Train, Zagreb

The Main Zagreb Railway Station is located just a few minutes from the very center of the city. There are good connections to all parts of the Europe. More information about departures and arrives you can find on web site below.

On my most recent visit to Croatia in August/September 2009, I again opted for the EuroNight train from Zurich HB to Zagreb GLK. Croatian sleeping car was very clean, comfortable and safe. On-board train attendant was friendly, and he spoke some English & German. Passengers on the train were mostly tourists from Australia, Canada, Germany, Switzerland & the USA, with a few Croatian passengers. Round trip fare was about $150.00 USD.

Arriving at Zagreb's main station, I purchased tickets for travel within Croatia. While the platform sign indicated that my train was departing from platform 2, it quickly changed to platform 3, and again changed to platform 1. Somewhat concerned and confused, I asked some passengers waiting on platform 2, none spoke English and/or German. I proceeded to ask a train conductor who happened to be standing on platform 1, though he spoke Croatian only. Looking back at the main Arrival/Departure sign, I noted that the train was departing from platform 2. At that point I quickly walked back to platform 2 and boarded the train, hoping it was the correct one. It was a beautiful morning, sunny and rather hot!

The train was not air-conditioned, and most windows were open. I was sitting across from a young Croatian girl, and she happened to have lived in Germany for a number of years, thus spoke nearly fluent German. We conversed what seemed to be for well over an hour, and I nearly missed my stop. I was pleased to have been able to talk in German, and the young girl was an immense source of information. When I got off at my destination, I had all the info I needed for my 3 day stay, never bothered using my tourist map. My stay was delightful, though every day it seemed rather hot, and I mean very hot.

Upon my return to Zagreb, I re-visited many sights I've seen the year prior, yet I was in total awe of the beauty of the city itself and how much I missed first time around. I returned to Zurich, Switzerland via same EuroNight train. The train was crowded, mainly with tourists. At the border crossing between Croatia and Slovenia (EU), Customs officials boarded the train and asked to see travel documents Passports/Tickets, etc. Some of the passengers happened to be refugees, thus we were all asked to de-board the train. Delay seemed well over an hour, and we were permitted to board the train again. Overnight the train must have done its best to make-up for lost time, as we arrived the next morning at Zurich HB on time, even 2 minutes early! Overall it was a great trip and a pleasure to visit Croatia again.

I look forward to my visit in December 2010. While I was told that Zagreb, Croatia tends to be very cold during winter months, it won’t deter me from enjoying its beauty and less crowded streets, I hope!

American traveler from San Francisco, California

The station is very conveniently located on the edge of the city centre.

It has left luggage facilities and currency exchange, plus a couple of decent looking places for takeaway food. I didn't use them so can't comment (I'd had a picnic in the park opposite).

Didn't have to buy a ticket either - had a return from Ljubljana - so don't know how easy that is.

My train was 50 minutes late getting in from Belgrade, but the electronic screens kept passengers updated.

I was heading to Ljubljana and bought my ticket and asked which platform the train left from.
As I don't speak Croatian and the ticket sellers spoke very little English all I could gather was platform 2. Okay fair enough.
I went to platform 2 and instant problem. There was platform 2 -1. There was platform 2-2 and there was platform 2A.
I went back and asked again and all they would tell me is 2. Okay. As I know the train leaves at 9-06 I expect I will be able to work it out. There are those TV screens on the platforms indicating which train is arriving.
I slowly realise that the trains don't terminate in Ljubljana but go on to somewhere else. And I don't know the ultimate destination of my train. And the TV screens don't indicate which places the train stops at.
Still I am happy because I know my train leaves at 9-06.
But then it is 9-04 and the TV screens for all three platforms 2 are showing times that say nothing about 9-06.
I am beginning to panic. But luckily a station official arrives. So I ask him. "Ljubljana?" He decisively points at platform 2-1.
Another passenger - nice fellow - tells me he is going to Slovenia so we agree the train will be going from platform 2-1.
But then a train pulls in on platform 2-2 at about 9-14. I am still cool about platform 2-1, patiently waiting.
But then I notice the guy who is going to Slovenia getting on the train! (He had the advantage of speaking the language.)
I take the risk and jump on the train.
I see the guy in the passageway and I ask him "This train?"
He says "I think so." And we both shrug.
The train did stop at Ljubljana so all was well.
But what chaos, what mayhem, what traveller anxiety, what useless tv screens.

On my recent visit to Zagreb, I opted to take the EuroNight from Zurich, Switzerland to Zagreb, Croatia instead of flying. Granted the trip took significantly longer, though it was well worth it. The Croatian Sleeping Car was very clean, comfortable and safe. The train departs Zurich at 9:40 PM (21:40) and arriving in Zagreb the following morning at 10:52 AM (10:52). The Border/Customs is easy within the EU nations (Austria & Slovenia), while rather strict when entering/exiting Croatia. I'm a citizen of the United States of America and while I speak German, the Border/Customs officials spoke Croatian only, thus making it even more complicated.

At Zagreb Main Station (Glavni Kolodvor), purchasing train tickets for travel within Croatia was yet another challenge since customer service agents spoke Croatian only. Traveling by train within Croatia seems safe, one should note that trains are often late and in some cases very late for whatever the reason. I opted to travel by 1st Class whenever possible as some 2nd Class trains are old and in dire need of thorough cleaning and repair. Passengers are often eager to talk and are very friendly, though one should never let their guard down and be well aware of their surroundings.

Zagreb is a beautiful city, with much to offer and residents are very friendly and eager to assist foreigners/tourists. Downside, Zagreb is not cheap by any means. Other cities within Croatia seem less expensive and offer good options to tourists. Overall, I had a very pleasant and positive experience while visiting Croatia in January & August 2008. I look forward to visiting again and most certainly will opt for the EuroNight from Zurich/Zagreb/Zurich as it is a great alternative to expensive European air travel.

American traveler from San Francisco, California

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The train station in Zagreb can be a bit daunting if you don't speak the language: for some reason it's stocked with stuff that is very wary about using there - help the *** out - skills and in fact can be downright unfriendly. The departure/arival signs in the centre of the building are your surest bet, otherwise informations boots are located on the east wing of the building.
There's a couple of places to eat in the building but theh're nothing to write home about. The ATM is on the west wing.

The train from Budapest takes about 6 hours and costs 7140 HUF for a return (its cheaper than a single) second class. There are two direct trains a day I think and the journey takes you past the outside of lake balaton for most of the journey which is stunning.

the tram system in Zagreb is a cheap and conveneint way to travel around the city and to some of its suburbs. you buy tickets from kiosks that are positioned around the streets and validate it when you get on a tram. there is also a night tram service which covers the majority of the areas the day tram covers, but are a little less frequent. these run all through the night.