Getting into Belgrade and your first 24 hours
The questions we hear most — how do I get from Belgrade airport to the city center, do I need a visa for Serbia, and is Belgrade safe — all have reassuring answers, with a few specifics worth pinning down.
Arrival. Use the official taxi voucher from the desk inside the terminal, or take public transport into the centre; avoid drivers who tout for fares in arrivals. Global ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt don't operate in Belgrade, though local app-based options exist.
Money. Pay and withdraw in dinars, not your home currency — always decline the 'pay in your own currency' (dynamic currency conversion) prompt at ATMs and card machines, which quietly costs you more. Exchange rates are best at offices in the centre and worst at the airport.
Entry and registration. Many nationalities — including the EU, UK, US, Canada, and Australia — enter visa-free for up to 90 days, but the list changes, so verify your own case with the Serbian foreign ministry. Note Serbia's rule that visitors are registered within 24 hours of arrival: hotels and registered rentals handle this for you; private hosts must register you at the police.
Connectivity and safety. Three operators sell prepaid tourist SIMs with strong city coverage; remember Serbia is outside EU roaming, so check your plan first. Belgrade is generally a safe city — the realistic risks are petty pickpocketing in crowds and the classic taxi and exchange scams. Emergency numbers are 192 (police), 193 (fire), 194 (ambulance), and 112 (general).
Fares, free-transport rules, taxi tariffs, and SIM prices move often, and Expo 2027 (15 May–15 August) will push demand and prices up — so we flag the perishable details as check current on each guide rather than freezing a number here. Once you've arrived, Where to stay and Visit Belgrade cover the rest.
