I’m not sure why, but recently there have been many cheap flights to Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from various cities. For example, a one-way ticket from Berlin only costs 18 euros, which is very tempting.
However, this small town doesn’t have many tourists or special attractions. I accidentally visited it twice because of the cheap flights. During my travels, I found that there isn’t much information online in Chinese or English, so I want to share the biggest question I had:
“How do I get from Banja Luka Airport to the city center?”
Or vice versa, “How do I get from the city center of Banja Luka to the airport?”
Introduction to Banja Luka International Airport (BNX)
Banja Luka International Airport (BNX), full name Banja Luka International Airport, is an international airport located in the north of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Hey, although it’s called an international airport, this airport is really super-duper tiny!
There are fixed flights every week, and during those times, only one plane takes off or lands. The airport staff work like a relay team, starting from luggage check-in, ticket inspection, and finally to the boarding gate. You will see the same faces running around, serving the same group of people during that time.
The police officers at customs are also only 2-3 people. The officer who stamped my entry visa was actually the same person who stamped my exit visa, haha.
Banja Luka International Airport (BNX) was opened in 1930 and is located about 22 kilometers north of the city center of Banja Luka. Oh, and the airport has a parking lot and free Wi-Fi service, how great!
What are the transportation options between the airport and the city center?
There are several options to get from the city center of Banja Luka to the airport:
- Taxi: Taxis are very convenient and take about 25-30 minutes from the city center to the airport, costing around 36 KM (18 €).
- Public transportation: This refers to buses. For more information, please refer to the next section.
- Self-drive: It takes about 25-30 minutes to drive to the city center on your own.
From Banja Luka Airport (BNX) to the city center
As mentioned, Banja Luka airport is very small, with almost only one plane landing or taking off during each time slot.
Therefore, there is a bus company specialized in the airport to city center route (detailed information at the bottom of the article), and the schedule operates alongside the airline’s flight schedule.
Q: Where do I catch the bus at the airport?
The bus stop is easy to find.
It’s in front of the airport’s main gate (there’s only one terminal and one main gate). The bus from this company will be waiting on the road in front. The bus will only leave when it’s full and there doesn’t seem to be an option to buy a ticket on the bus, so it’s best to leave the terminal early.
Q: How long is the ride?
It takes about 30-40 minutes. If any locals need to get off along the way, the bus will wait for them.
Q: How do I buy a ticket?
Once you get on the bus, take a seat and the driver will come around to collect money from each passenger. Don’t worry.
Q: How much is the fare?
You can use either euros (€) or Bosnian currency (KM), and the price is either 5 € or 10 KM. There doesn’t seem to be a currency exchange shop at the airport, so I always pay with euros.
Q: Is there an extra fee for luggage?
No, everyone just puts their luggage in the storage compartment.
Q: Where is the drop-off point in the city center?
The final stop is in the city center, at coordinates (44.771618, 17.188873), where there are many bus stops. See the google link below.
Stara autobuska/Galerija: Banja Luka 78000, Bosnia & Herzegovina
From the city center of Banja Luka to the airport
這點是最令我頭痛的，因為巴士站找不到任何時刻表，每次提早去，都很怕被放鴿子。
Q: So what exactly is the schedule then…?
Haha, even though there are no bus schedules at the bus stops, the drivers have paper copies, and I always grab one when I get on. However, there have been changes to the flights in 2022 and 2023, so the schedule is actually subject to change.
Therefore, regarding this issue, just remember to arrive at the pick-up location 2 hours before the flight takes off.
For those who are not confident, you can arrive 15 minutes earlier!
Q: Where do I catch the bus in the city center?
There are two stations, one is the central bus station and the other is the city bus station, which are marked on the google map below.
Central bus station (Banja Luka Bus Station): Braće Podgornika, Banja Luka 78000, Bosnia & Herzegovina
City bus station (Stara autobuska/Galerija): Banja Luka 78000, Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Central bus station (Banja Luka Bus Station): Braće Podgornika, Banja Luka 78000, Bosnia & Herzegovina
It is located about 3.5 kilometers from the city center and is the central bus station for traveling to other major cities, to Sarajevo for example.
- City bus station (Stara autobuska/ Galerija): Banja Luka 78000, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Q: How do I buy a ticket?
Just get on the bus and sit anywhere, it doesn’t matter. The driver will collect the fare from each passenger and sometimes give you a receipt.
Q: How much is the fare?
You can use Euros (€) or Bosnian Marks (KM), and the price is €5 or 10 KM, payable in cash.
Q: Is there an extra fee for luggage?
No extra fee is required.
Q: How long is the ride?
The ride from the city to the airport takes longer for some reason, and it also depends on whether locals have arranged to meet at a specific location at the bus station. One of my trips took half an hour to arrive, and the other took 45 minutes.
But don’t worry, after boarding, everyone on the bus is going to the same flight. The driver is very aware of the take-off time, so there is plenty of time!
Q: Where is the drop-off point?
Of course, it is Banja Luka Airport (BNX)!
Finally, the bus company that operates this route is Smiljić Travel. You can confirm the time with online customer service a few days before departure, and English is available!
I hope the above information is helpful to you, but in the end, you should choose the transportation method that is most suitable for your budget, time, and personal preferences!
My voice diary in Bosnia & Herzegovina – Podcast Episodes
如果你聽得懂中文，也正好要去波士尼亞與赫賽哥維納共和國 ( Bosnia and Herzegovina ) 旅行，可以參考看看我的旅遊聲音日記喔！
