Magnolia blossom in the lovely city of Zagreb. Croatia is fabulous, from Adriatic islands to wineries & olive groves in Istria.

Easy by train, no flight needed!

The rail way to Croatia! London to Zagreb in 24 hours...

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 in a local hotel, then take a wonderful scenic ride through the mountains across Austria, into 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 is a guide to booking train travel to Croatia, with train times, fares & how to buy tickets...

London to Zagreb

London to Split & Dubrovnik

London to Korcula, Hvar, Vis, Brac

London to Rijeka

London to Istria: Porec, Rovinj, Pula

Visiting the city of Zagreb

Useful country information: currency, dial code...

Holidays to Slovenia & Croatia by train not plane

Trains from Croatia to other European cities

Trains to Croatia from other European cities

Train travel information

General information about European train travel

Taking your bike Taking your dog Luggage

Travel insurance, mobile data, VPN & other tips

Buying UK train tickets to connect with Eurostar

Route map

Useful country information

Train operators:	HZ (Hrvatske Zeljeznice) ww.hzpp.hr. Eurostar times & fares All-Europe train times
Railpasses:	Beginner's guide to European railpasses Buy a rail pass online
Time zone:	GMT+1 (GMT+2 from last Sunday in March to last Saturday in October).
Dialling code:	+385
Currency:	£1 = approx 1.15 euros (Croatia adopted the euro in January 2023). Check current exchange rates
Tourist information:	Croatia: www.htz.hr & www.croatiatraveller.com Recommended guidebooks
Accommodation:	Find a hotel in Croatia, Slovenia or Bosnia
Visas:	UK citizens do not need a visa to visit Croatia or Slovenia.
Page last updated:	6 March 2023. Train times valid 11 December 2022 to 9 December 2023.

London to Zagreb by train

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

Option 1, morning Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Stuttgart, sleeper to Zagreb: Take a morning Eurostar to Paris, an afternoon high-speed double-deck TGV Duplex to Stuttgart, then the modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeper train Lisinski overnight to Zagreb arriving late morning after a lovely scenic run along the Sava river. This is the fastest and most time-effective option. 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: Very similar to option 1, but via Zurich instead of Stuttgart. Take a morning Eurostar to Paris, an afternoon high-speed double-deck TGV-Lyria to Zurich, then a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeper train from Zurich to Zagreb arriving late morning after a lovely scenic run along the Sava river.
Option 3, afternoon Eurostar, Nightjet sleeper train to Vienna, day train to Zagreb, 5 times a week: You take a mid-afternoon Eurostar from London to Paris or Brussels to connect with an excellent Austrian Nightjet sleeper train to Vienna. The Nightjet runs Paris-Vienna 3 times a week and Brussels-Vienna 3 times a week. Spend the morning in Vienna, then take a late afternoon EuroCity train to Zagreb with (in summer when it's light) 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: For all-daytime train travel with great scenery, take a mid-morning Eurostar to Paris and the afternoon high-speed double-decker TGV Duplex to Munich. Stay the night in Munich and continue next day through superb Austrian, Slovenian and Croatian landscapes. This option is longer then the others, but it uses daytime trains throughout, with a hotel stop in Munich.
Option 5, London or Cambridge to Amsterdam overnight by ferry. high-speed ICE trains to Munich & sleeper train to Zagreb. The ferry alternative! Travel overnight from London or Cambridge to Amsterdam with a cosy private cabin, 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

Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 10:22 on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 13:47. On any day of the week you can leave London St Pancras at 09:24 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 12:57.
In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est.

Step 2, travel from Paris to Stuttgart by high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 Monday-Friday & Sunday arriving Stuttgart Hbf 19:04. On Saturdays, leave Paris Gare de l'Est at 13:55 arriving Stuttgart Hbf 17:04.
The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck. Times may vary, so check your date at www.bahn.de.

Step 3, travel from Stuttgart to Zagreb by sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 and arriving Zagreb 10:39.
The Lisinski has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats (not recommended). Watch the Croatian sleeper video. There's no catering car, so take a picnic and a bottle of wine with you!
From 31 March to 2 September 2023, there's a direct Croatian sleeping-car for Rijeka, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 & arriving Rijeka 11:25.

Zagreb ► London

Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Stuttgart by sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Zagreb at 19:38 & arriving Stuttgart Hbf 08:37.
The Lisinski has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats. Watch the Croatian sleeper video.
From 30 March to 2 September 2023, there's a direct Croatian sleeping-car from Rijeka, leaving Rijeka at 18:47 & arriving Stuttgart 08:37.

Step 2, travel from Munich or Stuttgart to Paris by high-speed ICE train, leaving Stuttgart at 10:52 & arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 14:05.
The high-speed ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Do not risk earlier connections.
In Paris, it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare du Nord.

Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 17:03 & arriving London St Pancras at 18:32.

How much does it cost?

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

1. London to Paris by Eurostar...	From £52 one-way, £78 return 2nd class. From £115 one-way, £199 return 1st class. Child fares

2. Paris to Stuttgart by TGV Duplex...	From €39.90 each way in 2nd class From €69.90 each way in 1st class. Limited availability, book in advance to get these fares.

3. Stuttgart to Zagreb on the Lisinski...	In a seat:	In a couchette		In the sleeping-car
		6-berth	4-berth	3-berth	2-berth	single
One-way per person from:	€29	€49	€59	€69	€89	€129

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 information 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.

