Airports near Medjugorje - visiting a Marian pilgrimage site in Bosnia and Herzegovina

One of the biggest and most popular Marian pilgrimage sites in the world is located in the heart of Herzegovina, in the small village of Medjugorje, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Čitluk and 25 kilometers (16 miles) from Mostar.

Prior to the 1980s, Medjugorje was a typical impoverished Herzegovinian village, where local people survived harsh conditions of life, mainly by engaging in agricultural work such as vineyard cultivation, olive farming, tobacco growing, and animal husbandry with sheep and goats.

Today, more than 40 years after the first apparitions of the Virgin Mary to local children in 1981, Medjugorje is evolving into a small town with increasingly urban characteristics, focusing on the service industry built around religious tourism while maintaining its recognizable charm as a small Herzegovinian village. It still produces wine, homemade products, and tends to local vineyards.

Each year, this special place full of faith and peace attracts more and more pilgrims from all around the world seeking blessings and deep connections through prayers. Some of them travel from distant destinations, and that is where nearby airports in Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighboring Croatia come in handy.
These are the most popular airports near Medjugorje:

Mostar International Airport (OMO), Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Distance from Medjugorje: about 25 kilometers
Driving time by car: about 25 minutes

Mostar Airport is the closest airport to Medjugorje, located in the city of Mostar, and it provides flight options within the region. It was established in 1965, primarily for domestic flights. After the Sarajevo Winter Olympics in 1984, it gained international status. Currently, the airport primarily serves charter flights for Catholics making the pilgrimage to nearby Medjugorje.

Dubrovnik International Airport Ruđer Bošković (DBV), Croatia:

Distance from Medjugorje: about 120 kilometers
Driving time by car: about 2 hours

Dubrovnik Airport is a larger airport offering a wider range of international flights. It is located in Čilipi, 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Dubrovnik city center, which is why it is often referred to as Čilipi Airport. It is the third-busiest airport out of nine airports in Croatia and is very well connected with numerous destinations all over Europe, as well as Asia and the Far East, and seasonal flights to North America.

Split International Airport (SPU), Croatia:

Distance from Medjugorje: about 140 kilometers
Driving time by car: about 2 hours and 30 minutes

Split Airport is also a larger airport offering international flights and is one of the main airports in Croatia. It is the second-busiest Croatian airport with more than 3 million yearly passengers, following the main airport in Zagreb. It is located in Kaštel Štafilić, 25 kilometers (15 miles) from Split and 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Trogir. Due to its geographical position in Central Dalmatia, Airport Split is convenient for arrivals from all passengers over a long stretch from Makarska to Šibenik, as well as from other surrounding destinations.

Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ), Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Distance from Medjugorje: about 150 kilometers
Driving time by car: about 2 hours and 30 minutes

Sarajevo Airport provides access to flights from various parts of Europe and other parts of the world, serving as an option for travelers coming to Medjugorje. It is the main airport in Bosnia and Herzegovina and also the largest and busiest of the four airports in the country. Established in 1969, over the last 50 years, it has served as the central hub for most flight arrivals in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Due to its geographic location and size, Airport Sarajevo is the most popular and convenient destination for flights coming to B&H from all across Europe and other parts of the world.

Zadar International Airport (ZAD), Croatia:

Distance from Medjugorje: about 260 kilometers
Driving time by car: about 4 hours

Zadar Airport is one of the larger airports on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, offering flight options within the region and international flights. It is located in Zemunik Donji, 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the center of Zadar. Today, it is the fourth busiest airport in Croatia, with more than 70 destinations, and surpassing 1 million passengers per year in 2023. Its location in the northern part of Dalmatia makes it a great flight arrival destination, connecting popular cities and towns from Rijeka in the north to Split in the south, but also with numerous destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, due to its proximity.

Zagreb International Airport Franjo Tuđman (ZAG), Croatia:

Distance from Medjugorje: about 500 kilometers
Driving time by car: about 6 hours

Zagreb Airport is the main airport in Croatia, providing a wide range of international flights to various destinations across Europe and the world. It is the largest and busiest airport in Croatia, established in 1962, situated in Velika Gorica, approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) southeast from Zagreb Central Station. Due to its size and strategic location in the country's capital city, it offers connections to destinations across Europe, as well as many destinations in Asia to the Far East, and Canada to the west.