Belgrade

Mongolian ordinary-passport holders need a Serbian visa (the 2014 visa-free agreement was cancelled in April 2025). With a valid multiple-entry Schengen, UK, Irish, Cypriot or US visa, or a residence permit from those countries, you can enter visa-free for up to 90 days in 180 — the visa must stay valid for your whole stay in Serbia. Otherwise apply for a C visa on the welcometoserbia.gov.rs e-visa portal or at the Serbian Embassy in Beijing.

Tip: A single-entry Schengen visa is not enough — it must be multiple-entry (MULT).

You need a passport (valid 90+ days beyond departure, 2 blank pages), a 3.5×4.5 cm photo, a return ticket, a hotel booking and travel medical insurance. The C visa fee is around €90, depending on the embassy. The e-visa portal is accessed through an account on eid.gov.rs.

Serbia is not in the EU, so travel insurance is a must. Anti-government protests have continued since late 2024, and a snap election is set for 25 October 2026 — check the UK FCDO advice before you travel.

Show your passport and visa (or your Schengen/US/UK visa) at the border. You must be registered with the police within 24 hours of arrival — hotels and hostels do it; in a private flat the host registers you. Keep the registration slip.

Belgrade's city transport has been free for everyone since 1 January 2025: bus 72 runs to Zeleni venac (centre) and bus 600 to Beograd Centar railway station in ~35–45 min. The A1 minibus to Slavija Square costs 400 RSD, cash dinars only, no change given.

At the Taxi Info desk or an e-kiosk in baggage claim, enter your destination and get a voucher; fares are fixed by zone — the city centre is ~3,500 RSD, ~20–25 min. Ignore 'taxi' offers in the hall.

Serbia is outside EU roaming, so European SIM plans may not work here. Buy a SIM at city kiosks or operator shops without a passport: A1 SIM 400 RSD (with a free 15-day welcome plan), Yettel from 600 RSD for 50 GB over 15 days. Insert it and make a call to activate.

If your phone supports eSIM, install a Serbia plan from Airalo or Holafly at home — it works on landing. Remember Istanbul or Frankfurt transits need a different plan.

Tip: Download Belgrade in Google Maps for offline use.

Buses, trams and trolleybuses have been free since 2025, tourists included — no tickets, cards or validators, just get on and off. The only paid line is the airport A1. Google Maps shows the routes.

Avoid hailing taxis on the street — tourists do get overcharged. Use the CarGo app or call an official taxi with a roof number and meter (Pink, Naxi, Beogradski).

The Soko high-speed train runs from Beograd Centar to Novi Sad in ~36 min for ~700 RSD one way; seat reservation is mandatory. For now it stops at Petrovaradin station, with city buses on to the centre.

The currency is the Serbian dinar (RSD); euros are not officially accepted. Cards are widely taken in shops and restaurants, but the A1 bus, the Tesla Museum and market stalls take cash dinars only. Withdraw from bank ATMs and decline the 'convert to your currency' offer.

The city's 'menjačnica' exchange offices usually give fair rates with no commission — better than the airport. In restaurants it is customary to round up or add a little if you liked the service.

Ćevapi — small grilled meat rolls with onion; pljeskavica — a big meat patty; karađorđeva šnicla — a rolled schnitzel stuffed with cheese; burek — meat or cheese pastry (breakfast, with yoghurt); kajmak — clotted cream cheese. Rakija — fruit brandy, the traditional aperitif.

Tip: Many dishes feed two — order one first and see.

Traditional kafana restaurants have live music; Skadarlija is touristy, Zemun's Danube quay is known for fish. A meal at a cheap restaurant costs around 1,400 RSD per person.

Pekara bakeries are everywhere, some open 24 hours: burek, pizza, kifla rolls. Supermarkets: Maxi, Idea, Lidl. Gyros, pizza and bakery food go down well with children.

Single number 112 (routes to police, ambulance or fire); police 192, fire 193, ambulance 194 — free, 24 hours. The Emergency Centre of the University Clinical Centre of Serbia (Pasterova 2) is open 24 hours.

Student-led protests have continued since a railway station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad in November 2024, killing 16 people; some have turned violent. A parliamentary election is set for 25 October 2026. Keep away from demonstrations and follow the news.

Pickpockets work Knez Mihailova, public transport and the airport. Don't take a rental car into Kosovo — companies forbid it. Entering Serbia via Kosovo requires a Serbian entry stamp, or you may be turned back.

Cover shoulders and knees in Orthodox churches; a headscarf for women is a respectful touch. Keep quiet during services and ask before taking photos.

The 1990s wars, Kosovo and the NATO bombing are sensitive — don't raise them yourself; listening is better. Serbs are hospitable: bring a small gift (sweets, a drink) if invited home, and if offered rakija, at least taste it.

Some cafés and bars still allow smoking — ask for a non-smoking area. Shake hands when you meet; close friends kiss three times on the cheek.

Google Maps shows Belgrade's bus and tram routes. For taxis use CarGo — it quotes the fare up front, so it is safer than street taxis.

Google Translate's camera reads Cyrillic menus and signs; download Serbian for offline use. For Novi Sad, book your Soko seat on the Srbija Voz e-ticket site.

Free bus 72 from Zeleni venac or the A1 minibus from Slavija (400 RSD, cash) takes ~35–45 min; with lots of luggage take CarGo. Arrive 3 hours before an international flight.

Change leftover dinars to euros or dollars at a city exchange office — dinars are hard to change in Mongolia. Keep your police registration slip until you leave; border officers may ask for it.