Croatia
General train travel information for CROATIA. Rail travel tours, accommodation, sightseeing.
Brief History
In the middle of the 19th century, the first railroad line in Croatia was opened, connecting Zagreb and Sisak. Since then, the passenger rail network in the country has continued to develop. Railway lines were built and modernized, allowing for better connections between different cities and regions in Croatia.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Croatia became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later known as the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Croatian railroads became part of the unified system of Yugoslav railroads, which stretched across the entire territory of the country.
After the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Croatia gained independence. Croatian Railways (Hrvatske željeznice) was established and became the national railway company responsible for passenger and freight transportation within the country.
In recent years, Croatia has been actively modernizing its railway infrastructure and improving passenger services. Existing rail lines have been renovated, new trains have been put into service and modern technologies have been introduced to ensure safety and efficiency.
Today, Croatian passenger railroads provide domestic and international train services, connecting Croatia's main cities and towns with neighboring countries. The railway system continues to play an important role in the country's transportation network, offering an important mode of travel for locals and tourists alike.
General Information and Statistics
Croatian Railways (Hrvatske željeznice) is the main railway company serving passengers in Croatia. In 2018, Hrvatske željeznice served 20.270 million passengers
There are 2 974 kilometres of railway lines in Croatia (2020). Croatia has more than 140 railway stations.
1,228 km are electrified - 41.3%
What connections to other countries there are.
There are frequent train services to all neighbouring countries including the Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Germany, Switzerland
Are trains fast in Croatia in general? How much time to cross the country?
Trains in Croatia are generally not considered high-speed compared to some other countries. Train speeds in Croatia are generally moderate, and the infrastructure is designed for regular passenger and freight service rather than high-speed travel.
Average train speeds in Croatia are around 80-100 km/h (50-62 mph) on most routes. However, it is important to note that speeds can vary depending on the specific route and type of train. The journey from Rijeka to Vinkovci takes 9:37 hours and from Frankfurt am Gunja to Hromec 7:08 hours.
What railway companies are available?
Croatian Railways (Croatian: Hrvatske željeznice; abbreviated as HŽ) is the national railway company of Croatia.
What train types are available in Croatia
The train types operated by Hrvatske željeznice (Croatian Railways) include:
• Regional Trains: These trains connect smaller towns and cities within Croatia. They make frequent stops along the route and are suitable for shorter-distance travel.
• InterCity Trains: InterCity trains are faster and provide connections between major cities in Croatia. They have fewer stops compared to regional trains, allowing for quicker travel times.
• International Trains: Hrvatske željeznice operates international trains that connect Croatia with neighboring countries, such as Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. These trains offer cross-border travel options.
• Night Trains: Night trains provide overnight travel options, allowing passengers to sleep on board while covering longer distances. They often offer sleeper and couchette accommodations.
• Special Trains: Hrvatske željeznice occasionally operates special trains for events or seasonal purposes, such as tourist routes or heritage train journeys.
Are there high-speed-trains available?
The main NW-SE line is the only one that is mostly double-tracked. It has also been modernised to a speed of 160 km/h on some sections.
Most important train stations / hubs.
The main railway hubs in Croatia are Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek, Zadar
Websites to buy train tickets for Croatia?
https://prodaja.hzpp.hr/en/Ticket
Mobile apps to buy train tickets in Croatia?
Hrvatske željeznice has “HZPP tickets” app.
Possible to buy a ticket at a Croatia railway station?
In addition to buying tickets online and via mobile app, you can buy them at the ticket offices of railway stations. You can also buy tickets on the train without a fee if you board the train at a station/stop where the ticket office is not open.
You can print out your e-ticket, or simply present it to the conductor on your smartphone
Can I buy my ticket by phone?
Information and assistance in purchasing tickets via the website/smartphone application can be obtained by calling the telephone number +385 (0)1 3782 583 as well as via email informacije@hzpp.hr from 5 AM to 11 PM.
Return the ticket.
E-tickets cannot be returned or replaced.
There's no further information
Train ticket prices
Apart from age discounts, there are no interesting offers from Croatian Railways. But this is not surprising, as ticket prices are quite economical. You can buy tickets for most long-distance journeys within Croatia for as little as EUR 15 - even on major routes such as Zagreb to Vinkovci.
