How to buy transport tickets in Serbia

Checked: 2026-10-24

Public transport works differently in every city: in Novi Sad you pay the driver or use a card, in Belgrade city buses and trams have been free since 2025, and for intercity buses you buy a ticket at the station counter plus a platform fee. Everything below in order, with approximate prices. Timetables and routes are in the Ajda navigator.

Novi Sad

Ticket from the driver

The simplest option: board at the front door and pay the driver in cash. A city ride is about 100 dinars, a suburban one about 150. The ticket is valid for one ride. Keep the driver's receipt until you get off — it is your ticket if inspectors check.

City ~100 RSD · suburbs ~150 RSD

NSMART card — a third cheaper

Get an NSMART card (GSP e-wallet) if you ride often: about 65 dinars per city ride and 110 suburban. The card itself costs 400 dinars at GSP sales points, no documents needed, and you can load money onto it right away. Top up at sales points, kiosks or in the NSmart app with a bank card (Russian cards will not work) — 200 to 5,000 dinars. There is no phone or virtual card in Novi Sad, only the plastic one, and you cannot pay with a bank card on the bus.

Card 400 RSD · ride ~65 RSD

NSmart app (Android)NSmart app (iPhone)

Paying with the card — tap in and tap out

Tap the card twice. On boarding the validator reserves the maximum fare for the line (to the last stop on suburban lines); when you get off, tap again and you pay only up to your stop. Forget to tap out and you are charged the maximum — this matters most on suburban buses. One card on the validator pays for one person; companions pay separately. A monthly pass for zone I is about 1,650 dinars (tap in only).

Tap in + tap out · one rider per card

Inspectors and fines

GSP inspectors check NSMART cards with a handheld device: the card must show that you tapped in for this ride; if you paid cash, show the driver's receipt. Without either you pay the inspector a penalty fare, and if you refuse, a report is written up and you are fined officially.

GSP intercity lines

Lines to neighbouring municipalities cost more since January 2026 — for example about 250 dinars to Sremski Karlovci from the driver, 190 with NSMART. Buses leave from the MAS bus station.

To Karlovci ~250 / ~190 RSD

Belgrade

City transport is free

Since 1 January 2025, buses, trams, trolleybuses and BG:voz city trains in Belgrade are free for everyone, residents and tourists alike. Exceptions are the minibuses: A1 from the airport (about 400 dinars) and the E lines (about 200 dinars), paid on board.

Free · A1 ~400 RSD

Intercity buses

Where to buy

Safest at the bus station counter (MAS in Novi Sad, BAS in New Belgrade). A return ticket is cheaper than two singles. Many operators sell online; at intermediate stops you can buy from the driver if seats are free. A ticket is valid only for that operator's bus.

Platform ticket

Many bus stations charge a separate platform fee (peronska karta), usually 100–300 dinars, sold at the same counter and sometimes included in the ticket — even with an online ticket you may need to buy it on site.

~100–300 RSD

Luggage

A small fee is usually charged for each suitcase in the hold, paid to the driver, who gives you a luggage tag. Keep small notes handy.

Trains

Where to buy a train ticket

Srbijavoz tickets are sold at station counters, ticket machines, on srbijavoz.rs and in the Srbijavoz app. Online tickets are only sold until the train departs. The Soko fast trains Belgrade — Novi Sad — Subotica take about 36 minutes to Novi Sad; seats are limited, so buy ahead at weekends.

Srbijavoz website

First and second class — first class has assigned seats

Tickets come in first and second class. In first class you get a specific carriage and seat, printed on the ticket — sit there, or you may be politely asked to move.

Children and buying on board

Children under 6 travel free (without their own seat), ages 6–14 at 50 % off. You can buy a ticket from the conductor on board, but if you boarded at a station with a ticket office or machine it costs about 500 dinars more.

Under 6 free · on board +~500 RSD

FAQ

How much is a bus ride in Novi Sad?

About 100 dinars from the driver for a city ride, about 65 with an NSMART card; suburban about 150 and 110.

Can I pay for the bus in Novi Sad with my phone or a bank card?

No. Pay the driver in cash or use the plastic NSMART card (400 dinars, topped up in the NSmart app). There is no phone payment.

Do I need to tap my NSMART card when getting off?

Yes. Tapping in reserves the maximum fare; tapping out charges only up to your stop. If you forget, the maximum is charged.

Is public transport in Belgrade really free?

Yes, since 1 January 2025, except the A1 airport minibus and the E lines.

Can I buy a train ticket on board?

Yes, from the conductor, but about 500 dinars more if your station has a ticket office or machine. Online sales close when the train departs.

What is a peronska karta?

A fee to access the bus station platforms, usually 100–300 dinars, bought at the counter.

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