Vienna to Sarajevo is a quick Balkan hop — barely an hour in the air — and Austria’s home carrier flies it non-stop most days of the week. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return fare looks like in euros, and how to book the Bosnian capital at its best price.
Route: Vienna (VIE) → Sarajevo (SJJ)
Distance: approximately 490 km (305 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 1h 05m – 1h 10m
Direct flights: Yes — Austrian Airlines flies non-stop most days (around 14 flights a week), with occasional non-stop service from Eurowings. In our fare check Austrian held 86 of the hundred cheapest seats at €177–€268, and nothing direct sold below €177. Cheaper headline prices exist, but they are not this journey — see below.
Fares from Vienna to Sarajevo (EUR)
Sarajevo is a year-round city with a strong summer and ski-season draw. Fares peak over the July–August summer, the Christmas and New Year holidays and the winter ski weeks; they are lowest in the quiet late-autumn and early-spring shoulders. The figures below are indicative economy return fares in euros — because Austrian is the main operator, prices lean toward full-service levels but stay reasonable on such a short hop.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | medium (ski) |
| February | — | medium (ski) |
| March | — | low-medium |
| April | — | medium |
| May | — | medium |
| June | — | high |
| July | — | very high |
| August | — | very high |
| September | — | high |
| October | — | low-medium |
| November | — | low |
| December | — | high (holidays) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, the median is €214 and four fifths of the fares sit between €177 and €248 — so a typical fair price is nearer €214 than the mid-hundreds usually quoted, and under about €180 is a genuinely good direct return. There ARE cheaper headline prices, from €124, but every one of them routes through Bergamo or Rome on two separate tickets and takes 6 to 15 hours instead of one. Because there is little low-cost competition on the direct flight, deep discounts are rarer than on the big tourist routes.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 1 hour):
- Austrian Airlines — the dominant carrier, flying non-stop most days from its Vienna hub (roughly 14 flights a week), with a checked bag included on most fares.
- Eurowings — occasional non-stop service between Vienna and Sarajevo, adding a low-cost option on some dates.
One-stop (sometimes cheaper):
- Ryanair via Bergamo — the cheapest fares in our check at €124–€127, and the reason to read a routing before buying it: they are two separate tickets and run 9h 50m to 15h 25m against 1h 05m non-stop. A missed first leg is your own problem and bags are rechecked.
- Ryanair with Wizz Air Malta via Rome Fiumicino — €161 and about 6h 25m, also on separate tickets.
- Air Serbia via Belgrade and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul — both serve the pair, but neither appeared among the hundred cheapest fares we could price.
On such a short route the non-stop is almost always the sensible choice — a connection can double or triple the journey time to save a modest amount. Compare the all-in price with luggage if you are weighing Austrian against a one-stop deal.
When to book & how to save
- Book 4–8 weeks ahead for the best price; with limited competition, fares firm up as the flight fills.
- Travel in the shoulder months — March, October and November are the quietest and cheapest, with mild weather for exploring the old town.
- Go midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday departures usually beat the Friday–Sunday weekend-break rush.
- Check the bag rules: Austrian’s standard fares usually include a checked bag, while Eurowings and one-stop budget fares may not — compare the all-in price.
- Mind the ski season: Sarajevo’s nearby resorts (Jahorina, Bjelašnica) push winter-weekend fares up, so book early for January and February.
Arriving in Sarajevo
Flights land at Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ), about 6 km south-west of the centre. It is a small, easy airport: a taxi to the old town takes 15–20 minutes and costs roughly 20–30 convertible marks (about €10–€15). Public transport is limited, so most visitors take a taxi or a pre-arranged transfer. Bosnia uses the convertible mark (BAM), pegged to the euro, and euros are sometimes accepted for airport transfers — but carry some local cash.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Vienna to Sarajevo?
The non-stop flight takes about 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes. Vienna to Sarajevo is only around 490 km, so it is one of the shortest international hops out of Vienna — barely an hour gate to gate.
Are there direct flights from Vienna to Sarajevo?
Yes. Austrian Airlines flies non-stop most days of the week (around 14 flights a week), and Eurowings adds occasional non-stop service. There is no need to connect on this route unless a one-stop fare is notably cheaper.
How much does it cost to fly from Vienna to Sarajevo?
A typical economy return runs about €177–€248 on the non-stop, median €214, with the dearest fare in our whole check €268. The cheapest tickets of all are €124–€127, but those connect through Bergamo on separate tickets and take the best part of a day. July, August and the holiday weeks sit at the top of the direct range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Vienna to Sarajevo?
March, October and November are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, non-stop returns started at €177. Avoid the July–August summer, the Christmas holidays and the winter ski weekends, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from Vienna to Sarajevo?
Non-stop: Austrian Airlines (the main operator, €177–€268 and 86 of the hundred cheapest fares) and occasionally Eurowings. The connections that actually appeared in our check were Ryanair via Bergamo (€124–€127, but 9h 50m to 15h 25m on two separate tickets) and Ryanair with Wizz Air Malta via Rome (€161, 6h 25m). Air Serbia via Belgrade and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul also serve the pair but did not appear among the fares we could price.
Which airport do I fly into in Sarajevo?
You fly into Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ), the city’s only airport, about 6 km from the centre. It is small and straightforward — a short taxi ride gets you to the old town in 15–20 minutes.
How far in advance should I book Vienna to Sarajevo flights?
Aim to book 4 to 8 weeks ahead. With only limited competition on the route, fares tend to firm up as the flight fills, so early booking usually wins — especially for the summer and ski-season peaks.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday and Wednesday) tend to be cheaper than Friday to Sunday, when weekend-break demand is highest. Being flexible by a day or two can save €20–€50 on a return.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
