Getting around Belgrade

Public transport

Belgrade's trams, trains, trolley buses and buses make it easy to move around the city. BusPlus smartcards are available from street kiosks found at most stops and stations. You can either buy a paper card, which is valid for one, two or five days, or a plastic one, which you can load up with money to be deducted each time you travel. A particularly useful route for visitors is tram 2, which circles the city centre, connecting the train and bus stations with Trg Slavija and the Old Town.

Taxis

There are numerous taxi ranks throughout the city or you can flag one down on the street. Most hotels are happy to book you a taxi with a reputable company and advise on the likely cost of the fare. Prices are reasonable whenever you travel, but rise a little after midnight and on Sundays. Try Alfa Bell Taxi (tel: 19807, in Serbia only), Beotaxi (tel: 19999, in Serbia only) or Beogradski (tel: 19801, in Serbia only).

Driving

Belgrade's streets are not easy to navigate and parking in the city centre can pose a problem, so many visitors prefer to rely on public transport.

Car hire

Hiring a car can be a rewarding experience for anyone wishing to explore beyond the city itself. There are numerous hire companies to choose from in the city, including Avis (tel: +381 11 209 7062; www.avis.rs), Europcar (tel: +381 11 228 6362; www.europcar.rs) and Hertz (tel: +381 11 202 8200; www.hertz.rs), which all have offices at the airport, in the city or both.

Bicycle hire

Steep hills, heavy traffic and cobbled streets will deter all but the most determined cyclist from taking to the saddle in the city centre, but once away from the main drag there are numerous cycle routes and bicycle hire companies. Particularly recommended on a warm summer's day are the bar and restaurant-lined paths that run along the banks of both the Sava and Danube Rivers. For bike hire, try iBikeBelgrade, Dobračina 35-6 (tel: +381 66 900 8386; www.ibikebelgrade.com).