They surely violated the rules of stay in Serbia by not being registered by a lazy landlord and were lucky not to go to court for a fine of ~500€, it’s not a hustle (as proved in video)
Hey guys. I’m a Serbian, living in Australia, and i frequently visit Serbia and the Balkans. I’ll clarify the whole tourist registration thing for you. The rule is that if you are a foreigner and are coming to visit Serbia for longer than 24 hours, you have to register your address of stay with the police. This is so that they know where to find you if you commit a crime etc… If you were to stay at a Serbian friend’s house for an example, they need to take your passports to the police and register you at their address. When you get a hotel, they do it for you, and AirBnB hosts and such should do it for you as well. As i’ve entered Serbia with my Aussie passport and am not a resident of Serbia, i’ve had to do this a lot of times (20+), and not once was i ever asked for the registration paperwork when exiting Serbia. It all depends who you run into at the borders. This guy knew he could scare you into getting a bribe. I think the whole thing is an old Yugoslavian rule, and a few other Balkan countries do it. Good luck, stay safe 😊
Thank you so much for shedding some light on the situation! Super confusing at the time but I think you summed it up perfectly! I just hope we can re-enter serbia without technically having an exit stamp! 😄
@@JordanandEmily You didn’t get a passport exit stamp? It shouldn’t be a problem at all, the border person will see via the biometric chip (or the Montenegro stamp) that you entered/exited other countries. No biggie, i doubt they will even give a shit 😂
Yep. Agreed. These guys love putting on a scare tactic to squeeze a few Euros/Dollar from 'scared' tourisrts. Me personally I would of act dumb and say, 'Sorry policde man, no cash, here NO cash , CASH NO!'
I was in Belgrade and Nis in October. Arrived and departed by air. Sure not aware of tourist registration. Assume both hotels performed the task. Had a great and trouble free trip Taxi drivers, even in Belgrade, were outstanding and fair
That's so good - your hotels must have been doing the right thing! The only unfair taxi driver we got was the crossing from Romania to Serbia haha or so we have been told in the comments on that video!
There is also tourist registration in Montenegro 😅. It is obligatory but sometimes they don't ask for it (at the airport rarely ; at the Montenegro/Serbia border by car, possible). It is 1e per day.
haha we got very scared about it on this train and made sure we registered and paid the registration. of course it wasn't checked at all when we crossed the border though haha
This is going on my bucket list! If you have an Eurail you can go on the Glacier express without buying an extra ticket. Did the Bernina express this summer with my InterRail. Had the whole carriage to myself and it was the highlight ot the trip! It is not the fancy panorama carriages but still spectacular!
So glad! Definitely add it to the list! Thatd a good idea, maybe when we get a eurail pass we can do the trains in Switzerland! They look iiiiiincredible
I am working as a police officer at main Belgrade railway station and i am now seeing this video...If you are a forigner,you need to check in when you arrive in Serbia 24 hours from the moment you cross the board.Most police officers only checks passports and that 's it,but within a law of our country if you dont have registered domicile or abode,you are in a misdemeanor and because you are forigner, your case will be in shortened misdemeanor procedure what means that you need to pay a fine imediatly, but not to police officer,but to the misdemeanor judge who will tell you how much it is...Usually is about 5000 dinars of 40 euros. That is information from first hand how things funcionate here in Serbia.
my friends and i were not so lucky it took our train 22h to arrive at Bar, it was summer so there were a bunch of turists and we got stuck on both border passes 2h each and out train had engine problems so we spent like 5h till engineers fixed it, only problem is that we also took night train and there isn't any restaurant wagon but still we had good company and had a lot of fun, still a great video and keep up creating great content
@@JordanandEmily They complete Belgrade - Čačak part in Serbia and Podgorica - Kolašin part in Montenegro. Its job from hell, they need to built 100s of tunnels and brigdes in next five years
Small correction - CHINA is building and financing it. Later both countries will be in position to repay somehow huge credits and interests... "Lovely" contract and deal.
I have been to Serbia twice now and knew about the registration but sometimes you have to be persistent with asking. Locals don't think it is a big deal and say you will never be asked but as you found out you can be. It could also lead to issue with insurance if for example you end up in hospital. Many people don't know because hotels will do it automatically whereas Airbnb can be a bit more dodgu. I always ask Airbnb hosts up front whether they will register me as a guest when I arrive. Sometimes I have a mysterious cancellation and excuse given where they obviously don't want to register me (tax evasion) but eventually I always find someone who will do it for me. I have been twice and going back again in February (my girlfriend lives in Belgrade) and have not been asked to produce it but nothing beats peace of mind.
100% agree! nothing beats knowing you're doing the right thing. We tried to research what we need but just didn't do a good job. Next time we visit Serbia we'll be getting it done and making sure it's done ASAP! not going through that train experience again 🤣
I'm sorry you had to pay a bribe. We took the day train, Belgrade to Podgorica, in summer 2022. The scenery in Serbia ranged from pleasant to very good (especially as you approach the border), then spectacular in Montenegro. However, even though we boarded in Belgrade as soon as it arrived, the few seats that were by reasonably clean windows were taken by locals. Otherwise, the cleaning left much to be desired, and there was no water in one of the toilets. The worst though was all the smoke. No one in the seats was smoking; however, the train staff and passengers constantly congregated in the vestibules and smoked like chimneys throughout the ride. The electric doors between the vestibule and the open seating area did not close well, and we constantly had drifting cigarette smoke in the seats area. Since the windows didn't open, we both couldn't get unobstructed views and couldn't get fresh air. We made it through, though, but it was not as pleasant a ride as it could have been, due to the smoke and dirty windows. A long awaited journey, this got crossed off our bucket list easily enough. I can't imagine doing it again until they literally clean up their act. We had no problem with the Serbian (or Montenegrin) border guards. I don't recall that we had gotten any kind of registration paper in Serbia, just that our passports (US) were stamped both on going in to Serbia and on exiting. Perhaps the youth hostel in Belgrade the nights before had done the registration for us. Also, the fact that we were traveling in an open salon car instead of a night sleeper compartment made for the border guards having many witnesses to their actions when they came to us, and we were definitely not the only foreigners on board. I can see the temptation for bribery in a sleeper compartment if there are no other eyes watching.
sounds like a bit of an unpleasant journey! yes that's our thoughts exactly, in a private cabin late at night, it's a prime time for soliciting bribes. I think we just got really unlucky. other than that, the fact we could open the window for the views made it super scenic!
