Car Rental vs Public Transport for Belgrade Sightseeing

Car Rental vs Public Transport for Belgrade Sightseeing

Belgrade is a vibrant Serbian city with attractions spread across different areas. As a traveller, you might wonder about the best way to get around Belgrade to see all its sights. Should you rent a car and drive, or stick to buses and trams? In this guide, we’ll talk about how to travel around Belgrade by comparing car rentals versus public transport.

Overview of Getting Around Belgrade

Belgrade is a sprawling city of over a million people. It stretches across both sides of the Sava and Danube rivers. Spanning approximately 360 square kilometers, the city has historic districts with modern urban zones. The Old Town (Stari Grad) is situated on the right bank of the Sava, home to Kalemegdan Fortress, Knez Mihailova Street, and a rich cultural heritage spanning centuries.

Across the river lies New Belgrade (Novi Beograd), known for its broad boulevards and contemporary architecture. To the west is Zemun, a neighbourhood with cobbled streets and a distinct Austro–Hungarian feel. Belgrade also boasts recreational gems, such as Ada Ciganlija, a lakeside park that is particularly popular in the summer, and Avala Mountain, which offers panoramic views from the Avala Tower.

Public Transport in Belgrade

Belgrade’s public transport network reaches nearly every neighborhood. Buses, trams, and trolleybuses connect major attractions, residential zones, and outer districts, making it possible to explore the city without a car. Travel times, however, can vary.

Driving Conditions and Traffic Patterns

Driving in Belgrade is easy, but it requires some patience. Traffic can be heavy during peak periods, generally from 7 to 9 AM and 4 to 6 PM. Key roads and bridges, such as the Gazela Bridge, which links Old Town to New Belgrade, often slow to a crawl during rush periods. One advantage of public transport is that buses and taxis may use dedicated yellow lanes, allowing them to bypass lines of private cars stuck in traffic.

Parking in Belgrade

In central areas, finding a spot can be challenging. Belgrade uses a zone system for street parking (red, yellow, green). This determines how long you can park and how much you pay. Payment is made via ticket or SMS during designated hours. Typically, parking fees apply weekdays and Saturday mornings, while Sundays are free. Public garages, such as those located at Slavija Square, Obilićev Venac, and near Ada, are parking alternatives for drivers. Belgrade’s size, traffic patterns, and parking rules all influence how smoothly you can move between attractions.

Car Rental for Belgrade Sightseeing

Renting a car in Serbia is relatively affordable, averaging around $47 per day (approximately £40) for a standard small car. Headlights must be on at all times, even during the day, and seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers. If your home driver’s licence isn’t in Roman script or if you’re from outside Europe, you may also need an International Driving Permit to accompany it. With those basics in mind, let’s explore whether choosing a Belgrade car rental for tourists is the right option for your trip.

Advantages of Renting a Car

• Freedom and Flexibility: Having your own car gives you total control over your itinerary. You can take spontaneous detours or change plans on the fly without worrying about bus schedules. You can linger longer at a museum or take a quick drive to a viewpoint.
• Easy Access to Outskirts: A rental car makes it simpler to reach attractions outside the city center. Some of Belgrade’s best experiences are a bit farther out. For example, driving up to the Avala Tower or exploring the wine country beyond the suburbs.
• Comfort for Families and Groups: A car provides a private and comfortable space for travelling with family or a group of friends. You can enjoy air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter, play your own music, and keep your luggage safely in the boot. This is especially convenient for those with young children. Importantly, sharing one car can be economical. You can split the rental and fuel between 4 people, which often works out cheaper per person than buying separate transport tickets.
• Time Efficiency: If you’re on a tight schedule or have a short visit, a car can save you precious time. You won’t be waiting around for the next bus or walking long distances between attractions. It’s feasible to cover multiple far-flung sights in one day.
• Remote Exploring: With a car, the whole region opens up to you. You’re not limited to where buses go. Feel like driving into the countryside to find a hidden monastery or a traditional restaurant in a village? Go for it. Road trips allow you to discover Serbia’s “hidden treasures. Using Belgrade as your base, you could venture to the Đerdap National Park or Topola’s vineyards and be back by night.

