Bosnia and Herzegovina: What To Know Before You Go

Q: What is the emergency number in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

One number for everything: 112, Police: 122, Ambulance: 124, Fire: 123

Plugs: Types C and F; 230 V, 50 Hz. Emergency: One number for everything 112, Police 122, Ambulance 124, Fire 123. Tipping: Rounding up or leaving about 10% in restaurants and cafés is common and appreciated. Tap water: Generally safe to drink in most cities.

Open The Bosnia and Herzegovina Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types C and F; 230 V, 50 Hz

Emergency Numbers

One number for everything	112
Police	122
Ambulance	124
Fire	123

Tipping

Rounding up or leaving about 10% in restaurants and cafés is common and appreciated.

Water And Health

Tap water: Generally safe to drink in most cities
Vaccines: Routine vaccines, hepatitis A; hepatitis B for some travelers
Malaria: None

Apps To Download Before You Go

Sarajevo Taxi: Local taxi ordering app with metered prices in the capital.
Viber: The most used messaging app for hosts, guides and taxi drivers.
WhatsApp: Also common, especially with younger people and tourism businesses.
GetByBus: Books intercity and cross-border bus tickets, the main way to travel between towns.
BH Telecom: Manage a local prepaid SIM and data top-ups from the biggest operator.
Glovo: Main food delivery app in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and other cities.
Korpa: Local food and grocery delivery service popular in several cities.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. A firm handshake with eye contact is the usual greeting; close friends kiss on the cheek, with the number varying by community (two or three). Let a local start any kiss. Greet the oldest person first and stand to greet.

Coffee culture. Sharing Bosnian coffee is a social ritual and an invitation to linger and talk — don't rush it.

Religious sites. Dress modestly (headscarf for women) at mosques; Sarajevo's mix of mosques, churches and a synagogue calls for respectful behavior at all.

Recent history. Be sensitive when discussing the 1990s war; guided tours of war-related sites are common and informative.

Safety And Scams

Bosnia and Herzegovina is generally safe with low crime against tourists; landmines remain in some rural areas away from marked paths from the 1990s conflict, so stick to trails.

Taxi overcharging. Agree a fare or insist on the meter; ask your accommodation for a fair estimate first.

Currency confusion. Some border-area vendors quote in euros; confirm whether a price is in KM or EUR before paying.

Women travelers. Generally safe, including solo travel.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Legal · Use Caution

Legal since 1998-2001 with some anti-discrimination protections on paper, but social attitudes remain conservative; public LGBTQ+ visibility has drawn hostility in the past, so discretion is advised.

What Things Cost

Coffee (café, Bosnian coffee or cappuccino)	3.10 KM	$1.90
Local bus or tram ride (Sarajevo)	1.80 KM	$1.00
Mid-range restaurant meal	20 KM	$11
Hostel bed / budget room (night)	22 KM	$12
Mid-range hotel (night)	120 KM	$66
Daily budget, mid-range traveler	80 KM	$44

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

May-June and September are best: mild and less crowded. July-August is warm with festivals but can be hot and busy in Mostar; December-February suits skiing in Jahorina and Bjelašnica.

Phrases

Basic Bosnian phrases · Basic Croatian phrases · Basic Serbian phrases