FAQ

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Event Location

Where is the event held?

The IEEE Student and Young Professional Congress 2019 will be held on Pan-European University Apeiron in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Where I can find more information about Banja Luka?

Banja Luka is the administrative capital of the Republika Srpska, the second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina and by far the largest city in the northwest. The town got connected to the world when the Roman trade route from Salona to Servitium passed through it. To protect this route (and to enjoy the healing water springs they had discovered in the area) the Romans built a fortress here, the walls of which encompassed an entire miniature town. When the Roman Empire collapsed, the Slavs took over. Once the Ottomans finally controlled the town, they gave it a distinct oriental flavor.
The Ottoman governor for Bosnia had his headquarters here for a while, building bridges and mills, and in its Ottoman glory days the town had some 40 mosques. In the course of the Ottoman centuries, Banja Luka was destroyed repeatedly by Ottoman-Austrian warfare (as well as earthquakes and plagues) until eventually the Austrian-Hungarian Empire absorbed Banja Luka peacefully in the 19th century. They rapidly modernized the town, building factories and connecting it to Vienna and other capital cities. The town expanded tremendously in the 20th century. For more information visit http://www.bhtourism.ba/eng/banjaluka.wbsp .

What is the time zone of Banja Luka?

Banja Luka is in the Central European time zone (CET), GMT +1.

What is the climate like in Banja Luka?

Banja Luka has a moderate humid subtropical climate with mild winters, frequent frosts and warm summers. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 22.8 °C (73.0 °F). The coldest month of the year is January, when temperatures average around 1.7 °C (35.1 °F).

Which electrical supply Bosnia and Herzegovina has?

The electric supply is 220V with 50Hz frequency.

What currency is used in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Currency in BiH is Convertible Mark. The international abbreviation for currency is BAM, while KM is used locally (1.95 BAM = 1 Euro). You can exchange your currency in any bank or post office. Banks are generally open from 08:00 to 18:00 (09:00 to 17:00) on working days, and from 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Main post office is open from 07:00 to 20:00 from Monday to Saturday.

Important phone numbers?

Police: 122
Fire department: 123
Ambulance: 124
Banja Luka Taxi: 1555/1533/1545/1544
Airport: +387 51 535 210


Accomodation

Can you suggest any hostels for me in Banja Luka?

When it comes to hostels, Banja Luka has plenty of them at a very affordable price. We encourage you to visit http://www.booking.com where you can find all the hostels in Banja Luka with their rates and location.

I am more interested in staying in a hotel, which ones should i consider?

Hotel Courtyard by Marriott Banja Luka

Courtyard by Marriott Banja Luka features a restaurant, fitness centre, a bar and shared lounge in Banja Luka. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, a business centre and luggage storage for guests.
All units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk. At the hotel every room is fitted with a wardrobe and a private bathroom.
A buffet breakfast is available daily at Courtyard by Marriott Banja Luka.
For more information, prices and booking, visit:https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bnxcy-courtyard-banja-luka/

N&L

Set in Banja Luka, 14 km from Slatina, N&L offers a terrace and free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. Each unit is fitted with a patio, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, a seating area with a sofa bed, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, and a private bathroom with shower and a hairdryer. A fridge, an oven and stovetop are also featured, as well as a kettle. Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at the apartment.Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 9.4 for a two-person trip.
For more information, prices and booking, visit:http://www.booking.com

Hotel Jelena

Featuring free WiFi and a restaurant, Hotel Jelena offers accommodation in Banja Luka, 300 m from the city centre. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar. Free private parking is available on site.
Every room at this hotel is air conditioned and features a flat-screen TV. For your comfort, you will find bath robes, slippers and a hair dryer.
Slatina is 10 km from Hotel Jelena, while Prijedor is 44 km from the property. The nearest airport is Banja Luka Airport, 20 km from Hotel Jelena.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 8.9 for a two-person trip.
For more information, prices and booking, visit:http://www.hotel-jelenabl.com/sbh/

