Trains to Split

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Introduction

Split is connected to the Croatian rail network, but only just. The main route runs from Zagreb. It takes about 6 hours on a daytime IC train and arrives at the city centre station right beside the bus terminal and ferry port. That central arrival is one of the strongest arguments for the train over the bus: the bus is usually 1 to 1.5 hours faster, but it drops you at the same terminal complex.

Croatian Railways (HŽPP) runs three departures daily between Zagreb and Split: two daytime IC trains and one overnight service. In summer, ÖBB and MÁV add night trains from Vienna and Budapest. No trains run from Dubrovnik, Zadar, or Pula. Those require a bus, or a connection through Zagreb.

The IC train is slower than the bus. Buses cover Zagreb to Split in around 4.5 to 5 hours via motorway. Most travellers who take the train do so for the scenery, which earns that reputation: the route climbs through the Velebit mountains, passes Knin, and winds through limestone gorges before reaching the Adriatic.

New Končar electro-diesel trains are replacing the older tilting ICN fleet on this route through 2026. The new trains have Wi-Fi, power sockets, bike storage, and accessible toilets.

Quick planning facts

• Zagreb to Split: about 6 hours by daytime IC train; around 8 hours overnight
• Frequency: three departures daily (two daytime IC trains, one overnight)
• Operator: Croatian Railways (HŽPP)
• Station: Split Main Station (Domagojeva obala 9), next to the ferry port and bus terminal
• Tickets: from around €19 for standard 2nd class; book at hzpp.hr or at the station
• Seat reservation: required on IC trains; costs around €1.06 separately
• Booking window: up to 6 months ahead for domestic HŽPP tickets
• Online discount: 10% cheaper online than at the counter
• Rail passes: Interrail and Eurail Passes are valid; you still need to add a seat reservation
• Summer night trains: Vienna (ÖBB Nightjet) and Budapest (MÁV Adria) run seasonally

Background: Croatian Railways and the Split network

Croatian Railways (HŽPP, or HŽ Putnički prijevoz) is Croatia’s national passenger rail operator. The network connects Zagreb with Split, Rijeka, and Osijek, but coverage outside those corridors is thin. Dubrovnik is not on the rail network at all. Neither are most coastal towns south of Split.

The Zagreb-Split line is 429 km. It is electrified as far as Oštarije and diesel-operated on the rest, which is why the route uses electro-diesel trains. The new Končar units replacing the old ICN tilting fleet handle both sections. The first entered service in 2026, with full fleet replacement expected by year-end.

Compared with buses, trains to Split run less frequently and take longer. The rail route through the Croatian interior is, however, widely regarded as one of the most scenic journeys in central Europe.

Train routes to Split

Zagreb to Split

Zagreb is the only city with direct IC train services to Split. The route has two daytime IC trains and one overnight service, all run by HŽPP.

Daytime IC trains take around 6 hours. The morning departure runs in summer only, roughly June to September; the afternoon IC runs year-round. The night train takes around 8 hours. Before you fix any onward plans, check the exact departure on hzpp.hr: with only three trains a day and a 6-hour ride, an arrival that misses a same-day ferry or onward bus can cost you a night, and the timetable shifts between summer and winter.

Seat reservations are compulsory on IC trains. The reservation costs around €1.06 and is bought separately from the ticket, either online at hzpp.hr or at the station counter. Standard 2nd class advance tickets start from around €19; 1st class from around €25-30. Prices vary by date and demand, so booking early matters for summer travel. Domestic HŽPP tickets open up to 6 months ahead.

Interrail and Eurail Passes cover HŽPP trains. You still need to add a seat reservation for IC services; without one, you may be refused boarding.

Online tickets are 10% cheaper than counter tickets. They cannot be refunded or exchanged after purchase, so confirm your dates before paying.

Connections from other Croatian cities

From Rijeka, the train to Split requires a change, usually at Oštarije. From Zadar, there is no practical rail link; the bus is the straightforward option. From Dubrovnik, there is no train. The bus from Split bus station to Dubrovnik takes around 4 to 5 hours, and the bus station sits directly next to Split train station.

Pula has a rail connection to Zagreb but not to Split directly. Travellers from Pula would need to change in Zagreb.

International night trains in summer

Vienna to Split (summer 2026)

ÖBB runs a Nightjet sleeper between Vienna and Split from 30 May to 26 September 2026. Departures from Split run on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 17:20, arriving Vienna Hauptbahnhof at 09:23 the following morning. The train calls at Celje, Maribor, and Graz. Car transport (motorail) is available.