Hahahah!!! I am Serb witch living in Russia and RUclips recommended to me video with food from Serbia. As cook I can to say that made good choice of food. And travel by train from Belgrade to Bar is something the best... I been in the similar line (Nis-Bar) lot of times. Remember lot of that...
I'm glad you eventually enjoyed your time on this train. I work for serbian railways and I can guarantee you that you don't need documents to cross the border, the police officer probably did bribe you. This happens a lot in Serbia and other balkan countries, so it's good you came prepared. Hope you enjoyed your stay in the balkans regardless!
truly the most spectacular railway in Europe. and it always comes with an adventure of some kind 😅 next time try Bernina Express - much cheaper than Glacier but with the same type of comfort and scenery
No! They don't. Because Serbian authorities sorted it out painlessly, easily and to the max satisfaction of the foreign travellers who were in breach of the host country regulations. 👍 . In order to know that, they supposed to be arrested upon arrival, tortured, and being thrown out of the country by a corrupt politician leader right after they just won the case legally in the Serbian Court!! 👹 Politic above the Law! 🤡💀👿💩 Aussie below Banana republic! This is what they had to experience to understand what the australia did to Mr. Djokovich last January. Edit: I give them a credit for being brave. After Djokovic's case any Aussie should think twice before travelling anywhere abroad. Even less to Serbia!
Thats the first Ive ever heard of a tourist registration and Ive been through Serbia several times. I went through Serbia several times even during the war. Back then you could easily go through Timisaora on to Belgrade by train with no problems except maybe a long delay getting into Serbia (they took it very seriously), but never any fine after stopping in Belgrade for some time and then traveling out by train. Good info to know, thanks!
I was just at an airbnb there and he said I didnt need any paper and laughed, So I went to the police station after looking for one for hours and I wasnt allowed inside with shorts on. When I got to the border I was scolded and given a dirty look by a very obese Serbian babushka, You need the papaer if you want to escape that. She could have fined me is what she was relating.@@dragankostic26
In the border officer's defence, it's absolutely true that tourists HAVE to be registered within 24 hours of arriving in Serbia. Typically, tourists will check into a hotel that will register them, so it's something that can easily slip people's minds. But whenever my boyfriend comes to visit me, we go down to the police station together, I fill out and sign some basic forms and he keeps a copy of this document on him whenever we go out, just in case. However, I will say it's super rare for someone to ask for this (it's never happened to us in the countless time he's come to visit!), so I think he was just taking advantage of you not knowing. That being said, I think the Airbnb host was also totally bluffing! Like "wow, something must have changed!" Nope buddy, it's been around forever! 😂 Edit: oop, I see a lot of people have commented the same/similar things - sorry to be repetitive!
Hahahaha no need to apologise at all, we like hearing everyone's take on it. It was very interesting for us and I think you're right, a few things weren't great including us not knowing the rules! Live and learn though 😀
What a stressful time, lucky you had some euros stashed away. The scenery definitely made up for that worry. Maybe next time you take a train, take your own toilet paper & hand sanitiser with you, those toilets gross me out. Stay safe, miss you both, miss you, love you, mum.xx 💕💕💕💕💕
I literally adore these trains. They remind me of the time (im 23 lol) when I used to go to Montenegro for summer with my family, and in recent years I've been traveling back and forth (since my father is from Montenegro) and every time, I get a new friend in the train, a new adventure, and a huge plus is that you can have a cigarette (although I've stopped smoking xd) and you can basically have freedom in that train. Unlike busses which are a living nightmare to spend time in.
The train itself was great! We can totally see how it could be nostalgic if you caught it often enough! I couldn't imagine doing this route on a bus, it would take so long haha 😄
@5:50 - happened to me too, visited Belgrade for a weekend (coming from Romania) and the airbnb host didn't say a thing about registration with the police so when we returned home to Romania the Serbian border police wouldn't let us go back home. Had to bribe the policeman to let us go through. Anyway, our border police guys (Romanian) told us it's a common practice at small border crossings points and an opportunity for the Serbian corrupt police to make some cash from tourists.
The experience would be even better if you were to ride a day train. You missed the beautiful scenery of Kosjeric, Pozega, Uzice and Priboj. As far as the police go, it's easy, a little bribe goes a long way. Always have some cash in euros and dollars and you need not worry. The same goes for Montenegro. I'm glad you enjoyed our beautiful country.
We we're upset about missing some day time views but I'm glad we got what we did when we woke up! also going overnight means we saved money on accommodation 😆definitely positives for day or night!
AirBNB host should register you, this is not a new law. He just plays a little bit uninformed, but as many laws in Serbia it is sometimes applied sometimes not and you can get away with small bribe of course ;)
hahaha damn! I just wish someone told us so we could make sure! Really hoping we can come back into Serbia because I don't know how long we will last without their food 😆
@@JordanandEmily hello I'm back! If you stay in a hotel the first night when you enter Serbia they will register you 100%. Private accomodation like Air B&B might not do it.
I am Serbian/Danish and have lived in Melbourne. For the last 14 years I have been living 50 meters from the place where you had Cevapcici....It is true, that you must be registered if you stay longer than 24h, yet many don't do it. You just play stupid and penitent, if they should ask at exit, which they don't do in 99% of the cases. He hustled you for money, he would not have taken you of the train anyway, if you had no cash on you. Don't worry, you will not have any problems entering Serbia next time....