Hotel Bosna AD

Situated in the centre of Banja Luka, just 100 m from the main square, Hotel Bosna AD is set in a renovated building. It features 2 restaurants with a terrace, 2 cafes, a night club and several kiosks and boutiques. Free Wi-Fi is included.
All rooms at the Bosna are air-conditioned and offer a cable TV, a minibar, and an in-room safe. Private bathroom is fitted with a bath or shower and a hairdryer.
There is also a piano bar and a conference and banquet hall on site, while the parking is guarded. The front desk is open 24 hours a day, while rooms service is also available. Laundry and dry cleaning can be arranged for an additional cost.
There is a grocery store 50 m away, while the shopping area can be reached in 100 m. Bus and Train Station is 3 km away, while the airport can be reached in 17 km.
This is our guests’ favourite part of Banja Luka, according to independent reviews.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 8.9 for a two-person trip.
For more information, prices and booking, visit:http://hotelbosna.com/site/

Hotel Vidović

Offering a-la-carte restaurant and bar, Hotel Vidović is located in Banja Luka, just 50 m from the main square. All major sites and shopping streets can be reached in 5 minutes on foot. Free parking can be enjoyed in a private, video-surveilled garage.
Rooms at Vidović Hotel will provide you with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a desk and a minibar. Featuring a hairdryer, private bathrooms also come with a bathrobe and towels.
At Hotel Vidović you will find a 24-hour front desk. Other facilities offered include an ironing service and a laundry. There is a grocery shop and a market 150 m away. Banja Luka Airport is 20 km away.
This is our guests’ favourite part of Banja Luka, according to independent reviews.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 9.3 for a two-person trip.
For more information, prices and booking, visit:https://hotelvidovic.com/

What about other types of accomodation?

If traveling in a group, we suggest you to check out the Airbnb map of Banja Luka:
https://www.airbnb.com/s/Banja-Luka–Bosnia-and-Herzegovina


Visa and Travel

Do I need a visa to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Visitors to Bosnia and Herzegovina must obtain a visa from one of the Bosnia and Herzegovina diplomatic missions unless they come from one of these countries:
countries

What about substitute visas?

Valid multiple entry visa holders and residents of the European Union and Schengen Area member states and Monaco can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for a maximum stay of 15 days. They must arrive from one of the European Union and Schengen Area member states or Monaco. This is not applicable to holders of Kosovan passport.

What about non-ordinary passports?

Holders of diplomatic or official/service passports of China, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and holders of only diplomatic passports of Algeria do not require a visa for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Visa is also not required for stateless persons and refugees residing in countries whose citizens do not require a visa for Bosnia and Herzegovina (except for countries of Central and South America and the Caribbean).

I need an invitation letter from the organizers of the Congress, how can I obtain it?

If you require an invitation letter to obtain a VISA from your country of residence or for permission from your workplace/institution, please contact us. Details you must include, full name (as shown on passport), address and travel dates.


Transportation

What’s the public transportation like in Banja Luka?

Public transportation is one of Banja Luka’s strengths. Frequent, inexpensive bus services transport thousands of people throughout the city on a daily basis.
Bus tickets may be purchased in dedicated kiosks or on the bus itself. Bus schedules and maps of bus routes are available at most of the bus stops.
When entering a bus, come in through the front door and make a ticket purchase from the bus driver. The price of the transport service by bus is charged by a ride and is 1.60KM (1.60 convertible marks) for urban and from 1.50 to 2.20 KM (convertible marks) for suburban transport, depending on the length of the route. Holding on to the ticket until the end of the trip is recommended.

What can I expect from taxis in Banja Luka?

The taxi service in Banja Luka is a very reliable and relatively inexpensive way of traveling. There are numerous taxis parked throughout the city during the day and night. To order a taxi by phone is fairly easy. A friendly operator will ask you your location (street and number) and then tell you how many minutes until the taxi will arrive. Many operators and taxi drivers speak some English and some German, so that may be a bonus. Every car has an initial starting price, which is the same for every taxi. The cost for your distance traveled will be added to this initial amount. During the holidays, expect delayed services due to high demand.

Numbers for Taxi Services:
– A Taxi – 1500
– Patrol Taxi – 1533
– Banjalučki Taxi – 1544
– Bel Taxi – 1550 – 30% off when you call ahead
– Maxi Taxi – 1551 – 30% off when you call ahead
– Euro Taxi – 1555
– Mobil Taxi – 1566 – 50% off when you call ahead