Book at oebb.at. If you are combining Austria or Slovenia with Croatia, this is a practical choice: you save a night’s accommodation and arrive rested.

Budapest to Split (summer)

MÁV runs the seasonal Adria night train between Budapest Keleti and Split in summer, typically mid-June to late September. The service runs roughly every two days. Southbound departures leave Split at around 17:43, arriving Budapest Keleti at around 09:35 the following morning. The train carries seats, couchettes (shared, 4-6 berth), and sleeping compartments (private, 1-3 berth with washing basin). Book at jegy.mav.hu, which opens around 60 days ahead. Private compartments go first, so book as soon as the window opens if that is what you want.

Both night trains are popular in high summer. Book early, particularly for sleepers and couchettes.

Train stations in Split

Split has two stations. For almost all travellers, the one to use is Split Main Station.

Split Main Station

Split Main Station (Kolodvor Split) is at Domagojeva obala 9, about 0.3 km from the Old Town and a 5-minute walk from Diocletian’s Palace. The station sits directly beside the main bus station and ferry port, which makes onward connections easy. Bačvice Beach is a 2-minute walk.

Opening hours: weekdays 07:30-20:00, Saturday 08:30-20:00, Sunday and public holidays 07:30-20:00.

The station has a ticket counter, information desk, ATM, currency exchange, kiosk, bakery, fast food, and luggage storage (around €2 per day). Signs are in Croatian and English. There are no lifts or escalators, so factor that in if you are carrying heavy bags.

Bus lines 2, 2A, 3, 5, 5A, 8, 9, 11, 15, 17, and 18 stop outside.

Split Predgrađe (Kopilica)

Split Predgrađe, also known as Kopilica, is in the northern part of Split on Hercegovačka Street, around 10-15 minutes by bus from the city centre. It has a ticket counter, information desk, and toilets. Nearby: cafes and a supermarket about 600 m away.

Bus lines 2A, 3, and 14 connect Predgrađe to the city centre. A short suburban rail service, the Split Suburban Railway, also runs between Predgrađe and Split Main Station. Bus line 7 stops about a 5-minute walk away.

Travellers arriving from Zagreb by train will use Split Main Station, not Predgrađe.

Buying train tickets

Booking at hzpp.hr or the station

Buy domestic tickets at hzpp.hr or via the HŽPP mobile app. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. E-tickets arrive by email or are stored in the app; show them on your phone or print them. Accepted cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, and Diners.

E-tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged after purchase. If your plans might change, buy at the station counter instead, where different conditions may apply.

Online tickets cost 10% less than counter tickets, which adds up when the standard 2nd class fare starts from around €19.

Discounts

HŽPP offers discounts for children, students, under-26s, and seniors. To claim one, you need valid proof at the time of travel: student ID, proof of age, or a K-33S senior card (available at station counters). Round trips over 50 km also attract a discount.

If you are travelling across Croatia on multiple legs, an Interrail or Eurail Pass covers HŽPP trains. You still need to add a seat reservation for each IC service (around €1.06 per journey).

At the station

Station ticket offices accept cash in euros and credit cards. Buy at the counter if you need a discount that requires showing ID in person, or if you want the option to change your ticket later.

Larger stations have information desks that can help with timetables and accessibility reservations. If you need accessibility support, contact HŽPP at least 24 hours in advance: phone +385 1 4724 026 or email informacije@hzpp.hr.

Seat reservations

All IC trains to and from Split require a seat reservation. It costs around €1.06 and is purchased separately from the ticket, either online at hzpp.hr or at the station counter. Interrail and Eurail Pass holders must buy one too. Without a reservation, you may be refused boarding or charged on the train.

Seasonal timetables

Croatian Railways runs a seasonal timetable. The current one runs through 12 December 2026.

Night train services between Zagreb and Split run less frequently off-peak, sometimes on specific days of the week only. If you are taking the overnight train in autumn or winter, check hzpp.hr for the exact pattern before you book anything around it.

The two international summer night trains, the ÖBB Vienna service and the MÁV Budapest Adria, run roughly late May or mid-June to late September. Outside those windows, the only trains to Split are HŽPP domestic services from Zagreb.

Confirm your exact departure at hzpp.hr before making fixed onward plans.

Local transport from Split station

Getting into the city

Split Main Station is well-placed. The Old Town and Riva promenade are a 5-minute walk; Diocletian’s Palace is about 7 minutes on foot; Bačvice Beach is 2 minutes. For most of central Split, walking is the simplest option if you are not carrying heavy bags.