Disadvantages of Renting a Car

• Traffic Congestion: Like any big city, Belgrade has its traffic jams. At peak times, main roads and especially bridge crossings can get very busy. You might find yourself inching along in downtown streets or stuck behind a line of cars on the Gazela Bridge. Locals are used to it, but as a visitor, it can be frustrating to waste time in traffic when you’d rather be sightseeing. If you’re driving, you don’t have the advantage buses do of using dedicated lanes to skip the queues.
• Parking Challenges: Parking in Belgrade’s city centre is tricky. Streets are crowded and many central areas are zoned with strict time limits. You’ll often need to hunt for a legal spot, and then pay at a meter or via text message.
• Costs: While renting is relatively inexpensive, fuel, tolls, and rental fees significantly add to your trip expenses compared to public transportation. You have the rental fee per day, plus fuel costs. If you venture onto the motorways, there are tolls as well.
• Rental Formalities: Renting a car comes with responsibilities. You’ll need to pick up and drop off the vehicle at set times, refill the petrol before return, and make sure you adhere to the rental terms. If anything happens to the car, you have to sort it out with the rental company. There’s also the matter of finding a rental office, possibly waiting in line to get your car, and later doing the return inspection.

Public Transport for Belgrade Sightseeing

Belgrade’s public transport system is extensive and forms the backbone of local mobility. The network includes over 100 bus lines, 12 tram lines, and several trolleybus routes that crisscross the city. This means you can hop on any bus, tram, or trolleybus without needing a ticket. Below, we’ll break down how the system works and examine the pros and cons of sightseeing.

Advantages of Public Transport in Belgrade

• Budget-Friendly: It’s completely free now for intra-city travel. Even when there were tickets, they were inexpensive, but now you can save money for other experiences. For travellers on a budget, buses and trams are the most cost-effective options. If you’re backpacking or simply trying to stretch your dinars, public transport is the best way to get around Belgrade without spending a dime.
• City-Wide Coverage: The network’s reach means you can get to nearly any tourist spot by public transit. From the Belgrade Fortress and Skadarlija, to the Nikola Tesla Museum in Vračar, to Zemun’s riverside, there will be a bus or tram that takes you there.
• No Parking Hassles: When you’re using public transport, you can forget about parking problems entirely. You’ll never have to circle a block looking for a space or feed a parking meter. You can also avoid potential parking fines, towing risks, or paying for garage parking.
• Local Experience: Taking public transport gives you a taste of local Belgrade life. You’ll ride alongside commuters, students, and pensioners, observing daily routines. It’s an authentic experience.

Disadvantages of Public Transport

• Crowds and Comfort: Public transportation can get crowded, particularly during rush hours or when school is in session. Buses packed with people mean you might be standing in a tight space, hanging onto a railing while your backpack bumps into someone. In the summer months, not all buses or trams are well air-conditioned. Some older vehicles can be stuffy and hot when full. So, comfort isn’t always guaranteed.
• Less Flexibility: By nature, buses and trams follow set routes and timetables. This means you are not always taken door-to-door to your destination. You often have to walk from the bus stop to the attraction, and possibly transfer between lines if there’s no direct route.
• Slower Travel Times: Although public transport is fairly efficient in the city, it can be slower than driving for certain trips. Buses stop frequently, and if you have to make a transfer, that’s extra waiting. A journey that a car could complete in 20 minutes could take 45 minutes by combining a tram and a bus.
• Language Barrier and Navigation: Although using buses is straightforward once you know the routes, figuring out which bus or tram to take can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the city. Much of the information will be in Serbian. Many stop announcements are in Serbian as well. If you don’t understand the language, you have to pay close attention to maps or use a translation app.
• Limited Night Service: If you’re planning to enjoy Belgrade’s famous nightlife, perhaps dinner followed by clubbing on the floating river barges, be aware that regular public transport winds down around midnight. After that, only a skeletal network of night buses operates. These night buses operate hourly on specific routes, covering the main arteries. If you are far from the city center or in a remote area at 2 AM, you may not find a convenient route.

Takeaway

Both car rental and public transportation can be used for sightseeing in Belgrade. The better option depends on your needs and preferences. Consider your itinerary, comfort level, and budget. If your goal is to immerse yourself in the city and you’re watching your expenses, buses and trams are great options. If your goal is to explore far and wide on your own terms, a car opens up that possibility. Either way, Belgrade is a welcoming city to navigate.

Rent a car in Belgrade with Final Rentals and choose your pickup location in Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport or downtown. With a wide selection of well-maintained vehicles, transparent pricing, and instant booking confirmation, you can tailor your rental to perfectly for your itinerary. Book, manage, and enjoy your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.