train journeys in croatia

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Croatia By Train

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Your Croatian rail adventure will open up a whole new world. Use your Eurail Croatia Pass to see all the sights, and travel with a convenient and frequent train service. Some spectacular cities and great views await you, including the views from the train windows as you travel.

Train types in Croatia

Croatia's national rail network is run by Hrvatske željeznice (HZ). To look up train times, you can use the Eurail timetable . Some Croatian cities (like Zadar) aren't mentioned in our timetable. Use the  HZ timetable  instead.

• Domestic trains
• International trains

Domestic trains in Croatia

• HZ connects most major towns in Croatia.
• Both regional trains and express trains run within the country.
• Bikes are allowed on certain trains. You'll need to buy a bike ticket in advance.
• Zagreb – Rijeka
• Zagreb – Split
• Zagreb – Vinkovci
• Zagreb – Osijek
• Split – Zagreb – Osijek (Mo-Sa. July 1st till September 1st)
• Split – Zagreb – Sisak -  Vinkovci – Vukovar (July 1st till September 1st)

International trains in Croatia

• Croatia has direct international connections with Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
• Zagreb – Ljubljana – Salzburg – Munich – Frankfurt
• Vinkovci – Zagreb – Ljubljana – Villach
• Zagreb – Maribor – Graz – Vienna
• Zagreb – Siófok – Budapest Delí
• Zagreb – Salzburg – Munich – Stuttgart
• Zagreb – Zurich
• Rijeka – Munich – Stuttgart
• Split – Zagreb – Vienna – Bratislava (June 22nd till September 2nd)
• Split – Budapest Keleti (Not daily. June 20th till September 22nd)
• Split – Prague (Regiojet) not valid for passholders

Popular connections

• Domestic connections
• International connections

What are the train travel times between Croatia's major cities? You won't need to make reservations if you use regional trains for the following routes:

Zagreb to Split  takes 6.5 hours by InterCity train, and 8 hours by Night Train. Reservations are required for both journeys.

To visit  Dubrovnik , you can travel by train to Split and then take a bus.

Reservations

Eurail reservation self-service system

• International only: IC, EC, Nightjet, EuroNight

Administration costs when booking through Eurail self-service

• € 2,- p.p.per train
• Additional € 9,- per order (for paper tickets)

With railway carriers

• ÖBB (Austrian railways) : Domestic and international trains

An explanation of how each booking platform works can be found here:   How do I book my reservations

Locally at the train station in Croatia

Good to know

Reservations are required for the following Intercity train route:

• (IC) Zagreb - Split

View reservation fees in Croatia

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Tips and tricks for Croatia

Quick facts.

Capital: Zagreb

Population: 4.2 million

Language: Croatian

Currency: Euro

Dialing code: +385

Accommodation

Eurail pass holders get a 10% discount at the Chill Out Hostel in Zagreb.   See all pass benefits for Croatia

Airport - station link

From  Zagreb airport  there are 1 or 2 buses per hour to the city bus terminal. Here you can take a tram to the central train station. Eurail passes are not valid on the bus or tram.

Eurail aid office in Croatia

For questions about Croatia, visit the international ticket office at Zagreb Glavni kolodvor (main railway station). It is open 24 hours daily. See the page  Eurail aid offices  for more aid offices in Europe.

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Guide on train travel in Croatia (including loads of discounts)

UPDATED: 11/11/2022

Traveling by train is not as popular in Croatia as bus travel. However, depending on your destination, it can be an easy and cheap method of traversing the country.

Many recent infrastructure and equipment updates have substantially improved the experience on many routes.

Train travel in Croatia is led by Croatian Railways called HŽ  (Hrvatske željeznice). They maintain the railway infrastructure and manage the public, passenger, and freight train transport in Croatia.

In this post, we’ve cover:

• Insider tips
• Discounts on travel
• Travel reservations
• Other services
• Car transport
• Travel routes
• Train timetable
• Where to buy tickets

The facts are these…

How to travel by train in Croatia including discounts

Insider tips on train travel in croatia.

Train travel is mostly an inconvenient means of getting around within Croatia. In most cases, it takes significantly longer than buses and cars.

[Read: Traveling by bus in Croatia ]

However, trains provide more space and comfort while traveling. On the train, you can stretch, take a walk through the cars, or meet new people. I met some of the dearest people in my life while traveling by train. Long-haul trains usually have a restaurant wagon where you can get refreshments.

Smaller Croatian villages and municipalities usually lack train lines during the night and sometimes even during the day. If you are traveling to a smaller place, be sure to check the timetable in advance. Otherwise, you might get trapped in the village for some time. This can be inconvenient if it happens at night and you don’t have anywhere to sleep over.

On some routes, only old trains without air conditioning are used. During hot summer days, it can be unbearable if there are too many people on the train. Be sure to bring water and wear light clothing.

Some older trains are pretty noisy, so don’t be surprised if you barely hear the person you’re speaking to on the phone. On the other hand, during the winter, you could freeze because sometimes the heating doesn’t work.

“New” modern trains run on all main routes within the country. They are equipped with air conditioning, and are much quieter, faster, and more comfortable. There are also faster tilting trains called nagibni vlak that ride on some routes (for example, Zagreb-Split).

Most people in Croatia travel by bus for long-distance trips. Trains are a good option for shorter trips and intercity transport. If you prefer to travel by train, we provide a detailed guide below on how to do so within Croatia.

What to do if the train is late in Croatia?

Unfortunately, trains in Croatia are often late. This can be very frustrating, especially if traveling to work, an important meeting, or taking an exam. Sometimes trains are late only several minutes, but sometimes they can be late more than an hour.

If you have to switch to another line during your travel, keep this in mind and always leave some extra time between your connections. You don’t want to be late for another carrier (bus, plane, or boat). Otherwise, your might need to completely reorganize your travel plans.

[Read: Boat travel in Croatia ]

If you need to switch to another train line and your train is only a few minutes late, the second train you have to switch to will usually wait for it. However, this is more common for routes within smaller villages since they often depend on each other, and local residents must switch trains often.

If you have to switch to a route going a different direction, they won’t wait for you. If you are already late, ask the staff on the train for advice. They will tell you what to do and which option is best for you. Croatians call the train staff kondukter , which means conductor .

Discounts on train travel in Croatia

Discounts for a round-trip

HŽ provides a 20% discount for round-trip train tickets on long-haul trips. A one-way trip must be longer than 50 kilometers. This discount is available to all passengers.

Student discount

Many Croatian counties, cities, and municipalities give student subsidies for HŽ train tickets. You can check the list here .

Travels between Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Austria

Groups of at least 6 persons up to 20 years of age who travel between Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Austria can get a 70% discount on train tickets.

Discounts for traveling to the sea

HŽ often offers discounts for traveling from Zagreb to Rijeka, Pula, Split, Šibenik, and Zadar. For more details, track their pages.

Discount for visiting Spa centers

Daruvarske toplice

Travelers who travel to Daruvarske toplice can get a 40% discount for second-class train tickets.

Travelers can also get a 15% discount for spa tickets and accommodation with breakfast upon presentation of train tickets at the spa entrance.

View more information on this discount here .

Stubičke toplice

Travelers who travel to the spa center Stubičke toplice within the hotel Matija Gubec in Stubičke Toplice can get a 40% discount for first and second-class train tickets.

Travelers can also get a 20% discount for spa tickets upon presentation of train tickets at the spa entrance.

View more information on this discount  here .

[Read: How to visit thermal spas in Croatia (with a complete list of toplice) ]

Cammeo discount

You can get a 10% discount via the Cammeo mobile application for trips that start or end at railway stations in Zagreb, Osijek, Varaždin, Rijeka, Split, and Vinkovci.

Cammeo mobile application is available for:

• Android – Download it here
• iOS – Download it here

You must use the code HZPP20.

Hotel discount

HŽ offers a 10-20% discount for staying in certain hotels in:

• Osijek – View more here
• Split – View more here
• Zagreb – View more here
• Varaždin – View more here
• Vinkovci – View more here

Discounts for HAK members

Members of HAK (Croatian Car Club) can get a 30% discount on return trips on trips longer than 25 kilometers.

View more information on discounts for HAK members here .

Discounts with an unlimited number of tickets

Below are discounts available for an unlimited number of tickets:

• Children up to the age of 6 accompanied by adults can travel free of charge – View more here
• 50% for children between the ages of 6 and 12 accompanied by adults – View more here
• 20% for two-way travel – For trips longer than 50 kilometers
• 30% for Croatian nationals between the ages of 12 and 26 (K-33J card) – View more here
• 50% for students – View more here
• 25% for high school students, college students, young Croatian nationals, and young foreign nationals (EYCA, hi.euro, ISIC-SCHOLAR, and ISIC-STUDENT cards) – View more here
• 50% for Croatian nationals above the age of 60 with permanent residence in Croatia
• 75 – 100% for people with disabilities and their companions – View more here
• 30 – 50% for announced and organized groups on trips longer than 25 kilometers – View more here
• 40 – 50% for family travels for at least 3 and a maximum of 10 persons – View more here
• 30% for journalists on trips longer than 25 kilometers – View more here
• 60% for two-way travel – for travelers traveling to Hungary (the child pays half the price of the adult traveler) – View more here
• 70% for youth groups – for transit between Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, and Serbia youth groups (at least six people) have a discount of 70% for one-way and return journeys up to 20 years of age – View more here

What does it mean to be discounted with an unlimited number of tickets?

That simply means you can come for a few minutes before the train starts and buy a ticket for that train, even though the train is completely sold out (in which case you will have to stand inside the train).

Do you need a travel reservation for train travel in Croatia?

Trains in Croatia do not require a reservation. During certain times of the year, reservations will not even be needed.

However, it often happens that the train is too full, so some people have no place to sit. This usually happens on shorter trips. If this occurs, give your seat to an elderly person or pregnant woman.

If you want to secure a place near the window from the train, you can book a place in advance. It is also recommended to make a reservation when traveling longer distances. Long-distance trips are often booked as well, especially during summer.

For example, if you travel from Zagreb to Split, the journey may take between 6 and 8 hours. Make a reservation to ensure you won’t be left without a seat, especially if traveling at night. We also recommend making a reservation for travel outside of Croatia.

Other train travel services in Croatia

Bicycle transport.

You can carry your bicycle in:

• All trains as luggage
• Certain trains with a section for storing bicycles

The one-way ticket price for bicycle transport is 1,99 euros.

View more information on the transportation of bicycles here .

Pet transport

HŽ offers transportation of smaller pets, service dogs, and guide/help dogs. You must possess a pet passport.

Transportation is free of charge for:

• Animals in transport boxes transported as hand luggage
• Small dogs outside transport boxes

The ticket price for larger dogs is billed at 50% of the second-class regular ticket price.

View more information here .

[Read:  How to bring your pet to Croatia (and care for them once you arrive) ]

Excursion and party trains

HŽ has annual excursion trains that drive to different events and places in Croatia. They usually leave Zagreb early in the morning and return at the end of the day.

There are also so-called “party” trains that drive to:

• Beograd in March
• Split in July
• Sarajevo in October

Other available special offers include:

• Easter train for kids
• Christmas train for kids
• Field trips
• Graduation trips
• Shorter journeys and tours of the railway station for children
• Train lease for business events (conferences, seminars, team-building trips)

View more details on destinations of excursions and party trains, and other special offers here .

Car transport by train in Croatia

Transport tickets for passengers and vehicles with the presentation of traffic permits are purchased at the ticket offices in Zagreb, Split, Varaždin, Osijek, Vinkovci, and Slavonski Brod.

Because of the limited number of vehicles that are accepted for the carriage, it is necessary to buy tickets in advance. Only valid and registered vehicles whose height does not exceed 155 cm are accepted. The car can be loaded an hour and a half before the train departs.

In Zagreb, the vehicles embark at the entrance east of the building of the Croatian Post at the Branimir Branka bb, and in Split at the entrance to the parking lot between the railway and bus station.

[Read:  Guide on driving in Croatia including highways, tolls, gas stations, car washes, and parking ]

International and domestic routes of Croatian railways

Croatian Railways has improved its international ties by train.

There are currently rail links between Zagreb and Budapest, Vienna, Munich, Frankfurt, Zurich, Ljubljana, Belgrade, and Sarajevo. There are also two international trains from Rijeka to Ljubljana. From Ljubljana, you may connect further to Munich (connecting to Zagreb train) and Vienna.

Several border trains have been introduced, such as Đurmanec – Celje, Čakovec – Ormož, and Beli Manastir – Magyarboja.

During the summer season, there are also lines between Zagreb, Split and Prague, Bratislava, and even Moscow, as well as trains between Pula and Ljubljana. There is also a tourist train traveling only on Saturdays on the Čakovec – Lendava route.

Train timetable of Croatian railways

The railway timetables regularly change and are updated on the first Monday in December each year. Changes are usually negligible. However, it is good to track changes because this is Croatia, after all, and anything can happen.

View the map of all train stations in Croatia here .

View the map of all train routes in Croatia here .

You can check the train timetable online here .

The timetable for all train lines in Croatia is available to download here .

Timetable for city train lines for the relation Harmica – Savski Marof – Zagreb GK – Dugo Selo is available to download here .

Timetables for Zabok, Zlatar Bistrica, Gornja Stubica, Krapina, Ludina, Križevci, Karlovac, Velika Gorica, and Sisak are available to download here .

Where to buy a train ticket in Croatia?

Train tickets can be bought:

• At HŽ railway stations
• Online with a 5% discount on all online purchases
• Download app for Android here
• Download app for iOS here
• Download app for Windows here

View our other transport guides

• Bus travel in Croatia
• Boats and ferries in Croatia
• Full list of airports in Croatia
• Guide on driving in Croatia including highways, tolls, gas stations, car washes, and parking
• How to get to and from Dubrovnik Airport
• How to get to and from Pula Airport
• How to get to and from Rijeka-Krk Airport
• How to get to and from Split Airport
• How to get to and from the Zadar-Zemunik Airport
• How to get to and from Zagreb Airport
• Public transport by bus in Dubrovnik
• Public transport in Osijek
• Public transport in Pula
• Public transport in Rijeka
• Split’s bus system (Promet)
• Šibenik’s public bus system (ATP)
• Zadar’s public bus system (Liburnija)
• Zagreb’s public transportation system (ZET)

Please note:  Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice,  contact us  to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice,  contact us  to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.