Yes any tourist must register at police station, usually hotels or people that rent place do it, it's strange that man where you stayed didn't do it since it can be a hustle for you at the border.
@@JordanandEmily everyone know that, you have the same thing in basically all countries. I know i had to pay extra for that for mu airbnb in Italy and Slovenia.
I will also add to the people saying that it would seem that you guys were hustled by the border cops... I have been going to Serbia and the Balkans every year of my life since I was 6 (and I'm in my 30s now), AND I've been on that very train, and I have never, ever, ever been asked to provide this document. He saw what time it was, he saw you were foreign of non-Balkan descent, didn't speak the language, assumed you probably didn't know better, and scared you into bribing him. I guess 40 euros won't break the bank, but I'm truly sorry that he scared you into thinking it was something super serious, and then took advantage of you being foreigners. I seriously hate that...
Thanks for this message! the more we look back the more we think about it the same way. It was almost certainly someone who just saw an opportunity to take advantage of tourists. It was an unfortaunte blemish to an otherwise incredible trip, but it won't stop us getting back to Serbia. Nothing could keep us from that food! 😂
First great video people. Second I want to apologize for issues with border police officer. Foreign nationalist do have to be registered at local police station, but that YOU CANT DO yourself since the owner of the AIRBNB has to be there. Once again I apologize for having problems in my country. Also @MUPRepublikeSrbijeRS please address this issue so in the future we would not have to listen "bribe to Serbian police"
😄 thanks for this! I didn't even know that we wouldn't be able to do it ourselves! That's another way people might run into trouble! Thanks for the info
I am currently considering this ride but in reverse, i.e., from Bar to Belgrade. My schedule is for later September and with a 19:00 departure and a 06:09 arrival, I am concerned that I will miss the sights! At that time the sun sets around 18:30 and rises around 06:30. So, this consideration is stopping me from doing it. Am I right on this? Thanks ahead for this, so much-needed feedback! Did you go in September, as well?
We went late August! Oooohh it's tough to say, going from Bar means you get all the good views straight away but it's hard to say if there will still be enough light to see them 🤔
I think we paid roughly $40 each for a one way but it depends what sort of seating you are after! check out the website Seat61 for the best train info!
I wonder if some tourist would actually be taken off train when he does not pay bribe and left to sleep in front of their check post in night. Some people really cannot stand paying bribe.
they might have been! i guess it depends how you handle it haha - I hate paying a bribe or getting scammed in anyway but unfortauntely its the way it is in some places!
Oh jeez these Serbian police always bring up going before a judge. There’s no way they just have judges just sitting around waiting. I got a speeding ticket outside Belgrade and they tried the same thing but he wouldn’t accept my bribe lol. He just let me go. Nice guy
You're technically supposed to be registered but it's very lax in its enforcement. But you can't register yourself the owner of the accommodation needs to have papers proving they own the property you're staying at. It's basically a hurdle that only exists for selective enforcement if they want to bother you, sucks that they suckered you with that one.
@@JordanandEmily Technically you're supposed to re-register each time you move to a new AirBNB, but the process is pretty intensive you have to go with your passport and the landowner with the ownership documents to the police station and it takes some time to get the registration done. It's common in the former communist countries in East Europe but very lax in enforcement (for obvious reasons). (Exception being Belarus where the apartment owners will insist on it). Laws in general are lax in the Balkans, but this one is still technically 'on the books' if someone at border control wants to mess with you for whatever reason. Glad you got through it only 40 Euro worse the wear lol
@@JordanandEmilyAlso, because of what happened to Djokovic in Australia a lot of Serbian border patrol have been messing with Australians. It's not fair but I can report that that has been happening. Could be the reason you guys were singled out and messed with. Wear a pro Djokovic t-shirt next time and you will slide right through with no problems lol (half kidding)
So if you are visiting less than 24 hours you do not need to register? For example you taking a train from Hungary and then get off to catch another train to Bar?
@@JordanandEmily that's terrible and I think that's what can put many potential tourists not to travel there. Do we have any alternatives for such views?
That is one of the "regulations" left over from the communist times, that nobody cares about, and nobody ever checks, but you were unlucky enough to run into a border cop who used it as a simple trick to earn some easy money. Over the past 10 years I've had hundreds of foreign visitors who came to Serbia for some wild camping in the mountains (and if you're wild camping you can't register, because there's no "address" to register at), but not a single one had this kind of problem as they were exiting Serbia with their cars. BTW, yes, bribery is quite common in Serbia. Most people hold some 20 € or so bill stacked in the booklet with their drivers licence and car insurance papers, so when they're stopped by the traffic police for commiting some traffic offense and hand over their documents, the cop simply takes the bill out and says "have a nice day, sir!" 🙂
Woah! this is probably the clearest answer we've got on the topic. Thank you so much. Lesson very much learned too, always keeping some cash on me from now on, no matter where we go!
This cop was a hustler - I'll bet he wasn't even appointed by the government to check those staying permits 'visa' as you were leaving the country anyway. Unfortunately government employees' salaries there are so low - as opposed to the west - that securities had to be creative in subsidizing their income!!
@@JordanandEmily @ (some) cops know tourists all have money and they'll take any currency you got for any violation - except not having passports; then you are arrested and go to court. If you didn't have any cash, only the credit cards, he would let you go if you plead and are 'repenting' - but if you are impolite and rude he could actually take you to police station.
@@Brave2standalone lucky we are always way over-the-top polite to everyone 😄 especially those in authority. Still, scary times. It would have been a nightmare to be pulled off the train!
@@jordandehaas2168 @ I don't believe he would ever do that - he just wanted little "gratuity"! His job at the border is to check the passports and make sure you don't carry illegal items. And since you are leaving the country, he knows you won't report him to his superiors for being corrupted.
