Getting to the Balkans: Flights, Entry Points and Airport Tips

The Balkans does not have a single obvious gateway. Depending on which countries you plan to visit and in what order, you could fly into any of six or seven airports and have a viable starting point. Choosing the right entry airport can save several hours of overland travel and, often, a meaningful amount on the fare.

The Main Entry Airports

Tirana International Airport (TIA) is the busiest airport in the western Balkans and the best entry point for Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Wizz Air operates extensive routes into TIA from cities across Europe. The airport is well-connected to central Tirana by shuttle and taxi.

Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) is the most popular entry point for southern Croatia, particularly for travellers heading to Dubrovnik, the Dalmatian coast, and Montenegro. It is served by Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, and several charter operators during summer. Note that the airport is actually in a small territorial corridor of Bosnia — the road from the airport to the city briefly enters Bosnian territory, though EU/Schengen passport holders pass through without issue.

Split Airport (SPU) serves central Dalmatia and is a practical entry point for travellers planning to island-hop or travel north to Zadar. Budget carriers including Ryanair and easyJet operate here, and the airport is a short taxi or shuttle ride from the city ferry terminal.

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) is the main hub for Serbia and a useful entry point for travellers combining Serbia with Bosnia or North Macedonia. Air Serbia connects Belgrade to most European capitals. Wizz Air also operates a significant number of routes from Belgrade.

Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU) serves Slovenia and is the natural entry point for the Julian Alps, Lake Bled, and the Slovenian karst. It is a smaller airport — connections are less frequent than at Tirana or Dubrovnik — but several European carriers serve it, and the airport is 27km from the city centre.

Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) is a practical option for travellers prioritising Bosnia. It is a smaller airport with fewer direct connections, but Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, and Wizz Air all serve it.

Budget Airlines Flying to the Balkans

Wizz Air is the dominant low-cost carrier in the region. It serves Tirana, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Skopje, and several other Balkans destinations from dozens of European cities. Wizz Air is the cheapest option on many routes but applies strict baggage fees — factor these in when comparing fares.

Ryanair covers Croatia well, with routes into Split, Zadar, and Dubrovnik, particularly from the UK, Ireland, and Germany. It also serves Ljubljana.

easyJet operates routes to Split and Dubrovnik, primarily from the UK and Western Europe.

Transavia serves Tirana and a handful of other Balkans destinations from the Netherlands and France.

The Open-Jaw Strategy

Most travellers in the Balkans move overland between countries. Flying into one city and out of another — known as an open-jaw booking — removes the need to backtrack and is usually only marginally more expensive than a return flight. For a full breakdown of overland options once you land, see our guide to getting around the Balkans.

A classic example: fly into Tirana, travel overland through Montenegro, Bosnia, Serbia, and North Macedonia, then fly home from Skopje or Belgrade. Alternatively, start in Ljubljana, travel south through Croatia and Albania, and fly home from Tirana.

Aviasales is useful for comparing open-jaw fares across all entry airports simultaneously — it searches multiple airlines and booking platforms so you can see the full picture before committing.

Timing and Prices

The Balkans has a pronounced peak season from June to August, when coastal destinations in Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania attract large numbers of visitors. Flights into Dubrovnik and Split are significantly more expensive in summer, and prices for August can be three or four times higher than shoulder-season fares.

The best value window is typically May, early June, September, or October. Cities like Belgrade, Sarajevo, and Skopje are less season-dependent — fares into inland airports remain more stable year-round.

Search for flights to the Balkans on Aviasales to compare airlines and dates across all major entry airports.