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Marija Tkalec

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Explore Croatia by train with Eurail: 7 days of sun, sea, and cities

UK & EU travel writer

• Go contactless with digital tickets on your phone
• Compare ticket prices from hundreds of train companies
• Check live train times

Ever dreamed of basking in the Mediterranean sun, wandering through ancient Roman ruins , and sipping espresso in quaint, cobblestone towns—all in one trip? 

Buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a 7-day Croatian voyage that ticks all these boxes and more. 

Grab your sunnies and let’s chug through Croatia’s stunning landscapes and storybook towns! 

Image Credit: Getty Images, Martin Steinthaler. Image Location:Rijeka, Croatia

Croatia by train: everything you need to know 

So here’s the scoop on getting around Croatia: if you’re dreaming of exploring this beautiful country by train alone, you might need to tweak those plans a bit. 

Croatia’s got some stunning train journeys, but to really see everything, you’re gonna have to hop on a bus every now and then. For instance, if Dubrovnik’s on your list (and it should be), you’ll train it to Split and then catch a bus or ferry for the final leg. 

Image Credit: Getty Images, rusm. Image Location: Split, Croatia

Details of Croatia’s most popular train routes 

Zagreb to split .

• Travel time: from 6h 8m by InterCity train; 8h by night train 
• Reservations: required for both InterCity and night trains 

Zagreb to Osijek  

• Travel time: from 5h 20m 
• Reservations: optional 

Zagreb to Rijeka 

• Travel time: from 4h 30m 
• Reservations: not available 

Zagreb to Sisak 

• Travel time: from 53m 

Zagreb to Vinkovci  

• Travel time: from 4h 27m 

Image Credit: Getty Images, traumlichtfabrik. Image Location: Zagreb, Croatia

The ultimate Croatia itinerary: 7 days to remember 

Day 1 – zagreb: history & hip .

Zagreb , Croatia’s charming capital, is your starting line. Stroll through the historic Upper Town, snap a selfie with the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships, and let the city’s café culture seduce you into lingering over that second cup of coffee. 

Hint : Zagreb’s central location makes it an ideal hub for your Croatian rail adventure. 

Day 2 – Rijeka: get your coastal fix early 

Jump on a train to Rijeka for a quick seaside teaser. This port town is all about that chill coastal life mixed with a dash of culture—think a maritime museum and street art. Plus, it’s the perfect spot to taste some fresh-off-the-boat seafood. 

Why by train? Because watching the Croatian countryside zoom by as you’re traveling from Zagreb to Rijeka is half the fun. Alternatively, you could take a bus, which takes 2h 15m, as opposed to the train’s 4h 30m. 

Image Credit: Getty Images, Tuul & Bruno Morandi. Image Location: Plitvice Lake National Park, Croatia

Day 3 – Plitvice Lakes: a day with nature 

Okay, now you’ll need to hitch a short ride from Rijeka to Plitvice Lakes National Park because this spot is too stunning to skip. Imagine waterfalls that look like they’ve jumped straight out of a fantasy novel. It’s a day trip worth every minute of the detour. 

Travel tip : No trains here, but the 4-hour bus ride is a breeze. 

Day 4 – Zadar: catch the world’s best sunset 

Zadar is a city where the sea has its own soundtrack. They’ve got the Sea Organ here, a unique musical instrument played by the waves themselves. And then, as day turns to night, the Sun Salutation lights up, creating a dance floor of glowing colors powered by the sun’s energy. 

Did you know? Alfred Hitchcock claimed Zadar has the best sunsets in the world. Challenge accepted, right? 

Image Credit: Getty Images, Lara_Uhryn. Image Location: Split, Croatia

Days 5, 6 – Split: where ancient Rome meets the beach 

On to Split! Wander around Diocletian’s Palace, a Roman emperor’s retirement pad turned into Split’s heart. After soaking up thousands of years of history, hit the beach or take a lazy stroll along the Riva promenade. You can also take a short ferry ride to nearby islands like Brač or Hvar for a day trip. 

How to get from Zadar to Split : With direct routes available, the bus is your best bet for reaching Split quickly (from 2h 20m). 

Day 7 – Dubrovnik: the Adriatic jewel 

Wrap up your week in Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic. Walking the ancient city walls, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto a movie set. Pro tip: take the cable car up Mount Srđ for jaw-dropping views of the city and sea. 

Just FYI : There’s no train straight to Dubrovnik, but buses or ferries will get you there in style. 

Image Credit: Getty Images, Nikada.  Image Location: Zadar, Croatia

FAQs: how to explore Croatia (and beyond) with a Eurail Pass 

What’s the best croatia itinerary for 7 days .

Start with Zagreb’s caffeinated buzz, dip into the Plitvice Lakes for a natural high, catch a coastal vibe in Split, then wind down in Dubrovnik, where the walls tell tales and the sea sings lullabies. It’s like speed dating with cities, except you’ll fall in love with each one. 

Can I use the Eurail Pass in Croatia? 

Absolutely! The Eurail Croatia Pass is your golden ticket to exploring Croatia’s major cities by train, with flexible options to add buses and ferries into the mix. 

Are trains in Croatia comfortable? 

Trains in Croatia offer a comfy and scenic way to explore, with amenities to make your journey smooth. Plus, gazing out at the passing landscapes is an experience in itself. 

Image Credit: Getty Images, leonid_tit. Image Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Is there a direct train from Split to Dubrovnik? 

The journey from Split to Dubrovnik usually requires a scenic bus or ferry ride, as trains don’t run directly to Dubrovnik. But don’t worry, the views en route are breathtaking! 

Can I get from Split to Zagreb by train? 

Yes, you can! The journey between Split and Zagreb takes around 6-7 hours, and it’s the scenic route with a capital S. 

Is there a direct train from Zagreb to Dubrovnik? 

Unfortunately, you can’t train all the way to Dubrovnik from Zagreb, but buses and ferries are ready to pick up the baton. Consider it a mixed-media travel experience. 

Can I train my way from Ljubljana, Slovenia to Zagreb, Croatia? 

Yes, and it’s like hopping from one postcard to another. This international jaunt from Ljubljana to Zagreb offers rolling hills, quaint villages, and enough scenic beauty to make you ponder a permanent move. 

How do I get from Venice to Croatia by train? 

It’s a bit of a quest, like finding a unicorn. You’ll need to catch a train to Slovenia first or head to Trieste, Italy , then switch to bus or ferry. It’s an adventure worthy of a journal entry or at least a lively blog post. 

Ready to explore Croatia by train, bus, and ferry? This 7-day itinerary is just a taste of what’s waiting for you in this Mediterranean marvel. From historic cities to island retreats, Croatia promises memories to last a lifetime. 

Need more Eurail info? Check out our  comprehensive guide to all things Eurail .  

Header Image Credit: Getty Images, wellsie82. Image Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Ready to book your tickets?

BEST Guide to Train Travel in Croatia: All You Need to Know

Traveling by train in Croatia isn’t really the top choice of travel here, where the more popular choices are taking a bus or even a ferry.

Also, since the Croatian train network is limited (and there are plenty of islands), there are many touristic destinations that can’t be reached by train.

Also, compared to traveling by bus , trains are much slower and the trains themselves are older and not as nice as you might want them to be.

However, I am a fan of train travel and I still use it as a way to travel when I get the chance – especially since for longer distances, it’s a bit more comfortable than the bus, albeit slower.

In today’s article, we’ll learn about everything related to trains in Croatia and how to travel by train in the country if you prefer to do it this way.

Traveling by train in Croatia: an overview

The train network in Croatia is more developed in the continental part of the country where trains connect most of the major towns.

In the southern parts of Croatia, the train network is pretty much limited, but you still have lines leading to the major attractions of the country.

As you probably imagine, the main train hub in the country is Zagreb , with trains leaving from there to all popular and less popular destinations, including international destinations.

An interesting fact to note about trains in Croatia is that, since the buses have become more and more popular (as well as the faster means of transportation), trains have been reduced in numbers and you won’t have many connections available on most distances, no matter how popular they are.

So even though improvements made recently on the lines and the introduction of faster trains have reduced travel times in many instances by a ton, you will usually have no more than two trains traveling on a route. So plan your trip accordingly.

IMPORTANT : Despite its popularity, Dubrovnik does not have a train station, so you can’t reach it by train.

The closest station is some 100km away in a town called Ploce. However, you’re probably going to find better and easier ways to get to Dubrovnik by bus or even by flying.

Trains in Croatia, Classes and Prices

In Croatia, local trains have improved a bit over the past several years, but I wouldn’t say that they are on-par with most Western-European trains.

However, it’s not as bad as it used to be and you will generally feel at least comfortable and safe when riding trains in Croatia.

Many trains still offer second class only, but the main train routes and the faster trains offer first class seats, as well as sleeping cars (as it is the case of the Zagreb to Zadar or Zagreb to Split trains).

Unless you’re trying to save a few Euros, first class is a must-book as compartments are more spacious with more comfortable seats.

Also, prices for a first class ticket are still similar to second class prices in Western Europe or just a bit more expensive, so you’re really getting a nice bang for your buck here.

Overall, train travel in Croatia is really affordable.

In terms of the trains themselves, you usually have to choose from slower trains, called passenger trains ( putnicki ) or faster trains like intercity ( ICN ) or Brzi (translated to “fast”).

Usually, the slower trains have 2nd class only and stop in more stations along the way, while the faster ones offer 1st class cars and have fewer stops.

In most cases, unless there isn’t one available for your destination, it is better to get the Intercity or Brzi trains as they are not only faster, but also in a better shape.

The best place to check out train tables, see routes that are available and buy tickets online is the official Croatian Railways website , which is extremely easy to navigate and also available in English.

Once you arrive in Croatia you can reserve and buy your train tickets from any train station in Croatia and pay using Euros now.

In some bigger railway stations, you can purchase your tickets using major credit cards but be prepared at all times with some Euros in cash for your ticket, just to be sure.

Also, since in most cases, the Croatian language will be used on the signs and announcements of the trains, I decided to share a few basic words that you should look out for to help you find your way in the train station.

Remember, if you are lost or can’t really understand the information at the train station, ask locals as most of them (especially the younger ones) will speak English – or, worst case scenario, go to an information office where you will be helped.

polazak  – departures dolazak  – arrivals presjedanje  – change of trains putnički – passenger (slower) train brzi – fast train presjedanje   – change of trains

Major train routes in Croatia

If you decide on train travel in Croatia, beside the Zagreb to Split line , here are some more frequently used train routes in Croatia:

• Zagreb to Karlovac – with over a dozen daily trains on this route, some daily trains go to Knin where it is possible to find a bus to Zadar.
• Zagreb to Rijeka – there are several daily trains to Rijeka but you must change trains at Karlovac in some occasions, although you do have direct trains as well.
• Zagreb to Osijek – there are five daily trains but it’s faster to take a bus.
• Zagreb to Varazdin – with a dozen daily trains this two and half hour journey is a reasonable alternative to the bus.

Traveling by train in Croatia: my thoughts & experience

As much as I love traveling by train wherever I go, I must admit that in Croatia, it might be better to choose a bus instead.

Unless your routes are very long and you could use the extra leg room and opportunities to stretch your bones and muscles in the train, buses are usually faster and cheaper or at least similarly priced.

And even though some of the views when riding trains in Croatia are truly breathtaking, the same can be said about buses as well.

And since trains are not extremely comfortable – up to plain dirty in some situations, all while offering fewer options when it comes to choosing your next destination, I think that generally, you can say that it’s better to travel by bus.

It’s not like trains are downright bad or extremely slow – or dangerous or anything like that – it’s just that buses usually get you to the destination faster. And usually, that’s all that matters.

However, if you are carrying a bicycle, for example, you will find that taking a train will be the best option for you as most important lines (including some international ones) offer bike-friendly cars, so that you can transport yours easily.

You can check out a list of routes where bike cars are available on the official Croatian Railways page here (in English).

But what do you think about trains in Croatia? Do you prefer taking a train or you’d rather travel by bus or find another way to get to your destination?

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The Croatian railway network (HZ Putnički Prijevoz) is centred around the capital Zagreb. Attractively situated, Croatia acts as an intersection of routes from Europe's west to east and from north to south.

Train types in Croatia

Croatia's national rail network is run by  Hrvatske željeznice  (HZ). To look up train times, you can use the  Interrail timetable . Some Croatian cities (like Zadar) aren't mentioned in our timetable. Use the  HZ timetable  instead.

• DOMESTIC TRAINS
• International Trains

Domestic trains in Croatia

• HZ connects most major towns in Croatia.
• Both regional trains and express trains run within the country.
• Bikes are allowed on certain trains. You'll need to buy a bike ticket in advance.
• Zagreb – Rijeka
• Zagreb – Split
• Zagreb – Vinkovci
• Zagreb – Osijek
• Split – Zagreb – Osijek (Mo-Sa. July 1st till September 1st)
• Split – Zagreb – Sisak -  Vinkovci – Vukovar (July 1st till September 1st)

International trains in Croatia

• Croatia has direct international connections with Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia and Switzerland.
• Zagreb – Ljubljana – Salzburg – Munich – Frankfurt
• Vinkovci – Zagreb – Ljubljana – Villach
• Zagreb – Maribor – Graz – Vienna
• Zagreb – Siófok – Budapest Delí
• Zagreb – Salzburg – Munich – Stuttgart
• Zagreb – Zurich
• Rijeka – Munich – Stuttgart
• Split – Zagreb – Vienna – Bratislava (June 22nd till September 2nd)
• Split – Budapest Keleti (Not daily. June 20th till September 22nd)
• Split – Prague (Regiojet) not valid for passholders

Popular connections

• Domestic routes
• International routes

What are the train travel times between Croatia's major cities? You won't need to make reservations if you use regional trains for the following routes:  

Zagreb to Split  takes 6.5 hours by InterCity train, and 8 hours by Night Train. Reservations are required for both journeys.

To visit  Dubrovnik , you can travel by train to Split and then take a bus.

Reservations

Interrail reservation self-service system

• International only: IC, EC, Nightjet, EuroNight

Administration costs when booking through Interrail self-service

• € 2,- p.p.per train
• Additional € 9,- per order (for paper tickets)

With railway carriers

• ÖBB (Austrian railways) : Domestic and international trains

An explanation of how each booking platform works can be found here: How do I book my reservations

Locally at the train station in Croatia

Good to know

Reservations are required for the following Intercity train route:

• (IC) Zagreb - Split

View reservation fees in Croatia

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Additional benefits including a 20% discount on ferry crossings between Split and Ancona, Italy.

Prices from € 58

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Tips and tricks for Croatia

Croatia's main train station.

Zagreb central station:  Zagrebački Glavni kolodvor .

