New Una River Tourist Train Links Bihać and Bosanska Krupa

A new seasonal tourist train is now running along the Una River between Bihać and Bosanska Krupa in northwest Bosnia and Herzegovina, restoring passenger rail to a dramatic stretch of the historic Unska line and giving visitors an easy new way to explore one of the country’s most celebrated river landscapes.

Seasonal Service Brings Trains Back to the Unska Line

The relaunched service began with a promotional trip on 5 June 2026, marking the return of passenger trains to this section of railway after a break of several years. Reports indicate that the project is conceived as a seasonal tourist line, operating during the peak summer months when interest in the Una Valley is highest.

According to publicly available timetables, the train runs between Bihać and Bosanska Krupa on weekends, with departures designed to allow travellers to make a full day of sightseeing on the river. The route follows the historic Unska line, a railway corridor that closely tracks the emerald waters of the Una through narrow gorges, forested slopes and riverside villages.

Local coverage notes that the service is subsidised at the cantonal level, with financial support allocated to cover the cost of operating the tourist train over the summer season. The initiative is framed as both a transport measure and a tourism development tool, aimed at making the region’s natural attractions more accessible without reliance on private cars or buses.

The launch also comes at a time of renewed interest in rail tourism across Bosnia and Herzegovina, building on earlier themed services around the country. Observers see the Una Valley train as part of a broader effort to reimagine underused railway infrastructure as a draw for visitors rather than a relic of the past.

Riverside Route Showcases Una’s Canyon Scenery

For travellers, the main appeal of the new line lies in its trajectory along the Una River, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful waterways in the Western Balkans. The tracks from Bihać to Bosanska Krupa run within sight of the river for much of the journey, at points clinging to the canyon wall above blue-green pools and rapids.

Descriptions from regional tourism portals highlight that the train offers panoramic views that are difficult to replicate from the road, particularly in the tight curves and cuttings where the river carves through limestone cliffs. This slow, low-altitude rail perspective is promoted as an easy alternative to rafting or kayaking for those who want to experience the landscape without getting on the water.

Intermediate stops, including smaller stations such as Srbljani and Grmuša, give a sense of the rural communities that developed alongside the railway. While the stops are brief, the passing scenery of orchards, riverside meadows and traditional houses adds a cultural dimension to the natural vistas, underscoring the role of the Una as both a transport corridor and a lifeline for local residents.

The route also serves as an introduction to the wider Una region, which stretches upstream toward Una National Park and its famous waterfalls, and downstream toward additional river towns. Travel writers suggest that the rail journey can be combined with road trips and river activities to create multi-day itineraries focused entirely on the Una Valley.

Bihać and Bosanska Krupa Position for New Visitors

The endpoints of the tourist train are themselves established destinations, and the new service is expected to strengthen their position on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s travel map. Bihać, a gateway city close to Una National Park, already attracts visitors with its riverside promenades, historic bridges and access to rafting and hiking.

Bosanska Krupa, further downstream, is known for its island-studded riverfront, medieval fortress remains and a relaxed small-town atmosphere built around swimming, fishing and café culture along the Una. The train effectively ties the two together into a single, easily navigable corridor, encouraging visitors who base themselves in one town to spend at least part of the day in the other.

Regional tourism publications describe the new connection as an opportunity for both cities to diversify their offerings. Day-trippers can ride the morning train, spend several hours exploring the destination, and return in the late afternoon, while longer-stay guests may treat the railway as a scenic shuttle for accessing additional outdoor activities, such as kayaking routes and riverbank walking trails.

The service may also ease peak-season road congestion on the main highway that parallels the river. Publicly available commentary notes expectations that some domestic travellers will opt for the train as a more relaxed alternative to driving, especially during busy summer weekends.

Timetables, Fares and Practical Details for Travelers

Current information from local outlets indicates that the tourist train operates during the summer months, with regular weekend departures in June, July and August. Timetables show morning departures from Bihać toward Bosanska Krupa, followed by return trips later in the day, providing options for half-day and full-day excursions.

Reports on the first weekend of operation mention promotional fares set at a few convertible marks per direction, pitched to be attractive for both residents and visitors. Families and groups are a key target, with the affordability of the ticket seen as an incentive to choose rail for leisure outings along the river.

Carriages are presented as standard regional rolling stock, with seating suited to short and medium-distance journeys. Travellers are advised, in local coverage, to arrive early on busy summer days, as seat numbers are finite and the scenic nature of the ride is expected to draw strong demand, particularly from domestic tourists and diaspora visitors returning for the holidays.

The journey time between Bihać and Bosanska Krupa is relatively short, typically under an hour, which allows flexibility for combining the train ride with riverside meals, swims or walks. Travel features suggest that this makes the line accessible even to those with tight itineraries passing through northwest Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Strengthening Sustainable Tourism in the Una Valley

Beyond the novelty of the train itself, regional economic analyses frame the project as part of a wider push toward more sustainable tourism along the Una. By providing a rail-based alternative to private vehicles, the line is viewed as a small but symbolic step toward reducing traffic pressure and associated environmental impacts in a sensitive river canyon.

Publicly available information about the project’s funding stresses that it is supported as a public service aimed at improving mobility for residents as well as visitors. The relatively low ticket prices and focus on weekend operations suggest an effort to balance tourist demand with the everyday needs of people living between Bihać and Bosanska Krupa.

Travel commentators point out that, if the service proves popular in its first full season, it could strengthen arguments for further investment in the Unska line, which historically extended across the border into Croatia. While any broader reopening would require complex cross-border coordination, the tourist train is being watched as a test of how rail can again contribute to the region’s economic and social life.

For now, the new Una River train is adding a fresh option to itineraries in Bosnia and Herzegovina, inviting visitors to experience the valley’s scenery at a slower pace. As the summer season unfolds, occupancy levels and traveller feedback are expected to shape whether this weekend tourist service becomes a recurring fixture on the country’s rail map.