What Nikola Tesla Airport means
- In Serbian: Аеродром Никола Тесла
- Pronounced: NEE-koh-la TESS-la
- Category: Practical
Nikola Tesla Airport, using the IATA code BEG, sits roughly 18 km from central Belgrade, in the western Surčin area, with a typical road journey into town taking 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. It's named after Nikola Tesla, the Serbian-American inventor and engineer whose work on alternating-current electrical systems made him one of the most celebrated figures in Serbian national identity — his archive and legacy are the subject of the dedicated Nikola Tesla Museum in the city.
Getting from the airport into town has four realistic options: the free city bus 72, which runs into the centre as part of Belgrade's fare-free public transport network; the paid A1 express minibus to Slavija Square, faster but not free; an official fixed-price voucher taxi, arranged at airport kiosks to avoid meter disputes; or a ride-hailing app such as CarGo or Yandex Go, since neither Uber nor Bolt operates in Serbia. A dedicated rail connection from the airport into the city's BG Voz suburban network is under construction but not yet in service.
The airport is also the gateway most Expo 2027 visitors will use, since the Expo site in Surčin sits only a few kilometres away — closer to the airport than to the historic city centre.
Common questions about Nikola Tesla Airport
How far is Nikola Tesla Airport from central Belgrade?
About 18 km, with a typical road journey of 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. The airport sits in the western Surčin area of the city.
Who was Nikola Tesla, and why is the airport named after him?
Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor and engineer best known for his pioneering work on alternating-current electrical systems, and he is one of the most celebrated figures in Serbian national identity — the airport and a dedicated museum in the city both carry his name.
How do you get from Nikola Tesla Airport into Belgrade?
Four main options: the free city bus 72, the paid A1 express minibus to Slavija, an official fixed-price voucher taxi, or a ride-hail app such as CarGo or Yandex Go — there is no Uber or Bolt in Serbia.
