Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2012/Conference

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Arriving to Belgrade...

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Visa policy of Serbia

By Plane

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By plane

Belgrade is served by the International Airport Nikola Tesla which is about 12 miles from the city center to the west. The airport is the operational base for the national airline Jat Airways and the port for about 30 other global airline companies, including Air France, Swiss and Lufthansa. The airport achieves over 44.000 landings and departures on a yearly basis. Airlines do not offer discounts, similar to most European cities. But even so, during the promotional period, it is possible to purchase tickets at reduced prices.

Transfer to/from the airport

By Bus

The cheapest way to get from the Belgrade's "Nikola Tesla" Airport to the city centre is by bus No 72. A single ticket costs 120 RSD and you can buy it from the driver in the bus. The bus leaves every 30 min from the airport to Zeleni venac station (every day from 5:20am to 00:00). Ride lasts for about 40min.

For more comfortable transfer to/from Belgrade airport, JAT Airways offers shuttle bus service – JAT Airport Express – A1. The bus serves the route between Belgrade "Nikola Tesla" airport and Slavija square in the city centre. Buses depart every day from the airport starting at 05:00am until 02:00am (leaving from the airport every 20min in the period 5am - 19pm, and every 60min in the period 19pm - 2am) in front of the airport exit. Tickets can be purchased from the bus driver and they cost 250 din (2.1 EUR). Payment only in cash and only in dinars. Ride lasts for about 30min.

By Taxi

If you prefer a taxi, we advise you to order a taxi vehicle by phone or by sending an text message. Price for the taxi service from the airport to most locations in the city center should not be higher than 1500 RSD (Start is 140 RSD, and every km 55-70 RSD.). If you are unable to call a taxi, use the escalator to go upstairs, leave the terminal from which you came and come to the exit. Then try to grab a taxi that had just brought their clients.

Pay attention to the taxi drivers who offer their services at the airport. Most likely it comes to illegal carriers whose services cost several times more than standard pricing. If possible, use taxis whose vehicle has a license plate with the suffix -TX.

By Rent-a-car

At the Nikola Tesla Airport, you can find a few rent-a-car companies where you can rent a car, a van or bus. Price depends on the type of the vehicle, the number of days and other services.

By Bus

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By Bus

The Main Bus Station (BAS) in Belgrade is located near the main railway station in Karađorđeva street. Over 800 buses daily use 40 platforms and carry up to 15,000 passengers. You can reach nonstop service from about 20 countries. Information on the platforms is mainly in Serbian. For international destinations, there are separate counters where you can find information in English and often also in Hungarian, German and Russian.

The bus services are mostly on time, and the delay is usually only a few minutes. Buses are mostly modern, air conditioned and clean. Keep in mind that Serbian drivers usually talk only in Serbian. Luggage carriers charge for their services. Ticket can be booked by telephone and it is enough to give your name and destination. After getting off of the bus, taxi services or luggage carrier will be offered to you. Remember not to fall for their insistence. They are illegal workers, whose services cost many times more than normal.

By Train

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By Train

Train infrastructure in Serbia is not in enviable situation. Its reconstruction began in recent years. But even so, the average speed of trains is below the European average. Serious work on the railways is yet to come. The advantage of "slow" driving is that you'll have more time to enjoy the panoramic picture of Serbia - even at night.

The Main Railway Station is 10 minutes of walk from the center. All international and trunk trains stop here. There are direct trains from Moscow, Kiev, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Istanbul, Budapest, Venice and Belgrade. Prices are reasonable, ranging from 15 € as needed for transportation to Budapest or 69 to Venice. Surcharge for bed is good. Delay of the arrival of international trains is on average 5 to 15 minutes. If you are coming from Skopje, longer delays are possible. Overloading of wagons which run between Budapest and Belgrade is a common occurrence during the summer months.

By Car

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By Car

European roads E70 and E75 pass through Belgrade. If you are coming from the north (Subotica), you'll need about two and a half hours from the bordercrossing to Belgrade. Arrival from Slovenia and Croatia is carried on modern roads highway E75. The most famous main road connecting Belgrade with Montenegro and Albania in the „Ibar highway“ (Ibarska magistrala). Certain sections of this road share the route of the European roads E763 and E761.

The most important routes are:

  • From the north of the border within Hungary, on E-75: Horgos - Subotica - Novi Sad - Belgrade - Niš - Vranje - Preševo and Macedonian border
  • From the West, from the Croatian border, on E-70: Batrovci - Sremska Mitrovica - Belgrade - Pančevo - Vršac - Vatin continues to Romania
  • From the east, from Bulgaria, E-80: Gradina - Dimitrovgrad - Pirot - Niš - Prokuplje - Priština - Kosovska Mitrovica - Mehov Karst continue to Montenegro
  • On some sections there are toll booths. Toll rate is affordable and one of the lowest in the region. The network of petrol stations and gas stations is extensive and prices vary from 125 RSD per liter of Premium MB 95 to 130 for diesel fuel. Auto gas price is 65 RSD.

Toll are collected on the following roads:

  • E-70 Subotica - Novi Sad
  • E-75 Novi Sad - Belgrade
  • E-70 Šid - Belgrade
  • E-75 motorway Belgrade - Niš
  • E-75 Niš - Leskovac

Requirements

To enter Serbia, drivers of motor vehicles with foreign license plates are required to have: - National driver's license - transport vehicle permit (with a license for someone else's vehicle, if necessary) - the insurance (green card)

Emergency

In case of breakdown or accident on the roads, call the Automobile Association of Serbia (AMSS) on number 987. In case of an injury, call the ambulance at 94. Police service can be obtained by calling number 92.

Pick up

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Getting there

The local team can offer you a pick up option and you only need to write down the date and time of you arrival in the Pick up section on page Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2012/Participation. If you're not interested for the pick up option, there's a city map with directions to the location. You can call the panic number in case you're lost; sending an SMS could be a cheaper solution.

Visas

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Visa policy – European and North American countries

Citizens and holders of ordinary passports of the following countries can enter Serbia without a visa up to 90, 60 or 30 days:

  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Armenia
  • Austria
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Israel
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macedonia
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • Montenegro
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • San Marino
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

The complete list can be found at Visa policy of Serbia

Accommodation

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All the attendees who filled up in the registration form that they need accommodation will stay at the Hotel Excelsior, which is located in the city center and is 10 minutes away from the venue by foot. The check-in time at the hotel starts at 14:00 every day. In the hotel you will be welcomed by some of the organizers.

The attendees will be split into double rooms with two single beds, unless a single room was requested. Male and female participants will be separated in different rooms.

Hotel Excelsior 5 Kneza Miloša, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (44.809813,20.465728)

Venue

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Dom omladine Beograd (Belgrade Youth Centre), Makedonska 22/IV (44.815378,20.462819)

Saturday from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

  • Americana Hall (can be used for the opening event and for the biggest workshops. The hall has and seating for 350-400. (photo)
  • The Club (has 100 sitting places) (photo)
  • Big lobby ( can be sufficient for 100-150 places) (photo)

Sunday:

  • Americana Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (can be sufficient for ~70 places) + one small room (14-16m²)
  • The Club from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.
  • Americana Hall from 15 a.m to 6 p.m.
  • Big lobby from 15 a.m to 6 p.m.

Schedule

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See here.