Tip: If you're travelling from a town or city north of London, see advice about buying domestic tickets to London to connect with Eurostar.

Step 2, book the sleeper train from Stuttgart to Zagreb at www.thetrainline.com.
Use the journey planner to bring up the direct Stuttgart-Zagreb sleeper train marked EN with 0 changes. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Alternatively, you can book London to Paris at www.eurostar.com, then Paris to Stuttgart at the German Railways website www.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

If you'd prefer to book all your tickets together by phone, just call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, small booking fee.
Alternatively, you can 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).

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.

UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk

US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website

Canada call 1-855-882-2910, see website

Australia call 1300 971 526, see website

New Zealand call 0800 000 554 or see website
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 at London St Pancras (45-minute minimum in Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Gare du Nord station guide.


A Eurostar e320 at St Pancras. More about Eurostar.		1st class: Standard Premier or Business Premier.


Standard class seats. Larger photo.		One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9. Larger photo.

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.

TGV Duplex at Paris Est. These impressive 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris with Stuttgart & Munich...


Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.		2nd class seats on the upper deck. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.


1st class on upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. 360º photo.		A TGV Duplex. The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

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.

The 'Lisinski' sleeper train from Munic to Zagreb, boarding in Munich

Above, the air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car to Zagreb, boarding at Munich Hbf. The Croatian couchette car is the next vehicle to the right. See the Croatian sleeper video.


1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper.		Set up as a single-berth.		4 or 6-berth couchettes. 360º photo.

Wake up to scenery like this between Ljubljana & Zagreb, along the river Sava...

Watch the video: By sleeper to Zagreb

This video was taken on the Zurich to Zagreb sleeper, which is identical to the Stuttgart-Zagreb sleeper and takes the same scenic route between Ljubljana & Zagreb.

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.

London ► Zagreb

Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 07:01 Mondays-Fridays arriving Paris Gare du Nord 10:17, at 06:31 on Saturdays arriving Paris Gare du Nord 09:47, or at 08:01 on Sundays arriving Paris Gare du Nord 11:20.
There's also an 07:55 Eurostar on Mondays-Saturdays, but I'd play safe and book an earlier Eurostar when available.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon, 2 stops on RER line D.

Step 2: Travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 12:22 arriving Zurich HB at 16:26.
The 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about TGV-Lyria.
In Zurich, there's time for dinner while waiting for the sleeper, I recommend steak-frites and a beer at the Brasserie Federal inside Zurich HB, see other restaurant suggestions.

Step 3, travel from Zurich to Zagreb overnight by Croatian sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 20:40 and arriving Zagreb 10:39.
The train has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats (not recommended). Watch the Croatian sleeper video. There's no catering car, so take a picnic and a bottle of wine with you!

Zagreb ► London

Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Zurich by Croatian sleeper train, leaving Zagreb at 19:38 and arriving in Zurich HB at 09:20 next morning.
The train has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats (not recommended). Watch the Croatian sleeper video.

Step 2, travel from Zurich to Paris by TGV-Lyria, leaving Zurich HB at 11:34 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 15:38.
The 320 km/h double-deck TGV-Lyria has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about TGV-Lyria.
Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 18:13 daily except Saturdays, arriving London St Pancras at 19:30. On Saturdays, leave Paris Gare du Nord at 19:03, arriving London St Pancras at 20:39.

How much does it cost?

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

1. London to Paris by Eurostar...	From £52 one-way, £78 return 2nd class. From £115 one-way, £199 return 1st class. Child fares

2. Paris to Zurich by TGV Lyria...	From €29 each way in 2nd class From €79 each way in 1st class. Limited availability, book in advance to get these fares.

3. Zurich to Zagreb by sleeper train...	In a seat:	In a couchette		In the sleeping-car
		6-berth	4-berth	3-berth	2-berth	single
One-way per person from:	€29	€49	€59	€69	€89	€129

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

How to buy tickets

Step 1, book from London to Zurich 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-Zurich, and usually 90 days ahead for Zurich-Zagreb, see more information 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.

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.

Tip: If you're travelling from a town or city north of London, see advice about buying domestic tickets to London to connect with Eurostar.

Step 2, book the sleeper train from Zurich to Zagreb at www.thetrainline.com.
Use the journey planner to bring up the direct Zurich-Zagreb sleeper train marked EN with 0 changes. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

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.

How to buy tickets by phone

It's better to book online, but if you want to book by phone, just call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, a phone booking fee applies.
Alternatively, you can 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).

What are the trains 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 & 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 at London St Pancras (45-minute minimum in Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Paris Gare du Nord station guide. How to cross Paris by metro or taxi.

A Eurostar e320 train at St Pancras. More about Eurostar.

Standard Premier/Business Premier. Larger photo.

Standard class seats. Larger photo.

One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9. Larger photo.

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 information about TGV-Lyria.

TGV-Lyria TGV Duplex train at Paris Gare de Lyon. More information about TGV-Lyria.

Cafe-bar on upper deck car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes...

2nd class seats on the upper deck. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.

1st class on the upper deck, with a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. Larger photo.

A TGV-Lyria boarding at Paris Gare de Lyon. You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

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.

The Zurich-Zagreb sleeper train boards at Zurich HB as the sun sets on a summer day. That's the Croatian couchette car on the right, the Croatian sleeping-car on the left.

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper.

Set up as a single-berth.