To reach the station from Zagreb airport, take a bus to the city terminal, then a tram to the central train station.

Interrail Passes are not valid on the bus or tram.

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Find Croatia » Trains and Railways in Croatia

Trains and Railways in Croatia

Croatian Railways (Hrvatske Zeljeznice) network is not the huge one.Train network in continental part of Croatia is extensive and connects most of the major towns. Besides local transport it’s main route is from Zagreb to Split. Istria is connected by rail to Slovenian network only. Dubrovnik isn’t connected to railroad network at all, since early 60’s.

The most popular route by tourist and travellers is one that connects Croatian capital Zagreb with Split and Adriatic Coast.

The railway is a sustainable mode of transport and it’s probably the best way of travel in terms of nature preservation.

Hotels in Croatia - Book Now!

How to come to Croatia by Train:

Almost all international trains to Croatia go to Zagreb, one is going to Rijeka. below is daily train connection info to Croatia from neighbouring countries:

• Trains from Austria to Croatia : Vienna to Zagreb trains are served with 2 trains daily + Vienna to Rijeka trains – only 1 train daily
• Trains from Italy to Croatia : Venice to Zagreb trains – servis : one train daily
• Trains from Slovenia to Croatia : Ljubljana to Zagreb trains – served by 12 trains daily
• Trains from Hungary to Croatia : Budapest to Zagreb trains – served by 3 trains daily
• Trains from Serbia (Srbia) to Croatia : Belgrade (Beograd) – Zagreb trains – served by 5 trains daily

Maps of Croatian Railways

• Railway Map of Croatia
• Map of train network in Croatia

Trains in Croatia Travel Forum:

Ask questions and find answers about your trains to and within Croatia at our Croatia Train Travel Forum . below are recent topics from the forum:

Book your hotel in Croatia!

Croatia by InterRail Train Pass:

The InterRail Croatia Pass is a Flexi Pass valid for unlimited travel on Croatian Railways’ network (HZ) subject to the terms and conditions of the pass.

This Flexi Pass allows you to choose the days of travel (between 3 and 8 days) at your own convenience within the overall validity of the pass which is one month.

If you are planning to travel beyond Croatia or intend on exploring various countries in Europe over a longer period of time, then you may want to consider purchasing an InterRail Global Pass which allows unlimited and cost effective rail travel on the complete network of the participating railways including Croatia (subject to the terms and conditions of the pass).

Latest News about Trains in Croatia:

Very good website to research train travel is Die Bahn (see link below) where one can search for timetables for most of the journey in Europe, including journeys to Zagreb and other Croatian places.

Croatian Railways Links:

We used following sites to find info about trains in Croatia:

• Die Bahn – searchable website for train journeys around Europe – includes fares too.
• Croatian Railways – searchable Croatian railway network, includes Tickets Price Guide – it used to have following railway info, but is now discontinued:
• Croatian Railway Museum – Hrvatski željezni?ki muzej – The Croatian Railway museum was founded in 1991 and has a collection of any items relating to the Croatian railway. There are over seven thousand photographs of railway vehicles, signs, tracks, etc. The museum also has a video library of over 51 video recordings and 52 CDs that relate to the Croatian railway. The museum’s collections are divided up into the railway vehicles, their equipment, uniforms, documents, items used for construction and telecommunication equipment: Croatia Railway Museum, Mihanoviceva 12, Zagreb – Croatia – Phone: +385 (0)145 77 111
• Croatian Railway Cultural Association – Organized activities of the Croatian Railways employees in cultural and sport fields have their roots in nonprofessional singing, acting and sport activities dated at the beginning of the 20th century.
• Trainspotters Page – interesting info about railways and trains in Croatia
• Railway House – Dom Zeljeznicara – old luggage label

Direct railway routes :

Croatia’s direct railway routes are networked with Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia, Serbia, Montenegro and Switzerland. They are indirectly connected with the other European countries. Železni?ná spolo?nos? Slovensko, a.s., in cooperation with ?eskými dráhami, is preparing the possibility of traveling from Bratislava to Split by train. The train operates on a daily basis, and tourists are allowed to transport their bikes. The fast train operates on a daily basis from June to September. www.slovakrail.sk

Croatian Railway Offices in Europe:

Hungary – Budapest

Ž- Horvát Vasutak

MAGYARORSZÁGI KÉPVISELETE

1053 BUDAPEST

SZÉP Ú. 5.II

Phone: +36 1 3382-609

Fax: +36 1 3180-700

Germany – Munich

REPRÄSENTATIONS – UND INFORMATIONSBÜRO

DER KROATISCHEN EISENBAHNEN MÜNCHEN

LUISE-KEISSELBACH-PLATZ 34

D-81377 MÜNCHEN

Phone: +49 89 7100-0965

Fax: +49 89 7100-0967

Austria – Vienna

GENERALVERTRETUNG DER KROATISCHEN EISENBAHNEN

OPERNGASSE 5

A-1010 WIEN

Phone: +43 1 5817-166

Fax: +43 1 5858-253

Serbia and Montenegro – Belgrade

ZASTUPSTVO HRVATSKIH ŽELJEZNICA U BEOGRADU

NEMANJINA 4/VI

11000 BEOGRAD

Phone: +381 11 684-344

Fax: +381 11 688-585

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Travel With A Dog

Train Travel in Croatia, Including Zagreb, Split & Rijeka Trains

For those that enjoy travelling by rail, train travel is an excellent, albeit slow option in Croatia. Many of the major cities and small villages are on the railway network, with some notable exceptions.

For us, travelling with a dog by train in Croatia has been pretty straightforward, with some minor inconveniences. However, trains are the only viable way to use public transport in the country as coaches are run by dog unfriendly companies like Arriva.

Key Places With A Railway Station in Croatia

Disclosure! Keep in mind that some links in these posts are affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may earn a small commission (for which I’m extremely grateful) at no extra cost to you. Thanks for visiting!

There are lots of options for places to visit in Croatia. These are cities with bigger key railway stations.

International Railway Routes into Croatia

We’ve travelled into Croatia on a few international routes. This includes the Ljubljana to Rijeka train for passengers from Slovenia. Ljubljana is a big crossroads of the railway network so you can effectively reach Croatia via the city in a day from North Eastern Italy and Austria.

Omio.com is a handy resource for those travelling without a pet and also has options to reach the country from abroad.

Another route we have taken is the Budapest to Zagreb train, which is handy for reaching Croatia from Hungary. Zagreb is a central hub, thus there are many onwards trains. However, we found this arrives late, thus best to stay overnight before travelling onwards.

Both used to have border checks, however, since they joined Schengen, these don’t happen anymore. As a bonus, this has reduced the journey time from both Hungary and Slovenia.

To purchase international tickets, you need to head to the international ticket office in a major station. The ticket office in Zagreb and Rijeka is very good in my experience.

Domestic Train Timetables & Booking Tickets

The best way to book trains or find timetables for routes inside Croatia is on the HZPP website . The site is clunky but functional. Sadly, you cannot buy dog tickets on the website.

We found many smaller stations don’t have open ticket offices, thus the conductors are great at accepting cash payments onboard.

Dog Tickets and Dog Friendly Rules

Croatian railways have a set of rules to follow when booking tickets and travelling with dogs. We found that the railway staff are pretty chilled and rarely mention the dog, let alone know about the dog rules. We’ve often been looked at very strangely when producing a dog ticket on the train. The conductors have frequently asked where the third person is, then we point at henry…

You can find the full set of rules on the HZPP website . These include different rules for smaller and larger dogs. Larger dogs over 30cm tall require a ticker, a short lead and a muzzle. Thus, be prepared and maybe get your dog comfortable wearing one if required.

Another rule is to show a veterinary certificate/pet passport when booking the dog ticket. They have never, in my experience, asked for this, despite handing the book over when buying a ticket.

Some railway stations don’t have ticket offices, thus you might need to pay for the dog onboard. Thus carry cash with you, dog fairs are 50% of the adult fair.

WARNING – Croatian trains can get very hot and the bathroom taps don’t work, so take enough water for your dog for the journey.

Is It worth Using Interrail in Croatia?

Interrail is about flexibility as well as potentially saving money. We have travelled to Croatia as part of a longer Interrail adventure . The trains are pretty cheap inside of Croatia, thus not good value unless travelling from much further away.

For example, Zagreb to Split, one of the most popular routes, costs €15.82. This is much cheaper than the equivalent single day to get value out of an Interrail pass.

Interrail is great for reaching destinations inside Croatia from abroad. It saves lots of hassle getting tickets for non-direct routes when you change trains.

Journeys We have Enjoyed on the Croatian Trains

These are the routes that we have used internationally into Croatia and domestic trains. All journeys involved travelling with a dog and some details of how the trips went.

Karlovac to Osijek Changing in Zagreb

This was a summer trip to head east and avoid peak tourist season. Our route took a local commuter train into Zagreb and then changing onto the comfortable 1881 which runs from Split to Zagreb then onwards to Osijek.

This was fully booked when searching for tickets from Karlovac . However, on further research, we found it to be empty from Zagreb onwards. Thus we took an earlier train to the capital and awaited the Split to Zagreb passengers to get off.

We purchased our tickets online with the caveat of paying for the dog onboard. For the entire journey, adult tickets were roughly 18 Euro and the dog was half of that. Overall, this was a very pleasant journey and as a bonus there were lots of sunflower fields in bloom throughout the countryside on the route.

Rijeka to Karlovac

As part of a longer journey from Mali Losinj on the ferry, we took the train from Rijeka to Karlovac. This was a small old train on the 4001 route. The journey had a few delays, and it was very hot inside, so I was glad we took lots of water for us and Henry.

The journey takes just over 3.5 hours theoretically, but there were a few delays. Getting tickets for us and the dog in Rijeka railway station was straightforward. An adult fair cost €6.95 and half that for a dog.

Ptuj in Slovenia to Rijeka in Croatia

The journey from Ptuj to Rijeka, meant a very early start as there are limited cross border trains. Our railway journey with the dog involved 2 changes; one in Pragersko and one in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.

Getting tickets for this route meant buying twice, as we couldn’t get tickets for the entire journey at Ptuj railway station. We got our tickets to Ljubljana at the Ptuj ticket office. However, we went to the international ticket desk in the capital to get the cross border tickets for us and the dog. The journey run smoothly with beers with pastries in Ljubljana and only minor delays, so reached Rijeka only 10 minutes late. Other Options…

Rijeka to Lake Bled in Slovenia

The journey from Rijeka in Croatia to near Lake Bled in Slovenia was a nice travel day. Purchasing tickets required some inconveniences. At Rijeka Railway station, we could purchase tickets, including the dogs, all the way to Ljubljana.

From Ljubljana, we needed to purchase onwards tickets to the Lake Bled area. This was a pleasant journey that run to clockwork and the train was comfortable. Other Options..

Trieste in Italy To Rijeka in Croatia

The train from Trieste in Italy to Rijeka again proved the need to carry cash in this region. When went to purchase tickets from Trieste, they could only sell us part of the trip. Thus we purchased the ticket from Triest to Pivka in Slovenia. The journey was pleasant and there was a sizeable gap between trains, so enjoyed a meal out near the railway station.

The ticket machines in Pivka station didn’t work and the ticket office wasn’t open, so we just jumped onboard. On meeting the conductor, he could only accept cash and could only sell us tickets to the border. We paid cash and headed on our merry way. After the border, we had to purchase tickets from the border to Rijeka from the conductor. Again, this was a cash only affair. The journey to get back to the Adriatic coast was pleasant. Other Options..

Rijeka to Fuzine

The trip from Rijeka to Fuzine is pretty straightforward and not a long trip. The route has some splendid views from the window, including some coastal views. This journey takes 1.5 hours and is pleasant. Getting tickets was easy at Rijeka station for us and the dog. The station at Fuzine is a bit of a trek into the town, however, it’s lovely countryside.

From Keszthely in Hungary to Zagreb

First, we had a 11 minute strech from Keszthely to Balatonszentgyörgy on the small branch line. We purchased tickets for this short journey at Keszthely station as they couldn’t sell us those for the entire journey. This was delayed and grateful we were planning on a liquid snack at the station.

We learned they don’t sell international tickets at Keszthely or Balatonszentgyörgy railway stations. Thus, we had to find somewhere online to buy or hop onboard hoping we could purchase there. Anyway, after failed attempts on the OBB and DB apps, the Hungarian Railways website delivered. Have your translator ready for the billing address country drop-down if you don’t read Hungarian.

The train from Balatonszentgyörgy to Zagreb was rammed full, thus with the dog we sat in the corridor. Luckily, at Nagykanizsa, we got an entire room for us and the dog. The views out of the window from the border were fantastic as it corresponded with golden hour and sunset.

Split to Zagreb

After enjoying a few weeks in Split, we took the daytime train to Zagreb. This is a slower train that passes through some beautiful countryside, including at the time snow-covered mountains.

We purchased all tickets, including the dogs at Split railway station, without issue. The train was quiet, and the tourney was pleasant. It didn’t have refreshments, so another case of bring all you need for the full journey. This trip took 6 hours 40 minutes and cost just over 15 Euro. For part of the journey, they parked up for 25 minutes, which was great to walk henry along the platforms for a comfort break.

Zagreb to Split in The Winter

Getting a train from Zagreb to Split is the only viable way when travelling with a dog. This cost roughly £25 for two adults and a dog for the 6 hour journey. It was pretty slow and not overly comfortable compared to the older trains we prefer. It was all open plan carriages, thus henry got more fuss travelling than when we travel in a 6-seat room.

The journey was pleasant, and the views before it got dark were stunning. There were no refreshments available onboard, thus make sure you take enough to drink for the entire 6 hours. Id account for 7 as this one was slightly late. We did this journey during the winter. However, they have more options and nicer trains, including sleeping options during the peak summer months. Other Options…

Pecs in Hungary to Zagreb

Our rail journey from Pecs in Hungary to Zagreb was a pleasant journey. We were travelling using an Interrail pass, thus we had to purchase reservations at Pecs Railway station. We did this in advance. The first part of the Journey followed the Hungary/Croatia border. This was a slow train, and we got off at Gyékényes. Gyékényes is a small village on the main Budapest to Zagreb railway line. Unfortunately, our hour wait coincided with the local bar being closed and no shops near the station.

