Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) is Serbia's largest and busiest airport, located approximately 18 km west of Belgrade city center. Named after the renowned Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla, the airport serves as the main hub for Air Serbia and handles over 8 million passengers annually.

The airport has two terminals in a connected complex:

• Terminal 1: Primarily serves low-cost carriers and charter flights
• Terminal 2: Main terminal for Air Serbia and major international carriers, including all domestic flights

Both terminals are connected landside by a 5-minute walkway. Terminal 2 is the larger and more modern facility, housing most airline operations, shops, and services. All passport and immigration control is located in Terminal 2.

The airport is compact with approximately 32 gates (24 with jetways), making connections straightforward. Air Serbia operates an extensive network from Belgrade, including non-stop flights to New York (JFK) and Chicago (ORD), making it a convenient hub for connections between Europe and North America.

Belgrade Airport is located 18 km (11 miles) west of Belgrade city center.

Travel time overview:

• A1 Minibus: 30-40 minutes to Slavija Square
• Bus 72 (free): 45-60 minutes to Zeleni Venac
• Taxi/rideshare: 20-30 minutes to city center

Since January 2025, Belgrade has become the first major European city (500,000+ residents) to offer completely free public transportation, including the airport bus line 72.

Official Taxi

Official airport taxis operate on a fixed-price zone system. Obtain a voucher from the Taxi Info Desk in the arrivals hall before exiting.

Destination	Fare	Time
City center (Republic Square)	2,000-2,500 RSD (€17-21 / $18-23)	20-30 min
Novi Beograd (New Belgrade)	1,500-2,000 RSD (€13-17 / $14-19)	15-25 min
Main Railway Station	2,000-2,500 RSD (€17-21 / $18-23)	20-30 min
Ada Ciganlija	2,500-3,000 RSD (€21-26 / $23-28)	25-35 min

Night tariff (22:00-06:00, Sundays, holidays): Expect 20-25% higher fares.

Important: Only use official taxis through the Taxi Info Desk. Avoid drivers who approach you inside the terminal.

Rideshare

Uber and Bolt both operate at Belgrade Airport:

• Pickup location: Follow signs to the rideshare pickup area outside arrivals
• Typical fare to city center: €12-20 (1,400-2,400 RSD / $13-22) under normal conditions
• Wait times: Usually 5-10 minutes
• Surge pricing: 1.5x to 3.5x during peak arrival times

Tip: Download Uber or Bolt before arriving. Bolt is particularly popular in Serbia and often offers lower fares than traditional taxis.

A1 Minibus (Airport Express)

The A1 Minibus is a direct shuttle service to Slavija Square in the city center.

To Slavija Square (city center):

1. Exit arrivals and find the A1 stop on the ground level
2. Purchase ticket inside the minibus (cash only, RSD)
3. Board the A1 direction "Slavija"
4. Exit at Slavija Square (30-40 minutes)

Ticket	Price	Notes
One-way	400 RSD (€3.40 / $3.75)	Cash only, pay on board

Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes Operating hours: Approximately 05:00-00:00

Note: The A1 is not part of Belgrade's free public transit system. Tickets must be purchased.

Bus 72 (Free City Bus)

As of January 2025, Belgrade's public transport is completely free, including airport Bus 72.

To Zeleni Venac (city center):

1. Take Bus 72 from the airport terminal
2. Ride to Zeleni Venac terminus (45-60 minutes)
3. Connect to other city buses, trams, or walk to Republic Square (10 minutes)

Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes during the day Operating hours: 04:00-00:00

Pros: Free, authentic local experience Cons: Slower route with many stops, can be crowded, no luggage storage

Night Service

After midnight, limited night bus service operates. Taxi or rideshare is recommended for late-night arrivals.

Belgrade Airport offers multiple parking options at the terminal and nearby.

Airport Parking

Location	Type	Rate
P1 (Terminal)	Short-term, closest	100 RSD/hour (€0.85 / $0.95)
Daily parking	Medium-term	From 700 RSD/day (€6 / $6.60)
P11 (Economy)	Long-term, shuttle	Lower daily rates

Tips:

• Book online at store.beg.aero for discounts (up to 20% off)
• P11 requires free shuttle bus (runs every 20 minutes, 24/7)
• Electric vehicle charging available
• Book up to 6 months in advance, minimum 4 hours before arrival

Off-Site Parking

Private parking lots near the airport offer competitive rates from 250-700 RSD/day (€2-6 / $2.20-6.60), with free shuttle service to the terminal. Options include Carport, Sky Parking, and Fly Zone Parking.

Kiss & Fly

Free drop-off zone at the departure level. Maximum 10-minute stop for passenger drop-off only.