4 or 6-berth couchettes. 360º photo.

Wake up to scenery like this between Ljubljana & Zagreb, along the river Sava...

Watch the video: Zurich to Zagreb by sleeper...

Back to top

Option 3, afternoon Eurostar, Nightjet sleeper to Vienna, EuroCity train to Zagreb...

This is slower than options 1 & 2 because of the time between trains in Vienna, but what's not to like about some time in the Austrian capital? This is arguably most comfortable option as the Paris-Vienna & Brussels-Vienna Nightjet trains offer some deluxe sleepers with en suite shower & toilet. Each Nightjet runs 3 times a week, giving an option via Paris 3 days a week and via Brussels 3 days a week. In Brussels it's a same-station change, in Paris it's a 7-minute 500m walk between the Gare du Nord and the Gare de l'Est, otherwise both routes are very similar.
London ► Zagreb Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

Step 1, travel from London to Brussels by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 15:04 arriving Brussels Midi 18:05.
Tip: At Brussels Midi, the Pullman Hotel bar makes an excellent VIP waiting room.

Step 2, travel from Brussels to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Brussels Midi 19:32 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:14.
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.

Step 3, travel from Vienna to Zagreb by EuroCity train Croatia, leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:58 and arriving Zagreb at 22:27.
The EuroCity train has comfortable air-conditioned Austrian coaches, and an Austrian restaurant car. In summer when it's light, enjoy the wonderful scenery over dinner in the restaurant car, including a ride over the famous UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway south of Vienna, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway.

London ► Zagreb Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays

Step 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 14:31 and arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 17:47.
In Paris, it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est.
Tip: I'd take the earlier 12:24 Eurostar from London and have an early dinner in Paris, see recommended restaurants near the Gare du Nord, see recommended restaurants in or near the Gare de l'Est.

Step 2, travel from Paris to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:58 on Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays, arriving Vienna Hbf at 10:13.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each 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 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.

Step 3, travel from Vienna to Zagreb by EuroCity train Croatia, leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:58 and arriving Zagreb at 22:27.
The EuroCity train has comfortable air-conditioned Austrian coaches, and an Austrian restaurant car. In summer when it's light, enjoy the wonderful scenery over dinner in the restaurant car, including a ride over the famous UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway south of Vienna, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway.

Zagreb ► London Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays

Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Vienna by EuroCity train Croatia, leaving Zagreb at 07:27 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:02.
The EuroCity train has comfortable air-conditioned Austrian coaches, and an Austrian restaurant car. Enjoy the wonderful scenery over lunch in the restaurant car, including a ride over the famous UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway south of Vienna, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway. In Vienna, you've an afternoon to explore, left luggage lockers are available.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Brussels by Nightjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:11 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Brussels Midi 09:55.
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.

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

Tip: On arrival at Brussels Midi, the Pullman Hotel bar makes an excellent VIP waiting room.

Step 3, travel from Brussels to London by Eurostar, leaving Brussels Midi at 12:56 arriving London St Pancras at 14:00.

Zagreb ► London Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays

Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Vienna by EuroCity train Croatia, leaving Zagreb at 07:27 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:02.
The EuroCity train has comfortable air-conditioned Austrian coaches, and an Austrian restaurant car. Enjoy the wonderful scenery over lunch in the restaurant car, including a ride over the famous UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway south of Vienna, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway. In Vienna, you've an afternoon to explore, left luggage lockers are available.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Paris by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:46 on Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 09:43 next morning.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars each 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.

In Paris, it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare du Nord, but I'd allow 2-3 hours between trains in case of delay.

Step 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 13:03 daily arriving London St Pancras at 14:39.

How much does it cost?

1. London to Paris or Brussels

by Eurostar

From £52 one-way, £78 return 2nd class.

From £115 one-way, £199 return 1st class. Child fares

2. Paris or Brussels to Vienna

by Nightjet sleeper train
one-way per person per bed...

In a seat

In a couchette

In the sleeping-car

6-berth

4-berth

3-berth

2-berth

1-berth

3-berth
+ shower

2-berth
+ shower

1-berth

+ shower

Fares start at...

€39

€49

€59

€89.90

€109.90

€159.90

€99.90

€129.90

€179.90

3. Vienna to Zagreb

by EuroCity train...

From €29.90 each way in 2nd class
From €49.90 each way in 1st class

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.

How to buy tickets

Step 1, book the nightjet sleeper train from Paris or Brussels to Vienna at www.thetrainline.com and add to basket. Who are Thetrainline.com?
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 information about when bookings open.

Step 2, now use www.thetrainline.com again to add a London-Paris or London-Brussels Eurostar connection, adding this to your basket.
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 information about when bookings open.

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.
Tip: If you're travelling from a town or city north of London, see advice about buying domestic tickets to London to connect with Eurostar.

Alternatively, you can book the Nightjet sleeper train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (a little more fiddly, in €, has been known to reject some international cards, but no booking fee), then book the Eurostar at www.eurostar.com, then book the Vienna-Zagreb train at www.oebb.at again. This means more work on multiple websites, prices should be exactly the same, but no booking fee.

How to buy tickets by phone

It's better to book online. However, you can book the Eurostar, Thalys & Nightjet by phone with a number of UK agencies, including 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). Click here for a list of agencies and more information on how to book.

What's the journey like?

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 at London St Pancras (45-minute minimum in Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More information about Eurostar including 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.

