Moving to Novi Sad: Your First Airport Run (Expat Survival Guide)
Welcome to Serbia — first 24 hours, sorted
If you're relocating to Novi Sad — whether as a digital nomad, remote worker, or new resident — your first airport experience sets the tone for everything that follows. Here's the practical playbook.
1. Before you land — book the transfer
Don't plan to "figure it out at the airport." Belgrade Airport (BEG) has aggressive taxi touts, and prices vary wildly. Pre-book a private transfer:
- Driver meets you at arrivals with a name sign
- Fixed price (from €60) regardless of luggage or traffic
- Direct drive to your Novi Sad address — typically a 60-minute trip
2. At the airport — currency and SIM
Two things to do before leaving the terminal:
Cash (RSD)
You'll need Serbian dinars (RSD) for most purchases. Skip the airport exchange counters — rates are 5-10% worse than in the city. Either:
- Withdraw 5,000-10,000 RSD from an ATM at the airport (use a "no foreign fee" card if possible)
- Exchange in central Novi Sad once you arrive (better rates at "menjačnica" exchanges)
SIM card
The three Serbian carriers are MTS, Yettel, and A1. All have desks at BEG. €10-15 gets you a tourist SIM with enough data for the first month. You can switch to a contract later when you have your registration.
3. The drive from BEG to Novi Sad
You'll take the E75 motorway. The driver will:
- Stop at a gas station if you need water or coffee
- Drop you at your exact address — not a "central point"
- Help with luggage
If you're staying in a residential building without a clear entrance, just share your apartment number — the driver will find it.
4. First week essentials in Novi Sad
Registration ("Bela prijava")
If you're staying more than 24 hours, your accommodation provider must register you with the police. Hotels do this automatically. For Airbnb, ask the host. For longer stays, you'll register yourself at the local police station with your passport and rental contract.
Coworking & cafés
Novi Sad has a small but growing nomad scene:
- JEEP Co-working — central, fast Wi-Fi, day passes available
- Trokut — community-focused, good for meeting people
- Any "Café Tea" location for fast Wi-Fi and decent coffee
Banking
To open a bank account you'll need your "boravak" (residence permit). For the first few months, most nomads use Wise, Revolut, or N26 — accepted widely in Novi Sad cafés and supermarkets.
5. When you go back to the airport
Round-trip transfers get a discount when booked together. If you fly in/out frequently (which is common in the first year while sorting documents), it's worth saving our contact and booking ahead.
Why a transfer beats a taxi for new arrivals
The first-day stress of a new country is real. With a pre-booked transfer:
- You know the cost
- You know someone is waiting
- You don't have to negotiate
- You don't have to find an ATM before leaving the airport
- You can pay by card online