@@jordandehaas2168 @ I'm convinced he was bluffing! He believed you are leaving the country so it's safe to scam you - he'll never see you again anyway. If it was so serious he would take you in; he could also go to prison getting caught receiving bribe for such a serious crime - it was a jip! .
That train is artifact from Yugoslavia.And very old and dirty ,not well maintened.Travrled few times,until we had 4 broke engines/locomotive and traveled twiced longer as planed.So my dad gone insane from that expiriance and now car is only option for going there.Also view is beatufull but I think it is untaped potential speaking in tourism terms.And it should bring far more tourists in both countries...but there isn't will for change yet.Also I also know about registration for tourist,I worked 1 month in tourist sector in one hostel in Novi Sad.(also little bit dispapointed why you two didn't came north to Novi Sad,Belgrade or White city I don't like english name call it Beograd or White City for god sake)
Don’t blame your dad on that one 😂 sounds like a nightmare!! Completely agree! The views are so beautiful it’s crazy there isn’t more tourists there to experience it 😍 We are too! Hopefully we get to come back one day and explore Serbia more!
That Tourist registration is straight bs. I'm Serbian and live in Switzerland, I was about 50 times in my life in Serbia, unfortunatley it's typical for the Serbian Police to try to get some Money out of the Tourists, not only in Trains but at any border except if you fly in, because there are to many controlling units, cameras and things like that. And for the dirty Toilets, the Train in Serbia is seen as an poor mans travel and unfortunatley the people who travel with it are mostly hillbillys without any manners, and therefor the toillets are instantly dirty...
Thats really dissapointing 😞 at least we had an awesome time in Belgrade and have since learned of lots of other towns to see in Serbia! Excited to go back and see it all!
Sorry Jordan and Emily, no more space for youtubers on youtube. There are like 1000's and 1000's of you fighting to clicks and views. Sorry, no more space. Try something else. I've already watched over 50 tubers that did this train. You are late to the party. Sorry.
@@JordanandEmily I don't know what to tell you. I think it is time that you forget about all of this youtube thing and buy 10 goats and 15 chickens, 2 pigs and start living country life. There is just no more space on youtube and in the cities right now. Time for real life, nature life.
@@nebojsa1976 would love to own a farm one day! We are happy doing this at the moment and love that at the end of the day we have all of these memories to look back on! It’s something we enjoy so why not keep doing it?!
@@JordanandEmily It is very simple. You don't have enough time. You think you do, but you don't. Start doing things right on time. Whoever tells you you have time, you don't. Ah, memories, there will be memories always. But set the course right while you are young. Time is running out fasT.
I wonder if some tourist would actually be taken off train when he does not pay bribe and left to sleep in front of their check post in night. Some people really cannot stand paying bribe.
So if you are visiting less than 24 hours you do not need to register? For example you taking a train from Hungary and then get off to catch another train to Bar?
He hustled u guys 😂😂😂 u will pay him for that reason or some other 😂😂😂
Hahaha we thought this might be the case!
They surely violated the rules of stay in Serbia by not being registered by a lazy landlord and were lucky not to go to court for a fine of ~500€, it’s not a hustle (as proved in video)
Hey guys. I’m a Serbian, living in Australia, and i frequently visit Serbia and the Balkans. I’ll clarify the whole tourist registration thing for you. The rule is that if you are a foreigner and are coming to visit Serbia for longer than 24 hours, you have to register your address of stay with the police. This is so that they know where to find you if you commit a crime etc… If you were to stay at a Serbian friend’s house for an example, they need to take your passports to the police and register you at their address. When you get a hotel, they do it for you, and AirBnB hosts and such should do it for you as well. As i’ve entered Serbia with my Aussie passport and am not a resident of Serbia, i’ve had to do this a lot of times (20+), and not once was i ever asked for the registration paperwork when exiting Serbia. It all depends who you run into at the borders. This guy knew he could scare you into getting a bribe. I think the whole thing is an old Yugoslavian rule, and a few other Balkan countries do it. Good luck, stay safe 😊
Thank you so much for shedding some light on the situation! Super confusing at the time but I think you summed it up perfectly! I just hope we can re-enter serbia without technically having an exit stamp! 😄
@@JordanandEmily You didn’t get a passport exit stamp? It shouldn’t be a problem at all, the border person will see via the biometric chip (or the Montenegro stamp) that you entered/exited other countries. No biggie, i doubt they will even give a shit 😂
@@JordanandEmily They know you left :)
Look, it's same in France
Yep. Agreed. These guys love putting on a scare tactic to squeeze a few Euros/Dollar from 'scared' tourisrts. Me personally I would of act dumb and say, 'Sorry policde man,
no cash, here NO cash , CASH NO!'
Might just be the most memorable travel day we've had (for both good and bad reasons 🫣)
I was in Belgrade and Nis in October. Arrived and departed by air. Sure not aware of tourist registration. Assume both hotels performed the task. Had a great and trouble free trip Taxi drivers, even in Belgrade, were outstanding and fair
That's so good - your hotels must have been doing the right thing!
The only unfair taxi driver we got was the crossing from Romania to Serbia haha or so we have been told in the comments on that video!
There is also tourist registration in Montenegro 😅. It is obligatory but sometimes they don't ask for it (at the airport rarely ; at the Montenegro/Serbia border by car, possible). It is 1e per day.
haha we got very scared about it on this train and made sure we registered and paid the registration. of course it wasn't checked at all when we crossed the border though haha
This is going on my bucket list! If you have an Eurail you can go on the Glacier express without buying an extra ticket. Did the Bernina express this summer with my InterRail. Had the whole carriage to myself and it was the highlight ot the trip! It is not the fancy panorama carriages but still spectacular!
So glad! Definitely add it to the list!
