Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around Croatia.

National Trains [HŽ]

Main operator — Hrvatske željeznice (HŽ) runs most regional and intercity trains. Book via hzpp.hr or at stations; discounts available for advance bookings and return tickets.
Useful routes — Zagreb to Split (11 hours) and Zagreb to Rijeka (4 hours) are popular long-distance services. Trains are slower than buses but offer more comfort for overnight travel.
Strikes occur occasionally, especially in summer; check hzpp.hr before traveling on important days.
Ticket validation — Validate your ticket at station machines before boarding, or face a fine of around 150 kn.

Zagreb system — Use the integrated ZET (Zagrebački električni tramvaj) for buses and trams. The Brzi Vozač app shows real-time arrivals and lets you buy tickets digitally.
Other cities — Split and Rijeka have local bus networks; buy tickets from kiosks or drivers (10–15 kn per ride). Day passes are usually 30–40 kn.
Validate your ticket immediately upon boarding by scanning it at the machine; inspectors are common and fines are 150–300 kn for invalid tickets.
Weekly passes — If staying in Zagreb longer than a few days, buy a 7-day pass (150 kn) from kiosks or via Brzi Vozač app for unlimited travel.

Regulated taxis — Use white taxis with meters in Zagreb, Split, and Rijeka; insist the driver turns on the meter. Reputable companies include Cammeo, Eko Taxi, and Taxi Croatia.
Ride-sharing apps — Uber and Bolt operate in major cities and are generally safer and cheaper than flagged taxis; prices are fixed upfront.
Unlicensed taxis (especially near tourist areas) may overcharge; never agree to a price before boarding—always use metered or app-based services.
Airport transfers — Book airport transfers in advance through your hotel or via Uber/Bolt; standard taxi from Zagreb airport costs 150–200 kn.

License & documents — An EU/US driving license is valid, but carry your passport and vehicle registration. You must have a warning triangle, reflective vests, and a headlight spare bulb kit in the car.
Speed limits & tolls — Motorways have 130 km/h limits and charge tolls (e-tolling via vignettes or electronic tags); buy a vignette at border crossing or petrol stations. Roads are generally well-maintained.
Drink-driving limit is 0.05%; police conduct random breath tests. Fines start at 500 kn and can include license suspension.
Mountain roads — Coastal and inland mountain roads are winding and can be treacherous in poor weather; drive defensively and watch for oncoming traffic.
Parking — Use blue-zone parking in city centers (pay at machines, typically 10–20 kn/hour); never park illegally as cars are towed quickly.

Main hub — Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport (ZAG) is the largest; Split and Dubrovnik also have international terminals. Most low-cost carriers use these three.
Ground transport — Zagreb airport connects to the city via the Croatia Airlines bus (30 kn, 30 min), taxis (150–200 kn), or Uber/Bolt (100–150 kn). Split and Dubrovnik have similar bus and taxi options.
Check-in times — Arrive 2 hours early for EU flights and 3 hours for international; luggage allowances vary by carrier—confirm with your airline.
Airport info — All three major airports have duty-free shops, ATMs, and car-rental counters; WiFi is free at ZAG and Split.

Main operator — Jadrolinija operates most Adriatic ferry services connecting the mainland to islands. Book via jadrolinija.hr or at ticket offices in coastal towns.
Popular routes — Hourly ferries run from Split to Hvar, Brač, and Vis; daily services connect Dubrovnik to Lopud and Koločep. Prices range from 20–80 kn per journey.
Summer ferries get crowded; arrive early to secure a spot, especially on weekends. Services may be reduced or cancelled in bad weather.
Island-hopping — Buy a multi-day ferry pass if hopping between several islands; Jadrolinija offers 3- and 7-day passes that offer savings.

Digital tickets — Most transport operators accept mobile tickets via their apps (HŽ, Brzi Vozač, Jadrolinija). Keep PDFs or screenshots as backup.
Payment methods — Debit/credit cards are widely accepted for online bookings; at stations and kiosks, cash (kn) is safest. Some ticket machines only accept coins.
Buy tickets before boarding intercity buses or trains; inspectors fine travelers without valid tickets 150–300 kn on the spot.
Tourist passes — Zagreb Card (24/48/72 hours) includes free public transport and museum discounts; Split Card offers similar benefits for 24/48 hours.

Local providers — Major networks are Cronet (HT), A1 Hrvatska, and Telemach. Buy prepaid SIM cards at airports, supermarkets, or carrier shops; registration with ID takes 5 minutes.
Data packages — Prepaid plans offer 5–20 GB/month for 50–100 kn; top-ups via apps are instant. EU roaming applies, so your home plan often works but may be slower.
WiFi availability — Free WiFi is common at cafes, hotels, malls, and train stations in major cities; signal is patchy in remote areas and villages.
Mobile reception inland can be unreliable in mountains and villages; always download offline maps and transport timetables before traveling.