The Croatian capital is the country’s biggest hub. A look at the options connecting Zagreb to Belgrade, Ljubljana, Budapest and Venice, as well as several key Croatian destinations.
- How to get from Zagreb to Belgrade
- From Ljubljana to Zagreb
- Train, road and flight options from Budapest to Zagreb
- How to travel from Venice to Zagreb?
- Connecting Istria: Getting from Zagreb to Pula
- From Zagreb to Rijeka by Road and Rail
- From capital to coast: getting from Zagreb to Split, including a stop at Plitvice Lakes
- The longest drive: getting from Zagreb to Dubrovnik
- Heading east from Zagreb to Osijek
- How to get from Zagreb Airport to the city centre
How to get from Zagreb to Belgrade
Flights from Zagreb to Belgrade
Before the regional conflict in the 1990s, flights from Zagreb to Belgrade were common, but it was only recently that direct flights were reintroduced, firstly by Air Serbia, and then by Croatia Airlines.
The only direct flights on offer at time of writing are from Air Serbia. The daily flight takes just over an hour.
Train from Zagreb to Belgrade
There are several trains a day which travel from Zagreb to Belgrade, at least in non-COVID times. The 367 km journey takes a little over 6 hours. The route also has one rather famous fun fact for Agatha Christie lovers. For it was somewhere between Vinkovci and Slavonski Brod that the famous murder took place on Murder on the Orient Express.
You can check the current availability of trains here.
Zagreb to Belgrade by bus
There are daily buses from Zagreb to Belgrade, which vary in terms of price, journey time, and comfort. The quickest is about 5 hours 15 minutes, the cheapest from 23 euro one way. Delays at the border are inevitable in the corona era, so make allowances for that. Looking to save on accommodation? There is also an overnight bus option. More details here.
Driving from Zagreb to Belgrade
Private transfers from Zagreb to Belgrade
Looking for a private transfer? Our regional transfer partner will take you where you need to go.
From Ljubljana to Zagreb
Can I fly from Zagreb to Ljubljana?
No. There are no flights between Zagreb and Ljubljana.
Crossing the border between Slovenia and Croatia: what you need to know
It is definitely the case that crossing from Slovenia to Croatia is quicker out of season and in pre-COVID times. Tourist traffic tends to increase waiting times considerably, and the pandemic has made everything unpredictable. A useful TC guide on some things to consider when crossing to and from Slovenia.
Zagreb to Ljubljana by train
The pandemic has made international train travel more problematic, but there are trains running between Zagreb and Ljubljana. Journey time ranges from between 2 hours 20 minutes and 3 hours (with the caveats of border control and COVID checks). You can find the latest timetable here.
Driving from Zagreb to Ljubljana
It is only when you drive from Zagreb to Slovenia that you realise just how close the Croatian capital is to the Slovenian border. After 15 minutes, you are there. In normal times, the journey takes under two hours, barring any border delays.
Zagreb to Ljubljana by bus
There are several bus connections between the Croatian and Slovenian capitals. In normal times, the travel time is just over 2 hours, with ticket prices starting at 8 euro. More here.
Private transfers from Zagreb to Ljubljana
Looking for a private transfer? Our regional transfer partner will take you where you need to go.
Train, road and flight options from Budapest to Zagreb
Is there a flight between Budapest and Zagreb?
There are currently no flights between Budapest and Zagreb.
Taking the train from Budapest to Zagreb
There are several daily trains between the Croatian and Hungarian capitals, with departures from Zagreb arriving at Budapest Keleti station. Journey times range from just over 6 hours to more than 11, the latter including an overnight connection.
The pandemic has obviously added an element of uncertainty to travel plans. Check here for the latest timetables.
Budapest to Zagreb by bus
International bus travel has been hard hit by the restrictions of the pandemic. Travel between Budapest and Zagreb by bus is still possible, however, with journey times from 4.5 hours, and ticket prices under 20 euro.
Driving from Budapest to Zagreb
Potential COVID border issues aside, driving from Zagreb to Budapest is a breeze. Motorway all the way, and the 345 kilometres should take a little under 3.5 hours.
Private transfers from Zagreb to Budapest
Looking for a private transfer? Our regional transfer partner will take you where you need to go.
How to travel from Venice to Zagreb?
Apart from being stunningly beautiful, Venice is growing in importance as an entry point to Croatia, due to the number of low-cost flights.
Can I fly from Venice to Zagreb?
No. There are currently no direct flights between Venice and Zagreb.
What about a train from Venice to Zagreb?
