The Balkan region comprises the eastern part of Europe that covers countries like Albania, Greece, Croatia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. Europe is an expensive continent to consider for travel, but not the Balkans. Most of the Balkan countries (with exceptions like Croatia and Greece) are cheaper to travel to than the countries in western Europe. F&B, accommodation, and public transport are much more affordable here than in the rest of Europe.
There are reasons galore to plan a trip to the Balkans — the mouth-watering local street food that you can gorge on to your heart’s content; the fascinating beauty of nature, the Adriatic coastline, the exciting mountain hiking routes, amazing National Parks, and the gorgeous water bodies; discovering the cultural and historical complexity of the Balkans, etc. The Balkans will tickle your brains and keep you asking for more.
Much of the Balkans still remains untapped and is an offbeat destination; it is only in recent times that tourists are expressing their interest in traveling to those regions which offer amazing travel opportunities. The Balkan countries are also considered very safe for women and solo travelers.
What You Should Know of Balkan Flexi Pass
In a scenario where you would like to embark on a whirlwind tour of the Balkans, trains are undoubtedly the most convenient, fun, and cheapest mode of travel. The Balkan Flexi Pass is meant for everyone except for the residents of Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey. You will be able to use your Balkan Flexi Pass in all of these countries. The Pass allows you to travel either for consecutive or non-consecutive days — which can be 3,5,7,10, or 15 days — of travel within 2 months or 60 days. You can choose to travel either on the 1st or 2nd class on multiple trains in the Balkan region.
An adult Flexi Pass starts from 91 euros. Children and young adults aged between 13 and 27 years qualify as a youth; those aged between 28 and 59 years are considered adults; 60+ people are seniors. Pass fares for each of these categories are different. Children under 4 require no Passes, and those between 4 and 12 years pay half of the adult fare. You may please check their official website to tally the price chart as it is subject to change under many circumstances.
The Balkan Flexi Pass must be validated within 6 months of issue. The Pass is printed on the railway ticket paper which is sent to you by postal mail. Seat reservations are not mandatory on Balkan trains but they are recommended on high-speed, overnight, panoramic trains, and those taking international routes. These run a busy schedule and for peace of mind, it is best to reserve seats in advance. You must enter the day of travel in your passport, and the individual train journeys must be entered in your Travel Diary.
How to Book Your Pass
It is best to buy Passes locally at a train station in one of the participating countries of the Balkan region. They can also be bought from third parties online but the rates are far steeper than when bought from the physical counters at the train stations; also, travelers do not get a travel option online, only 1st class Passes are sold.
Operators that accept Balkan Flexi Pass include Attica Group, Bosnia and Herzegovina Railways, Bulgarian Railways, Greek Railways, Macedonian Railways, Caile Ferate Romane, Regio Trains, Serbian Railways and Turkish Railways. You can contact the respective railway company for more details on purchase, fares or others.
Other Important Details to Know
Refunds are granted only for unused paper Passes. The Pass is considered ‘used’ on or after the first day of validity. If the Pass has been partially used, lost, or damaged, it cannot be refunded. Neither can the purchased tickets be replaced or refunded.
There can be a sudden turn of events in your life (including medical) that can force you to cancel your trip. However, it will help you to know under what circumstances applications for refunds are accepted. You must submit your refund request before the first day of the validity of the paper Pass. It can also be submitted no later than 6 months from the last day of validity of the paper Pass.
You will be eligible for an 85% refund as there is a cancellation fee of 15%. All refund requests must be made in writing by the Pass holder at the agency/office where the Pass was purchased while turning in the original ticket in its Pass Cover.
