuel, tolls and driving time.

Frequently asked questions