A Eurostar e320 at St Pancras. More about Eurostar.

Standard Premier/Business Premier. Larger photo.

Standard class seats. Larger photo.

One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9. Larger photo.

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

This is an Austrian Railways (ÖBB) Nightjet train, with sleeping-car, couchettes & seats. The sleeping-car has 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, plus three deluxe compartments with 1, 2 or 3 beds with private shower & toilet. The sleeper berths come fully made up with sheets and duvets, all sleeper passengers get mineral water in the evening and a light breakfast served in their compartment next morning. Towels & toiletries are provided, including shampoo and shower gel in the deluxe sleepers. In the more economical couchettes, you can book a couchette in a cheaper 6-berth compartment or a less-crowded 4-berth compartment, each provided with sheet, blanket, pillow & small bottle of water, and couchette passengers get a tea or coffee in the morning. When waiting for the northbound sleeper train in Vienna, if you have booked a sleeper you can use the ÖBB lounge with complimentary refreshments. More pictures & information about Nightjet trains.

On 20 January 2020, the inaugural Nightjet left Brussels for Vienna, the first scheduled sleeper train to leave Brussels in 16 years. Above, that inaugural train is seen ready to leave Brussels Midi on 20 January - naturally, the Man in Seat 61 was on board!

Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room

The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.

Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.

Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes...

4-berth couchettes...

Couchette car on the Brussels-Vienna Nightjet...

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.

The EuroCity train Croatia about to leave Vienna Hbf for Zagreb...

1st class open-plan seating as used on the Croatia. 1st class seats in 6-seat compartments are also available.

2nd class compartment as used on the Croatia. Seats in open plan cars are also available...

The elegant restaurant car. See larger photo.

Dinner with wine on board...

The Semmering Railway... Shortly after calling at Vienna Neustadt, the Vienna-Zagreb train travels over the 41km (25 mile) Semmering Railway, opened in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll get these great views southbound in summer when it's light in the evening, and all year round from the northbound train. Read more about the famous Semmering Railway at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway. Sadly, this slow, curvaceous and steep section of line will be by-passed in the mid-2020s when the new Semmering Base Tunnel opens, though this could save up to 90 minutes.

The train snakes its way over the Semmering Railway, summiting near Semmering itself at 898m (2,946 feet) above sea level.

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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 ► Zagreb

Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 10:22 on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays arriving Paris Nord 13:47.
On Saturdays, leave London St Pancras at 12:24 arriving Paris Nord at 15:57.
In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est.

Day 1, travel from Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:55 on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays, arriving Munich Hbf 21:36.
On Saturdays it leaves Paris at 17:55 arriving Munich Hbf 23:29.
The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views. Times may vary, so check your date at www.bahn.de.
On Saturdays if you'd prefer an earlier arrival in Munich you can also leave London at 09:24 to connect with a TGV leaving Paris at 13:55 for Stuttgart, change there for Munich arriving 19:13.
Alternatively, you can travel from London to Munich by Eurostar & ICE train via Brussels & Cologne, see the London to Germany page.

Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews. Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center. For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.

Day 2, travel from Munich to Zagreb, leaving Munich Hbf at 08:16 by smart Austrian railjet train. You need to make a simple cross-platform change of train at Villach on the Austrian/Slovenian border onto a comfy Slovenian & Croatian EuroCity train (arrive 12:43, depart 12:53) and you arrive in Zagreb at 17:11.
A restaurant car is available on the Austrian railjet train serving drinks, snacks and affordable full meals (treat yourself to an early lunch!). Incidentally, the connection in Villach looks tight, but it's just a short walk across the width of a platform between trains and in this direction the Croatian/Slovenian train will (within reason) wait a bit if the Austrian train is late. There will be lots of people making this connection.
What's the scenery like? After leaving the Munich suburbs the train snakes through pretty Bavarian scenery to Salzburg, past churches and picturesque villages. Just before arriving at Salzburg, look to your right as you cross the River Salzach for great views of Salzburg citadel. Soon after Salzburg, the train enters the Austrian Alps proper, climbing through vast mountains. Look out for the magnificent fortress at Werfen (although the train doesn't call here), perched on its hilltop on the right hand side, guarding the approaches to Salzburg along the Salzachtal valley. After entering Slovenia, the scenery flattens out, and the train snakes along the pretty river Sava all the way into Ljubljana. See the photos below...

Zagreb ► London

Day 1, travel from Zagreb to Munich by Intercity train & railjet, leaving Zagreb at 12:50 and arriving Munich Hbf at 21:41.
You need to make a simple cross-platform change of train at Villach on the Austrian/Slovenian border, from a comfy Croatian & Slovenian InterCity train to a smart Austrian railjet train, you arrive 17:08 & leave at 17:16. Enjoy the wonderful scenery on this route.
Important tip: In this direction, the Slovenian/Croatian train can run late, but the Austrian train will not wait for it. I recommend playing safe and taking the earlier direct Zagreb-Munich EuroCity train leaving Zagreb at 07:00 and arriving Munich Hbf at 15:41.

Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection München are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews. Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center. For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.

Day 2, travel from Munich to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Munich Hbf 06:42 (06:51 until 26 August 2023) arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 12:31.
The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, see this video. Times may vary, so check your date at www.bahn.de.
If you'd prefer a leisurely breakfast & later departure from Munich there are various later options, see the London to Germany page.
In Paris, it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare de l'Est to the Gare du Nord.

Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, normally leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 15:03, arriving London St Pancras 16:39.

How much does it cost?

London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).

Paris to Munich by TGV starts at €39 each way in 2nd class or €69 in 1st class.

Munich to Zagreb starts at €39.90 each way in 2nd class, €69.90 in 1st class.

All these prices vary like air fares, rising as the cheaper tickets are sold and departure date approaches, so book as early as the booking horizon allows.

How to buy tickets

Step 1, book the Eurostar at www.eurostar.com.
Booking opens up to 180 days ahead, 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 information 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.

You print your own tickets or can load them into the Eurostar app to show on your phone.

Step 2, book the Paris-Munich ticket at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 120 days ahead. Look for the direct TGV with 0 changes, or if not running on your date, for a journey with just 1 change. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Step 3, now use this special link to www.bahn.de to book your trains from Munich to Zagreb.
It will show if any cheap Sparpreis fares are available. Tickets can be sent to any address worldwide for a small fee or in some cases printed out yourself.
Tip: If for any reason the German Railways website says No special fares available and shows only expensive full-flex fares, go to the Austrian Railways site www.oebb.at and book a cheap fare from Salzburg to Zagreb on the same train - Munich-Zagreb trains leave Salzburg about 1h55 after leaving Munich, and ÖBB's cheap fares are called sparschiene. Now use www.oebb.at again to add a Munich-Salzburg ticket on that same train. Use those two tickets in combination.

How to buy tickets by phone

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.

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.

UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk.

US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website.

Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website.

New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

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 at London St Pancras (45-minute minimum in Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Gare du Nord station guide.

A Eurostar e320 at St Pancras. More about Eurostar.

1st class: Standard Premier or Business Premier.

Standard class seats. Larger photo.

One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9. Larger photo.

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.

TGV Duplex at Paris Est. These impressive 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris with Stuttgart & Munich...

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.

2nd class seats on the upper deck. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.

1st class upper deck seats, club duo on the left, club quatre on the right. 360º photo.

A TGV Duplex. The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

3. Munich to Zagreb by train...

Now for a real treat. Sit back with a glass of red, catch up on your reading and enjoy the views... This is actually two trains, a smart modern Austrian Railjet train with restaurant car from Munich to Villach on the Austrian/Slovenian border, then a comfortable air-conditioned Slovenian & Croatian EuroCity train from Villach to Ljubljana and Zagreb. After leaving the Munich suburbs the train snakes through pretty Bavarian scenery to Salzburg, past churches and picturesque villages. Just before arriving at Salzburg, look to your right as you cross the River Salzach for great views of Salzburg citadel. Soon after Salzburg, the train enters the Austrian Alps proper, climbing through vast mountains. Look out for the magnificent fortress at Werfen (although the train doesn't call here), perched on its hilltop on the right hand side, guarding the approaches to Salzburg along the Salzachtal valley. You make a quick & easy change of train across the platform at Villach, the Croatian train will be waiting for this connection. After entering Slovenia, the scenery flattens out, and the train snakes along the pretty river Sava all the way into Ljubljana. Beyond Ljubljana, the train continues to follow the river Sava, passing through a beautiful river gorge between mountains, a real treat. Beyond Zidani Most the valley widens into a plain, and you cross the border into Croatia at Dobova and soon arrive in Zagreb's impressive central station, a palace of a building, right in the centre of the city.

A railjet about to leave Munich Hbf...

Business class. About.

Restaurant car.

First class.

Economy class.

Through the Austrian Alps... Clinging to the mountainside high in the Austrian Alps, the railjet snakes along between snow-capped mountains, absolutely wonderful. There's a quick cross-platform change of train at Villach onto a Slovenian & Croatian train called the Sava...

...and along the Sava river in Slovenia. Now across the border in Slovenia, the EuroCity train runs along the pretty River Sava all the way to Ljubljana & Zagreb...

Comfortable seats: The 2nd class seats in the Slovenian cars are arranged 2+1 abreast, the same as 1st class!

More lovely scenery along the Sava between Ljubljana & Zagreb...

The EuroCity train Sava, arrived at Zagreb.

Scenery along the Sava between Ljubljana & Zagreb.

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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

Day 1, travel from London to Amsterdam overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail.
You leave London Liverpool Street at 18:45 Mondays-Fridays, 19:36 Saturdays or 20:00 Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.
You leave Cambridge at 19:47 Mondays-Saturdays or 19:45 on Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.
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 Britannica 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.

This is an integrated train & ferry service, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details, photos & travel tips. The special fare from London is valid from any Abellio Greater Anglia station, for example Norwich, Cambridge, Romford, Ilford, Ipswich.
Next morning, take the frequent metro train from Hoek van Holland Haven to Schiedam Centrum and a Dutch Intercity train from Schiedam Centrum to Amsterdam Centraal arriving 10:25. See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.
At Amsterdam Centraal, have a coffee at the delightfully retro Cafe 1e Klas.

Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Stuttgart on ICE trains, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, changing at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & arriving Stuttgart Hbf at 18:08. The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Zagreb by sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 & arriving Zagreb at 10:39 next morning (day 3).
The Lisinski has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats (not recommended). Watch the Croatian sleeper video.

Zagreb ► Harwich, Cambridge & London

Day 1, travel from Zagreb to Munich on the sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Zagreb at 19:38 & arriving Stuttgart Hbf at 08:37 next morning.
The Lisinski has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats (not recommended). Watch the Croatian sleeper video.

Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Amsterdam on ICE trains, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 09:51, changing at Cologne Hbf, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 15:29. 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.

You 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 Hollandica 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 08:54 or from Harwich to Cambridge, arriving 09:42 (10:39 Sundays). See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.

How much does it cost?

London to Hoek van Holland by Rail & Sail starts at £55 per person each way, plus cabin.
Cabins start at £34 for a single berth cabin or £45 per cabin for a 2-berth, and are compulsory on the night sailing. For full details of fares and cabin types and costs, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.
Hoek to Schiedam by metro costs around €4. Schiedam to Amsterdam by train costs €17.20.

Amsterdam to Stuttgart starts at €37.90 each way in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Stuttgart to Zagreb by sleeper train starts at €49.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 with a bed in a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

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.

Step 2, book the train from Amsterdam to Stuttgart at www.bahn.de, Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Step 3, book the sleeper from Stuttgart to Zagreb at www.thetrainline.com or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket.

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

Instead of taking the sleeper, you can stay in a hotel in Munich and take a railjet train to Budapest next morning.

Recommended hotels near Munich Hbf include the Sofitel Munich Beyerpost, 25 Hours Hotel Royal Bavarian, Hotel Excelsior, Eden Hotel Wolff, Drei Loewen, or InterCity Hotel.

You can leave Munich Hbf at 08:16 every day, change at Villach, arriving Zagreb at 17:12, or there is a later direct train at 12:17 arriving 20:54.

Fares start at €39.90 each way in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Book at www.bahn.de & print your own ticket.

It works in the return direction too. Leave Zagreb at 07:00, arrive Munich Hbf 15:41. Stay overnight, then travel to Amsterdam as shown above.

What's the journey like?

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...

Captain's Class cabin on the Harwich-Hoek ferry with double bed, complimentary minibar with sparkling wine, tea & coffee making facilities, hairdryer. Larger photo.

Boarding the Stena Britannica at Harwich. She's a floating hotel to Hoek van Holland, with easy rail connections on either side of the Channel. Restaurants, bars, shop, kennels, cinema...

Dinner before bed? Metropolitan à la carte restaurant.

Standard outside cabin. Larger photo. 360º photo.

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.

An ICE3M to Frankfurt at Amsterdam. More information about ICE...

2nd class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo.

1st class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo.

Proper china, metal cutlery. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! See current month's menu.

Restaurant car: This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3M. Larger photo.

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.

Above, the air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car to Zagreb is boarding at Munich Hbf. It 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 is included in the sleeper fare.
The Croatian couchette car is the next vehicle to the right, also modern & air-conditioned with 4 & 6 bunk compartments, ideal for families. Couchettes convert from bunks to seats for evening or morning use.

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper.

Set up as a single-berth.

4 or 6-berth couchettes. 360º photo.

Wake up to scenery like this between Ljubljana & Zagreb, along the river Sava...

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Visiting the city of Zagreb

Zagreb is a wonderful and much under-rated city, so don't rush through in haste to reach the Adriatic resorts! It's small enough to walk around, but with more of a big-city feel than Ljubljana in neighbouring Slovenia. The station is an impressive landmark in its own right, a palatial building which opens onto a succession of grand park squares, with the main town square (Ban Josip Jelačić) 5-10 minutes walk from the station and the old town two minutes walk behind that. You'll find tourist information online at www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr, or there's a tourist office on the near right-hand corner of the main city square. Hotels in Zagreb. Map of Zagreb.


Zagreb main station: A palace? Just Zagreb's main station (Glavni Kolodvor) where you arrive from London. It opens onto spacious green squares leading to the old town, a 10 min walk.		Stroll or sit in a cafe along the pedestrianised Ivana Tkalčićeva in the old town.		The noon-day gun tower, which you can climb for great views over the city.


Market day in Zagreb's busy main square, Ban Josip Jelačić.		Old town churches, from the gun tower.		Magnolia blossom in the square facing the station. The best way to arrive in this city really is by train!.

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London to Split & Dubrovnik

There are two basic options, by rail all the way or by train to Italy then ferry.

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 above, using whichever option suits you best.

Step 2, travel from Zagreb to Split by train...

One or two ICN tilting trains link Zagreb with Split every day.

Zagreb depart 07:03, Split arrive 13:45. Runs 7 June to 30 September 2023.

Zagreb depart 15:19, Split arrive 21:40. Runs daily all year round.

You can check train times using www.hzpp.hr. Zagreb to Split is a very 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. Seat reservation is compulsory on ICN trains.

Step 3, travel the last short hop along the Adriatic coast from Split to Dubrovnik.
Buses run 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).
Alternatively, a fast catamaran sails along the coast from Split to Dubrovnik once a day in summer, 3 or 4 times a week in the shoulder seasons, no sailings in winter - see www.krilo.hr. It sails via the islands of Brač, Korčula & Hvar, a very pleasant way to go.

Dubrovnik, Split ► London

Step 1, travel from Dubrovnik to Split...
Buses run every hour or two, taking about 4-5 hours. Bus information can be found at www.dubrovnik-online.net or www.libertasdubrovnik.hr (Dubrovnik bus station departures).
Alternatively, a fast catamaran sails along the coast from Dubrovnik to Split once a day in summer, 3 or 4 times a week in the shoulder seasons, no sailings in winter - see www.krilo.hr. It sails via the islands of Brač, Korčula & Hvar, a very pleasant way to go.

