Trains to Zagreb

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OBB

ÖBB is Austria’s national rail operator, known for its Railjet trains and Europe’s largest night train network, Nightjet.

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Omio

Trainline

Rail Europe

Omio

Omio met les voyageurs en relation avec plus de 1 000 opérateurs de transport pour les trains, les bus, les vols et d'autres options de voyage.

Trainline

Trainline vend des billets de train et de bus pour le compte de grandes compagnies ferroviaires et routières au Royaume-Uni et en Europe.

Rail Europe

Rail Europe est un acteur majeur de la réservation de billets de train européens. Il aide les voyageurs et les professionnels du voyage à organiser et réserver des trajets en train en Europe.

Omio

Omio verbindet Reisende mit mehr als 1.000 Verkehrsunternehmen für Züge, Busse, Flüge und weitere Reiseoptionen.

Trainline

Trainline verkauft Bahn- und Bustickets im Auftrag wichtiger britischer und europäischer Verkehrsunternehmen.

Raileurope

Rail Europe ist ein führender Anbieter für europäische Zugbuchungen und unterstützt Reisende sowie Reiseprofis beim Buchen von Bahnreisen in Europa.

Rail Europe

Rail Europe es una plataforma especializada en reservas de trenes europeos para viajeros y profesionales del sector turístico.

Raileurope

Rail Europe är ett ledande resteknologibolag specialiserat på europeiska tågbokningar för över 15 000 reseproffs världen över.

Raileurope

Rail Europe is a leading travel tech company specializing in European train bookings for over 15,000 travel professionals worldwide.

Trainline

Trainline vende billetes de tren y autobús de compañías europeas y del Reino Unido en una sola plataforma.

Trainline

Trainline säljer tåg- och bussbiljetter världen över för stora brittiska och europeiska transportbolag.

Trainline

Trainline sells rail and coach tickets worldwide on behalf of major UK and European transport companies.

Omio

Omio compara trenes, autobuses y vuelos de numerosos proveedores para simplificar la planificación y reserva de viajes.

Omio

Omio kopplar ihop dig med över 1 000 transportleverantörer - tåg, bussar, flyg och mer - och gör det enkelt att planera dina resor.

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Book international trains to Zagreb early, especially the night train, and confirm two things before you pay. First, that your ticket shows Zagreb Glavni kolodvor, the central main station that handles all mainline and international trains. Second, what the journey actually involves. Two routes catch travellers out. Munich has no direct daytime train, so the day journey requires a change in Austria, which is why most people take the overnight sleeper instead. And there is no train to Dubrovnik at all: take the train to Split, then a bus.

The most frequent entry point is Ljubljana, with direct trains running through the day in around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes. Budapest takes around 6 hours on the direct InterCity. Vienna takes around 6 hours 30 minutes on the direct daily EuroCity. For Munich, Stuttgart and Zurich, an overnight sleeper run by Croatian Railways links all three with Zagreb. If you want a bed rather than a seat, book early, because the cheapest couchettes and sleeper berths sell out first.

International trains to Zagreb

The table below covers the main international connections. Journey times are typical for the most commonly used services, and fares are advance-booking orientation rather than fixed prices.

Fares change with demand, booking date, and availability, so treat the figures above as planning anchors rather than guaranteed prices. For the night train especially, the cheapest couchette and sleeping-car places go first, so book early for better fares and more choice.

Vienna to Zagreb by train

One direct EuroCity train runs each way daily between Vienna and Zagreb, taking around 6 hours 20 minutes to 6 hours 35 minutes. This is an ordinary intercity service with comfortable air-conditioned carriages, not a high-speed train, so plan for a steady journey rather than a fast one. There is no catering car on the service, so bring your own food and drink.

Advance fares start from around €30 in 2nd class and €40 in 1st class, but prices rise as the single daily departure fills, so book ahead. The service is run jointly by Croatian Railways (HŽ) and Austrian Railways (ÖBB). Book through ÖBB, HŽ international ticket offices, or via resellers such as Omio, Trainline, or Rail Europe. A seat reservation is recommended; check at the time of booking.

Ljubljana to Zagreb by train

This is the most frequent international connection into Zagreb, with direct trains running through the day in each direction. Allow around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes depending on the service. Older figures of 1 hour 35 minutes do not match the current timetable, so do not plan around them.

