If you've ever flown from a major European airport — Vienna, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Zürich — you've almost certainly come across Park and Fly signs and advertisements. In Bosnia and Herzegovina the term isn't yet widely used, but the concept has existed near Sarajevo Airport for years — just under a different name.
In this guide we explain what Park and Fly means, how it works in Sarajevo, who it's designed for, and why the number of travellers using it grows year after year.
What Is Park and Fly?
Park and Fly is a travel model in which a driver comes to the airport in their own car, leaves it at a private parking service in the immediate vicinity of the airport — rather than at the official airport car park — and travels to the terminal by free shuttle transfer.
On return, the same shuttle is waiting or arrives within minutes of landing.
The name comes from the straightforward concept: park your car, fly without worry, return and pick it up.
The model was developed as a direct response to the high cost of airport parking in Western Europe, where the difference between parking at the airport itself and using a nearby Park and Fly service can run to several hundred euros for a week-long trip. In Sarajevo the gap is smaller, but still significant — and the convenience is identical.
How Park and Fly Works in Sarajevo
In Sarajevo, the Park and Fly model is offered by several private parking services located in the immediate vicinity of Sarajevo International Airport. One of the first and longest-running is ZONA Parking, located just two minutes from the airport terminal.
The process looks like this:
Step 1 — Booking
You book your spot online at parkingsarajevo.ba/rezervacija or by WhatsApp/Viber message at +387 61 356 386. You enter your arrival date and approximate departure and return times. The system immediately displays the total price — no hidden charges.
Step 2 — Arriving at the Parking Lot
On the day of departure you drive to the parking lot at Dr. Atifa Purivatre 10. Staff welcome you, you take your luggage from the car and lock it. From that moment on, the car is our responsibility.
Step 3 — Shuttle to the Terminal
You get into the shuttle. Two minutes later you're standing in front of the entrance to Sarajevo International Airport terminal. No searching for a free space, no walking with heavy suitcases, no stress.
Step 4 — Your Flight
Check-in, security, boarding. Your vehicle stays in a fenced, illuminated, monitored space while you're away.
Step 5 — Your Return
Your plane lands, you switch on your phone and send a short message or call ZONA Parking. By the time you walk out of the terminal with your luggage, the shuttle is there or arrives within a couple of minutes. You ride back to the parking lot, collect your car and head home.
The entire process from exiting the terminal to sitting in your own car takes just a few minutes.
Why More and More Travellers Are Choosing Park and Fly
The growing popularity of the Park and Fly model in Sarajevo isn't accidental. Behind it are concrete reasons that travellers recognise as soon as they experience it.
Price
This is the most obvious reason. The official airport parking charges 15 KM per day for longer stays — which adds up to 105 KM for a seven-day trip and 210 KM for a fourteen-day holiday.
ZONA Parking offers:
| Length of stay | Price per day |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 days | 10 KM |
| More than 10 days | 9 KM |
| More than 20 days | 8 KM |
Shuttle transfer in both directions is included in the price — nothing is added.
For a seven-day trip the saving is 35 KM. For a fourteen-day summer holiday — 70 KM. For a three-week trip — up to 140 KM. That's not an amount to dismiss.
Convenience
The official airport parking has the obvious advantage of proximity — but also drawbacks that travellers rarely consider in advance. In peak season, the airport car park can be congested on entry and exit. You need to find a free space yourself, park, collect your luggage and walk to the terminal.
With the Park and Fly model — you arrive, step out of the car in front of the parking lot, get into the shuttle and you're at the terminal in two minutes. No wandering, no walking with suitcases across a large car park.
Security
The official airport parking has hundreds of spaces and a volume of traffic that is difficult to fully monitor. Park and Fly services like ZONA Parking have a smaller, clearly managed space with:
- 5 cameras with sensors
- 8 independent motion sensors
- 5 high-intensity floodlights
- A fully fenced perimeter, hidden from street view
- Staff on site 24/7
In four years of operation ZONA Parking has not recorded a single case of theft or vehicle damage.
24/7 Availability
Early morning flights at 5 or 6 AM, late night arrivals, flight delays — a Park and Fly service that operates around the clock handles all of these without complications. The shuttle doesn't stop running because it's late — agree on a time and staff will be there.
Park and Fly vs. Official Airport Parking — Direct Comparison
| Park and Fly (ZONA) | Official Airport Parking | |
|---|---|---|
| Price/day (longer stay) | 8–10 KM | 15 KM |
| Shuttle to terminal | ✅ Free, 2 min | ❌ Walk on foot |
| Advance booking | ✅ Online/WhatsApp | ❌ Not required |
| Video surveillance | ✅ 24/7, 5 cameras | Available |
| Staff 24/7 | ✅ Yes | Limited |
| Vehicle responsibility | ✅ High attention | ❌ Airport not liable |
| Flexible timing | ✅ Agreed in advance | ✅ On arrival |
Who Is Park and Fly Designed For
Park and Fly isn't the right solution for every situation — but it's ideal for the vast majority of travellers flying from Sarajevo.
Ideal for:
- Travellers flying for 3 or more days
- Summer holidays, family visits abroad, diaspora trips — any longer stay
- Families with children who don't want to walk with luggage and kids across an airport car park
- Travellers with early morning or late night flights
- Anyone who wants to know the exact price in advance
Less suitable for:
- Same-day trips where you return on the same day
- Situations where someone else is picking you up from the airport
Park and Fly Sarajevo — Frequently Asked Questions
Is Park and Fly the same as private parking? Yes — Park and Fly is the name for the model that combines private parking near the airport with free shuttle transfer to the terminal. ZONA Parking has operated on this model since it opened.
How far in advance do I need to book? For travel outside peak season, two to three days in advance is plenty. In summer months and around public holidays — book at least a week ahead.
Can I use Park and Fly if my flight is at 5 AM? Yes — the shuttle operates 24/7 without exception. Specify your exact arrival time when booking and staff will be ready.
What if I need to return earlier or stay longer than planned? Let us know by message and we'll adjust your booking. No penalty for changes, and billing is calculated by the day.
Can I use Park and Fly with an SUV or larger vehicle? Yes — standard passenger vehicles and SUVs are all welcome. For non-standard dimensions, let us know in advance.
Is the shuttle charged separately? No — the shuttle is always included in the parking price. No hidden fees.
Park and Fly isn't the future of airport travel — it's the present for every traveller who wants a comfortable, secure and affordable solution for their car while they're away.
Book your Park and Fly spot at ZONA Parking and head off on your trip without a second thought about your car.
