Belgrade Airport

I flew in and out of Belgrade 8 times during the summer as I used Air Serbia and Belgrade as my central point whilst holidaying in Europe. I was really impressed with the layout of the airport with easy access from Terminals 1 and 2. On one visit I was able to leave the airport and remain 'in transit' for the day as I had a 6 hour layover, with both Customs and Immigration were courteous and helpful. Eateries, Duty Free and places to sit were decent and power outlets for charging devices were available. I look forward to my next visit.

I travel through Nikola Tesla about 50 times a year. Although much busier now it is still very efficient on a good day, twenty minutes from landing to taxi last time. It is very good to pass through an airport which gets better all the time. These days there are a lot of transit passengers, so baggage return is quick, except at weekends.

I have know Belgrade airport (now named Nikola Tesla Airport) for many years, and I must say I really like the improvements in the recent years. It is a relatively small airport, on the city outskirt, but it is quite fast to get there. Surrounding is well organized, quite green, with few parking, hotels and other facilities. Inside, one would easily manage to find a way on on of two terminals. The space is light, very clean and easy to navigate. Security is quite high, as there are security check not central positioned, but in front of every gate, which makes transfer faster. Still, this is a developing place, but so far so good.

Very compact airport where you can get from the parking to the gate in under 5 minutes. There are two terminals, the old T1 is used only by a few LCC and charter airlines so you will likely use the recently refurbished T2. The departures are on the ground floor and the first floor while the arrivals are in the area below. However the transit zone is one and the same so you will walk through the same area on the first floor when you go to your gate on departure as when you walk to the passport control and baggage reclaim on arrival. The airport might feel slightly claustrophobic at times, especially the arrivals exit but luckily it's all very compact so you will be out quickly. You will hardly have to queue at this airport, everything is efficient from check-in to passport control. There is plenty of space to sit down and enjoy the view over the tarmac but there are very limited options in terms of food, drinks and shopping. If you have a long connection at this airport - tough luck, you will be very bored. You might want to go and visit the city instead. Airport staff is professional and there isn't much to complain about cleanliness.

Since the Etihad/Air Serbia flight from Abu Dhabi was late contrary to assurances we arrived in Belgrade ten minutes before our connection flight was to take off. The security staff at the x-ray checkpoint took their time though while the Air Serbia personnel at the flight gate in plain view were calling us to hurry as if the delays were our fault. They started by checking our duty free allowance and receipts then the hand luggage to check our watches and jewellery (we were moving back to Europe with all our belongings) and then had to wait another few minutes to have my shoes x-rayed. When we finally departed the clerk was still working our still screens. We flew from Sydney for 24 hours then. We have been re-checked in Abu Dhabi. We have just descended from the previous flight and we have been escorted to the checkpoint. What was there to check so thoroughly again? Since when were watches and jewellery a security point concern? Or was there an over zealous clerk on duty? Aren't there any clear instructions of what they are to check? If not we may be subjected at the discretion of a clerk to unnecessary and diminishing check-ups. In any case we decided not to use this route again.

Indifferent check-in at Terminal 1 (charter and low cost terminal). Efficient and swift passport control. Mostly clean and easy to navigate. Recommended.

Very efficient fast check-in and security clean. Major downsides - lack of a smoking room a post office and poor public transport links to the city - only two buses going to the center and New Belgrade other areas must be reached through connections at crowded hubs. New tablet-oriented website is a major disappointment unusable on mobiles unlike the previous version. All in all highly recommended and constantly improving besides random misses.

Well Nikola Tesla airport is a small clean and peaceful airport in Belgrade. Very small compared to Heathrow Singapore Abu Dhabi etc. Plus - almost everything well organised check in waiting controls baggage claim everything is marked very good and it is as it should be enough space to stop in front of terminal doors and big parking. Minus- at baggage claim rude staff members. People didn't have nice approach down there they start yelling in Serbian it seems that they can't answer your questions nice and properly. Upstairs au contraire everyone is very polite. They really need to open some new shops.

As Belgrade airport is coming into growth they are making an effort to improve and provide the same level of service that travelers expect in places like Singapore and Dubai. The airport was very quiet clean and well sign- posted in multiple languages our language did not take long (10-15 min) and the process through customs/immigration etc was very quick (we did arrive at 6am) the airport was very quiet and open planned. There seemed to be only one shop open at that early time. Arriving was smooth and effortless for those on the flight that I arrived on. Once through the gates there are many taxi drivers awaiting you the airport itself is very easy to navigate as it not that big when compared to Sydney or Abu Dhabi. The departure process seemed very hassle free the staff are friendly and helpful throughout the whole process the business class lounge is similar to all other destinations that I have been in and the facilities are in the process of being improved.

Arrived from Zurich with Swiss and landed at a gate. A short walk through the terminal (mixing with the outgoing passengers) and the Passport Control which quickly processed passengers with EU or Local Passports despite not actually being a member of the European Union. Good sized Baggage Reclaim and quick delivery of bags. Out past the usual Red/Green Channel and into the Arrivals which is at one end of the building. Note there is a small Bank just beyond the Customs before the doors to the outside Arrivals Hall so you can change money before getting caught up in the Arrivals Hall. Check-in is at the other end. Building updated in the last few years and is well signed in Serbian and English. There are the usual booths for Rental Cars and the like available. A Desk by the exit allows the "booking" of a taxi to specific destinations and fixed prices. The actual official taxis are outside across the drop-off road area. There are a lot of people offering taxi services within the terminal building. Check-in for return flights pretty smooth with Passport Control upstairs and Security Scanning at the individual gates. A reasonable selection of Duty Free shops and cafe airside. NB Serbian currency is a "closed" one so you must change back any money before going through passport control as everything is then priced in Euros and whilst they will take Serb Dinars there is nowhere to exchange them. Reasonable announcements about flights and short distances to walk to each gate. Note that some of the Departure/Arrival Screens don't have enough space to show all the flights as each code-share has its own line so one flight can fill half a screen.