About 15 years ago, I enjoyed a delightful 7-hour train journey from Zagreb to Venice direct. The direct service was no longer available before the pandemic, but the good news is that there are still reasonable daily connections.
The quickest connection currently is 7 hours 46 minutes, which includes two quick changes at Villach and Ljubljana. You can check the latest timetable here.
Driving from Venice to Zagreb
Venice is closer to Zagreb than one might think. The 374 km journey, through Slovenia, should take about 4 hours in normal times. Be aware that you must buy a Slovenian vignette (15 euro) in addition to the tolls in Croatia and Italy.
Taking the bus from Venice to Zagreb
There are several bus connections between the two cities, even during the pandemic. Travel times are a little over 6 hours, with ticket prices from under 40 euro one way. More details here.
Private transfers from Venice to Zagreb
Looking for a private transfer? Our regional transfer partner will take you where you need to go.
Connecting Istria: Getting from Zagreb to Pula
By car
You can expect a 3.5 hours drive along the A1 and A6 motorway, while the toll will cost 123 kn. Avoiding the motorway is not recommended, because it would take 8 hours to get there.
You can find the map with possible routes below
By bus
There are around 20 buses daily. Travel time is between 4 and 6 hours, and the cost is 60-150 kn. The bus makes one or two bathroom breaks, 10-15 min each. Some buses have wifi.
Click here for bus schedules.
By plane
Croatia Airlines offers daily flights to Pula, their duration is longer than you might expect -1h 50 min, because there is always one technical stop. The price is 350-900 kn.
Click here to find flights.
By train
There are no direct trains, so travel time is 7-15 hours, with two or three stops.
You can find the buses here.
By car share
There are many people travelling between the two cities, especially during weekends, so make sure to check groups such as this one or Bla Bla Car.
From Zagreb to Rijeka by Road and Rail
By car
The A6 motorway (via the A1) covers the entire distance of 167 km between Zagreb and Rijeka, so Rijeka can be reached in an hour and a half. The motorway toll is 70 kn. If you want to avoid the motorway, the journey is going to take more than 4 and a half hours.
See the map with possible routes on ViaMichelin
By bus
Zagreb and Rijeka are relatively close to one another and they are very well connected, with more than 25 buses daily. Travel time is between 1.5 and 3 hours, and the cost is 50-120 kn.
Most buses have wifi, but no toilet, so the longer lines mostly make one stop, while the shorter ones (1.5-2 hours) don’t make any stops. You can find the timetables and prices on www.buscroatia.com.https://974d19491ad65071ffe1296763957e0e.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
By train
There are three trains departing from Rijeka to Zagreb daily. One-way ticket costs around 100 kn and the journey takes anywhere between 3 h 40 min and 4 h 20 min. You can find the trains and buy the tickets below:
https://prodaja.hzpp.hr/en
By car share
There are many people travelling between the two cities, especially during weekends, so make sure to check groups such as Nudim – tražim prijevoz, where you can find other people’s adds offering a place in their car, or post your request. Another useful site to find car share options is Bla Bla Car
From capital to coast: getting from Zagreb to Split including Plitvice Lakes
There are plenty of choices on how to get from the Croatian capital to the Dalmatian capital of Split. The most picturesque of them also include a stop at Plitvice Lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Explore the fast and slow options in the TC Zagreb to Split guide.
The longest drive: getting from Zagreb to Dubrovnik
Learn more about the road and air options open to you from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, including how to negotiate the Neum Corridor, in the TC Dubrovnik to Hvar (and other destinations) page.
Heading east from Zagreb to Osijek
By car
It will take at least 3 hours to get to Osijek (more than 6 if you decide to avoid the motorway), and the toll is 122 kn. See the possible routes below
By bus
There are usually 2-4 daily buses connecting Zagreb and Osijek. The bus ride takes 4 hours and costs 120 kn. The bus makes normally makes one bathroom break because most buses don’t have toilettes.
Click here for bus schedules.
By plane
Croatia Airlines offers a few flights to Osijek per week, their duration is 40 min. The prices start at 400 kn.
Click here to find the tickets.
By train
There are three direct daily trains, and travel time is 4 h 40 or 5 h 50. The cost is 130-150 kn.
You can find the trains here
By car share
There are many people travelling between the two cities, especially during weekends, so make sure to check groups such as this one or Bla Bla Car.
How to get from Zagreb Airport to the city centre
Full details on how to get to and from the airport are in the TC Zagreb Airport in a Page.
For more information about Zagreb, check out Zagreb in a Page.