Belgrade Airport offers a mix of Serbian and international cuisine, with most options in Terminal 2 airside.

Airside (After Security)

Restaurants:

• Aviator Restaurant & Bar: Serbian and international dishes, full meals, beer and wine selection
• Rakia Bar: Traditional Serbian rakia sampling, full food menu, authentic local experience
• Tesla Square Restaurant: Sit-down dining in the new shopping zone

Quick Bites:

• McDonald's: Fast food, familiar options
• KFC: Fried chicken, quick service
• Welcome Bar: Beverages, ice cream, snacks at duty-free entrance
• mind.body.soul Cafe: Organic products, fresh juices, healthy options
• Coffee Dream Cafe: Serbian coffee chain

Landside (Before Security)

• Sky High Bar: Drinks and light snacks
• Various cafes: In check-in area

Serbian Specialties to Try

• Cevapi: Grilled minced meat sausages, Serbia's national dish
• Pljeskavica: Serbian hamburger, grilled meat patty
• Burek: Flaky pastry with meat, cheese, or spinach
• Kajmak: Creamy dairy spread, accompanies grilled meats
• Rakia: Traditional fruit brandy (try at the Rakia Bar)
• Ajvar: Roasted red pepper spread

Free WiFi is available throughout Belgrade Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	BEG Free WiFi
Registration	Accept terms
Time limit	Unlimited
Coverage	Both terminals

Quality: Adequate for browsing and email. Speeds can vary during peak hours. For faster connections, the Air Serbia Premium Lounge offers premium WiFi.

Prepaid SIM cards are available at the airport in the arrivals area, though prices are higher than in the city.

Where to Buy

• Yettel kiosk: Arrivals area (09:00-20:00 weekdays, shorter weekends)
• MTS (Telekom Srbija): Available at airport shops
• A1 Serbia: Various vendors

Prices

Provider	Airport Price	Data	Notes
Yettel	700 RSD (€6 / $6.60)	15 GB / 15 days	Best airport value
MTS	1,800 RSD (€15 / $17)	10 GB / 30 days	Includes call minutes
A1	From 500 RSD (€4.25 / $4.70)	Varies	Budget option

Warning: Airport prices are typically 2-3x higher than city stores. A SIM that costs 300 RSD (€2.50) in the city may cost 700-1,000 RSD at the airport.

Better alternatives:

• Buy in the city at Knez Mihailova street for best prices
• Use eSIM providers (Airalo, Holafly) if your phone supports them
• EU roaming does not apply in Serbia (not an EU member)

Requirements: Bring your passport for registration (required by law).

ATMs are located throughout the airport with 24-hour access.

ATM Locations

• Arrivals hall (Terminal 2): 6 ATMs near exits
• Baggage claim area: 5 ATMs
• Departures level: Multiple locations

Major banks represented include Erste Bank, Raiffeisen, and UniCredit.

Currency

Serbia uses the Serbian Dinar (RSD). Serbia is not in the EU and does not use the Euro.

Exchange rate: Approximately 117 RSD = €1, 107 RSD = $1 (check current rates)

Currency Exchange

Currency exchange machines operate 24 hours in the departures and arrivals halls:

• Accept Euros, US Dollars, British Pounds
• Exchange up to €200 at a time
• Dispense Serbian Dinars

Manned exchange offices are available during operating hours but offer unfavorable rates (5-10% worse than city center).

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw RSD from ATMs using a no-fee debit card
• Always select RSD at ATMs, decline dynamic currency conversion
• Use Wise, Revolut, or similar for better rates
• Exchange in city center at "Menjacnica" (exchange offices) on Knez Mihailova for best rates

Important: Exchange any remaining dinars before leaving Serbia - most foreign banks do not exchange RSD.

Belgrade Airport has been modernizing its retail area with a new Avolta Duty Free zone opened in 2024.

Duty Free

Store	Hours
Main Shop Airside	24/7
Watches & Accessories	05:30-00:00
Serbian House	Daytime hours

Products: Serbian rakia, local wines, Vranac wine, ajvar, honey, handcrafted items, international fragrances and cosmetics.

Notable Stores

• Serbian House: Traditional crafts, local food products, authentic souvenirs
• Rakia Bar shop: Premium Serbian brandies and spirits
• Hugo Boss, Victoria's Secret, Fashion Corner: International fashion
• Watches & Accessories: Tissot, Swatch, accessories

Tips

• Serbian rakia (fruit brandy) makes an excellent gift - try Sljivovica (plum) or Kajsija (apricot)
• Ajvar (roasted pepper spread) is vacuum-packed for travel
• Local honey and jams are high quality
• Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds on eligible purchases

Belgrade Airport has limited but quality lounge options.