Thatd a good idea, maybe when we get a eurail pass we can do the trains in Switzerland! They look iiiiiincredible
I am working as a police officer at main Belgrade railway station and i am now seeing this video...If you are a forigner,you need to check in when you arrive in Serbia 24 hours from the moment you cross the board.Most police officers only checks passports and that 's it,but within a law of our country if you dont have registered domicile or abode,you are in a misdemeanor and because you are forigner, your case will be in shortened misdemeanor procedure what means that you need to pay a fine imediatly, but not to police officer,but to the misdemeanor judge who will tell you how much it is...Usually is about 5000 dinars of 40 euros. That is information from first hand how things funcionate here in Serbia.
Divota. A I bolje im je da se predaju kad su već došli. 😂 Vama pozdrav.
Very strange! where do we check in? haha
@@JordanandEmily I am Serbian. I don't believe this old law still exists. Sorry. Solute you
I travelled on this train in 1998 from Belgrade to Bar. Scenery was amazing but even then the train was in terrible condition
Oh gosh! The views certainly make up for it 😍
my friends and i were not so lucky it took our train 22h to arrive at Bar, it was summer so there were a bunch of turists and we got stuck on both border passes 2h each and out train had engine problems so we spent like 5h till engineers fixed it, only problem is that we also took night train and there isn't any restaurant wagon but still we had good company and had a lot of fun, still a great video and keep up creating great content
Oh my gosh what a memory 😅
Crazy thing is that Serbia and Montengro are building highway through that mountains ( Adriatic / Dinaric Alps )
wow! That would be such a scenic drive 😍 do you know when it is meant to be complete?
@@JordanandEmily They complete Belgrade - Čačak part in Serbia and Podgorica - Kolašin part in Montenegro. Its job from hell, they need to built 100s of tunnels and brigdes in next five years
@@kikasokino6754 would be such a hard job! But such a nice drive!
@@JordanandEmily let's say two election cicles :D so approximately 8 years in reality
Small correction - CHINA is building and financing it. Later both countries will be in position to repay somehow huge credits and interests... "Lovely" contract and deal.
I have been to Serbia twice now and knew about the registration but sometimes you have to be persistent with asking. Locals don't think it is a big deal and say you will never be asked but as you found out you can be. It could also lead to issue with insurance if for example you end up in hospital. Many people don't know because hotels will do it automatically whereas Airbnb can be a bit more dodgu. I always ask Airbnb hosts up front whether they will register me as a guest when I arrive. Sometimes I have a mysterious cancellation and excuse given where they obviously don't want to register me (tax evasion) but eventually I always find someone who will do it for me. I have been twice and going back again in February (my girlfriend lives in Belgrade) and have not been asked to produce it but nothing beats peace of mind.
100% agree! nothing beats knowing you're doing the right thing. We tried to research what we need but just didn't do a good job. Next time we visit Serbia we'll be getting it done and making sure it's done ASAP! not going through that train experience again 🤣
I'm sorry you had to pay a bribe. We took the day train, Belgrade to Podgorica, in summer 2022. The scenery in Serbia ranged from pleasant to very good (especially as you approach the border), then spectacular in Montenegro. However, even though we boarded in Belgrade as soon as it arrived, the few seats that were by reasonably clean windows were taken by locals. Otherwise, the cleaning left much to be desired, and there was no water in one of the toilets. The worst though was all the smoke. No one in the seats was smoking; however, the train staff and passengers constantly congregated in the vestibules and smoked like chimneys throughout the ride. The electric doors between the vestibule and the open seating area did not close well, and we constantly had drifting cigarette smoke in the seats area. Since the windows didn't open, we both couldn't get unobstructed views and couldn't get fresh air.
We made it through, though, but it was not as pleasant a ride as it could have been, due to the smoke and dirty windows. A long awaited journey, this got crossed off our bucket list easily enough. I can't imagine doing it again until they literally clean up their act.
We had no problem with the Serbian (or Montenegrin) border guards. I don't recall that we had gotten any kind of registration paper in Serbia, just that our passports (US) were stamped both on going in to Serbia and on exiting. Perhaps the youth hostel in Belgrade the nights before had done the registration for us. Also, the fact that we were traveling in an open salon car instead of a night sleeper compartment made for the border guards having many witnesses to their actions when they came to us, and we were definitely not the only foreigners on board. I can see the temptation for bribery in a sleeper compartment if there are no other eyes watching.
sounds like a bit of an unpleasant journey! yes that's our thoughts exactly, in a private cabin late at night, it's a prime time for soliciting bribes. I think we just got really unlucky. other than that, the fact we could open the window for the views made it super scenic!
wow that sounded like a really terrifying experience. Glad you got to stay on the train!
It was a bit scary 😄 and we are still unsure about the tourist registration in Serbia!
Hopefully we don't get in trouble if we go back!
Hahahah!!! I am Serb witch living in Russia and RUclips recommended to me video with food from Serbia. As cook I can to say that made good choice of food. And travel by train from Belgrade to Bar is something the best... I been in the similar line (Nis-Bar) lot of times. Remember lot of that...
thank you for watching! the train was eventful haha.
We still think about that food in Serbia ❤
I used this train only once. conditions of trains are terrible, but they are mostly used by students to go cheaply from belgrade to montenegro.
It wasn't the best conditions on the train but our cabin was okay! definitely can see how it would get a bit rowdy with students!
I'm glad you eventually enjoyed your time on this train. I work for serbian railways and I can guarantee you that you don't need documents to cross the border, the police officer probably did bribe you. This happens a lot in Serbia and other balkan countries, so it's good you came prepared. Hope you enjoyed your stay in the balkans regardless!
Thank you so much for confirming this fir us, we really appreciate it! Hopefully this comment will help others wanting to take the train journey!
This is a trip that I want to take one day, Montenegro is a beautiful country with wonderful scenery, it's on my bucket list to do
Good plan! It's such an awesome place
truly the most spectacular railway in Europe. and it always comes with an adventure of some kind 😅
next time try Bernina Express - much cheaper than Glacier but with the same type of comfort and scenery
Omg amazing Rec! Thank you so much 😊
Honestly the adventure of what happened made it SO MUCH MORE MEMORABLE 😂
Lol those cabins havent changed at all since I last went to montenegro vacation with it 22 years ago. It was much cheaper back then too.
