I will be in Dubrovnik for several days this autumn and hope to do a group day trip to Mostar on a Sunday. I am looking for a group tour that I (one person) could join, rather than hiring a private driver. In actuality, I plan to take my (smaller, "Rick-would-approve" carry-on) suitcase on the tour and then stay in Mostar for the night. I am not having much luck finding group tours to Mostar on a SUNDAY. Do you know of any companies that have been somewhat reliable in providing day tours into Bosnia Herzegovina from Dubrovnik? Thank you!
Posted by
Poreč Istria, Croatia
151 posts
It is so easy to take the public bus, stay over and return next day.
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1174 posts
You can also try atlas-croatia.com to see if there are any day excursions that might work for you. They do have a day trip to Mostar.
But the bus is a fine idea....
Posted by
OP
New Orleans
1217 posts
Thanks, Cro and Carla for the bus idea. I seriously looked at that. Best I could tell it would mean a taxi (or public bus?) from Pile gate (I'm staying in Old City) to main public bus station. And be sure to get there at least a half hour before approx 8 am departure (to make sure I get a seat; online reservation doesn't necessarily mean driver says I get a seat without further queuing and paying, say some posters...?) plus I'll be hauling my smallish rolling suitcase... Then once in Mostar get taxi from bus station to hotel. Maybe I got some of this wrong, but if I want to have most of an afternoon in Mostar, with fewer changes of vehicles - and traveling a bit more comfortably - I thought maybe a (mostly) point to point tour van might be the way to go. I would love to hear your bus experiences as financially I'd love to go with the bus if the arrangements are less convoluted than they seem. Thank you for any further insight!
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
I took the 8:00am bus from Dubrovnik to Mostar during September a few years ago. The local bus from Pile Gate to the bus station was very straight-forward (no changes). My hotel had called and reserved a ticket for me, so I arrived early to pick it up. I had no problem getting a seat. The bus stopped for a break just after crossing the Bosnian border and arrived in Mostar around midday. My hotel was near the famous bridge, and I walked there in about 20 minutes. I wouldn't hesitate to use the bus again.
You don't say where you plan to stay in Mostar or where you plan to go next, but I recall there some nice-looking hotels close to the bus station. If you plan to leave the next morning, I strongly recommend you buy your departure bus ticket immediately upon arrival in Mostar. That's what I did, and it was a good decision as my bus was sold out and a few people trying to buy their tickets same-day had to wait for a much later bus.
If you decide to take a tour excursion one-way to Mostar, you should let the tour company and your guide know your intentions. Otherwise, considerable time may be spent searching for a "lost" person. You should also plan to tip both the guide and driver the full amount you would have tipped had you taken the tour as a day trip.
Posted by
OP
New Orleans
1217 posts
Frank, thank you for great advice and much useful information! I will now plan on happily taking the bus from Dubrovnik to Mostar, one way. My plan is to spend one night in Mostar (have a reservation at a wonderfully reviewed pansion/guest house near the old bridge) and will either walk the 20 minutes there or take a taxi if one is available. The next morning I have arranged a private day tour (a splurge) that will end will end up taking me to my hotel in Sarajevo. Reading from you how you used public transportation from Pile gate on to Mostar is very encouraging! I am so grateful for the advice and help from others on this forum!