Step 2, travel from Split to Zagreb by train...

You can travel from Split to Zagreb by fast air-conditioned ICN daytime train through great scenery.

Split depart 08:14, Zagreb arrive 14:55. Runs daily all year round.

Split depart 14:09, Zagreb arrive 20:57. Runs 7 June to 30 September 2023.

Use www.hzpp.hr to check train times. Seat reservation is compulsory on ICN trains. See the photos below.

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.

How much does it cost?

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.

How to buy tickets

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!

The daytime trains to Split: These fast, tilting, air-conditioned ICN trains link Zagreb & Split once or twice a day through great scenery. Above right, first class seats on the train to Split. below left, second class seats. You can now buy tickets online at www.hzpp.hr. Exterior photos courtesy of Gareth Davison.

Scenery between Zagreb and Split seen from the train... Photo courtesy of Páraic Maguire.

Option 2, London to Italy by train, ferry to Dubrovnik, Split or Zadar

Step 1, travel from London to Ancona or Bari by train, taking 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 shipping lines sail from Ancona to Split overnight on various days of the week including www.jadrolinija.hr. 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. Book the Jadrolinija ferry at the Direct Ferries website or call Jadrolinija's UK agents, Viamare Travel on 020 8343 5810. 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).

Ferries in Split Harbour... Above right, a deluxe cabin on the Blue Line ferry (although Blue Line is sadly no longer operating), which even features an en suite jacuzzi... Photos courtesy of Andrew Leo.

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London to Hvar, Korčula, Vis, Brač

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

Step 1, travel from London to Zagreb as shown above. You take a morning Eurostar to Paris, the afternoon TGV Duplex to Stuttgart and a sleeper train to Zagreb. Or Eurostar & TGV Duplex to Munich, stay there overnight, then take a wonderful scenic daytime train to Zagreb next day.

Step 2, then travel on from Zagreb to Split either by daytime train or (in summer) the overnight sleeper train, see the London to Split section above.

Step 3, take a ferry from Split to the islands. Ferries sail from Split to Hvar, Vis, Korčula and other nearby islands regularly, see www.jadrolinija.hr for ferry times & information.

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London to Rijeka

Option 1, using the Stuttgart-Rijeka sleeper

From 31 March to 2 September 2023, a direct Croatian sleeping-car operates from Stuttgart to Rijeka, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 and arriving Rijeka at 11:25. You can connect into this using Eurostar to Paris and a TGV to Stuttgart, 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 08:25 (arriving Rijeka 11:25) or at 15:20 (arriving 18:27).

Trains run from Ljubljana to Rijeka twice a day at these times, you can check train times at www.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 14:57) and at 18:47 (arriving Ljubljana 21:47).

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 www.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.


The train to Rijeka... This is the afternoon train to Rijeka, about to leave Ljubljana. At the front is a modern air-conditioned EuroCity car, the other two cars are older. On this occasion, it's waited a few minutes for the late-running EuroCity Sava to arrive from Munich, with connections from Paris, Amsterdam & London...

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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.

Pula to Ljubljana...

In summer, a direct train runs at weekends 18 April to 29 August 2019, 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.

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.

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 daily mainline trains run to Rijeka and Rijeka is a hub for regular 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!


Rovinj: The picturesque seaside town of Rovinj. The church tower looks very like St Marks in Venice, showing Istria's Venetian history...		Porec: You can climb the UNESCO-listed church tower in Porec...		Pula: The Roman arch, Pula. The famous Irish writer James Joyce taught English in the building on the left 1904-5.


www.venezialines.com link Venice & Istria, April-October. Why not combine a visit to Venice with Istria?		Buses link Rijeka with most destinations in Istria, www.autotrans.hr.

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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!

UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk.

US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website.

Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website.

New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

European Rail Timetable & maps

The European Rail Timetable (formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable) has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus currency & climate information. It is essential for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair travellers. Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014. You can buy it online at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses) or www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide). More information on what the European Rail Timetable contains.

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).

Guidebooks

You should take a good guidebook. I think that the Lonely Planets and the Rough Guides are easily the best for the independent traveller. Both guides have plenty of background historical and cultural information, plus lots of practical information. You won't regret buying one of these guides..!

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.

Rough Guide Slovenia - click to buy at Amazon

Lonely Planet Slovenia - click to buy at Amazon

Lonely Planet Eastern Europe - buy online at Amazon

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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.

My favourite hotel search site: www.booking.com

www.booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally prefer booking my hotels all in one place here. You can usually book with free cancellation - this allows you to confirm your accommodation at no risk before train booking opens. It also means you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary, and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when putting a trip together. I never book hotels non-refundably. I have also come to trust their review scores - you won't be disappointed with anything over 8.0.

Tip: It can pay to compare prices across multiple hotel sites: HotelsCombined.com is a price comparison site which compares hotel prices on Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Accor, Agoda and many others. Though if there's not much in it, I prefer keeping all my bookings together in one place at www.booking.com.

Other hotel sites worth trying...

www.tripadvisor.com is the place to find independent travellers' reviews of all the main hotels.

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.

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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.

www.staysure.co.uk offers enhanced Covid-19 protection and gets 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package for Europe

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for Europe and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list. 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. VPNs & why you need one explained

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. 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 the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I get a small commission to help support this site.

Always carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com.