Cheapest train to the closest nearby country?
It is not possible to buy tickets online for international flights of Croatian Railways, they can only be bought at the ticket office of the railway station
OBB provides an international route between Zagreb and Ljubljana, the ticket price is 24.90 euros
Where to find timetables.
Find train schedules on https://prodaja.hzpp.hr/en/Ticket
Buying tickets in advance or right before the train
You can purchase tickets for your trip two months in advance. Alternatively, you can simply show up on the day of your trip and purchase your ticket in advance. There is no particular need to buy tickets in advance, unless it is during the high season
Types of tickets.
Apart from one-way and round-trip tickets, the only interesting offers Croatian Railway has are discounts for families and group travelling
Interrail/Eurail Passes in Croatia
The Eurail and Interrail Pass is available for Croatia. The best option is to buy your Eurail or Interrail Pass on the official website.
Saver price.
There are no special tickets at the best price. The most favourable tickets for children, students, journalists, pensioners, families and for group travelling
Is it cheaper to buy round-trip?
Buy single tickets, not return tickets. This will give you more flexibility if you need to change your travel plans. It is not cheaper to buy return tickets.
Flexible tickets.
Flexible tickets are not available.
Rules of boarding.
No official information found. But on international trains you will definitely need your passport
Discounts for group travel.
• For groups of at least 5 adults, there is a 30% to 50% discount on regular return tickets in 1. and 2. class on all regular trains.
The discount does not apply for distances less than 25 km.
• HŽ Passenger transport introduced a new commercial benefit of 75% and 85% discounts for organized group travels of preschool, elementary and high school children and regular students organized by an educational facility to which they belong, and in accordance with the set criteria. There must be five or more passengers in a group.
• When traveling in a family group (minimum three or maximum 10 family members of which at least one passenger must be a child between 6 and 15 years of age), HŽ Passenger Transport offers a commercial benefit in the form of 40% or 50% discount on return journeys in 1. or 2. class carriages of all types of regular trains in domestic traffic.
1. A 50% discount is available if there are more children between 6 and 15 years of age than adults in the traveler's family (or if the amount is in balance).
2. A 40% discount is available if there are more adults than children in the traveler's family.
When buying a train ticket, it is necessary to state the purpose of your journey. The discount does not apply for distances shorter than 25 km.
• Groups of youth younger than 20 who wish to travel by train between Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia and Austria have a 70% discount on one way and return journeys.
To achieve the right for a discount, the group must count at least 6 people.
Age groups and discounts.
Children up to 6 years old travel free of charge on trains, provided they have a ticket from the person in charge.
Children from 6 to 12 years old receive a 50% discount
Pensioners (65 years old) get a 50% discount
Youth up to 26 years old get 30% discount
Students receive a 50% discount
Age limitations for minors.
Children from 6 to 12 can travel unsupervised on Croatian Railways trains. The fare is 50% of the adult fare.
There is a 30% discount for young people up to 26 years old
Handicapped passengers.
HŽ Putnički prijevoz and HŽ Infrastruktura provide free of charge assistance to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when boarding and disembarking the train and during the journey.
If assistance is required when traveling by rail, you must notify HŽ Putnički prijevoz or HŽ Infrastruktura at least 48 hours before the expected date of travel.
If you do not notify your trip in time, all reasonable measures will be taken in order to provide the necessary assistance at the stations and during the trip.
Seat reservations in Croatia trains.
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.
Comfort classes on the trains.
On many trains, only standard class seats are available.
However, on the main routes connecting Zagreb with Split and Zagreb with Zadar, first class seats are available.
In addition, these modernised trains are faster.
First class compartments are more spacious and comfortable, with the ability to stretch your legs and recline your seat back, .
Some trains (usually on long-distance routes) have sleeping carriages.
Food and drink in Croatia trains / train restaurant.
On overnight international trains from Croatia, breakfast is served in the morning. The other trains do not provide catering or dining cars.
Night trains in Croatia?
«ÖBB's nightjet» night trains start and end in Germany. From Munich to Italy (Venice, Milan, Rome), from Berlin to Paris, Vienna, Budapest and Switzerland or from Hamburg to Vienna and Zurich. There are also night trains from Berlin and Hamburg to Sweden: Malmö, Stockholm. They all offer standard seating, 4 or 6 berth couchettes or 1 to 3 berth sleepers.
Are there trains transporting cars?
Transport tickets for passengers and vehicles upon presentation of a traffic permit are purchased at the ticket offices in Zagreb, Split, Varaždin, Osijek, Vinkovci and Slavonski Brod.
Due to the limited number of vehicles accepted for transportation, tickets must be purchased in advance. Only valid and registered vehicles with a height not exceeding 155 cm are accepted for transportation. You can load the car one and a half hours before the departure of the train.
In Zagreb, cars are loaded at the entrance east of the Croatian Post Office building on Branimir Branka bb, and in Split at the entrance to the parking lot between the train and bus station.
Important train routes in Croatia.
Zagreb – Split / from 6:21 hours / from 14,94 EUR / 4 trains a day
Zagreb – Osijek / from 5:18 hours / from 15,49 EUR / 4 trains a day
Zagreb – Rijeka / 4:24 hours / from 4,24 EUR / 1 trains a day
Zagreb – Sisak / from 0:49 hours / from 17,90 EUR / every hour
Zagreb – Vinkovci / from 4:12 hours / from 15,49 EUR / every 2 hours
International train routes.
There are direct international trains from Croatia to the Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Germany, Switzerland
Tourist / scenic routes in Croatia.
Railroad Zagreb - Hlavni Kolodvor Croatia, Zagreb - Split
Croatia boasts natural beauty, charismatic cities, breathtaking islands and an impressive coastline.
Lush countryside dotted with iconic terracotta red roofs. Bursts of purple lavender fields in season, quaint Croatian towns and fortified castles will have you nestled against the window during this enchanting journey between two of Croatia's most popular cities.
Once you arrive in Split, you can easily transfer from the train to the ferry and travel to Croatia's stunning Dalmatian Islands.
Luggage information.
On trains operated by Croatia Railways, hand luggage that fits above or below the seat and doesn’t exceed 30 kg is included in the price of a ticket. Heavier or larger luggage is charged an additional 27 HRK per piece, regardless of the length of travel.
If travelling on the international routes, you should check the regulations of each train company you’re travelling with.
Bicycle on the train.
On trains operated by Croatia Railways, bicycles can be transported on all trains if assembled and packaged in order to fit a passenger’s section or a specially designated area for luggage. There are also some trains which have a designated area for storing bicycles.
Bicycle transportation fee is €1.99 on domestic routes and about €5 on all international trains, regardless of the length of travel.
Ski or snowboard on the train.
Croatian ski resorts might not be the best in Europe but they are much more affordable than those in neighbouring countries. Usually, there's snow in the mountains in the north of the country for about 3 winter months which provides decent skiing and snowboarding opportunities.
But, unfortunately, there is no information about the possibility of carrying skis or snowboards.
Luggage lockers on the stations in Croatia.
You can leave you luggage in lockers in the hallway of the Zagreb Main railway station´s central area.
Locker rental price per day:
• small and medium-sized lockers – 1.95 EUR
• large lockers – 2.60 EUR
You can hand over your luggage for safekeeping at the PASSENGER SERVICE OFFICE on Platform 1, too.
• Price: 2.60 EUR per piece per day.
Working hours: 00:00 am – 12:00 pm
At the Split train station you can put your luggage in the lockers in the waiting area.
Price for rent for one day:
• small and medium – 1.95 EUR
• big – 2.60 EUR
Working hours: 06.00 - 22.00
At the Rijeka train station you can put your luggage in the lockerss that are in the vestibule at the exit of the peron.
• The rent price of the cabinet for one day is 1.95 EUR
Working hours: 04: 30-22: 00 hours.
Lost and Found Items.
There is no separate «Lost and Found» service on Croatian Railways. But cases were found on the web when people contacted the company's call center and were assisted in finding lost items.
Pets on the trains.
Generally, smaller pets, service and guide dogs are allowed on the train respecting the given regulations. Pets in transport boxes transported as hand luggage and small dogs outside transport boxes are transported free of charge. However, larger dogs are charged 50% of the 2nd class regular ticket price.
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