The route follows the Sava valley through Slovenian and Croatian countryside. The cheapest HŽ tickets can start from around €9 one way, though resellers and different ticket types show higher figures, so compare before booking. International tickets on this route are bought at HŽ international ticket offices rather than through the HŽ domestic online portal, and resellers such as Omio and Trainline also cover it if you prefer to book online.

Budapest to Zagreb by train

A direct InterCity service links Budapest and Zagreb, taking around 6 hours. Roughly two trains a day run on the corridor, with timings and the exact summer pattern changing through the year, so check your exact departure before fixing plans.

A seat reservation is compulsory on this service and is only a euro or two, but you cannot travel without it, so make sure it is included when you book. Advance fares can start from around €17 in 2nd class, rising with demand. Book via HŽ international offices, MÁV (Hungarian Railways), or resellers.

Munich to Zagreb by train

There is no direct daytime train between Munich and Zagreb. The day route always involves a change in Austria, typically around 9 to 9 hours 30 minutes in total, so most travellers take the overnight sleeper instead.

Overnight sleeper: A Croatian Railways sleeper train links Munich and Stuttgart with Ljubljana and Zagreb every night, running via Villach and Salzburg. The Zagreb portion is combined with other night trains for part of the route, so the train may appear under several destination names on the departure boards. Accommodation options on board:

• Seat coach
• Couchette: from around €49.90 (6-berth) or €59.90 (4-berth)
• Sleeper: from around €66.90 (3-bed), €86.90 (2-bed), or €129.90 (single)

Breakfast is included for couchette and sleeping-car passengers, but not in a seat. Book via nightjet.com or international-bahn.de, or at HŽ international offices. Couchette and sleeping-car places can sell out on popular dates, so if you want a bed rather than a seat, book as early as possible.

The older “Lisinski” name no longer appears on current bookings; the service now shows as an EuroNight sleeper.

Zurich to Zagreb by train

The same Croatian Railways overnight sleeper that serves Munich and Stuttgart also connects Zurich and Zagreb, running overnight in around 13 to 14 hours. There is no direct daytime train, so the sleeper is the practical through option.

Couchettes start from around €49.90 and sleeper berths from around €66.90, with single sleepers higher. Breakfast is included for couchette and sleeping-car passengers. Book via nightjet.com or international-bahn.de, or at HŽ international offices. Couchette places are limited, so book early if you want a berth rather than a seat.

Night train from Zagreb to Split

A domestic overnight train operates between Zagreb and Split. Off-season it runs on Friday and Saturday nights; in peak summer (approximately late June to late August) it runs daily, so check which pattern applies to your dates. Sleeping-car compartments and couchettes are both available.

A seat or berth reservation is required on the night train and costs a small fee on top of the ticket, purchased through HŽ. If you want a sleeper rather than a couchette or seat, book early, as the more comfortable categories sell out first on summer departures.

Train types in Croatia

The train category determines what reservation you need.

InterCity (IC): Used on the Budapest route and some domestic routes. Seat reservation required.

InterCity Nagibni (ICN): The tilting train used on Zagreb-Split. Faster than a standard service on that corridor. Seat reservation required (€1.06 extra). A domestic ticket alone does not guarantee you a seat.

EuroCity (EC): International services including Zagreb-Vienna. Reservation recommended; check at booking.

EuroNight sleeper: The Croatian Railways overnight service to Munich, Stuttgart and Zurich. Your couchette or sleeping-car booking is the reservation, and you cannot board without one.

Zagreb to Split by train

Zagreb and Split are connected by tilting trains over a scenic route through mountains, lakes and river valleys. The daytime journey takes around 7 to 8 hours depending on the service; a summer tilting-train departure leaves Zagreb in the morning and reaches Split in the early afternoon. There is also an overnight service (see above).

A seat reservation is required on Zagreb-Split trains and costs €1.06 on top of the ticket. HŽ’s “To the Seaside” (Na more) offer gives a discount on selected departures, so check hzpp.hr for availability. Booking online with HŽ is cheaper than buying at the counter on domestic routes.

Šibenik is reachable with a connection at Perković. Zadar has no rail connection, so a bus from Zagreb or Split is the only option.

