A spectacular and very cheap train ride from Serbia's capital to Montenegro's Adriatic coast, through more than 250 tunnels and over the soaring Mala Rijeka viaduct. Here's what the Belgrade to Bar railway is like, when to go and how long to stay.
Serbia and Montenegro are not in the EU or Schengen, so you'll go through passport checks on the train at the border. Montenegro uses the euro. Check entry rules on GOV.UK before you book.
Temperatures are the average daytime high in °C.
The train runs all year, with extra sleeper trains in summer. May, June and September are the best months, warm enough for the beach at the Montenegro end but not too hot for Belgrade. July and August are hot and the coast is busy. Winter brings snow to the mountain section, which is beautiful, but some services are cut and the coast is quiet. Temperatures shown are for Belgrade.
Once the world's highest railway bridge, nearly 200 metres above the river. Look out about an hour before Podgorica.
The line crosses the Balkans' largest lake on a causeway near the end. Boat trips leave from Virpazar.
Kalemegdan park and fortress above where the Sava meets the Danube, with views and a military museum.
The overnight train has sleeper and couchette cars, so you wake up in the mountains.
From Bar, it's under two hours by bus to the walled town at the head of the Bay of Kotor.
The ruins of a hilltop town above Bar, with an olive tree said to be 2,000 years old nearby.
For an adventurous family, yes. The scenery is stunning and tickets cost very little, but trains are old and can run late, so bring snacks, water and plenty to do.
About 11 to 12 hours by day, or overnight on the sleeper train. Many people stop in Podgorica or at Lake Skadar on the way.
Fly into Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, then take a taxi or bus to Belgrade Centre station, about 20 minutes. At the other end, fly home from Podgorica or Tivat in Montenegro.
For the sleeper in summer, yes, as cabins are limited. Day seats can usually be bought at the station a day or two before.
Put Belgrade to Bar railway on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.