After waiting a while and walking the dog, the next train to Zagreb arrived. This trip was before Croatia joined Schengen and the border police did their thing. This won’t happen anymore on this route because they joined Schengen. We managed to secure an entire room so no distractions for Henry all the way to the Croatian capital while watching a pleasant sunset. Other Travel Options…

Osijek to Pecs in Hungary Via Beli Manastir

To leave Croata and travel into Hungary, we took the quickest route. This was from Osijek to Pecs via Beli Manastir. To purchase tickets for this journey, you need to visit a ticket office or purchase on the train as not available online for the entire journey.

The train journey to Beli Manastir was on an interesting locamotive and crossed some beautiful countryside. Once we arrived the onwards train was waiting on the other platform. Looking at the timetables, most changes here are longer and nearly two hours. The train from Beli Manastir across the border was a cute one carriage affair known as a Bizmot. This was a pleasant ride and nice to travel in a new type of carriage.

Other Trips in Croatia

• Fuzine to Karlovac
• Karlovac to Ljubljana
• Ogulin to Rijeka
• Zagreb to Ogulin
• Zagreb to Maribor

Are Trains in Croatia Worthwhile?

If you are travelling using public transport with a dog, trains are the only viable option in Croatia, so well worth it. They are mostly old and slow, however you get to see some of the peasant Croatian countryside. I find travelling by rail relaxing and enjoyable, but if you don’t, the long slow journeys might not be for you. There are alternatives available on the Omio.com website.

We’ve rarely seen refreshments available onboard, which is a shame, so you need to be organised and carry what you need. Interactions with railways staff onboard have always been pleasant.

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How to travel by train from

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, uk to croatia by train in 24 hours.

Take a morning Eurostar to Paris, a 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV train to Stuttgart, then the excellent Croatian sleeper train overnight to Zagreb, arriving next morning.  Or take Eurostar & TGV Duplex to Munich, stay overnight, then take a scenic ride through the Austrian mountains to Slovenia and along the pretty River Sava to Zagreb.  It's safe, civilised, comfortable & affordable and unlike a flight, a memorable travel experience.  This page explains how to travel to Croatia by train, with times, fares & how to buy tickets.

Train travel information

Useful country information, london to zagreb by train.

Croatia's capital, Zagreb, is a wonderful city and the hub for trains to Split, the starting point for buses to Dubrovnik & ferries to Hvar and other Adriatic islands.  It's straightforward, safe & comfortable to reach Zagreb by train from the UK.  Here are several good options, using Eurostar or the Harwich-Hoek ferry:

Option 1 , morning Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Stuttgart, sleeper to Zagreb :  The fastest and most time-effective option.  Take a morning Eurostar to Paris, an afternoon high-speed train to Stuttgart, then the comfortable Croatian sleeper train Lisinski overnight to Zagreb arriving late morning after a scenic run along the river Sava.  In summer there's also a direct sleeping-car from Stuttgart to Rijeka.

Option 2 , morning Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Zurich, sleeper to Zagreb :   Similar to option 1, but via Zurich instead of Stuttgart.  Take a morning Eurostar to Paris, an afternoon high-speed train to Zurich, then a comfortable Croatian sleeper train from Zurich to Zagreb arriving late morning after a scenic run along the river Sava.

Option 3 , afternoon Eurostar, Nightjet sleeper train to Vienna, day train to Zagreb, 5 times a week :  Take a mid-afternoon Eurostar from London to Paris or Brussels and an excellent Nightjet sleeper train to Vienna.  The Nightjet runs Paris-Vienna 3 times a week and Brussels-Vienna 3 times a week, both due to become daily in late 2024.  Spend the morning in Vienna, then take an afternoon EuroCity train to Zagreb with great scenery along the UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway south of Vienna.

Option 4 , morning Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Munich, overnight stop, daytime train to Zagreb :  If you prefer daytime trains and a hotel to sleepers, this is the option for you.  Take a morning Eurostar to Paris and the afternoon high-speed train to Munich.  Stay overnight in Munich and continue next day through the mountains of Austria into Slovenia and along the pretty river Sava to Zagreb.

Option 5 , London or Cambridge to Amsterdam overnight by ferry. high-speed ICE trains to Munich & sleeper train to Zagreb .  This is the ferry alternative!   Travel overnight from London or Cambridge to Amsterdam with a cosy private cabin on the overnight Harwich-Hoek ferry, take superb ICE trains across Germany to Munich, have dinner in Munich then take the overnight sleeper to Zagreb.

Option 1 :  Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Stuttgart, sleeper to Zagreb

This is the fastest & most time-effective option, London to Zagreb in comfort in less than 24 hours.  You'll experience two of Europe's best high-speed trains, Eurostar and France's famous TGV, then an excellent Croatian sleeper train either in an economical couchette or a private sleeper.

London ► Zagreb

Zagreb ► london, how much does it cost.

Each train is ticketed separately, so add up the price for each leg of the journey.

Berths are sold individually, so one ticket means one bed.  The other beds in your compartment will be sold to other passengers.  For sole occupancy, simply book 1 ticket in a 1-berth sleeper or 2 tickets in a 2-berth sleeper or 4 tickets in a 4-berth couchette & so on.

How to buy tickets

Step 1, book from London to Stuttgart at www.thetrainline.com .  Who are Thetrainline.com?

Using www.thetrainline.com allows you to book all your tickets in one place, in €, £ or $, international cards no problem, small booking fee.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for Eurostar, up to 4 months ahead for Paris-Stuttgart, but usually 90 days ahead for Stuttgart-Zagreb, see more about when train bookings open .  I recommend waiting until onward trains have opened for booking and times are confirmed before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket, unless you're prepared to take a calculated risk.

Tip:   Click via/avoid and enter Paris as a via station to limit the search to routes via Paris. 

Tip:   You can book from London to Stuttgart all in one go if you like, but for more control over the connection in Paris, I'd book London-Paris first, add to basket, then book Paris-Stuttgart and add to basket, ensuring at least an hour between trains.  That way you can allow a more robust connection than the system would give you, and you can see if earlier Eurostars have cheaper prices.

Tip:   If you are making a round trip, London-Paris return fares are significantly cheaper than two one-ways so it's cheaper to book this as a return.  All other trains are one-way ticketed so it makes no difference how you book, and it can be easier to book one way at a time!

Tip:   After booking you can use the Manage booking facility at www.eurostar.com to choose an exact seat from a seating plan, see tips on choosing a seat on Eurostar .

Alternatively, you can book London to Paris at www.eurostar.com , then Paris to Stuttgart at the German Railways website int.bahn.de , then Stuttgart to Zagreb by sleeper at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at .  This is more work on multiple websites, the prices should be the same, but no booking fees.

How to buy tickets by phone

• Click here for a list of agencies & more information on how to buy tickets by phone.

Or use an Interrail pass

Pass or point to point?

Let's be clear, a pass will not save money over the cheapest point-to-point advance-purchase fares you might see if you book a few months ahead.  But when point-to-point fares are expensive (for example, at short notice) OR you want flexibility, for example the ability to change your mind, re-route or reschedule as necessary, a pass might be what you need.

If flexibility is what you want, buy the pass.  If it's about saving money, you'll have to check point-to-point prices and do the maths.

It's worth doing the maths if you are under 28, if you have kids (kids get a free pass when accompanying an adult but still need to pay reservation fees) or if you live a long way from London (as a pass covers you from your home station to London).  Passes are available in 1st & 2nd class.

How to use a pass for a trip to Croatia

Step 1, buy a 4-days in 1-month Interrail pass from www.raileurope.com (click Rail passes and select Europe ) or www.interrail.eu for €283 adult, €212 youth or €255 senior.  You load the pass into the Railplanner app on your phone.  See pass prices on the Interrail page .

A 4-day pass is enough to get from the UK to Zagreb or even Split & back again.  You might need a longer pass if going from Inverness to Split!

A 4-day pass gives you unlimited train travel on any 4 dates you choose in an overall 1 month period.  The first travel day can be any date you select in the 11 months after buying the pass, the overall 1 month period starts from that date.  Learn about how Interrail passes work here .

Step 2, make a Eurostar passholder reservation from London to Paris & back, €30 each way.  See prices & how to make Eurostar passholder reservations online .  Tip:  Eurostar passholder availability is limited, so check availability before buying a pass .

Step 3, make a passholder reservation on the Paris-Stuttgart TGV for around €18 each way using the official Interrail reservation service .

Step 4, make a couchette or sleeper reservation on the Croatian sleeper at www.oebb.at following the instructions here, method 1 .  Prices can be found on the Interrail reservations page .

By all means go out one way, back another, with an Interrail pass you can use almost any of the trains & routes to/from Croatia shown on this page, find out how to reserve the relevant trains using the Interrail reservations guide .

Have your trip arranged as a package

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a UK-Croatia trip for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  You'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays on their website which can be varied or customised to your requirements.  As you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.

Byway ( Byway.travel ) is a UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, book a one-way or return UK-Croatia train trip through Byway as a package, including hotels and starting from any British station you like.  Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption and re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.  They can build a trip to your requirements if you email them or use this contact form .  When you book, please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Gare du Nord station guide .

2. Paris to Stuttgart by TGV Duplex   See the video guide

In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est for the TGV to Germany.  Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views.  The train is equipped with power sockets for laptops & mobiles at all seats in both classes, and a cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods & farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region.  An hour or two later, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg.  On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower.  Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide .

3. Stuttgart to Zagreb on the sleeper train Lisinski    Watch the video

This modern Croatian sleeper train is a pleasure to travel on, whether in the privacy of your own sleeper or in economical couchettes.  The air-conditioned sleeping-car has 10 compartments with washbasin, each of which can be used as 1, 2 or 3 berth, with toilets at the end of the corridor.  Compartments convert to a private sitting room for evening or morning use.  A light breakfast with tea or coffee is included in the sleeper fare.  The couchette car is also modern & air-conditioned with 4 & 6 bunk compartments, ideal for families.  Couchettes convert from bunks to seats for evening or morning use.  A similar sleeping-car operates from Stuttgart to Rijeka in April, May, June, July & August.  Zagreb station guide .

Watch the video: By sleeper to Zagreb

Back to top

Option 2 :  Eurostar to Paris, TGV-Lyria to Zurich, sleeper to Zagreb

This is very similar to option 1, but instead of TGV Paris-Stuttgart and Croatian sleeper train Stuttgart-Zagreb, you taka a TGV-Lyria to Zurich and Croatian sleeper train from Zurich to Zagreb.  There are two minor disadvantages compared to option 1:  First, departure from London is a little earlier in the morning with an identical arrival time in Zagreb.  Second, you need to cross Paris by taxi or metro from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon, whereas in option 1 it's just a 7 minute walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est next door.  As with option 1, there's lovely scenery in the morning on the way to Zagreb along the Sava river.

This train will revert to its traditional departure time, 20:40, from 25 October 2024.

Saver fare = Advance-purchase fare, price varies, no refunds, no changes to travel plans.

Step 1, book from London to Zurich at www.thetrainline.com .  Who are Thetrainline.com?

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for Eurostar, up to 4 months ahead for Paris-Zurich, and usually 90 days ahead for Zurich-Zagreb, see more about when bookings open .  I recommend waiting until onward trains have opened for booking and times are confirmed before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket, unless you're prepared to take a calculated risk.

Tip:   Click via/avoid and enter Paris as a via station to limit the search to routes via Paris.

Tip:   You can book from London to Zurich all in one go if you like, but for more control over the connection in Paris, I'd book London-Paris first, add to basket, then book Paris-Zurich and add to basket, ensuring at least an hour between trains.  That way you can allow a more robust connection than the system would give you, and you can see if earlier Eurostars have cheaper prices.

Alternatively, you can book London to Paris at www.eurostar.com , then Paris to Zurich at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com , then Zurich to Zagreb at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at .  This is more work on multiple websites and sometimes more fiddly, prices should be the same, but no booking fees.

• See the Interrail section above , this route is arranged in a similar way.

What are the trains like?

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Standard Premier & Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Paris Gare du Nord station guide .  How to cross Paris by metro or taxi .

2. Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria

All TGV-Lyria trains are now 320km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex like the one shown below.  TGV-Lyria trains have 3 classes:  Standard class (2nd), standard premiere (1st class) and business premiere (1st class with hot meal & drinks included in the fare).  There's a cafe-bar car selling drinks & snacks.  There are power points for mobiles & laptops at all seats in all classes.  Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways.  More about TGV-Lyria .  Paris Gare de Lyon station guide .  Zurich HB station guide .

3. Zurich to Zagreb by sleeper train    Watch the video

This modern sleeper train is a pleasure to travel on, whether in the privacy of your own sleeper or in economical couchettes.  There's time for dinner in Zurich before boarding at a local restaurant, try the Brasserie Federal inside Zurich HB.  Zagreb station guide .

Watch the video: Zurich to Zagreb by sleeper

Option 3 , afternoon eurostar, nightjet sleeper to vienna, eurocity train to zagreb.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

The train travels along the famous Rhine Valley between Koblenz (23:46) and Mainz (00:39), so if you're still awake and your compartment happens to be on the left-hand side of the train, switch off the lights and watch the Rhine pass by, mountains, vineyards, castles & the legendary Lorelei Rock lit by moonlight.  Wonderful!

In Vienna, you've the best part of a day to enjoy the city.  Left luggage lockers are available .

Tip:   If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf for an hour after arrival, with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & free WiFi.  If you have a 1st class ticket for the onward train, you can use it for an hour or two before departure, too.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

There's no restaurant car, but in sleepers or couchettes you can order drinks, snacks and hot dishes from a room service menu, served in your compartment.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee, served in your compartment.

In Vienna, you've time to enjoy the city.  Left luggage lockers are available .

Tip:   If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

There's no restaurant car, but in sleepers or couchettes you can order drinks, snacks and hot dishes from a room service menu, served in your compartment.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee.

Tip:   If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & WiFi.

On the sleeper train, berths are sold individually, so one ticket means one bed, the other beds in your compartment will be sold to other passengers.  For sole occupancy, simply book 1 ticket in a 1-berth sleeper, 2 tickets in a 2-berth sleeper, 4 tickets in a 4-berth couchette & so on.

Using www.thetrainline.com allows you to book all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, international cards no problem, small booking fee.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, see more about when bookings open .

Tip:   If you are making a round trip, London-Brussels return fares are significantly cheaper than two one-ways so it's cheaper to book this as a return.  All the other trains are one-way ticketed so it makes no difference how you book, and it can be easier to book one way at a time!

Step 3, now use www.thetrainline.com again to book from Vienna to Zagreb, add to basket & check out.

Booking for this train may open only 90 days ahead, see more about when bookings open .

