Bus & Train
Buses — The Backbone of Public Transport
Buses reliably connect all cities and towns. Main providers: FlixBus (international + long-distance), Arriva, Čazmatrans, Croatia Bus, and many local companies.
| Route | Duration | Price (from) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zagreb → Split | 5–6h | €15–25 | 15+ daily |
| Zagreb → Dubrovnik | 8–10h | €25–40 | 8–10 daily |
| Split → Dubrovnik | 4–5h | €12–20 | 10+ daily |
| Zagreb → Pula | 3.5–4h | €12–20 | 5–8 daily |
| Zagreb → Zadar | 3–3.5h | €12–18 | 10+ daily |
| Split → Makarska | 1.5h | €6–10 | frequent |
| Zadar → Šibenik | 1.5h | €8–12 | frequent |
Booking: buscroatia.com, getbybus.com or directly at the bus station. Book in advance for popular routes during the season!
Luggage: 1 suitcase in the hold often costs an extra €1–2 (paid at the bus station).
Train — Only Inland
Croatia's rail network (HŽ) is limited to the inland. There is no railway line along the coast.
- Zagreb → Split: approx. 6h, scenic through the mountains. €15–25. 2× daily, significantly faster with the new Talgo train planned from 2025.
- Zagreb → Rijeka: approx. 4h, through the Gorski Kotar region.
- Zagreb → Osijek: approx. 4h, through the Pannonian Plain.
- Zagreb → Varaždin: approx. 2.5h, for day trips.
Conclusion: The train is only relevant for Zagreb-inland connections. On the coast: bus or rental car.