Practical tips for visiting Belgrade
Updated: 21 July 2026 · busevi.rs editorial team
The unglamorous details that make a trip smooth: how to handle money, where to leave your bags on checkout day, why insurance matters outside the EU, and the flight-compensation rules most travellers never claim.
Money: cards, cash and the exchange rule
Cards work almost everywhere in Belgrade, but keep some dinars (RSD) for kiosks, green markets, the A1 airport bus and small kafanas. Withdraw from bank-branded ATMs and skip the „Euronet"-style machines with poor rates.
The golden rule at any terminal: when offered a choice, ALWAYS pay in RSD, never in your home currency — „dynamic currency conversion" quietly costs 5–10%.
Luggage on the last day
Checkout at 11, flight at 22? Luggage storage points in shops and cafés around the centre take bags for a few euros a day — drop them near a free bus line and enjoy the city hands-free.
Insurance: Serbia is outside the EU
Your EHIC/GHIC card does NOT apply here, and EU travel policies sometimes exclude non-EU Europe — check yours. A basic policy covering Serbia costs little and turns a clinic visit from a stressful bill into paperwork.
Flight delayed or cancelled? Know your rights
Flights on EU airlines, or departing from an EU airport, fall under EU261: delays of 3+ hours and cancellations can entitle you to €250–600 per passenger, even years retroactively. Checking a claim costs nothing — services below take a cut only if they win.
Culture quick-start: kafana etiquette and more
A kafana is Belgrade’s tavern institution: waiters are professionals of the old school, meals stretch for hours and live music arrives unannounced. Splitting the bill is normal, rushing is not. Coffee culture is equally serious — „domaća kafa" is strong, and lingering over one cup for an hour is entirely acceptable.
English is widely spoken by younger people; a „hvala" (thanks) and „dobar dan" (good day) still open doors. Tap water in Belgrade is safe to drink, and the drinking fountains in parks are used by everyone.
Safety, scams and useful numbers
Belgrade is broadly as safe as most European capitals; pickpocketing is the main urban risk in crowded buses and markets — normal precautions suffice. The classic tourist traps are unofficial airport taxis and money-exchange machines with poor rates; both are covered above.
Emergency numbers: 192 (police), 193 (fire), 194 (ambulance), and the EU-standard 112 also works. Pharmacies („apoteka") are plentiful and several work 24/7 in the centre.
Useful services
Frequently asked questions
Should I exchange money before arriving in Serbia?
No need — ATMs of major banks give fair rates. Just always choose to be charged in RSD and avoid standalone exchange machines.
Is tipping expected in Belgrade?
Rounding up or ~10% in restaurants is appreciated but not obligatory. Tips are given in cash.
Does my EU health card work in Serbia?
No — Serbia is outside the EU. A basic travel insurance policy covering Serbia is inexpensive and recommended.
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