Driving in Bosnia! (gulp)
Discussion
Hello PH,
In a couple of weeks the missus and I will be flying to Dubrovnik (Croatia), driving to Sarajevo (Bosnia) and then down to Kotor (Montenegro).
What standard of roads and driving am I to expect? I presume the Croatia leg (short) will be reasonable - it's an EU member state and hence a Western country now. Bosnia is a different kettle of fish - I'm aware the landmine threat means you shouldn't really venture off roads on foot, but am I to expect the drivers to be suicidal lunatics? Roads horribly potholed? (I'm assuming the short Montenegrin leg to be similar ot Bosnia.)
On a side note, does anyone know what the border crossing procedure is like between Croatia and Bosnia, heading north?
In a couple of weeks the missus and I will be flying to Dubrovnik (Croatia), driving to Sarajevo (Bosnia) and then down to Kotor (Montenegro).
What standard of roads and driving am I to expect? I presume the Croatia leg (short) will be reasonable - it's an EU member state and hence a Western country now. Bosnia is a different kettle of fish - I'm aware the landmine threat means you shouldn't really venture off roads on foot, but am I to expect the drivers to be suicidal lunatics? Roads horribly potholed? (I'm assuming the short Montenegrin leg to be similar ot Bosnia.)
On a side note, does anyone know what the border crossing procedure is like between Croatia and Bosnia, heading north?
Some great driving roads in that region. I drove up from Kotor Bay right through Montenegro to the border with Serbia then back across Bosnia to Dubrovnik last year and the standard of driving was at least as good as anywhere else in Europe. The roads were mostly in pretty good repair too, and once you out of the tourist areas, really quiet.
One of my favourite places to drive. Becaause of the route we took we ended up crossing the border 3 or 4 times in one day and although there were short queues of 10 mins or so there were no issues. Make sure you have all the documentation for the car you're using, along with permission to take it accross the border if it's a hire car (we got ours from Sixt at Dubrovinik airport).
One of my favourite places to drive. Becaause of the route we took we ended up crossing the border 3 or 4 times in one day and although there were short queues of 10 mins or so there were no issues. Make sure you have all the documentation for the car you're using, along with permission to take it accross the border if it's a hire car (we got ours from Sixt at Dubrovinik airport).
Great recommendations - thanks.
I've heard of some car hire companies wrongly convincing you that you need to pay for some sort of permit to take a Croatian-registered vehicle into Bosnia. Did you have this problem?
Also, is fuel readily available and do petrol stations take credit cards?
I've heard of some car hire companies wrongly convincing you that you need to pay for some sort of permit to take a Croatian-registered vehicle into Bosnia. Did you have this problem?
Also, is fuel readily available and do petrol stations take credit cards?
jamoor said:
I don't see how being an EU state means you become a western country? What about Iceland or Norway? (I know O/T but it's an utterly ridiculous way of thinking)
Was being mildly ironic. Better Off Out etc.The fact stands that EU = Schengen (roughly) and Vodafone EuroTraveller, with all the ease of movement both entail.
Driving in Croatia at the moment - when people have flashed to let me out etc., I've raised my hand in a quick wave to say thanks. Perfectly usual in the UK.
Here this is invariably met with an irate beep.
Is the raised open palm an offensive gesture in the Balkans?!
Have I just told a nice chap in a Yugo to f
k off?
Here this is invariably met with an irate beep.
Is the raised open palm an offensive gesture in the Balkans?!
Have I just told a nice chap in a Yugo to f
k off?
Be ready to be pulled over for speeding - and in Bosnia in patricular, whether you were speeding or not!
I usually make sure I have only EUR10 in my wallet, wait for the bit about EUR30 fine - invariably before plod has committed pen to paper, say I have only EUR10, wait to be asked if I need a receipt, and say no.
I usually make sure I have only EUR10 in my wallet, wait for the bit about EUR30 fine - invariably before plod has committed pen to paper, say I have only EUR10, wait to be asked if I need a receipt, and say no.
Haven't been pulled for speeding (yet) despite having long given up on the idea of sitting at 50 kph in 'villages' without a soul or house in sight for miles.
Do you mean 10 EUR, or 10 BAM, as the default sum to give the police?
The quality of the driving here - particularly by HGVs - is seriously bloody awful. Weaving all over the road - on the phone, smoking, watching TV while hauling 44 tonnes. A bloke driving a Mk 2 Fiesta with no front or rear bumpers. Countless shells of vehicles, long since stripped of anything of value, by the side of the road - don't they have car breakers' yards in BiH?
Do you mean 10 EUR, or 10 BAM, as the default sum to give the police?
The quality of the driving here - particularly by HGVs - is seriously bloody awful. Weaving all over the road - on the phone, smoking, watching TV while hauling 44 tonnes. A bloke driving a Mk 2 Fiesta with no front or rear bumpers. Countless shells of vehicles, long since stripped of anything of value, by the side of the road - don't they have car breakers' yards in BiH?
Haven't been pulled for speeding (yet) despite having long given up on the idea of sitting at 50 kph in 'villages' without a soul or house in sight for miles.
Do you mean 10 EUR, or 10 BAM, as the default sum to give the police?
The quality of the driving here - particularly by HGVs - is seriously bloody awful. Weaving all over the road - on the phone, smoking, watching TV while hauling 44 tonnes. A bloke driving a Mk 2 Fiesta with no front or rear bumpers. Countless shells of vehicles, long since stripped of anything of value, by the side of the road - don't they have car breakers' yards in BiH?
Do you mean 10 EUR, or 10 BAM, as the default sum to give the police?
The quality of the driving here - particularly by HGVs - is seriously bloody awful. Weaving all over the road - on the phone, smoking, watching TV while hauling 44 tonnes. A bloke driving a Mk 2 Fiesta with no front or rear bumpers. Countless shells of vehicles, long since stripped of anything of value, by the side of the road - don't they have car breakers' yards in BiH?
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