1. London to Paris or Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .   Paris Gare du Nord station guide .  Brussels Midi station guide .  In Brussels, I recommend using the Pullman Hotel bar as your VIP waiting room .

2. Paris or Brussels to Vienna by Nightjet   See the Nightjet guide

3. Vienna to Zagreb by EuroCity train

The EuroCity train Croatia has comfortable air-conditioned Austrian cars, some with classic 6-seat compartments, some with open-plan saloons, and an Austrian restaurant car serving snacks, meals, beer and wine.  Zagreb station guide .  U pdate:   From September 2023 until further notice, you'll need to make a quick cross-platform change in Graz.  The restaurant car only runs in the Austrian portion.

Option 4 :  By daytime trains, with overnight stop in Munich

This option takes longer than the others, but if you prefer daytime trains and a hotel to sleeper trains, this is the option for you.  You get to see rather than sleep through all that wonderful scenery through the mountains across Austria and along the pretty River Sava from Slovenia to Zagreb.

London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £168 return standard premier (1st class).

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead , sometimes longer, but I recommend waiting until onward trains are open for booking so their times can be confirmed, before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket.  More about when bookings open .

If you're returning, London to Paris should be booked as a round trip because Eurostar return fares are significantly less than two one-ways.  All onward trains beyond Paris are one-way ticketed so a return is simply two one ways and you might find it easier to book one way at a time. 

It's better to book online, as you avoid phone booking fees and can see for yourself which departures have the cheapest fares.  But if you want to book by phone, call Deutsche Bahn's English-speaking telesales line on 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04 (lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings).  Other agencies selling European tickets by phone .

• See the Interrail section above .  On this route, you'll need the pass, a Eurostar passholder reservation from London to Paris and a Paris-Munich TGV reservation both of which can be made using the official Interrail reservations service .  A seat reservation from Munich to Zagreb is usually optional, but can be made for around €4.90 at int.bahn.de , run the enquiry by clicking the Book seat only link under the red search button.

Let Railbookers arrange it as a package

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or holiday as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  Their website shows a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your requirements.  As you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.

2. Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex   See the video guide

In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est for the TGV to Germany.  Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views.  The train is equipped with power sockets for laptops & mobiles at all seats in both classes, and a cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods & farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region.  An hour or two later, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg.  On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower.  Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart & Munich.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide .  Munich Hbf station guide .

3. Munich to Zagreb by train

Option 5 :  Via the Harwich-Hoek van Holland ferry

This is the ferry alternative!  It's a great option if you live in East Anglia, if Eurostar is too expensive or if you want to avoid the Channel Tunnel, for example if you suffer from claustrophobia.  I don't recommend the Dover-Calais route because of poor train/ferry connections, the Stena Line rail & sail service via Harwich & Hoek van Holland is the one to use as it has co-ordinated timetables and integrated ticketing, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page & watch the video .

London, Cambridge & Harwich ► Zagreb

At Harwich, the station is right next to the ferry terminal and you walk off the train into the terminal, check in at the Stena Line desk and walk straight onto Stena Line's luxurious overnight superferry Stena Hollandica to Hoek van Holland.

All passengers travel in cosy private cabins with en suite toilet & shower & satellite TV.  Deluxe Comfort class & Captains class cabins are also available, and there's free WiFi in the lounges, restaurants & bars on 9 deck.  You can get on board the ferry around 9pm, have a late dinner in the restaurant and settle into your cabin.

The ferry sails at 23:00 and arrives at Hoek van Holland at 08:00 Dutch time next morning. 

Zagreb  ► Harwich, Cambridge & London

Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Amsterdam on ICE trains , leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 09:23, changing at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf , arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 15:29.  Times may vary.  The ICE trains have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to London overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail .

Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 18:35 by Dutch intercity train to Schiedam Centrum and change onto the frequent metro to Hoek van Holland Haven.  At Hoek, the metro station is next to the ferry terminal.  Check in at the Stena Line desk at least 45 minutes before sailing time, then walk up the gangway onto the luxurious Stena Line superferry Stena Britannica and sail overnight to Harwich in a cosy private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV.

The ferry sails from Hoek van Holland at 22:00 and arrives at Harwich International at 06:30 next morning (day 3), UK time.  Day 3, Take a train from Harwich to London Liverpool Street arriving around 08:56 or from Harwich to Cambridge, arriving 09:42 (10:39 Sundays).

See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details .

Step 1, buy a Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket from London to Hoek van Holland online as shown on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .

Buy the onward metro & train ticket to Amsterdam as shown on that page.

Alternatively, stay in Munich & take a daytime train next day

1. London to Amsterdam by train & ferry

A train takes you from London's Liverpool Street station directly to the ferry terminal at Harwich.  You walk off the train, into the terminal, get your boarding card & cabin key at the Stena Line check-in desk and walk straight onto the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland.  The superferry Stena Britannica is the largest ferry of its kind in the world.  All passengers travel in private cabins with shower, toilet & satellite TV.  There's free WiFi in the public areas on 9 deck.  The journey from London to Holland is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .  See the video .

The Stena Britannica at boarding at Harwich, a floating hotel with private cabins, restaurant, bar, lounges, shop & kennels.

Above left, a standard outside cabin.  Larger photo .   360º photo .  Above right, the Stena Plus lounge with complimentary red & white wine, tea, coffee & snacks.

Above left, the bar on 9 deck. Above right, a Captain's Class cabin with complimentary minibar, toilet & shower.

2. Amsterdam to Stuttgart by ICE

ICEs are German Railways' premier trains, with 1st & 2nd class, a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

3. Stuttgart to Zagreb by sleeper train Lisinski   Watch the video

This modern sleeper train is a pleasure to travel on, whether in the privacy of your own sleeper or in economical couchettes.  The sleeper used to run Munich-Zagreb, but is extended to run Stuttgart-Munich-Zagreb from 11 December 2022.  Zagreb station guide .

London to Split & Dubrovnik

Option 1 , london to split & dubrovnik by train, london ► split, dubrovnik.

Step 1, travel from London to Zagreb as shown in the London to Zagreb section , using whichever option suits you best.

Step 2, travel from Zagreb to Split by train, either ICN daytime train through great scenery or (on some days) by sleeper.

Leave Zagreb 07:03, arriving Split 13:45.  Runs 27-30 March, 1 April, 7 June to 29 September, 28-31October 2024.

Leave Zagreb 15:18, arriving Split 21:53.  Runs daily all year round.

Leave Zagreb 22:30 by sleeper, arriving Split 07:01.  Runs on Friday nights all year round, daily 29 June to 30 August 2024.

The ICN trains are comfortable and air-conditioned with 1st & 2nd class seats.  The sleeper train has a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments and two couchette cars with 6 berth compartments.  You can check train times using www.hzpp.hr .

Zagreb to Split is a scenic train ride, with mountains, lakes, rivers, and even vineyards.  The trains are modern and air-conditioned, see the photos below.  ICN trains tilt round the bends on this mountainous route, cutting the journey time to 5½-6 hours from a previous best of around 8 hours.  There's no catering so bring your own food & drink.  Seat reservation is compulsory on ICN trains.

Dubrovnik, Split ► London

Step 2, travel from Split to Zagreb by train, either ICN daytime train through great scenery or (on some days) by sleeper.

Leave Split 08:23, arriving Zagreb 15:09.  Runs Monday-Saturday all year round, daily 3 June to 29 September 2024.

Leave Split 14:09, arriving Zagreb 20:57.  Runs Sundays all year round, daily 7 June to 29 September plus a few other dates.

Leave Split at 21:11 by sleeper train, arrive Zagreb 05:49.  Runs Sunday nights all year round, daily 30 June to 31 August 2024.

Use www.hzpp.hr to check train times.  Seat reservation is compulsory on ICN trains.  It's a lovely scenic ride, bring your own food & drink as there's no catering.  The sleeper train has a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments and two couchette cars with 6 berth compartments.

Step 3, travel from Zagreb to London by train using any of the options shown in the London to Zagreb section above .  The afternoon ICN from Split connects nicely with the Lisinski sleeper train to Munich for onward TGV to Paris and London, see above .

For fares from London to Zagreb, see the London-Zagreb section above .

Zagreb to Split costs from at €15.10 in 2nd class or €22.65 in 1st class, each way, bought online at www.hzpp.hr .

Step 1, buy tickets from London to Zagreb online as shown above .

Step 2, buy a ticket from Zagreb to Split & back at Croatian Railways website www.hzpp.hr and print your own ticket.

Zagreb to Split by ICN train

Traveller Francis Meylan reports:  "The journey to Split was fascinating and very scenic.  It was a modern diesel train with a free cup of coffee (though no food).  Single track but recently re-engineered and was very smooth despite climbing and very many bends, tunnels, and so forth.  The track went across high embankments and on ledges on valley sides.  It wasn't particularly fast and I can see why.  Every country station had a uniformed station master standing to attention as the train went past!  Many of the country stations were in ruins and there were obvious signs of war damage, walls pock marked with bullet holes.  We could see several minefields marked off.  In Knin the front of the large Austro-Hungarian-style town hall was riddled with bullet holes. Towards Split the landscape is very dry, limestone I think, and very rocky.  If you took the Sleeper would miss all this!

Option 2 , using the Vienna - Split sleeper (May to October)

This is an excellent option if you're travelling between May & October.  The Brussels-Vienna & Paris-Vienna sleeper trains currently run 3 days per week and their days of running don't match up well with the 3-days-a-week Vienna-Split sleeper.  However, the Brussels-Vienna & Paris-Vienna sleepers should become daily in early 2024, so by summer 2024 you'll be able to leave London in the afternoon on day 1, spend day 2 at leisure in Vienna, and arrive in Split on the morning of day 3.  No flight necessary!

Step 1, travel from London to Vienna using any of the options shown on the UK to Austria page .

For example, you could take the 13:01 Eurostar from London to Brussels then the Nightjet sleeper train from Brussels to Vienna.

This sleeper train runs 3 times a week, but should be increased to run every day in autumn 2024.  Or take an afternoon Eurostar to Paris and the similar Paris-Vienna sleeper, see the UK to Austria page .

You'd then have a day at leisure in Vienna.  Left luggage is available at Vienna Hbf .

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Split by direct sleeper train, 3 times a week May-October.

It runs on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays from 3 May to 2 October 2024.

It leaves Vienna Hbf at 18:05 and arrives in Split at 08:10 next morning.

The train starts its journey in Bratislava.  It has three comfortable air-conditioned Slovakian sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a Slovakian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth couchettes and ordinary seats.  You can see details of train formation & carriages if you go to www.vagonweb.cz switch it to English, click train formations and search for train number EN 1153.

Step 3, take a bus from Split to Dubrovnik.  There are buses every hour or even every half hour, run by several companies.  Journey time between 3h45 and 4h35, fare around €13-€17.  Buy a ticket at the bus station in Split.

Step 2, travel from Split to Vienna by EuroNight sleeper train, 3 times a week May-October.

The sleeper train runs on Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays from 4 May to 3 October 2024.

It leaves Split at 17:20 and arrives Vienna Hbf at 08:54.

The train has three comfortable air-conditioned Slovakian sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a Slovakian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats.  The train continues to Bratislava.  You can see details of train formation & carriages if you go to www.vagonweb.cz switch it to English, click train formations and search for train number EN 1152.

Step 1, travel from Vienna to London using any of the options shown on the UK to Austria page .

For example, you can take the 3-times-a-week Nightjet sleeper train from Vienna to Brussels, then a Eurostar to London.

This sleeper train should be increased to daily by the summer of 2024, so you can leave Split in late afternoon on day 1, spend day 2 at leisure in Vienna, and arrive in London at 14:00 on day 3. 

Or take the Vienna-Paris sleeper then a lunchtime Eurostar to London, see the UK to Austria page .

For fares from London to Vienna see the London-Vienna section on the Austria page .

Fares from Vienna to Split start at €29.90 in a seat, €49 in a couchette, €79.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 in a 2-bed sleeper, €149.90 in a single-bed sleeper.

A bus from Split to Dubrovnik costs €13-€17.

Step 1, buy tickets from London to Vienna as shown on the London-Vienna section on the Austria page .

Step 2, buy a ticket from Vienna to Split at either www.thetrainline.com (easy, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, international credit cards no problem) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead , you print your own ticket.

Step 3, buy a bus ticket at the bus station when you get to Split, there are lots of buses.

Option 3 , London to Italy by train, ferry to Dubrovnik, Split or Zadar

Step 1, travel from London to Ancona or Bari by train.

You take a morning Eurostar to Paris, the afternoon TGV or Frecciarossa from Paris to Milan, stay overnight then take a fast train from Milan to Ancona or Bari.  For train times, fares & how to buy tickets between London and Ancona, see the London to Italy page .

In Ancona, take a taxi to the port, or it's a 30-minute 2.3km walk.

In Bari, take a taxi to the ferry terminal or it's a 25 minute walk.

Step 2, sail from Italy to Croatia by ferry.  Allow plenty of time for the connection & check-in at Ancona or Bari.

Several ferry operators sail from Ancona to Split overnight on various days of the week including www.jadrolinija.hr .  Book the Jadrolinija ferry at the Direct Ferries website or call Jadrolinija's UK agents, Viamare Travel on 020 8343 5810. 

Between June & September, there's also a daily fast ferry, taking 4 hours, leaving Ancona at around 11:00 and returning from Split at 17:00, see www.snav.it .  There are also some sailings to Zadar.

www.jadrolinija.hr also sail from Bari to Dubrovnik several times a week in summer (no service in winter), typically sailing at 21:00 and arriving 08:00.  Book the Jadrolinija ferry at the Direct Ferries website or call Jadrolinija's UK agents, Viamare Travel on 020 8343 5810.

If you can't find a ferry to Dubrovnik, then take a ferry to Split then bus to Dubrovnik.  Buses run from Split to Dubrovnik every hour or two, taking about 4-5 hours.  Bus information can be found at www.ak-split.hr (Split bus station arrivals & departures), www.dubrovnik-online.net or www.libertasdubrovnik.hr (Dubrovnik bus station departures). 

London to Hvar, Korčula, Vis , Brač

Take a train from the UK to Split, then a ferry.  Departures are daily, all year round.

London to Rijeka

Option 1, by direct stuttgart-rijeka sleeper.

Take Eurostar to Paris and a TGV to Stuttgart to connect with it, see the London-Zagreb section for details .

Option 2, changing at Ljubljana, all year

London ► rijeka.

Step 1, travel from London to Ljubljana as shown on the Slovenia page , using any of the options shown.

