Border Hell in Serbia: Waits Up to an Hour, Chaos and Uncertainty!
If you planned to cross Serbia’s borders this summer, brace yourself for a real ordeal – and not the fun kind! Passenger vehicles at border crossings are held up for up to 45 minutes, while freight vehicles wait up to an hour! Yes, you read that right – an hour stuck in line while time ticks away and nerves fray.
Where are the longest waits? On the way out of Serbia, at the Preševo crossing, passenger vehicles wait up to 45 minutes, while at Gradina it’s about 30 minutes. Sremska Rača is even worse – waits can reach up to an hour! Entering Serbia via Horgoš is no better, with waits of 45 minutes, while at Batrovci and Šid it’s around 30 minutes.
Operating hours and restrictions The Bajmok-Bačalmaš border crossing will operate from July 4 to September 8 every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for 24 hours instead of the previous 7 am to 7 pm. This crossing is open for passenger traffic, excluding bus and freight traffic. Horgoš 2 will operate from 5 am to 11 pm, in agreement with Hungarian border authorities.
Due to restrictions on the Bogojevo bridge, freight traffic to Croatia is redirected to state roads and bridges with limits for vehicles over 24 tons. So if you’re driving a truck, prepare for extra complications.
How does the weather help? The good news is that summer weather, with daily temperatures around 30°C, makes driving easier and reduces the risk of vehicle breakdowns. But that doesn’t change the fact you’re stuck for hours in line, with your engine overheating and nerves snapping.
Roadworks On state road number 12, near Nikola Tesla Airport, works are underway to build new foundations and road signs, further slowing traffic. Also, on July 27, repairs on the Pančevo Bridge are planned, which will further complicate traffic towards Belgrade.
Toll stations? According to JP Putevi Srbije, there are no delays at toll stations, the only bright spot in this chaos.
Conclusion If you plan to travel through Serbia’s borders this summer, prepare for waits, frustration, and uncertainty. An hour in line is not uncommon, and roadworks and restrictions only add to the mess. Maybe it’s time to consider alternative routes or arm yourself with patience and good music.
What about you? Already stuck at the border? How did you survive? Share your stories, maybe together we can find a way to survive this summer traffic nightmare! Or at least laugh at our misery.
Source: AMSS, Border Police of the Republic of Serbia, Telegraf.rs
