Driving from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik is doable in a day — but how you plan it makes a real difference. There are two realistic routes, and they have very different personalities. One is faster and lets you stop in Mostar. The other is slower but cuts through some of the best scenery in the Balkans. Here's what we'd actually tell a friend who just landed in Sarajevo and is asking which way to go.
The Two Routes at a Glance
| Route | Distance | Drive time | Border crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Via Mostar (M17 / E73) | ~245 km | ~4 hours | Doljani–Metković |
| Via Trebinje (M20 / M6) | ~225 km | ~4–4.5 hours | Ivanica |
The Mostar route is on better roads and includes the most-photographed town in the country. The Trebinje route is shorter on paper but slower because of the mountain stretches — what you get in return is Sutjeska National Park and a much quieter border.
Option 1: Via Mostar (the popular one)
This is the route most people take, and it's the one we usually recommend if it's your first time in the country. You follow the M17 down the Neretva valley — the same gorgeous canyon road as the Mostar day trip — past Konjic and Jablanica, then continue south through Počitelj. You exit Bosnia at the Doljani–Metković crossing.
Once you're in Croatia, you've got two ways to finish:
- Via the Pelješac Bridge — opened in 2022, this lets you reach Dubrovnik without any further border stops. Slightly longer in km but no extra paperwork.
- Via Neum — the old coastal route. You'll briefly cross back into Bosnia at Neum (a 9 km strip of Bosnian coast), then back into Croatia. Faster, but means two more passport checks.
Drive time: ~4 hours
Best stop: Mostar for lunch — Stari Most, then ćevapi at Tima-Irma
Bonus: Easy to split into two days if you overnight in Mostar
Option 2: Via Trebinje (the scenic one)
Head south-east instead and you'll go through Foča, Sutjeska National Park, Gacko, Bileća, and finally Trebinje before crossing into Croatia at Ivanica. The roads are narrower and the pace is slower, but the views through Sutjeska — Bosnia's oldest national park and home to the Perućica primeval forest — are hard to beat.
Trebinje itself is worth at least an hour. It's a small Herzegovinian town with a riverside old quarter, plane-tree squares, and some of the best wine in the country.
The Ivanica border crossing is small, often quiet, and only about 30 minutes from Dubrovnik on the Croatian side.
Drive time: ~4 to 4.5 hours
Best stop: Tjentište (the Sutjeska memorial) or lunch by the Drina in Foča
Tip: Avoid this route in winter unless you've checked the Čemerno pass — it sits at ~1,300 m and gets snowed in
At the Border: What You Actually Need
Whichever route you take, you're leaving Bosnia and entering Croatia (an EU country). Have these ready before you reach the booth:
- Passport for every passenger
- Rental car papers, including the green card (international insurance certificate)
- A cross-border permit from the rental agency — declare Croatia when you book, not at the desk
If you booked through us, the cross-border permit is the €5/day add-on at checkout. Tick Croatia when booking and we'll make sure the paperwork is sorted before you pick the car up. Showing up at the border without it usually means being turned around. For a refresher on Bosnian road rules before you go, see our driving in Bosnia guide.
Wait times are unpredictable. Doljani–Metković can take anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour in peak summer. Ivanica is almost always faster. Early morning is your friend either way.
Practical Things Worth Knowing
- Currency: Bosnia uses BAM (Convertible Mark), Croatia uses the Euro. Most fuel stations on both sides take cards.
- Tolls: No tolls in Bosnia. Croatia has tolls on the A1, but you'll mostly be on coastal roads from Metković south.
- Fuel: Generally cheaper in Bosnia. Fill up before crossing if it's convenient.
- Phone data: Croatia is EU-roaming. Bosnia is not — check your plan before you assume your data works.
- Coming back the other way? Same rules, just in reverse. The green card still applies.
Which Route Should You Take?
If you've got one day and want to see Mostar, take the Mostar route. If you're a slow traveller, hate border queues, or want to spend a night in Trebinje on the way, take the Trebinje route. Either way, leave early — every hour you save in the morning is an hour you get back walking the Dubrovnik walls.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to drive from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik?
About 4 hours via Mostar and 4 to 4.5 hours via Trebinje, not counting border waits or stops. Realistically, plan for 5 to 6 hours door-to-door in summer.
Can you do Sarajevo to Dubrovnik as a day trip?
Technically yes, but it's a long day — roughly 8 to 10 hours of driving round-trip. Most people make it a one-way drive or split it with a night in Mostar or Trebinje.
Do I need a visa to drive from Bosnia to Croatia?
EU, UK, US, Canadian, Australian, and most other Western passport holders do not. Croatia is in the EU and Schengen since 2023. Check your nationality before you go.
Is it safe to drive from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik?
Yes. Roads are paved and well-signed, traffic is light outside city centres, and both border crossings are routine. The only real caution is winter weather on the Trebinje route.
Which border crossing is fastest?
Ivanica (Trebinje route) is usually the quietest. Doljani–Metković (Mostar route) is busier in summer but well-staffed.
Can I take a rental car from Sarajevo into Croatia?
Yes, as long as you declare it at booking and have the green card and cross-border permit. Don't try to cross without telling the agency — most insurance policies become void.
Ready to book? Search available cars for your dates and tick "Croatia" under cross-border destinations at checkout. Any questions about the route or paperwork, message us — we live here, we drive it ourselves.