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Does anyone know if it is safe to drive through Serbia on a U.S. passport at the moment? We are driving from Budapest to Dubrovnik, and were told the best route was via Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Is this true? Would it be safe to spend a night in Belgrade as an American?
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Absolutely safe and even recommended!! Just back from a business trip to Belgrade and I must say I'm totally positively surprised by everything in Serbia. Belgrade is quite a big city, full of great cafes, restaurants and places to see, very cosmopolitan and you won't feel unwelcome at all - quite the opposite! There's a pretty large ex-pat community in Belgrade - folk from all over the world.

I actually did the same route. Budapest - Subotica - Belgrade. Motorway through Hungary, then a single carriage road in Serbia but rather wide, fast and modern. There's a partial proper motorway from Novi Sad to Belgrade.

In one word - not a problem visiting Serbia on any passport AT ALL!
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I agree with Biz_Traveller, just got back from a train trip to Belgrade from my home in Vienna, traveling on my U.S. passport -- no problems at all with passport control on the train, none in Belgrade, certainly none in Kragujevac.

If anything, people seemed pleased to meet a "real American" rather than the caricatures that they get in the media (both local and international).

A smile and a friendly attitude go a long way, even in the 21st century.
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Just a word on the signage - Serbia uses the cyrilic alphabet. Most of the signs are in both but you may run in to some that are only cyrilic - which is enough to get you lost to no end. If you can get someone to write all of the major cities for you in cyrilic, that way the co-driver can check for both.

Have a good trip.
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It's a lovely drive, Sarajevo, Mostar, Split route is one I like. Be careful because the roads are narrow and dangerous, drive carefully. No personal danger.

I'd probably avoid Kosovo but you route is fine,as people here advise, Belgrade will be a big surprise for you, a pleasant surprise I'm sure.

Stoofer
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Great advice here everyone,

I'm driving an Avis rental car from Vienna to Belgrade. Can anyone provide me with some good directions? From what I understand, I should drive from Vienna to Budapest and then down to Belgrade. I guess I'll have to get the signage translated!!

Thanks for any reply.

RJ
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Hi Betty

I responded in detail on your O.P. thread.

Yes, it's most direct going via Budapest and a great city to stop for a couple of nights. I've provided directions on the other thread. No need for signage translations :-)

Stoofer
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