If you need a bus, lines 2, 2A, 3, 5, 5A, 8, 9, 11, 15, 17, and 18 stop outside the station. Promet Split runs the city bus network; check current fares and routes on the Promet app or at promet-split.hr, as the tariff is updated periodically. Single tickets are purchased on the bus or through the app, which also offers real-time tracking.

Luggage storage

Luggage storage at Split Main Station costs around €2 per day. The lockers are a few minutes from the Old Town, which is useful if you arrive before check-in. Independent luggage storage services are also available nearby.

Split airport

Split Airport (SPU) is about 25 km (15 miles) from the city centre. There is no train. Transfers to and from the airport go by bus, taxi, or private transfer.

Onward journeys and excursions by train

The Zagreb line is not a day trip from Split. At roughly 6 hours each way, it only works as a one-way leg or an overnight stop. For most coastal destinations out of Split, you will combine rail with a bus.

The scenic ride to Zagreb

If you are heading to Zagreb anyway, treat the journey as part of the trip rather than dead time. The line climbs through the Velebit mountains, passes the medieval fortress town of Knin, and runs through limestone gorges before descending to the coast. For the best scenery in daylight, take the summer morning IC. Tickets start from around €19 in 2nd class.

Coastal connections by combined rail and bus

Direct train routes from Split to coastal towns are limited, and for most the bus is faster and simpler. Šibenik has no useful direct train from Split; take the bus from Split bus station, which is right beside the train station. Some rail-plus-bus combinations exist via the Zagreb line, but they are slower than the direct coach. Seasonal HŽPP services improve some coastal access in summer (May to October).

There is no train to Dubrovnik. The bus from Split to Dubrovnik takes around 4 to 5 hours, with regular departures throughout the day from the bus station next to Split Main Station.

There is no direct train to Zadar. The bus is the practical connection.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct train from Zagreb to Split?

Yes. Croatian Railways (HŽPP) runs two direct IC trains from Zagreb to Split daily, plus one overnight service. Journey time is around 6 hours by daytime IC train and around 8 hours overnight. No change of train is needed. Seat reservations are compulsory; book them at hzpp.hr or at the station counter.

Which cities can I reach by train from Split?

Zagreb is the only city with direct IC train services to Split. From Rijeka, a train connection exists but requires a change, usually at Oštarije. There is no train from Dubrovnik to Split: Dubrovnik is not on the Croatian rail network at all. There is no direct train from Zadar either. For both Dubrovnik and Zadar, the bus from Split bus station is the practical option.

Do I need to book trains to Split in advance?

Seat reservations are required on all IC trains to Split and must be purchased separately (around €1.06). For summer travel, book tickets early: domestic HŽPP tickets open up to 6 months ahead, and popular departures can sell out. Online tickets are 10% cheaper than counter tickets. Note that e-tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged after purchase.

Can I use an Interrail or Eurail Pass on trains to Split?

Yes, both passes cover Croatian Railways (HŽPP) trains. However, you still need to add a seat reservation for IC services, which costs around €1.06 and must be bought separately at hzpp.hr or at the station. Do not board an IC train with only your pass: you may be refused boarding or charged on the train.

Is there a night train to Split?

Yes, in summer. Croatian Railways runs a domestic overnight service between Zagreb and Split year-round. In summer 2026, ÖBB also operates a Nightjet sleeper between Vienna and Split (30 May to 26 September, departures from Split on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 17:20). MÁV runs the seasonal Adria night train between Budapest Keleti and Split roughly every two days from mid-June to late September. Book the Vienna service at oebb.at and the Budapest service at jegy.mav.hu, which opens around 60 days ahead.

Where is Split Main Station and what facilities does it offer?

Split Main Station (Kolodvor Split) is at Domagojeva obala 9, about 0.3 km from the Old Town and a 5-minute walk from Diocletian's Palace. It is directly beside the main bus station and ferry port. Facilities include a ticket counter, information desk, ATM, currency exchange, kiosk, bakery, fast food, and luggage storage (around €2 per day). There are no lifts or escalators. Opening hours: weekdays 07:30-20:00, Saturday 08:30-20:00, Sunday and public holidays 07:30-20:00.

What city buses stop at Split train station?

Bus lines 2, 2A, 3, 5, 5A, 8, 9, 11, 15, 17, and 18 stop outside Split Main Station. Promet Split runs the city bus network; check current fares and routes at promet-split.hr or via the Promet app.

How far is Split Airport from the city centre?

Split Airport (SPU) is about 25 km (15 miles) from the city centre. There is no train to the airport. Transfer options include the airport bus, taxis, and private transfers.