Step 2, travel from Ljubljana to Rijeka by train, leaving Ljubljana at 08:30 (arriving Rijeka 11:12) or at 15:20 (arriving 18:11).

Trains run from Ljubljana to Rijeka twice a day at these times, you can check train times at int.bahn.de .  The morning train should connect out of the sleeper from Stuttgart/Munich & Zurich.  The afternoon train should connect out of the morning train from Munich & Salzburg.

Rijeka ► London

Trains leave Rijeka at 11:50 (arriving Ljubljana 14:38) and at 18:57 (arriving Ljubljana 21:42).

Allow plenty of time (an hour or two) to make connections in Ljubljana, and/or stay overnight if necessary.  You can check train times at int.bahn.de .

Travel from Ljubljana to London as shown on the Slovenia page , using any of the options shown.

Fares & how to buy tickets

See the fares in the London-Ljubljana section , and buy tickets from London to Ljubljana as shown there.

Bought at the station in Ljubljana, the Ljubljana-Rijeka fare is around €17 one-way, €27 return.  Advance reservation isn't necessary for Ljubljana-Rijeka trains, so you can buy a ticket at Ljubljana on the day & hop on, this will be much cheaper than buying a ticket from outside Slovenia.  The ticket office at Ljubljana is easy to find and English is widely spoken.

London to Porec, Rovinj, Pula & Istria

Istria, land of olive oil, wineries and truffles, was once part of the Venetian empire, and after a spell with the Austro-Hungarians it was again part of Italy between the wars.  Even today, the dual-language place names and road signs reveal it's Italian heritage.  For Istrian tourist information, see www.istra.hr .  Now part of Croatia, Istria can be reached overland from the UK in a couple of ways.

Option 1:  By train from London to Ljubljana, then train to Pula

Take any option you like from London to Ljubljana, as shown on the London to Slovenia page .  Stay overnight in Ljubljana if necessary.

Ljubljana to Pula

In summer, a direct train runs at weekends early April to late August, leaving Ljubljana around 06:12 and arriving Pula at 10:43.

All year, a local train service leaves Ljubljana at 08:15 every day, there's an easy change of train at Divaca & at the Croatian border at Buzet, arriving  change at Pula at 13:03.

All year, a local train service leaves Ljubljana at 13:35 every day, there's an easy change of train at Divaca & at the Croatian border at Buzet, arriving  change at Pula at 19:10.

A Pula Special ticket costs €19 one-way or €29 return.  All these trains are 2nd class only, no online booking, just buy at the station.

See potniski.sz.si/en/pula

Pula to Ljubljana

In summer, a direct train runs at weekends early April to late August, leaving Pula 17:57 and arriving Ljubljana at 22:34.

All year, a local train leaves Pula at 09:05 every day, with an easy change at the border at Buzet and at Divaca, arriving Ljubljana at 17:05.

All year, a local train leaves Pula at 14:36 every day, with an easy change at the border at Buzet and at Divaca, arriving Ljubljana at 19:42.

No reservation is necessary, just buy a Ljubljana to Pula ticket at the station, fare €25 one-way or €30 return.

Option 2:  By train from London to Rijeka, then bus to Porec, Rovinj, Buje, Motovun, Pula

This is another reliable all-year-round way to reach Istria, as mainline trains run to Rijeka which is a hub for buses serving destinations all over Istria.  First, travel from London to Rijeka as shown above .  On arrival in Rijeka, walk out of the station and turn right.  The bus station is 2 minutes walk straight down this main road, you can't miss it.  Every couple of hours, buses link Rijeka with the historic coastal town of Porec, delightful picturesque Rovinj, and the wonderful roman remains in Pula.  The main bus company is www.autotrans.hr , you can easily buy bus tickets when you get to Rijeka.

Option 3:  By train to Venice, then fast ferry to Porec, Rovinj or Pula

This option operates from April to October, and is a great option as it combines Venice with Istria. 

First, travel from London to Venice as shown on the London to Italy page .  For example, travel by Eurostar & TGV to Switzerland, stay the night there, then travel through the Alps to Milan and Venice next day.  The choice is yours. 

Venezia Lines ( www.venezialines.com ) operate ferries from Venice April-October on various days of the week to Porec, Rovinj (Rovigno in Italian) Umag and Pula (Pola in Italian).  The Venice-Porec ferry crossing takes 2½ hours.  Start by checking the days the ferries operate at www.venezialines.com .  On days when a 17:00 ferry sails from Venice you can leave London in the afternoon on day 1, spend most of day 2 in Venice, and arrive in Porec or Rovinj in the evening of day 2!

Holidays to Croatia by train

Railbookers can custom-make a flight-free holiday to Croatia with train travel, transfers & hotels all arranged for you, for however long you like, leaving on any date you like.  If you tell them what you want, they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you.  They get a lot of repeat business and a lot of recommendation by word of mouth!

European Rail Timetable & maps

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Click the images to buy at Amazon

My own book, an essential handbook for train travel to Europe based on this website called " The Man in Seat 61 ", was published in June 2008, and is available from Amazon.co.uk with shipping worldwide.

Hotels in Zagreb & Croatia

In zagreb: the esplanade hotel.

Book a room at the venerable & historic Esplanade Hotel If you can possibly afford it - it's not even expensive by western standards.  Built in 1925 for Orient Express passengers stopping at Zagreb.  It's perfectly located, next to the station and an easy walk from Zagreb old town.  With art deco features, it's the top choice!

For something slightly cheaper, but still close to Zagreb's main station with good or great reviews, try the Palace Hotel , also a historic building with art nouveau features.  I can also recommend the more modern Central Hotel .

Suggested hotels in Split

For something special if your budget will stretch, try the Murum Heritage Hotel , set in part of Roman emperor Diocletian's palace, right in the centre near the port & city museum.  For something cheaper, but still in that same central historic area, try the Sleep Split Hotel or the ID Regal Residence , both with great reviews.

Backpacker hostels

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Croatia Rail Line Map

Map shows major rail routes through Croatia and connecting cities

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Sonus Festival – 18th / 22th August 2024

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Train travel in Croatia is NOT the most popular means of transportation . Bus, car, air , and, ferries offer more travel opportunities. 

The railway network in this country is limited with many important cities and towns not even having a train station. 

Train travel in Croatia also loses ground to bus and coach services in terms of journey time, and many trains are old and fairly uncomfortable which makes train trips not as exciting as you might expect them to be. 

This article covers everything you need to know about traveling by train in Croatia.

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Croatian Train System

The railway network in Croatia is more developed inland than on the coast. 

Northern Dalmatia and Central Dalmatia have quite a decent train network with train stations in Split, Zadar , and Sibenik.

Southern Dalmatia, though, is almost completely deprived of a railway service with just one line connecting the seaside town of Ploce with the Bosnian border.

Ploce is actually the closest train station to the popular city of Dubrovnik, which has no railway network in its vicinity. 

If you are planning to reach Dubrovnik by train, please think twice as you will find it much easier to travel to the coastal city either by bus, car, or by plane.

The main train hub in Croatia is the capital Zagreb. 

It offers connections with multiple cities and towns around the country, except for the ones located in Southern Dalmatia and along the coast. 

It's worth noting that with the growing popularity of bus and coach services in Croatia, the number of train services has been reduced. 

It led to some routes to popular destinations being canceled or having just two trains traveling at long intervals from each other.

With a limited number of trains traveling throughout the country, you really do want to plan your trip accordingly.

Make sure you check out the schedule well in advance so you don't have to wait for hours in the train station. 

Also, ensure you check out the train tables and buy tickets on the official website of Croatian Railways .

Read this next: Hideout Festival – The Daddy of Zrće Festivals

Types of Trains in Croatia

The local trains in Croatia have been upgraded over the past years with train rides being more comfortable and faster. 

Unless you are looking for luxury conditions, you will probably be satisfied with a journey by train in Croatia. 

However, Croatian trains are still far from the passenger train standards you will find in many Western European countries.

You have been warned!

Many trains provide passengers with only standard-class seats. 

However, the main routes connecting Zagreb with Split and Zagreb with Zadar offer first-class seats. 

These upgraded trains are also faster. 

First-class compartments are more spacious and comfortable, offering the opportunity to stretch your tired legs out and lean back for a nap. 

Some trains (usually those on long-distance routes) have sleeping cars. 

The first-class ticket prices are around the same as the second-class prices in Germany or France. 

So you will pay a pretty decent fare for your premium journey on a Croatian train. 

There are two types of trains you have to choose from:

Putnicki are slow trains

Intercity is the fast and modernized ones.

Usually, Intercity is more comfortable, offers more travel perks, including first-class seats, and has fewer stops. 

Putnicki is slower, has more frequent stops, and offers only standard-class seats. 

It's a budget option you can choose if you want to save some kunas and are ok with adding on an additional 1-3 hours of travel time. 

Some routes offer great views so those 1-3 hours are not always wasted. 

Moreover, on a slow train, you have more time to admire the landscapes you pass by.

To see the train schedules, and routes available, and buy tickets, go to the official Croatian Railways website which has an English version as well and is easy to navigate.

Train tickets can be reserved and bought in Croatia at any train station using kunas. 

In major train stations, you will be able to pay for the ticket with your credit card, but it may not be the case with small stations so always keep some kunas in your pocket. 

You may have trouble understanding the signs and announcements of the trains since they all are in Croatian. 

If you are confused by a sign, feel free to ask locals to translate it for you, since most Croatians speak English, especially young ones. 

Also, you can ask for help in an information office. Here are some basic words you want to know if you plan a train trip to Croatia:

polazak - departure

dolazak - arrival

presjedanje - change of trains

Putnički - slow train

brzi - fast train

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Croatia Train: Prices

The prices vary depending on the class you are traveling, the time of year ,  the day of the week, and whether it's an indirect or direct route. 

For example, a standard-class ticket from Zagreb to Split will cost you 99 kunas (13 Euro), while a first-class ticket will have you pay 149 kunas (20 Euro). 

During the peak season, the prices usually increase. 

There are also days of the week when you can catch cheaper tickets. 

So if you are on a budget, consider traveling during off-peak hours (09:30-15:30) and during weekdays. 

Booking in advance will help you save some money as well. The earlier you book, the cheaper the ticket. 

Direct routes are faster but cost more. So if you look for something less pricey, use an indirect route.

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Croatian Train Network: Main Routes

Aside from the line connecting Zagreb and Split, here are other popular train routes in Croatia:

Zagreb to Karlovac - the route has more than a dozen trains a day. As you reach Karlovac, you can change the train to Knin where you can take a bus to Zadar. Of course, a faster way to get from Zagreb to Zadar is to take a direct train or bus journey.

Zagreb to Rjieka - the fastest and easiest way is to take a direct train connecting the two cities. But there is also the slower and cheaper option where you take the train from Zagreb to Karlovac, then change train to Rjieka.

Zagreb to Osijek - there are 5 trains traveling on this route every day. Despite the Brzi being used on the route, it's still faster to take a bus since the train stops at other stations along the way which makes the journey longer-lasting.

Zagreb to Varazdin - the route is served by a dozen of trains daily and it's pretty popular among locals and tourists, although many opt for buses. Fast trains with first-class seats are used for this route so comfort is guaranteed during the 2,5-hour journey.

Train vs Bus. Which one to choose in Croatia?

As much as you may love traveling by train, in Croatia, you will be better off taking the bus. 

Buses are faster since they have fewer and shorter stops, and they are cheaper or similarly priced.

Probably the main disadvantage of buses is limited space, which inherently forces you to sit in the same position during the whole journey and can get pretty uncomfortable.

By train, there is more space to stretch your muscles and bones and lean back to sleep. 

You can even use a train with a sleeping car to take a nap on a cozy bed until you reach your destination. 

Moreover, if you are carrying a bike, the train is your best option as there is a special space on the train dedicated to bikes. 

On the Croatian Railways website, you can find the list of routes where bike storage is available.

While trains offer stunning views of the Croatian landscapes, the same views can be enjoyed through the bus window. 

Unfortunately, not all trains are super clean and comfortable.

You will have to purchase a first-class ticket to experience a high standard of comfort. These tickets are more expensive than bus ones. 

Another drawback of trains is that their scheduling is very limited and they don't offer many connections. 

If you plan on a Croatia tour, the train is a bad choice because sooner or later you will have to take a bus to your next destination due to no train travelling there.

While the bus beats the train in most aspects, it doesn't mean that train is outright bad. It's just a little slower, a little pricier, and offers fewer routes. 

If there is a direct railway route to your destination, the train is definitely an option.

As long as you are ready to pay the price for a comfortable train journey and are ok with reaching the destination a bit later than you would by bus, the train is your go-to means of transportation in Croatia.

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About the author

Jelena is a Novalja Local. She is an expert in local tourism as she worked for a tourist agency for over a decade, received her tourist guide license, and also organized tours all over Croatia. Local cuisine is her forte as both of her parents are renowned chefs who specialize in Dalmatian food.

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Interrailing in Croatia

Interrailing is certainly a popular way of exploring the countries of Europe, especially with young backpackers and adventure seekers! Of course, interrailing is suitable for all ages – who doesn’t love travelling by train, watching beautiful landscapes and countrysides go past, all while you’re in comfort – far more comfort than a bus or car? But is interrailing in Croatia possible, and how best can you explore Croatia whilst interrailing?

Is Interrailing in Croatia possible?

Yes, absolutely. But…

That’s our honest answer.

Why? What’s wrong with travelling by train in Croatia? Well, nothing! The main issue is that the train network in the country is not as extensive as the bus network. Think of Croatia’s capital city, Zagreb , as being the central, only hub of the train network, and almost all train routes spidering out from there. There are very, very few routes along the coast in Croatia, for example. And some big towns don’t even have rail services to them – this is famously so the case with Dubrovnik!

The road network is excellent in Croatia, especially the country’s motorways. This means that even if it’s possible to travel by train on a particular route, travelling by bus may well be quicker. For example, if travelling from Zagreb to Split the quickest train takes just over 6 hours (others take 8 hours), whilst the fastest bus takes 4 hours and 50 minutes. Zagreb to Rijeka takes 4 and half hours by train, whilst it is a speedy 2 hours 15 minutes by (the fastest) bus. (And, in fact, since the motorway opened far fewer train services operate on this route.)

As we’ve also mentioned, there’s very, very few train services along the Croatian coastline. For almost any route that you’ll be travelling here, you’ll be going by bus . (Or by ferry/catamaran , of course.)