Air Serbia Premium Lounge

• Location: Terminal 2, transit zone between gates A4 and A5
• Access: Air Serbia Business Class, Star Alliance Gold, Priority Pass (2-hour limit), day pass purchase
• Facilities: Hot and cold buffet featuring Serbian specialties, bar with rakia and local wines, showers, WiFi, power outlets
• Hours: Based on flight schedules, typically 04:00-22:00
• Dress code: Business casual required (no beachwear, sportswear, or flip-flops)

Business Club

• Location: Terminal 2, airside after passport control, near Gate A4
• Access: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, day pass
• Facilities: Buffet, beverages, WiFi, seating
• Notes: Can be crowded during peak hours; smaller than Air Serbia lounge

Day Pass Pricing

Day passes typically cost 3,000-5,000 RSD (€25-42 / $28-47) at lounge reception.

Credit Card Access

• Priority Pass: Business Club and potentially Air Serbia Lounge (verify current status)
• LoungeKey: Business Club
• Star Alliance Gold: Air Serbia Premium Lounge

Tip: Priority Pass access to the Air Serbia lounge may be limited to 2 hours - confirm before entering.

Several hotels are located near Belgrade Airport, though staying in the city center often offers better value and dining options.

At the Airport

Belgrade Marriott Hotel (connected to terminal via walkway)

• 5-minute walk from Terminal 2
• 4-star, modern amenities
• Restaurant, bar, fitness center

Near the Airport

Most airport hotels are located in Surcin, the municipality surrounding the airport.

Ibis Belgrade Aero

• Budget-friendly
• Free airport shuttle

Holiday Inn Express Belgrade

• Mid-range option
• Near major highways

In Belgrade (Recommended for Longer Stays)

For overnight stays before early flights, consider staying in the city center and taking an A1 bus, taxi, or Bolt to the airport. The city offers better dining, nightlife, and hotel value. Journey time is 25-40 minutes.

Belgrade is Serbia's capital and largest city, positioned at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The city is famous for its vibrant nightlife, historic fortress, floating river clubs (splavovi), and welcoming locals.

Getting to the City Center

• A1 Minibus to Slavija: 30-40 minutes (400 RSD / €3.40 / $3.75)
• Bus 72 (free) to Zeleni Venac: 45-60 minutes
• Taxi/Bolt to city center: 20-30 minutes (1,500-2,500 RSD / €13-21 / $14-23)

Top Attractions

Attraction	Travel Time from Airport	Highlights
Kalemegdan Fortress	30 min by taxi	Ancient fortress, park, Danube views
Republic Square	25 min by taxi	City center, National Museum, pedestrian zone
Knez Mihailova Street	25 min by taxi	Main pedestrian shopping street
Saint Sava Temple	30 min by taxi	One of the largest Orthodox churches in the world
Skadarlija	30 min by taxi	Bohemian quarter, traditional restaurants, live music
Ada Ciganlija	35 min by taxi	River island beach, summer recreation
Splavovi (River Clubs)	30 min by taxi	Floating nightclubs on the Sava River

Layover Recommendations

• 4-hour layover: Taxi to Kalemegdan Fortress, walk through Knez Mihailova, coffee at Republic Square
• 6-hour layover: Add Skadarlija for traditional lunch (try cevapi or pljeskavica), visit Saint Sava Temple
• Full day: Explore Ada Ciganlija in summer, or add the Nikola Tesla Museum

Belgrade Specialties

• Cevapi: Grilled minced meat sausages with onions and kajmak in flatbread
• Pljeskavica: Serbian-style grilled hamburger, often stuffed with cheese
• Burek: Flaky phyllo pastry with meat, cheese, or spinach
• Karadjordjeva snicla: Rolled, breaded pork or veal stuffed with kajmak
• Gibanica: Layered cheese and egg pie
• Rakia: Fruit brandy, typically served as a welcome drink

Practical Tips

• Currency: Serbian Dinar (RSD). €1 = ~117 RSD, $1 = ~107 RSD. Cards accepted in most places but carry cash for markets and smaller establishments.
• Language: Serbian. English widely spoken by younger generations and in tourist areas.
• Tipping: 10% in restaurants is standard. Round up for taxis.
• Public transit: Free since January 2025. No tickets needed on city buses and trams.
• Uber/Bolt: Both work well throughout the city and are cheaper than taxis.
• Tap water: Safe to drink.
• Nightlife: Belgrade is famous for its nightlife. Splavovi (floating clubs) operate along the Sava River, especially in summer.
• Visa: Serbia is visa-free for most Western countries for stays up to 90 days.
• Time zone: Central European Time (CET), UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer).