Travel Essentials › Serbia
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Types C and F; 230 V, 50 Hz. Emergency: One number for everything 112, Police 192, Ambulance 194, Fire 193. Tipping: Rounding up or leaving about 10% in restaurants is customary. Tap water: Generally safe in cities, but bottled water is often preferred..
Types C and F; 230 V, 50 Hz
| One number for everything | 112 |
| Police | 192 |
| Ambulance | 194 |
| Fire | 193 |
Rounding up or leaving about 10% in restaurants is customary.
Greetings. A firm handshake with eye contact is standard; close friends and family often exchange cheek kisses.
Hospitality and rakija. Being offered rakija (fruit brandy) or coffee is a strong hospitality tradition; accepting at least a small amount is polite, and it's normal for hosts to insist on refilling your plate.
Sensitive topics. Kosovo, the 1990s wars, and NATO's 1999 bombing remain sensitive subjects; approach these topics carefully and let locals lead the conversation if they choose to.
Serbia is generally safe for tourists, with unprovoked violence against visitors rare; the main risks are taxi overcharging and petty scams in central Belgrade tourist areas rather than serious crime.
"Broken meter" taxi scam. Unlicensed or dishonest drivers claim a broken meter and quote inflated flat fares, especially from the airport or train station; use a reputable app (CarGo) or agree on a price in advance.
Counterfeit or shortchanged currency. Street money changers may pass counterfeit or devalued dinars; exchange money only at banks or official exchange offices.
Overpriced tourist-area vendors. Knez Mihailova Street and Republic Square sometimes have inflated prices for souvenirs and street food; check prices before ordering.
Women travelers. Serbia is considered a strong destination for solo women travelers; catcalling is rare, though normal caution is still advised in nightlife areas and when using public transport late at night.
Legal · Use Caution
Same-sex sexual activity is legal and discrimination in employment, education, and services is banned, but same-sex unions have no legal recognition and joint or second-parent adoption isn't available; Belgrade Pride has run for 25 years, but Pride events have needed heavy police protection due to past attacks, and public affection outside Belgrade's small LGBTQ+-friendly spaces is best kept discreet.
| Coffee (café) | RSD 220 | $2 |
| Local bus ride | RSD 90 | $0.85 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | RSD 1,500 | $14 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | RSD 1,500 | $14 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | RSD 4,000 | $38 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | RSD 5,300 | $50 |
2026-09
May and September are the sweet spot: warm, sunny days without the peak-summer heat or crowds of July-August.