Zagreb is the hub of Croatia’s rail network, offering several national and international connections. Centrally located to the south of the city centre, it is a 10-minute walk north to the main square at Ban Jelacic, a pleasant walk which takes in several of Zagreb’s famous green squares.
For those wishing to connect to Zagreb bus station for onward travel, there are several trams directly in front of the station, which will take you the two stops – number 6 will take you to the bus station in one direction and the min square in the other. Alternatively, turn right out of the station and walk for 10-15 minutes, turning right again at the first major junction, and the bus station will come into view on the right. There are several hotels within immediate walking distance, including Central, Sheraton, Esplanade, Arcotel and Palace. Taxis are available immediately outside the station on the right, but they are expensive, and there are cheaper options which will arrive quickly (see our Taxis in Zagreb section).
Buying tickets
The ticket office is on the left of the station as you enter, and it works from 06:00 – 22:00 daily. There are two sections, one for domestic jouneys and one for international. English is widely spoken, especially at the international counter. You can now also buy tickets online through the official website here. Telephone enquiries should be directed to +385 (0)1 3782 583.
Various ticket discounts are available, including group and family discounts, where discounts of up to 50% are available. Senior Croatian citizens residing in the country are entitled to half-price travel.
Dogs are eligible for a 75% discount – click here for more information on pet travel on trains.
Bicycles are permitted for some, but not all trains. Click here for more.
For information on the latest offers, click here.
The Croatian rail network (see above) connects to many – but not all – Croatian cities (and if you are looking to reach Dubrovnik by train, for example, you will be disappointed), and the main routes are down to Split, across to Rijeka and east into Slavonia. The timetable generally changes twice a year, with a summer and winter timetable. There has been some modernisation of the rail network and its trains, and train travel is generally reasonably comfortable, although not particularly quick. Zagreb to Split for example takes over five hours (over 8 with the night train). Onboard Wi-Fi is not available at time of writing (January 2017), although electricity sockets usually are.
One nice service offered on the overnight train between Split and Zagreb is the option to transport your car as well (see above for the loading points for cars in Zagreb (left) and Split (right). Travel in a couchette between the two cities for 77 kuna, and take your car (101 kuna) or motorcycle (51 kuna). Apart from the stress of the drive, it works out quite a bit cheaper than the motorway once fuel and tolls are taken into account. The night train is daily from April 30 to October 30, and three times a week out of season.
Zagreb connects to the rest of Europe through daily international connections to Ljubljana, Vienna, Zurich, Villach and Venice, with international tickets starting at just 9 euro. For the most current info on international trains (and onward connections), visit Bahn.de.
Zagreb Train Station facilities
For a major train station, facilities at Zagreb are somewhat limited, but the essentials are all there, including money exchange, phones and left luggage (in the form of lockers). Although shopping options are sparse, there is a large underground shopping mall directly in front of the station, which can be accessed by stairs and escalator on the left as you leave the station. It should be noted that access to the different platforms at the station is by stairs only – there are no alternatives, so travellers with mobility issues should plan accordingly.
Zagreb Train Station’s address is:
Zagreb Glavni kolodvor
Trga kralja Tomislava 12, Zagreb
Working hours: 05:00 – 23:00
+385 (0)1 3782 583
