Flights to the Balkans — Booking Tips, Airlines & Best Deals

The Balkans span seven countries, each with its own airports and airline connections. There is no single gateway — the best airport depends entirely on which part of the region you are visiting. Here is what we recommend knowing before booking.

Major International Airports by Country

Croatia

Zagreb (ZAG) is Croatia’s main year-round international hub, about 17 km southeast of the city centre. It handles flights from across Europe and serves as a starting point for trips heading south along the coast.

Split (SPU) is the busiest airport during summer, with direct flights from dozens of European cities. It is the gateway to the Dalmatian coast, Hvar, and Brac. Located about 20 km west of Split city centre.

Dubrovnik (DBV) handles heavy seasonal traffic and is the arrival point for southern Dalmatia and Montenegro’s coast (Kotor is about 2 hours by road). The airport sits about 20 km south of the Old Town.

Serbia

Belgrade Nikola Tesla (BEG) is the region’s largest hub and one of the best-connected airports in the Balkans. Air Serbia operates an extensive network from here. Located about 18 km west of central Belgrade.

Montenegro

Podgorica (TGD) is the capital’s airport with year-round European connections, about 11 km south of the city. Tivat (TIV) is seasonal and serves the Bay of Kotor and Budva coast — very convenient for coastal holidays.

Albania

Tirana International Airport (TIA), also known as Nene Tereza, is Albania’s only international airport. Budget carrier presence has increased significantly, with Wizz Air and Ryanair both operating. Located about 17 km northwest of central Tirana.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo (SJJ) is the main airport, about 12 km southwest of the city. Connections are more limited than other Balkan capitals but Wizz Air, FlyBosnia, and Turkish Airlines serve it.

North Macedonia

Skopje (SKP) handles most international traffic, with Wizz Air operating a significant network. Located about 20 km southeast of the city. Ohrid (OHD) has limited seasonal flights.

Kosovo

Pristina Adem Jashari Airport (PRN) is well-served by Wizz Air and has connections to major European cities. Located about 18 km southwest of Pristina.

Airlines Serving the Balkans

From the UK, Wizz Air is the dominant budget carrier across the region, serving Belgrade, Tirana, Skopje, Pristina, and Sarajevo from London Luton. Ryanair flies to Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Tirana. easyJet serves Split, Dubrovnik, and Belgrade. British Airways flies to Dubrovnik, Split, and Zagreb. Jet2 operates seasonal routes to Split, Dubrovnik, and Pula.

From mainland Europe, the coverage is extensive. Wizz Air, Ryanair, and Eurowings between them connect most Balkan airports to Central and Western European cities. Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines (via Vienna — a major hub for Balkan connections), and LOT Polish Airlines offer full-service options.

From the US, no direct flights exist to any Balkan airport. The most common connections are via London, Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Istanbul, or Rome. Air Serbia codeshares with Air France, so Paris CDG is another useful connection point. Total travel time from New York to Belgrade is approximately 10-13 hours including the connection.

Air Serbia is the largest regional carrier and operates from its Belgrade hub to most European capitals plus New York (JFK) — the only direct transatlantic route in the Balkans.

Wizz Air offers the widest budget network across the region and is typically the cheapest option from the UK and Central Europe.

Turkish Airlines via Istanbul is a strong option for reaching any Balkan capital, with competitive fares and good onward connections from the wider global network.

Best Time to Book for Deals

Peak season varies by destination. Croatia’s coast peaks from late June through August, when flights to Split and Dubrovnik are at their most expensive. City destinations like Belgrade, Sarajevo, and Tirana have flatter demand curves.

The cheapest fares appear for November through March departures (excluding Christmas), when tourism across the region drops. April to May and September to October offer the best balance of lower fares and good weather.

For the best prices, we recommend booking 6 to 10 weeks ahead for budget carrier flights and 2 to 4 months ahead for full-service carriers.

Return flights from London to Belgrade or Tirana start from approximately £30-50 on Wizz Air in off-season, rising to £100-180 in summer as of 2026. Flights to Dubrovnik and Split range from approximately £80-150 in shoulder season to £200-350 in July and August as of 2026.

Flying Between Balkan Countries

Inter-Balkan flights are limited and often expensive relative to the short distances. Most travellers move between countries by bus or rental car, which is practical given the compact geography.

Key exceptions where flying saves significant time:

• Belgrade to Dubrovnik — approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by air vs. 9+ hours by road
• Tirana to Zagreb — approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by air vs. 10+ hours by road

Air Serbia operates some inter-Balkan routes, and Wizz Air connects select cities. But for adjacent countries (Serbia-Bosnia, Croatia-Montenegro, Albania-North Macedonia), overland travel is almost always the better option.

Budget Tips

Use Wizz Air’s network strategically. Wizz Air serves more Balkan airports than any other carrier and regularly runs promotional sales with fares under £20 one-way. Sign up for fare alerts.

Fly into one country, out of another. Open-jaw tickets (for example, into Belgrade, out of Dubrovnik) avoid backtracking and often cost no more than a standard return. This works particularly well for multi-country Balkan itineraries.

Consider Vienna as a hub. Austrian Airlines and budget carriers connect Vienna to nearly every Balkan capital. If your home airport does not have direct Balkan flights, routing via Vienna is often the most time-efficient option.

Be flexible on airport. If heading to the Montenegrin coast, check fares to both Tivat and Dubrovnik — the latter is often cheaper and only 2 hours by road from Kotor.

Avoid Dubrovnik and Split in July-August if budget is a priority. Shoulder months offer the same weather at significantly lower flight costs.

Book bags carefully on budget carriers. Wizz Air and Ryanair charge heavily for checked and even priority cabin bags. For short trips, travelling with a small personal item (included free) can keep costs minimal.