😄 maybe could use an upgrade or two!
Спасибо за подробный рассказ 😮🎉
Thanks for watching! 😊
Nice experience guys! Have fun
Thank you! will do!
Eine tolle Reise. Von serbischen Beamten habe ich aber auch schon von türkischen Freunden (Transit) gehörte. Da nehmen wohl manche ganz gern.
Great train ride for the price!
Now you know how Novak Djokovic felt last year
😂
No! They don't. Because Serbian authorities sorted it out painlessly, easily and to the max satisfaction of the foreign travellers who were in breach of the host country regulations. 👍
.
In order to know that, they supposed to be arrested upon arrival, tortured, and being thrown out of the country by a corrupt politician leader right after they just won the case legally in the Serbian Court!! 👹
Politic above the Law! 🤡💀👿💩 Aussie below Banana republic!
This is what they had to experience to understand what the australia did to Mr. Djokovich last January.
Edit: I give them a credit for being brave. After Djokovic's case any Aussie should think twice before travelling anywhere abroad. Even less to Serbia!
@@pot_kivach160 k den
Thats the first Ive ever heard of a tourist registration and Ive been through Serbia several times. I went through Serbia several times even during the war. Back then you could easily go through Timisaora on to Belgrade by train with no problems except maybe a long delay getting into Serbia (they took it very seriously), but never any fine after stopping in Belgrade for some time and then traveling out by train. Good info to know, thanks!
We must have got lucky! haha
Lots of people have been saying that they didn't know about the registration either!
Hotels, hostels do it for you
I was just at an airbnb there and he said I didnt need any paper and laughed, So I went to the police station after looking for one for hours and I wasnt allowed inside with shorts on. When I got to the border I was scolded and given a dirty look by a very obese Serbian babushka, You need the papaer if you want to escape that. She could have fined me is what she was relating.@@dragankostic26
The chances of encountering a troll are low... but never zero
🤣🤣
In the border officer's defence, it's absolutely true that tourists HAVE to be registered within 24 hours of arriving in Serbia. Typically, tourists will check into a hotel that will register them, so it's something that can easily slip people's minds. But whenever my boyfriend comes to visit me, we go down to the police station together, I fill out and sign some basic forms and he keeps a copy of this document on him whenever we go out, just in case. However, I will say it's super rare for someone to ask for this (it's never happened to us in the countless time he's come to visit!), so I think he was just taking advantage of you not knowing. That being said, I think the Airbnb host was also totally bluffing! Like "wow, something must have changed!" Nope buddy, it's been around forever! 😂
Edit: oop, I see a lot of people have commented the same/similar things - sorry to be repetitive!
Hahahaha no need to apologise at all, we like hearing everyone's take on it. It was very interesting for us and I think you're right, a few things weren't great including us not knowing the rules!
Live and learn though 😀
@@JordanandEmily absolutely! We have a saying in Serbia: "a person learns while he is alive" :)
@@spacesandy3410 great saying 😀 and very true!
Herzeg Novi too!!!
Didn't see here either 😔next time!
Sorry you guys went through that BS! Wow! It's not inspiring me to go over the border as planned on upcoming trip to Serbia.
😄 it was a bit rough but our time in Serbia was really fun haha
What a stressful time, lucky you had some euros stashed away. The scenery definitely made up for that worry. Maybe next time you take a train, take your own toilet paper & hand sanitiser with you, those toilets gross me out. Stay safe, miss you both, miss you, love you, mum.xx 💕💕💕💕💕
Always have toilet paper with me just incase haha
Love you miss you!!
I literally adore these trains. They remind me of the time (im 23 lol) when I used to go to Montenegro for summer with my family, and in recent years I've been traveling back and forth (since my father is from Montenegro) and every time, I get a new friend in the train, a new adventure, and a huge plus is that you can have a cigarette (although I've stopped smoking xd) and you can basically have freedom in that train. Unlike busses which are a living nightmare to spend time in.
The train itself was great! We can totally see how it could be nostalgic if you caught it often enough!
I couldn't imagine doing this route on a bus, it would take so long haha 😄
Cuba too!!!
Added Cuba to the list just recently!
Nice video .
thanks!!
@5:50 - happened to me too, visited Belgrade for a weekend (coming from Romania) and the airbnb host didn't say a thing about registration with the police so when we returned home to Romania the Serbian border police wouldn't let us go back home. Had to bribe the policeman to let us go through. Anyway, our border police guys (Romanian) told us it's a common practice at small border crossings points and an opportunity for the Serbian corrupt police to make some cash from tourists.
Super annoying isn't it!
Hello, can you please tell me how did you book the ticket?
Sure! These tickets can't be booked online so when we arrived in Belgrade we booked our train tickets out!
The experience would be even better if you were to ride a day train. You missed the beautiful scenery of Kosjeric, Pozega, Uzice and Priboj. As far as the police go, it's easy, a little bribe goes a long way. Always have some cash in euros and dollars and you need not worry. The same goes for Montenegro. I'm glad you enjoyed our beautiful country.
We we're upset about missing some day time views but I'm glad we got what we did when we woke up! also going overnight means we saved money on accommodation 😆definitely positives for day or night!
In Serbia you can always make some kind of deal! 😂😂😂
hahaha low-key love it 😂
@@JordanandEmily 😂😂😂
AirBNB host should register you, this is not a new law. He just plays a little bit uninformed, but as many laws in Serbia it is sometimes applied sometimes not and you can get away with small bribe of course ;)
hahaha damn! I just wish someone told us so we could make sure! Really hoping we can come back into Serbia because I don't know how long we will last without their food 😆
@@JordanandEmily hello I'm back! If you stay in a hotel the first night when you enter Serbia they will register you 100%. Private accomodation like Air B&B might not do it.
