border crossings Italy-slovenia-croatia-bosnia

[pjb120]

Hi, I'm trying to plan a trip to the balkans, and am wondering what the border crossings are like outside the EU?

I plan to pass from Italy to Slovenia to Croatia to bosnia, and back up through hungary and poland - 5 border crossings in all!

I've put a few questions below. Thanks!

Do you need any special permission to cross any of these borders (e.g. visa etc)?

Do you need to state how long you are staying in each country? (I probably won't know)

Are there any difficulties crossing any of these borders? (e.g. I've heard there are some border disputes between slovenia and croatia)

Are there any potential dangers/ inconveniences involved in crossing these borders that I need to look out for (e.g. crooked border guards etc)

Thanks.

[natv4]

Nope all these borders are very easy, with the possible exception of Bosnia.

These countries will automatically think that you have insurance because you are Brittish and will wave you through without fuss. Bosnia may be more tricky, but I had to cross the border (for about 500m) when I travelled down to Dubrovnik. I would not know what they were like if you cross at a different point.

All the other countries you mentioned are very close to being accepted into the EU and as such border crossings are very easy.

I would take extra care whilst staying in Bosnia, from fellow travellers I gathered that they stayed in gated campsites and the few that free camped (in vans, not tents) said they had a few minor problems with people attempting to open doors etc (probably thinking the vans were empty).

Good luck, Croatia is very beautiful (best go now before mass tourism spoils it) and like few places on earth.
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
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[Nath]

[natv4]

Don't PANIC! I said that the trouble they encountered was non-violent and non-physical. It was opportunistic. So I don't think you necessarily need to be worried about safety.

It was more a warning to ensure that you keep your wits about you and don't leave items unguarded, which is true of most places these days. Also it may be an idea to avoid free camping and stick to fenced/gated campsites (most are apparently).

I know you have done a fair bit of travelling, so I'm sure you knew this before. From the people I spoke to last year, the country is beautifully and the people friendly and quizitive (generally). It is very very poor, and you will see much evidence of this, so be prepared to see just how poor (financially) people can be.

Good Luck, don't forget to keep us updated of your travelling tales, I for one will be reading every word.
____________________
Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[Lawnie]

Official Foreign & Commonwealth travel advice for Bosnia and Herzegovina:

https://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618385675