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.
Read this next: Croatia Caves (Feeling Adventurous?)
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
Read this next: You’ll ADORE these Fabulous Fish Restaurants in Novalja!
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.
Read this next: Popular Beer in Croatia (Croatian Beer Guide)
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.
Read this next: About Pag Island