Touring cities & museums? 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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Europe by train introduction
How to buy European train tickets...
London to Paris or Brussels by Eurostar...
	Albania
	Andorra
	Austria
	Belgium
	Belarus
	Bosnia
	Bulgaria
	Croatia
	Cyprus
	Czech Rep.
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	Armenia
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	Canada
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A Eurostar e320 train at St Pancras. More about Eurostar.		Standard Premier/Business Premier. Larger photo.


Cafe-bar on upper deck car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes...		2nd class seats on the upper deck. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.


1st class on the upper deck, with a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right. Larger photo.		A TGV-Lyria boarding at Paris Gare de Lyon. You enter on the lower deck, with 9 stairs up to top deck.

1. London to Paris or Brussels by Eurostar	From £52 one-way, £78 return 2nd class. From £115 one-way, £199 return 1st class. Child fares

2. Paris or Brussels to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train one-way per person per bed...	In a seat	In a couchette		In the sleeping-car
	In a seat	6-berth	4-berth	3-berth	2-berth	1-berth	3-berth + shower	2-berth + shower	1-berth + shower
Fares start at...	€39	€49	€59	€89.90	€109.90	€159.90	€99.90	€129.90	€179.90

3. Vienna to Zagreb by EuroCity train...	From €29.90 each way in 2nd class From €49.90 each way in 1st class


Deluxe sleeper. Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room. Larger photo. Video of deluxe room		The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out. Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided. Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open. It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth. Larger photo.


6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...		Couchette car on the Brussels-Vienna Nightjet...


1st class open-plan seating as used on the Croatia. 1st class seats in 6-seat compartments are also available.		2nd class compartment as used on the Croatia. Seats in open plan cars are also available...


The elegant restaurant car. See larger photo.		Dinner with wine on board...


The train snakes its way over the Semmering Railway, summiting near Semmering itself at 898m (2,946 feet) above sea level.


1st class upper deck seats, club duo on the left, club quatre on the right. 360º photo.		A TGV Duplex. The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.


...and along the Sava river in Slovenia. Now across the border in Slovenia, the EuroCity train runs along the pretty River Sava all the way to Ljubljana & Zagreb...		Comfortable seats: The 2nd class seats in the Slovenian cars are arranged 2+1 abreast, the same as 1st class!


The EuroCity train Sava, arrived at Zagreb.		Scenery along the Sava between Ljubljana & Zagreb.


Captain's Class cabin on the Harwich-Hoek ferry with double bed, complimentary minibar with sparkling wine, tea & coffee making facilities, hairdryer. Larger photo.		Boarding the Stena Britannica at Harwich. She's a floating hotel to Hoek van Holland, with easy rail connections on either side of the Channel. Restaurants, bars, shop, kennels, cinema...


Dinner before bed? Metropolitan à la carte restaurant.		Standard outside cabin. Larger photo. 360º photo.


2nd class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo.		1st class seats on an ICE3M. Larger photo.


Proper china, metal cutlery. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! See current month's menu.		Restaurant car: This is the small 12-seat restaurant area on an ICE3M. Larger photo.


The daytime trains to Split: These fast, tilting, air-conditioned ICN trains link Zagreb & Split once or twice a day through great scenery. Above right, first class seats on the train to Split. below left, second class seats. You can now buy tickets online at www.hzpp.hr. Exterior photos courtesy of Gareth Davison.


Ferries in Split Harbour... Above right, a deluxe cabin on the Blue Line ferry (although Blue Line is sadly no longer operating), which even features an en suite jacuzzi... Photos courtesy of Andrew Leo.

How to travel by train from

London to Zagreb & Croatia

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...

Train travel information

Route map

Useful country information

London to Zagreb by train

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

London ► Zagreb

Zagreb ► London

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets by phone

Have your trip arranged as a package

What's the journey like?

Watch the video: By sleeper to Zagreb

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

London ► Zagreb

Zagreb ► London

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets by phone

What are the trains like?

Watch the video: Zurich to Zagreb by sleeper...

Option 3, afternoon Eurostar, Nightjet sleeper to Vienna, EuroCity train to Zagreb...

London ► Zagreb Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

London ► Zagreb Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays

Zagreb ► London Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays

Zagreb ► London Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets by phone

What's the journey like?

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

London ► Zagreb

Zagreb ► London

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

How to buy tickets by phone

Let Railbookers arrange it as a package...

UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk.

US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website.

Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website.

New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

What's the journey like?

Option 5: Via the Harwich-Hoek van Holland ferry...

London, Cambridge & Harwich ► Zagreb

Zagreb ► Harwich, Cambridge & London

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

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

What's the journey like?

Visiting the city of Zagreb

London to Split & Dubrovnik

Option 1, London to Split & Dubrovnik by train

London ► Split, Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, Split ► London

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

Zagreb to Split by ICN train

Option 2, London to Italy by train, ferry to Dubrovnik, Split or Zadar

London to Hvar, Korčula, Vis, Brač

London to Rijeka

Option 1, using the Stuttgart-Rijeka sleeper

Option 2, changing at Ljubljana, all year

London ► Rijeka

Rijeka ► London

Fares & how to buy tickets

London to Porec, Rovinj, Pula & Istria

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

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

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

Holidays to Croatia by train

Train travel
UK & Ireland...

Train travel
in Europe...

Train travel
in Asia...

Train travel
in Africa...

Train travel
in America...

Train travel
in Australasia