Serbia Travel Guide for Americans

Buy a SIM card at the airport or any city phone shop (Telenor, Vodafone, or A1 are the three carriers—all identical pricing). Telenor is slightly most reliable. Cost: 500 RSD (~$4.20) for the card itself. Data plans: 2GB costs 450 RSD (~$3.80) for 30 days, 5GB costs 650 RSD (~$5.50). Top-up at any store with cash or card. Telenor's coverage is excellent even in rural areas. Alternatively, most hostels and cafés have free WiFi—you can navigate all of Serbia on WiFi and only grab a SIM if visiting remote areas. eSIM not reliably available yet on local carriers.

Tipping is not culturally expected but is appreciated. Restaurants: Round up or add 5-10% if service was good (not mandatory). Taxis: Round up to nearest 50 RSD or add 10%. Hotel housekeeping: 200-300 RSD per night if they do their job. Bar staff: Not expected unless you're ordering drinks at a high-end place (then 5% is nice). Many restaurants now add a service charge automatically—check the bill. Locals rarely tip, so servers don't expect it from foreigners. If you tip well, people appreciate it but won't be offended if you don't.

Belgrade is safer than most American cities and dramatically safer than the Balkans' reputation suggests. Street crime against tourists is rare. Don't leave valuables visibly in cars, don't flash expensive jewelry, avoid very late-night walks in Voždovac or New Belgrade alone—standard city sense. Pickpocketing happens on crowded buses and in Old Town tourist areas; keep bags in front. Nationalist tensions from the 1990s war remain dormant but real in certain conversations—don't ask locals about the war unless they bring it up first, and avoid drunk arguments about politics. Football (soccer) rivalries are intense; avoid Red Star vs. Partizan games if you're not hardcore fans. Police are generally professional with tourists. Emergency number is 112. Tap water is drinkable everywhere. Medical care is good and cheap.