BUT, but but…there’s a certain romance to travelling by train, isn’t there? Being able to travel in relative comfort, with all members of a travelling party being able to relax, read, play card games, maybe even enjoy a glass of wine or a beer. (Unlike a car with a chosen driver.) So despite what we’ve said above, don’t let us put you off making some journeys in Croatia by train!

Certainly, if you’re travelling around Europe and have included Croatia in your itinerary, you may well have made your journey into Croatia by train. If that’s the case, you may indeed want to continue your rail fun in Croatia.

Interrailing in Croatia – Croatia Pass

It is possible to buy a Interrail Croatia Pass if you’re largely concentrating your travel just in this country. Depending on which option you go for, a Croatia Pass will allow you to travel by train on 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 days in one month. (You can make as many journeys as you like on those days.) A second-class 3-day pass costs €59 whilst the 8-day one costs €132; first-class passes are also available. These prices are for a standard adult pass – discounted versions are available for those under 28 or over 60 years old.

Do note that these prices are for Interrail passes which can only be used by European residents. Residents of other countries must buy Eurail passes which are slightly more expensive. See the Eurail Croatia Pass for more details.

The Croatia Pass only allows for travel on trains (it may sound obvious, but passes do sometimes allow for travel on other modes of transport in other countries!). Some intercity Croatian train routes (e.g. Zagreb – Split; Zagreb – Rijeka) require additional seat reservations. You can do this through the Interrail website.

Interrailing in Croatia – Global Pass

The grand-sounding Interrail Global Pass is in fact for journeys across 33 countries in Europe – including Croatia. This is suitable if you’re planning on doing a considerable amount of travelling throughout Europe.

There are assorted global passes – anything from passes that allow for 4, 5, or 7 days of travel in 1 month to those that allow for 15 or 22 days or 1, 2 or 3 months of continuous (every day) travel. To provide an example on prices, a pass that allows for 4 days of train travel in 1 month costs €185, whilst the three month pass costs €677.

Once again, these prices are for European residents. Non-European residents must instead opt for the Eurail Global Pass .

Best routes for interrailing in Croatia

The most likely cross-country routes that you’ll be utilising an Interrail pass in Croatia will be:

Zagreb to Rijeka

To help you reach the northern part of the Croatia coast; from Rijeka, you can easily make it over to Opatija (note: Rijeka – Opatija is also possible by train), Istria or even the island of Krk by bus. From Rijeka, you can also use catamaran routes to Losinj , Cres , Rab or Pag .

The Zagreb to Rijeka service stops in the town of Karlovac which may also interest some travellers.

Pula to inland Istria

It’s possible to travel by train from Pula to Buzet in the Istrian interior; stops along the way include Vodnjan and Pazin.

Zagreb to Split

Obviously, you’ll be heading to Split to spend some time there exploring the wonderful sights of Croatia’s second largest city! But Split has excellent transport connections, so from here you can then move on to the Dalmatian islands such as Brac , Hvar , Vis , Korcula or Mljet by catamaran or ferry. Alternatively, you can also make you way up (e.g. to Zadar or Sibenik ) or down (to Dubrovnik) by bus. (Travel by Dubrovnik by catamaran is also possible.)

Split to Sibenik

Split to Sibenik takes between 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours by train (depending on which train you take) and involves a change of train in Perkovic.

Zagreb to Varazdin

There are numerous direct trains per day to the interesting baroque city of Varazdin in Northern Croatia that’s well worth visiting.

Zagreb to Eastern Croatia

There are regular daily trains to Osijek and Vinkovci if you’d like to explore this part of Croatia.

Interrailing your way to Croatia

If you’re travelling around Europe by train, there are a number of different routes which will lead you to Croatia – however, almost all international train routes will see you arrive in Zagreb . (Which is no bad thing, of course.) Wherever you’d travelling from, the Die Bahn website is an excellent resource for looking up Europe-wide train timetables.

From Hungary

There are daily trains from Budapest to Zagreb, travelling through Koprivnica and Krizevci to Zagreb. In the summer, there are also trains that travel from Budapest all the way to Split.

It’s possible – although a lengthy journey – to travel from Trieste to Zagreb by train, via Ljubljana.

Alternatively, you could make your way over to Ancona by train on Italy’s Adriatic coast and then take a ferry to Split.

From Slovenia

There are numerous daily trains from Ljubljana to Zagreb; train is an easy way of travelling between these two capital cities.

It is also possible to travel from Ljubljana to Rijeka or Opatija on Croatia’s coast.

From Austria

There are a number of direct trains from several Austrian cities to Zagreb – these include services from Graz, Salzburg, Vienna and Innsbruck.

From Germany

You can travel by train from Munich, Frankfurt and Stuttgart to Zagreb.

All details about interrailing in Croatia and in Europe can be found on the official Interrail website.

Timetables for train routes within Croatia can be looked up on the Croatian Railways website.

Read up on Getting to Croatia by Train for more advice on the railways. We also have a page on Trains in Croatia for what to expect when travelling by train in Croatia.

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• Zagreb – Dubrovnik
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• Split – Zagreb
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• Austria – Croatia
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Find your train

Split – zagreb.

Train from Split to Zagreb is one of the most popular train routes as it connects the two biggest cities in Croatia . The route is operated by Hrvatske Željeznice with 2 daily departures and 1 night departure. 

The train departs from Split Main Train Station close to the city centre of Split, right next to the main bus station and the ferry port. The train arrives at the main train station in Zagreb ( Zagreb Glavni Kolodvor ) located in the centre of Zagreb. The train stops at 16 more railway stations in between.

Types of trains

There are 2 types of trains operating the route Split – Zagreb, a day train and a night train .

There are 2 departures of the day train and the journey takes approximately 6 hours.

Split – Zagreb route is served by InterCity (IC) train with 1st and 2nd class . The 1st class wagons provide more space and comfort for the passengers compared to the 2nd class. On these trains, reservation is required .

Night trains are 2nd class fast trains . These trains are equipped with sleeping and couchette cars . They also have the option of transporting cars and bicycles . The approximate journey of a night train is 7 hours. On these trains, reservations are possible, but not required. 

The regular one-way ticket costs around 300 HRK (~€40) for the 1st class and around 200 HRK (~€27) for the 2nd class and the night train. The return ticket for the 1st class is around 480 HRK (~€64) and for the 2nd class is around 330 HRK (~€44). 

Children between the age of 6 and 12, students and seniors have a 50% discount while youth between the age of 12 and 26 have a 30% discount.  

For all other discounts and benefits check Train Croatia Discounts .

If looking for the fastest and easiest way to travel this route , then consider taking a bus from Split to Zagreb . Tickets start from €15 and there are over 30 departures per day, including several night buses. The journey takes about 5-6 hours with a 20-30 minute break. 

NOTE : In some cases, passengers who bought a train ticket might be transferred by bus instead, either some part or the entire route. This happens when a certain part of the railway on the route is under construction, which is highly influenced by the air temperature. Summer heats can cause the railway to extend which leads to malfunctions, while extremely low temperatures in winter shrink the railway which can lead to breakage. 

Other popular routes from Split

Other popular routes from zagreb, good to know.

• I have a heavy suitcase, can a taxi drop me to the train station in Split? Yes, Split Main Train Station is located near the Split city centre, so it is easily accessible by taxi and other means of transport such as city buses. 
• Where do I board the train in Split? There are two train stations in Split where you can board the train, find out more information here . 
• Where do I get off the train in Zagreb?
• There are three train stations in Zagreb where you can get off the train, find out more information here .
• Is there a car train from Zagreb to Split? The night train has an option of car transport, while day trains don’t. Read more about car transportation on trains.
• Is there a luggage service at Split/Zagreb train station? Yes, both train stations have luggage storage service. At Split main train station, the lockers are located in the waiting area and the price is also 15-20 HRK (~€2.5-3) per day. At Zagreb main train station, you can leave your luggage in the lockers in the hallway for the price of 15-20 HRK (~€2.5-3) per day (depending on the size of the locker).

For more information regarding trains in Croatia read our Train Croatia FAQ .

New International Train Route From Croatia Introduced

Lauren Simmonds

April 25, 2024

April the 25th, 2024 – A new international train route from Croatia has been introduced, and the tickets are already proving extremely popular.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the brand new international train route from Croatia will operate seasonally, and will be the first direct passenger railway line connecting Trieste (Villa Opicina) and Rijeka via Slovenia. The train that will run along the route was officially welcomed on Wednesday at the Rijeka’s railway station.

Trains running along the route Villa Opicina ‒ Rijeka ‒ Villa Opicina will run from now until the end of September, and will depart from Trieste, that is, Villa Opicina at 07:50. The return journey from Rijeka is scheduled for 18:25.

The new international train route from Croatia will stop and accept passengers at the stations in Opatija, Matulji and Šapjane in Croatia, as well as in in Ilirska Bistrica, Pivka, Divača and Sežana in neighbouring Slovenia.

The vehicle that will travel along the new route is a multi-system electric train owned by Slovenian Railways, with a capacity of 235 seats. It also has space for bicycles and pushchairs, and ensures the entry of people with disabilities and reduced mobility.

The price of a ticket from Villa Opicina to Rijeka is a mere 8 euros, and a return ticket is 16 euros. For a child from 6 to 12 years old, the price is four euros, and the transportation of children up to six years old is free. You have to pay five euros to transport a bicycle, and free Wi-Fi is available on the train.

Croatian Railways has pointed out that the new international train route from Croatia will better connect the rural, peripheral and cross-border areas of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. It’s otherwise one of six pilot activities being implemented as part of the SUSTANCE project as part of the Transnational Cooperation Programme Interreg Central Europe.

The project partners are the Executive Secretariat of the Central European Initiative, SŽ Potniški promet (Slovenian Railways) and HŽ Putnički prijevoz (Croatian Railways).

As part of this project, Croatian Railways is also busy updating its website with information that encourages environmentally friendly travel and active holidays. It is also going to place a strong emphasis on the unique experience of combining travel by train and bicycle in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. The website will provide information on bike transport, bike trails, bike-friendly accommodation and events across Croatia, Slovenia and Italy.

Eight partners from Croatia, Italy, Slovenia and Hungary are participating in the SUSTANCE project. The main goal is to improve the connection of public transport between sparsely populated rural, peripheral and cross-border regions and urban areas where the main traffic hubs are located. All of that is being done with an emphasis on improving public rail transport services in cross-border areas.

In addition, a lot of weight is being given to the development of innovative ICT solutions to improve sustainable passenger mobility all across Central Europe, using a bottom-up approach.

The total value of the project is two million euros, of which 80 percent is being financed through the Transnational Cooperation Programme Interreg Central Europe, and it will last until the end of March 2026.

The currently planned pilot activities include testing the new direct rail connection between Vila Opicina and Rijeka, and the experimental extension of the direct passenger rail service to Sopron on weekends from April to August in order for people to visit the Nežider Lake. In addition, there will be a feasibility study done into improving cross-border passenger rail connections between Divača and Pula, as part of which the installation of stations is planned for sharing bikes at Vodnjan and Savičenta railway stations. The development of an ICT application for transport services adapted to demand in peripheral areas of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region is also part of this project.

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The Maya Train Will Get You to All of Yucatán’s Best Spots. But Not Yet.

In December, the train began running on its first route through Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. On a five-day journey a few months later, the author encountered enthusiasm, and scheduling hiccups.

By Elisabeth Malkin

Elisabeth Malkin has been visiting the Yucatán Peninsula for three decades.

I stepped off the platform at the gleaming new Maxcanú train station, eager to see the magnificent Maya archaeological site of Uxmal. All I needed was a taxi to take me there, a trip of about 30 miles away.

There are no taxis, said the stationmaster, as we stood on the polished limestone floors of the high-ceilinged station, which was cool and breezy despite the brilliant late-morning sun outside. And I was the third person in two weeks to get off at Maxcanú expecting to reach Uxmal, he said.

I was midway through a five-day trip to explore the brand-new Maya Train and several of its destinations in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico . Designed to run 965 miles (1,554 kilometers) around a loop of 34 stations when completed, the train will whisk passengers in cool comfort through colonial cities, archaeological sites, splashy resorts and tropical forests.

Now I was stunned. Wrangling a taxi has never been a problem in Mexico. But the drivers gathered in the main square of Maxcanú offered only beat-up vans that hopscotch through small towns, where I might or might not find a taxi to Uxmal. The next van was leaving in 45 minutes.

Yucatán’s layers of history have long held me spellbound. During earlier car trips, I have clambered up deserted Maya temples and palaces, stepped into the cool naves of massive 16th-century churches and visited restored haciendas, testaments of the ostentation — and hardship — of the peninsula’s 19th-century plantation economy. Traveling by train, I thought, would allow me to steep myself in more of that history.

But as I found in Maxcanú, a train won’t necessarily get you to where you want to go.

During my February trip, I traveled on the only route then available, an east-west leg that opened in December and runs from Cancún to Mérida, and then south through the port city of Campeche to the Maya site of Palenque (a short route between Cancún and Playa del Carmen opened last month, with three trains a day). I encountered scheduling confusion, unfinished stations and a dearth of trains — just two operating daily each way between Cancún and Campeche, and only one to Palenque. Overnight sleepers and special dining trains seem years away.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador considers the Maya Train his showcase development project, and wants to inaugurate the rest of the train before he leaves office on October 1. Based on my experience, that goal seems elusive.

A $29-billion route through the jungle

I started my journey in Cancún, where in the pre-dawn gloom the station hovered like a glowing spaceship. An attendant scanned the ticket I had bought online and a half-dozen more pointed me toward my tourist-class car, which was about a quarter full. I planned to go to Campeche, about 300 miles away, stopping once each day. At 120 kilometers (about 75 miles) an hour, the train covers the route in about six hours, the same as a car. (When construction is complete, the train’s speed should increase to 160 kilometers an hour.)

The car’s wide windows looked out at a wall of low jungle. The blue-green seats were comfortable and there was ample space between the rows. I bought a very good cappuccino at the snack bar, but declined the plastic-wrapped sandwiches. The rest of the merchandise was fruit cups, milk boxes and junk food.

The train will ultimately cost much more than the $29 billion budgeted so far, and it’s not the first time ambitious planners have alighted on the region. Cancún was once a tiny fishing village, selected half a century ago as a tourist hub. Last year 10 million international tourists flew into its airport, more than the airports of Mexico City, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta combined.

But uncontrolled growth has stressed the Caribbean coast’s fragile environment. The Maya Train, scientists warn , will push those problems south, threatening the area’s water supply, its unique system of underground limestone caves and its vast nature reserves.