There is no direct train to Dubrovnik. The nearest railhead is Split. Take the train to Split, then continue by bus along the Dalmatian coast; the bus adds several hours, so plan your day accordingly.

Train stations in Zagreb

All international and long-distance domestic trains use Zagreb Glavni kolodvor (Main Station), at Trg kralja Tomislava 12 in the city centre, next to the historic Esplanade Hotel and about an 11-minute walk from Ban Josip Jelačić Square. When booking, confirm the station shows Glavni kolodvor, as this is the station that handles all mainline and international trains.

The station has ticket counters, luggage storage, a cafe and currency exchange. There are no lifts or escalators for platform access, which matters if you have heavy luggage.

Zagreb Zapadni kolodvor (West Station) sits west of the centre and handles regional and commuter trains only. No international trains call here.

Getting from the station into the city

From Glavni kolodvor, tram lines 6 and 13 leave from the north exit and reach Jelačić Square in about 7 minutes, and the square itself is a short walk if you prefer. A 30-minute tram ticket costs around €0.53 bought in advance and slightly more on board. Taxis and rideshares wait at the station entrance.

Zagreb Airport (ZAG) has no rail connection. The airport bus departs from the central bus station near the main station, and taxis and rideshares are the alternative, taking around 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Interrail and Eurail passes in Croatia

Both Interrail and Eurail passes are valid on Croatian Railways (HŽ) services, including domestic IC and ICN trains and the international EuroCity to Vienna. The pass covers the journey, but not the reservations.

A seat reservation is compulsory on IC and ICN trains in Croatia, including Zagreb-Split, and costs €1.06. Pass-holder reservations on HŽ generally cannot be booked online; you usually need to buy them at a Croatian ticket counter or arrange them by email in advance, so allow time for this rather than turning up to board.

Night-train supplements are also mandatory and are not covered by the pass. On the overnight sleeper to Munich, Stuttgart or Zurich, pass holders must purchase a full couchette or sleeping-car reservation, and for the Zagreb-Split night train you typically have to reserve in person at the station. Do not plan to board a night train on the pass alone; you need a valid berth booking.

How to buy tickets

Domestic routes (within Croatia): Book at hzpp.hr. Online booking is cheaper than buying at the counter, and the HŽ site and app cover IC, ICN, and most regional services.

International routes: Most international tickets for Vienna, Munich, Stuttgart, Zurich, Budapest and Ljubljana are not bookable through the HŽ domestic website. Use:

• HŽ international ticket offices at Glavni kolodvor
• nightjet.com or international-bahn.de for the Munich, Stuttgart and Zurich night sleeper
• ÖBB for the Vienna EuroCity
• Omio, Trainline, or Rail Europe for most international routes

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for many international services. For the night train, booking early matters because couchette and sleeping-car places are limited and sell out before seats.

Places to reach by train from Zagreb

Domestic routes:

• Split: around 7 to 8 hours by day train; overnight service on certain nights and daily in summer
• Rijeka: a daily service; check hzpp.hr for current journey times
• Osijek: a daily service; check hzpp.hr for current journey times
• Varaždin: a regional service, around 2 hours 30 minutes

Croatian coast: Zagreb-Split is the main rail entry to the Dalmatian coast. From Split, ferries serve Hvar, Brač, Vis, and Korčula. Šibenik is reachable by train with a connection at Perković. Zadar has no rail connection, so take the bus.

Dubrovnik: No train reaches Dubrovnik. Take the train to Split, then a bus along the coast.

Sarajevo: A rail connection via Tovarnik exists, but journey times are long and schedules can be infrequent, so verify the current service before planning.

Prague and Bratislava: Seasonal summer services run northward from Zagreb. Services and timings change year to year, so check hzpp.hr for the current summer timetable before booking.

Travel by season

Croatian Railways revises its timetable each year in December. In summer, additional Zagreb-Split services run and the Split night train runs daily rather than only on weekends, so book summer Zagreb-Split services early, especially if you want the “To the Seaside” discount or a sleeper place.

In winter, temperatures can drop below 0 degrees C and snowfall can cause delays. In summer, heat can affect older sections of track. Neither usually causes serious disruption, but check your specific departure on the day if conditions are severe.