Sarajevo to Capljina — Train, Bus, Drive Guide

Sarajevo to Capljina is the full length of the Neretva corridor — Bosnia’s main north-south transport spine. 170 kilometres, every method of public transport, and one of Europe’s most scenic train rides. Most travelers do this trip continuing on to Mostar (40 km north of Capljina), but some want Capljina as their final destination because it’s closer to Croatia.

This guide covers all options.

Quick comparison

Method	Cost	Time	Best for
Drive	Fuel ~€20	2h	Multi-stop
Train	€15	3h	Most scenic
Bus	€18	3h	Most frequent
Taxi	€120–150	2h	Avoid (expensive)
Private transfer	€200–250	2h	Comfort + stops

By train (most scenic option)

The Sarajevo–Capljina train is one of the best railway journeys in Europe that almost no foreign tourists know about.

Schedule

• 2 daily trains (typically 7:15 and 16:45 from Sarajevo)
• 3 hours each direction
• €15 one-way to Capljina (slightly less to Mostar)

Why take it

• Neretva canyon for 90 minutes — the river right beside the track
• Bradina tunnel — Bosnia’s longest at 6 km
• Modern Talgo coaches, AC, comfortable
• Sit on the right side going south for the canyon views

Where it stops

Sarajevo → Pazarić → Konjic → Jablanica → Mostar → Capljina

• All stops are useful — easy to break the journey

Tickets

• Buy at Sarajevo Glavna Železnička Stanica (main train station)
• 30 min before departure usually fine
• Cash preferred, EUR accepted
• No online booking system

By bus

Most frequent option.

Frequency

• 8–10 daily buses Sarajevo → Capljina (mostly via Mostar)
• First 6:30, last 21:00

Cost & duration

• €18 one-way (35 KM)
• 3 hours including stops at Konjic, Jablanica, Mostar

Where to catch

• Sarajevo Main Bus Station (Centrotrans terminal in Hrasno)
• Capljina bus station (small, in town center)

Tips

• Many buses continue to Croatia (Dubrovnik, Split) — Capljina is just one of several stops
• Sit on the right side going south for views
• Online booking via getbybus.com or buy at the station

By car

Fastest if you have a rental.

Route

Sarajevo → A1 motorway → M17 → Konjic → Jablanica → Mostar → Capljina

• 170 km
• 2 hours non-stop, 2.5–3 hours with stops

What to know

• A1 motorway (toll ~€3) for the first 50 km out of Sarajevo
• M17 from Konjic on (no tolls)
• Two-lane roads, paved, well-maintained
• Winter: snow chains/winter tyres legally required Nov 15–Apr 15

Stops worth making

Konjic (1 hour from Sarajevo)

• ARK D-0 nuclear bunker (book ahead, Tue–Sun)
• Konjic Old Bridge — 1682 Ottoman bridge
• See our Konjic to Sarajevo guide

Jablanica (1.5 hours from Sarajevo)

• Battle of Neretva memorial — destroyed bridge, WWII history
• Lake views + lunch at Stari Most restaurant (famous trout)
• See our Battle of Neretva guide

Mostar (2 hours from Sarajevo)

• Stari Most bridge + Old Town (the obvious stop)
• See our Mostar Travel Guide

Pocitelj (2.5 hours from Sarajevo, on the way south of Mostar)

• 15 minutes north of Capljina
• Free Ottoman fortress + medieval walls
• See our Pocitelj guide

By taxi

Don’t. €120–150 is expensive for the distance — bus or train is dramatically cheaper.

If you’re really stuck, ask Sarajevo bus station for “Capljina taksi” — most drivers prefer Mostar destinations and won’t drive you to Capljina without significant haggling.

By private transfer

If you have a group of 3–4 and want comfort + stops + door-to-door, this becomes attractive.

We run private transfers from Mostar that can do Sarajevo → Capljina with stops at Konjic + Jablanica + Mostar Old Town. €200–250 vehicle for up to 4 passengers, includes English/German driver, water + Wi-Fi onboard, free 30-min stops at major sites.

WhatsApp +387 61 209 388 for a quote.

Combine with experiences

Most travelers don’t do “Sarajevo to Capljina” as a single-day journey — instead they do the trip with overnight stops:

Two-day version

• Day 1: Sarajevo → Konjic (visit ARK D-0) → Mostar overnight
• Day 2: Mostar → Pocitelj → Capljina day → continue to Croatia

Three-day version

• Day 1: Sarajevo → Mostar (afternoon train, settle in)
• Day 2: Mostar full day (Stari Most + Old Town)
• Day 3: Mostar → south day trip → end in Capljina/Croatia

For the south-of-Mostar day, our Kravica Waterfall day tour from Mostar is the standard option (€50 per person, includes Pocitelj + Blagaj + Kravica + lunch).

What to do once you arrive

Capljina

• Mogorjelo Roman villa (5 min by car) — see our Mogorjelo guide
• Hutovo Blato wetland (15 min) — see our Hutovo Blato guide
• Pocitelj fortress (10 min north) — see our Pocitelj guide
• See our full Capljina Travel Guide

Continuing to Croatia

• Capljina → Dubrovnik: 1.5 hours by car, single border at Doljani
• Capljina → Split: 2 hours via Pelješac bridge

Practical tips

• Cash: carry EUR and KM both, both accepted on this corridor
• Phone signal: patchy in Neretva canyon (between Konjic and Jablanica)
• Toilets: at major train/bus stations, restaurants in towns
• Snacks: stock up at Sarajevo before boarding — bus station food mediocre
• Luggage: typical bus charge €1–2 for large bags
• Border crossing if continuing to Croatia: 5–15 min EU passport
• No daylight savings issues — Bosnia and Croatia same time zone

Related reading

• How to Get from Sarajevo to Mostar — most travelers’ actual destination
• Capljina Travel Guide — what to do at the end
• Konjic to Sarajevo — break-up the journey
• Battle of Neretva memorial — Jablanica stop
• Mostar to Belgrade — east continuation if interested