Mr. López Obrador has charged ahead, handing the train over to the military , and arguing that it will spread Cancún’s wealth and attract new visitors. Mexico received more than 42 million overseas tourists last year and they spent almost $31 billion .

Local governments see an opportunity. “The train will allow people to disperse throughout the peninsula,” said Michelle Fridman, the tourism secretary for Yucatán state, which promotes dozens of attractions far beyond highlights like Mérida and Chichén Itzá .

Now that the train is operating, transport companies will begin to connect stations with lesser-known sites nearby, she said.

It’s fair to ask whether the train is the most effective way to develop the peninsula’s tourism. Tour companies already run trips to many sites from major cities, which are well served by buses. Driving a rental car through most of the area is considered safe , according to U.S. State Department travel guidance .

Route of Mexico’s Maya Train

Canceled trip.

It took two hours (and one time-zone change) to reach Valladolid, a colonial city of handsome streets and ancient churches, where I bought the rest of my tickets at the station. A tourist-class ticket from Cancún to Valladolid costs 472 pesos (around $28) for foreigners and 355 pesos (around $21) for Mexicans. First class, with wider seats, costs 755.50 pesos and 566.50 pesos, and discounts are available for older travelers and residents of the five states along the train’s route. (A first-class bus from downtown Cancún to Valladolid costs between 222 and 344 pesos, depending on the time of day, and takes half an hour longer.)

It was impossible to run the new Maya Train tracks into dense city centers and the Valladolid station, like the rest, was outside the urban core. A waiting bus took disembarking passengers downtown, a 15-minute ride for 35 pesos.

That day I toured Ek Balam , the site of a ninth-century Maya kingdom that is dominated by a 100-foot palace distinguished by a facade of carvings depicting winged warriors, stylized animal features and geometric patterns bordered by giant fangs. Admission to the site includes entry to the X-Canché cenote, one of thousands of limestone sinkholes that were sacred to the Maya.

Later that afternoon, I was wandering through the Museum of Ethnic Clothing, a private collection of traditional dress, embroidery and hats, when a WhatsApp message from the ticket office blinked on my phone. My train scheduled for the following day was canceled.

I decided to deal with the problem in the morning and enjoy the city. As I wandered past the antique shops and boutique hotels of the elegant Calzada de los Frailes, it was clear that Valladolid’s tourism, and the infrastructure to handle it, was well established. The Maya Train is simply an alternative way to reach a city that tourists discovered years ago.

‘We’re on the Tren Maya!’

In the morning, I found that my train had not been canceled, but the station for which I had a ticket, Tixkokob, was closed. I got off instead one stop earlier at Izamal, known for its ocher streets and the giant Franciscan convent of San Antonio de Padua, built atop the ruins of a pyramid.

During the 90-minute ride, I heard widespread enthusiasm among fellow travelers who expressed a willingness to give the train time to work out the kinks. “We’re an experiment,” said Oliva Escobedo Ochoa, 64, who was vacationing from her home in central Mexico.

Leticia Iliassich, 57, who is Mexican, was traveling with her Croatian husband along with relatives from Mexico and Croatia. They had initially been scheduled on an earlier train to Mérida that had been canceled. “We knew that it was a new project,” she said. “We don’t mind.”

The group had already sent a video to friends declaring, “We’re on the Tren Maya!”

At the Izamal station I hitched a 15-minute ride into the town center with a man who had asked me to take his photo alongside the train and his father. From there I negotiated a taxi to Hacienda San Lorenzo Aké, a working hacienda that still turns the fiber from an agave plant called henequén into coarse rope. Global demand for henequén, known as Yucatán’s “green gold,” brought fantastic wealth to the region in the mid-19th century, speckling the peninsula with more than 1,000 haciendas. ( Many are now sumptuous hotels.)

Where geometry, nature and the divine merge

It was during my third day that I found myself stuck in Maxcanú, after a 90-minute train ride from Izamal. The stationmaster, an army captain, offered me a ride to Uxmal, just as he had to the stranded tourists before me.

Eying Uxmal’s 4 p.m. final ticket sale, I accepted.

My situation made it clear just how distant the Maya Train’s promises are for tourists seeking to explore more of Yucatán. In time, that will change, said Ms. Fridman, the tourism secretary. “The idea is to have more hotels along the train line,” she said. “That will happen little by little.”

But Uxmal , among the most stunning of the Maya sites, made up for the inconvenience. Uxmal’s grand buildings are faced with intricate decorative masks as well as friezes in which geometry, nature and the divine merge. New plaques at each structure offer detailed information in English and Spanish, part of the government’s investment in improving displays at Maya sites for the train project.

Most tourists either take day trips by car or bus to Uxmal from Mérida or stay at one of three nearby hotels. As I finished dinner at my hotel, the dining room began to fill up: 47 Polish tourists had arrived.

Panama hats and a cramped van

My plan for the day was to go by taxi to Bécal, a town where Panama hats are woven in limestone caves to keep the fibers soft, and then pick up the afternoon train in nearby Calkiní for the port city of Campeche.

But I spent so much time watching the hat-making demonstration and then fitting my new hat and buying gifts that we set off with little time to reach the station. To my chagrin, I missed the train, the last one of the day.

On Calkiní’s central square, I found a van that was leaving for Campeche. Cost: 65 pesos. Time: about 1 hour and 20 minutes, similar to what I would have spent on the train. Of course, I was trapped in a cramped seat and had to listen to the driver’s choice of sentimental ballads, but I was dropped off in downtown Campeche, close to my hotel.

The next day, I toured the Museum of Maya Archaeology , an expertly curated collection that included haunting jade funeral masks, glyphs and delicate ceramic figures.

José Madrigal, 45, an engineer from Fremont, Calif., was trying to make Maya pottery interesting for his twin sons. The boys had just turned 5 and their birthday present had been a ride on the Maya Train. “They love trains,” Mr. Madrigal said. Then the family moved on, keeping up a brisk clip through the museum. They had another train to catch.

Should you take the train?

Yes, if you are traveling between larger stations. The train also offers a way to get to Palenque, which is harder to reach and has roads with security concerns. Travelers can stow bicycles on board.

To see train times, check the destinations on the website . You cannot buy tickets online more than a week in advance. But when you finally board, the ride is smooth — and the coffee is excellent.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

French air traffic controllers call off strike but passengers still face cancellations

Although the strike has been called off, many flights are still cancelled.

SNCTA, the largest union representing air traffic controllers in France, has dropped plans for a 24-hour strike on Thursday after reaching a deal on pay and working conditions.

However, the deal came too late to roll back cancellations ordered by France's DGAC civil aviation authority.

As a result, 75 per cent of flights remain canceled at Paris Orly Airport on Thursday and 55 per cent at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Roissy. In Marseille-Provence, 65 per cent of flights are cancelled along with 45 per cent in other airports in mainland France.

Two other unions, UNSA-INCA and Usac-Cgt, had also called a strike. It is not clear whether they will still go ahead with the action.

A ‘black day’ for French airports

France ’s largest air traffic controllers union had filed a strike notice for this Thursday, protesting the restructuring of workers' services.

The SNCTA, which represents over 60 per cent of France’s air traffic controllers, told the French press earlier this week that they expected a "record turnout".

The national press has dubbed the 25th a “journée noir” (black day) for French airports.

"People should expect major disruption and long delays," a spokesperson for the SNCTA union told AFP.

It was predicted that the 24-hour strike would lead up to 70 per cent of flights in and out of French airports to be cancelled.

• Dublin Airport could break a 76-year tradition of blessing planes due to new safety rules
• Ranked: The world’s most stressful airports to travel through this Easter

Despite the strike being called off, the news came too late for cancellations to be reversed, and they remain at or just slightly below original figures.

It is unclear whether 'overflights' that need to enter French airspace will still be affected but budget airline Ryanair warned that over 300 flights would be cancelled due to the threatened strike.

Why did French air traffic controllers call a strike?

Unions were objecting to the restructuring of air navigation services, a debate that has been ongoing for the last 15 months.

Air traffic authorities are overhauling work schedules to cope better with predicted increases in flight traffic.

Unions were demanding an accompanying rise in salaries and employee numbers.

SNTCA was seeking pay increases of 5.04 per cent per year in 2025, 2026 and 2027, as well as the doubling of their “special qualification allowance”.

It is not yet known what deal has been reached.

The strike threat came despite the agreed ‘Olympic truce’ to suspend industrial action until the end of the games.

Could strikes hit the Paris Olympics?

CGT-RATP union members also announced a seven-month strike notice from 5 February to 9 September that could hit the Ile-de-France bus and metro network - including during this summer's Olympic Games .

However, the French Senate adopted a bill on 9 April to allow the state to ban transport strikes for set periods each year to avoid disruption during major events like Paris 2024.

• Europe's travel strikes: Flight and train disruption you can expect in April and May
• Are German train strikes finally ending? Deutsche Bahn strikes deal with train drivers’ union

It also calls for more advance warning of strikes and increased minimum service obligations.

The bill faces opposition and must be adopted by the French National Assembly before it becomes law.

Workers at the state-owned public transport company say they are walking out over pay.

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Train strikes in May 2024: Full list of dates and lines affected

Rail lines are set for disruption in the week following the first May bank holiday as train drivers at 16 rail companies strike on different days.

Thursday 25 April 2024 10:29, UK

Train drivers will stage a fresh wave of strikes and overtime bans in May, causing disruption to the rail network.

The strikes are part of a long-running dispute over pay.

Members of Aslef union at 16 rail companies will walk out on different days from 7 to 9 May.

Additionally, all members will refuse to work any overtime from 6 May to 11 May.

Here is a full list of the services affected by strikes and when.

Rail strike dates

Tuesday 7 May

Strikes will affect c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express and South Western Railway.

Wednesday 8 May

Strikes will affect Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains.

Thursday 9 May

Strikes will affect LNER, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express.

Overtime ban dates

From Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May union members will not work overtime.

Overtime bans, an action short of a strike, means some services may not be running or may be reduced as drivers refuse to work their rest days.

People are advised to check before they travel, as some areas may have no service.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

How do strikes and overtime bans affect services?

Strikes tend to mean services on lines where members are participating are extremely affected or cancelled entirely, whereas overtime bans often lead to reduced services.

Are there strikes on the Tube too?

There have been regular strikes on London Underground too recently, and while there aren't any planned walkouts for drivers, customer service managers are set to walk out on Friday 26 April in a dispute over terms and conditions.

There will also be an overtime ban for the customer service managers on the following days:

Monday 29 April

Tuesday 30 April

Wednesday 1 May

Tuesday 2 May

Wednesday 3 May

Thursday 4 May

Friday 5 May

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) says the action by its members is likely to cause Tube stations to close at the last minute, including on the Saturday following the strike (27 April), while TfL has said on its website "some stations may need to close at short notice".

Despite the warning, a TfL spokesperson has said they aren't expecting significant disruption.

This action follows strike action taken by the same workers on 10 April, which the TSSA said had a "real impact" with "many stations shut at short notice".

They say they are "extremely concerned" about TfL's 'Stations Changes' proposals.

"We have made it clear that our union will not accept the continued threats to our members' roles, locations, terms, and conditions to stand unchallenged," a TSSA spokesperson said.

"We will continue to take sustained action until London Underground is prepared to negotiate with us in good faith."

Commenting on the impending strikes, a TfL spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that TSSA is continuing with this strike action following a consultation process.

"While we don't expect this action will cause significant disruption, we urge TSSA to continue to work with us to help find a resolution.

"There are no planned job losses as part of these vital changes which will improve the service we provide to customers at our stations."

How can I stay in the loop?

You can use the National Rail's journey planner to see when trains are running.

Be sure to check it close to when you plan to travel, as it will be updated regularly.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Why are the strikes still happening?

Aslef rejected a two-year offer of 4% in 2022 and another 4% this year, saying it is way below inflation, and is linked to changes in terms and conditions.

Aslef said train drivers have not had an increase in salary for five years, since their last pay deals expired in 2019.

The union said after its members voted overwhelmingly in February to continue taking industrial action, it asked the train operating companies to hold talks.

General secretary Mick Whelan said the year-old pay offer of 4% and another 4% was "dead in the water".

Related Topics

• London Underground
• Rail strikes

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Train drivers across rail companies to stage fresh strikes in May, Aslef announces

The uk has seen almost two years of industrial action on its railways, with hundreds of millions of journeys cancelled, article bookmarked.

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Fresh travel disruption will impact rail passengers in May as train drivers at rail companies across England will stage a new series of strikes in a bitter, long-running dispute.

Members of the Aslef union will walk out on 7–9 May over pay, and ban overtime for six days from 6 May – the early May bank holiday Monday.

Drivers at c2c, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express and South Western Railway will strike on 7 May.

On 8 May there will be strikes affecting Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains.

Most operators will not run any trains on strike days.

Although the strikes affect train companies in England, cross-border services to Wales and Scotland are likely to see some knock-on effects.

The union said that after its members voted overwhelmingly in February to continue taking industrial action, it asked the train operating companies to hold talks. Aslef said train drivers have not had an increase in salary for five years, since their last pay deals expired in 2019.

General secretary Mick Whelan said: “It is now a year since we sat in a room with the train companies and a year since we rejected the risible offer they made and which they admitted, privately, was designed to be rejected.

“We first balloted for industrial action in June 2022, after three years without a pay rise. It took eight one-day strikes to persuade the train operating companies [Tocs] to come to the table and talk. Our negotiating team met the Rail Delivery Group [RDG] on eight occasions – the last being on Wednesday April 26 last year.

“That was followed by the Tocs’ ‘land grab’ for all our terms and conditions on Thursday April 27 – which was immediately rejected. Since then train drivers have voted, again and again, to take action to get a pay rise.

“That’s why Mark Harper, the transport secretary, is being disingenuous when he says that offer should have been put to members. Drivers would not vote to strike if they thought an offer was acceptable.”

Mr Whelan said the year-old offer of a 4 per cent pay rise followed by a second 4 per cent increase was “dead in the water”.

The Independent has contacted the Department for Transport for comment.

A spokesperson for the RDG, which represents the train operators, said: “This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the Aself leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses once again, while further damaging the railway at a time when taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54m a week just to keep services running.

“We continue to seek a fair agreement with the Aslef leadership which both rewards our people, gives our customers more reliable services and makes sure the railway isn’t taking more than its fair share from taxpayers.”

The latest industrial action comes after thousands of trains were halted during a string of rolling strikes in early April .

Before that, an overtime ban and rolling regional walk-outs hit for nine days from 29 January to 6 February .

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