I am Serbian/Danish and have lived in Melbourne. For the last 14 years I have been living 50 meters from the place where you had Cevapcici....It is true, that you must be registered if you stay longer than 24h, yet many don't do it. You just play stupid and penitent, if they should ask at exit, which they don't do in 99% of the cases. He hustled you for money, he would not have taken you of the train anyway, if you had no cash on you. Don't worry, you will not have any problems entering Serbia next time....
Very good to know we will be able to get back in! 😆Thanks!!
I got insider information that soon is gonna be wagon restoraunt on board .
Ooohhh! We'll have to go back 😄
Yes any tourist must register at police station, usually hotels or people that rent place do it, it's strange that man where you stayed didn't do it since it can be a hustle for you at the border.
Super hassle! It was a bit odd that even our bnb hist didn't know about it, oh well, lesson learned!
@@JordanandEmily everyone know that, you have the same thing in basically all countries. I know i had to pay extra for that for mu airbnb in Italy and Slovenia.
Hey i have question. Is there a toilet for second class seats or only for sleeping cabins
Yes there is! We didn't see it but out friends were in that carriage so we can confirm 😀
I will also add to the people saying that it would seem that you guys were hustled by the border cops... I have been going to Serbia and the Balkans every year of my life since I was 6 (and I'm in my 30s now), AND I've been on that very train, and I have never, ever, ever been asked to provide this document. He saw what time it was, he saw you were foreign of non-Balkan descent, didn't speak the language, assumed you probably didn't know better, and scared you into bribing him. I guess 40 euros won't break the bank, but I'm truly sorry that he scared you into thinking it was something super serious, and then took advantage of you being foreigners. I seriously hate that...
Thanks for this message! the more we look back the more we think about it the same way. It was almost certainly someone who just saw an opportunity to take advantage of tourists. It was an unfortaunte blemish to an otherwise incredible trip, but it won't stop us getting back to Serbia. Nothing could keep us from that food! 😂
Just did it and didn't get asked for the white card, which i didn't have 😂
Hahaha luckyyyy!! 😆
First great video people. Second I want to apologize for issues with border police officer. Foreign nationalist do have to be registered at local police station, but that YOU CANT DO yourself since the owner of the AIRBNB has to be there. Once again I apologize for having problems in my country. Also @MUPRepublikeSrbijeRS please address this issue so in the future we would not have to listen "bribe to Serbian police"
😄 thanks for this! I didn't even know that we wouldn't be able to do it ourselves! That's another way people might run into trouble! Thanks for the info
Stinkt? I know very well the Train Belgrade Monte Negro, one time and never more!!!
🤣 wasn't the best at times! great views though!
Hey
This is so scary sorry you had to go through that.
I wanted to ask is there any wifi on the train?
Hey! No we had no wifi on the train at all unfortunately 😕
I am currently considering this ride but in reverse, i.e., from Bar to Belgrade. My schedule is for later September and with a 19:00 departure and a 06:09 arrival, I am concerned that I will miss the sights! At that time the sun sets around 18:30 and rises around 06:30. So, this consideration is stopping me from doing it. Am I right on this? Thanks ahead for this, so much-needed feedback!
Did you go in September, as well?
We went late August!
Oooohh it's tough to say, going from Bar means you get all the good views straight away but it's hard to say if there will still be enough light to see them 🤔
That taxi driver had an interesting accent though
He did 😄
How much is a return ticket from Belgrade to Bar ?
I think we paid roughly $40 each for a one way but it depends what sort of seating you are after! check out the website Seat61 for the best train info!
I wonder if some tourist would actually be taken off train when he does not pay bribe and left to sleep in front of their check post in night. Some people really cannot stand paying bribe.
they might have been! i guess it depends how you handle it haha - I hate paying a bribe or getting scammed in anyway but unfortauntely its the way it is in some places!
Oh jeez these Serbian police always bring up going before a judge. There’s no way they just have judges just sitting around waiting. I got a speeding ticket outside Belgrade and they tried the same thing but he wouldn’t accept my bribe lol. He just let me go. Nice guy
😄 it's a classic tactic! Glad we're not alone!
Remember Australian treatment to Novak Djokovic? Real democracy.....
😄 🤣 😂
You're technically supposed to be registered but it's very lax in its enforcement. But you can't register yourself the owner of the accommodation needs to have papers proving they own the property you're staying at. It's basically a hurdle that only exists for selective enforcement if they want to bother you, sucks that they suckered you with that one.
thanks for confirming! We did think it was something the AirBnB should have done but oh well - nothing but a good story now!
@@JordanandEmily Technically you're supposed to re-register each time you move to a new AirBNB, but the process is pretty intensive you have to go with your passport and the landowner with the ownership documents to the police station and it takes some time to get the registration done. It's common in the former communist countries in East Europe but very lax in enforcement (for obvious reasons). (Exception being Belarus where the apartment owners will insist on it).
Laws in general are lax in the Balkans, but this one is still technically 'on the books' if someone at border control wants to mess with you for whatever reason. Glad you got through it only 40 Euro worse the wear lol
@@JordanandEmilyAlso, because of what happened to Djokovic in Australia a lot of Serbian border patrol have been messing with Australians. It's not fair but I can report that that has been happening. Could be the reason you guys were singled out and messed with. Wear a pro Djokovic t-shirt next time and you will slide right through with no problems lol (half kidding)
Which hotel you stayed?
it was an airbnb!
do you know if pets are allowed in the train?
We didn't see any! I can't imagine they would be though!
So if you are visiting less than 24 hours you do not need to register? For example you taking a train from Hungary and then get off to catch another train to Bar?
I think it's only if you spend a night.. but to be honest - you'll have the same likilihood of running into the bribe issue haha
@@JordanandEmily that's terrible and I think that's what can put many potential tourists not to travel there. Do we have any alternatives for such views?
Hi ! How many days befoure you have take the tickets for the train ?Is it a problem to find tickets ? Was water on the sink ?
