Balkans Road Trip: The Basics

Before we dive into all the fun things to see on a Balkans road trip, let's first go over the preparation process and some important things to know. Like what are "The Balkans," costs, logistics, and more.

[@aaronponce9193]

This is perhaps the single most useful travel vid I have seen on KZbin. Thank you so much!

[@roamingwithalyssa]

Wow thank YOU so much! That is a great compliment! I am glad you found it useful.

[@nicoleahmed]

Agreed. Super helpful

[@thumbnaildave]

I was laughing so hard when you were talking about the stupid maps app! 🤣🤣🤣I wanted to see a video of you yelling at it 😂

[@roamingwithalyssa]

Hahaha...if only I had a video. You'll have to use your imagination for how angry I sounded 🤣

[@aamert]

Thank you for sharing the cost details. Where could one shave off some expenses? Family of two adults and three kids here. we first started planning for a balkans trip back in 2018/2019 which somehow got delayed. Here we are and now I am targeting 2027. Is camping a reasonable option ?

[@roamingwithalyssa]

My two biggest expenses were the rental car and the lodging, so I would think the best way to cut back on expenses would be the lodging. I did see some nice campgrounds, but that was mostly in Slovenia. I don't know much about camping in the other countries but I did a little google search and it looks like there are options. You could even mix it up a bit with camping some days and apartments/hotels on other days??

[@aamert]

@@roamingwithalyssa Thank you. Did you explore the option for mixing it up with the transport ? I.e. using public transport locally and rent as needed and then use bus/train to cross borders? Or do you think having a car gives you the most flexibility to visit off the beaten path ?

[@roamingwithalyssa]

@@aamert I knew I wanted a car with me the whole time because I like the flexibility of going wherever I want whenever I want so I didn't do any public transportation. But when I was doing research I did see that it's common to get around by bus so I'm sure it's certainly doable. I don't think trains are really a thing in the balkans. If you are able to afford it I would personally go for a rental car because it gives you so much more freedom. You can leave when you want, stop when you want, pull over to take in views or explore a town if you want, etc. I'm not sure which countries you plan on going to, but the reason I flew into Slovenia and got a car there is because (at the time) it was the cheapest option for me as far as flights and rental prices go.

[@carl-parkerhansen2449]

I'm solo road-tripping in the Balkans for 17 days in October and this was super helpful! What were some of your longest drives? I'm landing in Albania but want to see as much of the region as I can, including Slovenia and Romania. Am I biting off more than I can chew? Or should I really dive deep into just a few countries? 🤘

[@roamingwithalyssa]

I'm glad you found it helpful! Wow a 17 day road trip will be fun! I personally would focus on seeing a smaller area like Albania, Montenegro, and Bosnia. I know it's tempting to fit in as many places as you can, but I think it would feel quite tiring to be racing from place to place. A lot of times the drives took longer than planned, and driving in that region is tiring in general because you always have to be on alert due to bad roads and crazy drivers. I think you will enjoy yourself more and get more of a feel for the places you go if you stick to just a few countries. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@carl-parkerhansen2449]

@@roamingwithalyssa so I shouldn’t have just reserved 14 hotel rooms in 7 different countries 🫠. Thanks for the info. Really digging this roadtrip series!

[@roamingwithalyssa]

@@carl-parkerhansen2449 Ha!! Wow well that is certainly going to be an adventure 🤣🤣🤣

[@livingdays8706]

Bro completely skipped Serbia 😂😂

[@roamingwithalyssa]

I was on a time crunch...couldn't hit them all 🤷‍♀

[@livingdays8706]

@@roamingwithalyssa oh I thought you purposely skipped it because…. Well you know 1998

[@roamingwithalyssa]

@@livingdays8706 haha no, not on purpose. Just logistical reasons. I'm sure I'll make my way there eventually!

[@lorenzopiccirilli]

Nice video, this looked fun. - I did a similar concept road trip but through central Europe. Drove from Munich -> Innsbruck -> Bologna -> Lubljana -> Zagreb -> Budapest > Vienna (Bratislava -> Munich. And then a train to Prague. I'm thinking of doing a balkan trip involving Serbia and Romania (for 3 weeks) but probably won't bounce around from city to city since it's such a short time.

[@roamingwithalyssa]

Wow that central Europe road trip you did sounds great! Yes, bouncing from city to city is tiring. I'm on a 3 week baltics road trip right now and moving towns every 2-3 days. Way too fast!

[@debbiel5767]

So informative! Thanks

[@roamingwithalyssa]

Thanks!

[@TaniaJenny-y1e]

Where do you Bock the car ?

[@klinikannurpekan]

the rent car got extra charges when you want to enter other countries?

[@roamingwithalyssa]

Yes, the rental car companies charge extra if you want to cross the border. And the price varies depending on which countries you go to.

[@klinikannurpekan]

@@roamingwithalyssa Do the rental companies provide all the documents needed for entering the other countries..

[@roamingwithalyssa]

@@klinikannurpekan Yes, they are supposed to. Let them know beforehand where you plan on going so they can have the proper documents ready when you pick up your car. That's what I did and I had no issues at the border crossings.

[@emmamaguire1244]

Hi there what car rental company did you use?

[@antonioortega4264]

👊 *promo sm*

[@willowlane4499]

Great video and information 👍🏻🤗

[@roamingwithalyssa]

Thanks 😚