Hey! We got tickets 4 days before we left, unfortunately these sleeper carriages do sell out! Water in the sink wasn't drinkable!
What I liked in Serbia? Very good Food, nothing more!!!
Surprisingly amazing food!
That is one of the "regulations" left over from the communist times, that nobody cares about, and nobody ever checks, but you were unlucky enough to run into a border cop who used it as a simple trick to earn some easy money. Over the past 10 years I've had hundreds of foreign visitors who came to Serbia for some wild camping in the mountains (and if you're wild camping you can't register, because there's no "address" to register at), but not a single one had this kind of problem as they were exiting Serbia with their cars.
BTW, yes, bribery is quite common in Serbia. Most people hold some 20 € or so bill stacked in the booklet with their drivers licence and car insurance papers, so when they're stopped by the traffic police for commiting some traffic offense and hand over their documents, the cop simply takes the bill out and says "have a nice day, sir!" 🙂
Woah! this is probably the clearest answer we've got on the topic. Thank you so much. Lesson very much learned too, always keeping some cash on me from now on, no matter where we go!
But witch Country I like? Italy, Greece!!!
Big fans of both of those! and many more
This cop was a hustler - I'll bet he wasn't even appointed by the government to check those staying permits 'visa' as you were leaving the country anyway. Unfortunately government employees' salaries there are so low - as opposed to the west - that securities had to be creative in subsidizing their income!!
It's crazy that it happens! I wonder what would have happened if we didn't pay though. Pretty risky game!
@@JordanandEmily @ (some) cops know tourists all have money and they'll take any currency you got for any violation - except not having passports; then you are arrested and go to court. If you didn't have any cash, only the credit cards, he would let you go if you plead and are 'repenting' - but if you are impolite and rude he could actually take you to police station.
@@Brave2standalone lucky we are always way over-the-top polite to everyone 😄 especially those in authority.
Still, scary times. It would have been a nightmare to be pulled off the train!
@@jordandehaas2168 @ I don't believe he would ever do that - he just wanted little "gratuity"! His job at the border is to check the passports and make sure you don't carry illegal items. And since you are leaving the country, he knows you won't report him to his superiors for being corrupted.
@@jordandehaas2168 @ I'm convinced he was bluffing! He believed you are leaving the country so it's safe to scam you - he'll never see you again anyway. If it was so serious he would take you in; he could also go to prison getting caught receiving bribe for such a serious crime - it was a jip!
.
But I liked Monte Negro, Budva, Becici, Ulcinj.
Agreed! we only saw Budva and Kotor but loved them!
the balkans, the last place in europe where bribes and corruption are still part of daily life...
It's a bit unfortunate 😕
Like your thing about toilet's in train. Everything is truth. About srpska police : we have to be rough for your safety.
He was super nice it was just a scary situation 😅
That train is artifact from Yugoslavia.And very old and dirty ,not well maintened.Travrled few times,until we had 4 broke engines/locomotive and traveled twiced longer as planed.So my dad gone insane from that expiriance and now car is only option for going there.Also view is beatufull but I think it is untaped potential speaking in tourism terms.And it should bring far more tourists in both countries...but there isn't will for change yet.Also I also know about registration for tourist,I worked 1 month in tourist sector in one hostel in Novi Sad.(also little bit dispapointed why you two didn't came north to Novi Sad,Belgrade or White city I don't like english name call it Beograd or White City for god sake)
Don’t blame your dad on that one 😂 sounds like a nightmare!!
Completely agree! The views are so beautiful it’s crazy there isn’t more tourists there to experience it 😍
We are too! Hopefully we get to come back one day and explore Serbia more!
That Tourist registration is straight bs. I'm Serbian and live in Switzerland, I was about 50 times in my life in Serbia, unfortunatley it's typical for the Serbian Police to try to get some Money out of the Tourists, not only in Trains but at any border except if you fly in, because there are to many controlling units, cameras and things like that.
And for the dirty Toilets, the Train in Serbia is seen as an poor mans travel and unfortunatley the people who travel with it are mostly hillbillys without any manners, and therefor the toillets are instantly dirty...
Thats really dissapointing 😞 at least we had an awesome time in Belgrade and have since learned of lots of other towns to see in Serbia! Excited to go back and see it all!
Lepo je cuti iz prve ruke kako korupcija cveta u nasoj lopovskoj zemlji.Zivela Srbija
🤣
To much Tunels!!!
So frequent!
What did you expect from the Serbian police, praise for your miss? Do you want me to tell you about the British police?
😄 standard serbian police?
Sorry Jordan and Emily, no more space for youtubers on youtube. There are like 1000's and 1000's of you fighting to clicks and views. Sorry, no more space. Try something else. I've already watched over 50 tubers that did this train. You are late to the party. Sorry.
Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed it 😊
We’re just fashionably late 😂😉
@@JordanandEmily I don't know what to tell you. I think it is time that you forget about all of this youtube thing and buy 10 goats and 15 chickens, 2 pigs and start living country life. There is just no more space on youtube and in the cities right now. Time for real life, nature life.
@@nebojsa1976 would love to own a farm one day!
We are happy doing this at the moment and love that at the end of the day we have all of these memories to look back on! It’s something we enjoy so why not keep doing it?!
@@JordanandEmily It is very simple. You don't have enough time. You think you do, but you don't. Start doing things right on time. Whoever tells you you have time, you don't. Ah, memories, there will be memories always. But set the course right while you are young. Time is running out fasT.
@@nebojsa1976 thanks for the advice but pretty happy travelling the world full time
I wonder if some tourist would actually be taken off train when he does not pay bribe and left to sleep in front of their check post in night. Some people really cannot stand paying bribe.
I'm sure it mist have happened! It would be very unfortunate to not have any money!!
So if you are visiting less than 24 hours you do not need to register? For example you taking a train from Hungary and then get off to catch another train to Bar?
Thats a great question! We honestly don't know 🤔