This page explains how to travel from Dubrovnik or Split to other European cities, and how to buy tickets. Although Dubrovnik has no railway station, it's just a few hours by bus north to Split for trains to Zagreb, or south to Podgorica for trains to Belgrade. Click here to buy tickets starting in another city.
I want to go Split
or Dubrovnik to...
Before you buy your tickets
Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets. It answers all the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or just buy a €35 point-to-point ticket online?". Click here to understand how far ahead you can buy train tickets.
European train travel FAQ
Dubrovnik & Split to Zagreb
Above, the view from the train. Much better than 5 hours in a bus! Courtesy of Adam Vanting.
Dubrovnik & Split to Ljubljana
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Step 1, travel from Dubrovnik to Split by bus and Split to Zagreb by train as shown above.
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Step 2, travel from Zagreb to Ljubljana by train along the scenic River Sava as shown here.
Dubrovnik & Split to Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Prague
There will be no Regiojet train between Split & Prague this year.
Option 1, every day all year round, via Zagreb
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Step 1, take a bus from Dubrovnik to Split.
Buses leave Dubrovnik bus terminal every hour or even every half hour and take between 3h45 and 4h35 to Split bus terminal. There are various operators, the fare is between €13 and €17. Buy at the bus station on the day, it's easy.
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Step 2, take a train from Split to Zagreb as shown above, allowing at least an hour between bus and train in case of delay.
For example, take a morning bus from Dubrovnik to Split and the afternoon train from Split to Zagreb.
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Stay overnight in Zagreb.
The historic Esplanade Hotel is top choice here, built in 1925 for passengers arriving on the Orient Express and an easy 3-minute 250m walk from the station. It has an interesting history! Or try the Palace Hotel or Central Hotel, all near the station with good reviews.
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Step 3, take a EuroCity train from Zagreb to Budapest as shown here, Zagreb to Vienna as shown here or Zagreb to Prague as shown here.
Option 2, summer-only EuroNight sleeper from Split to Vienna - 3 times a week in summer, recommended
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Step 1, take a bus from Dubrovnik to Split.
Buses leave Dubrovnik bus terminal every hour or even every half hour and take between 3h45 and 4h35 to Split bus terminal. There are various operators, the fare is between €13 and €17. Buy at the bus station on the day, it's easy.
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Step 2, travel from Split to Vienna by EuroNight sleeper train.
The sleeper train will run on Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays from 30 May to 26 September 2026.
It leaves Split at 17:22, arriving Vienna Hbf at 09:23 next morning.
The train has three air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. It has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and one car of ordinary seats.
In previous years this train has continued to Bratislava and used Slovakian sleeping & couchette cars, this year it will terminate in Vienna and will use Austrian Nightjet rolling stock.
Fares start at €29.90 in a seat, €79.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 in a 2-bed sleeper, €149.90 in a single-bed sleeper.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Step 3, take a connecting train from Vienna to Bratislava, Prague, Munich, Berlin or anywhere else. Book this at www.oebb.at and print your own ticket or show it on your phone. I'd allow at least an hour between trains in Vienna, ideally a bit more.
What a journey! Scenery between Zagreb & Split seen from the sleeper train. Photos courtesy of Rob Romans.
Option 3, by EuroNight sleeper train Adria from Split to Budapest, every 2 days, mid-June to late September, recommended.
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Step 1, take a bus from Dubrovnik to Split.
Buses leave Dubrovnik bus terminal every hour or even every half hour and take between 3h45 and 4h35 to Split bus terminal. There are various operators, the fare is between €13 and €17. Buy at the bus station on the day, it's easy.
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Step 2, travel from Split to Budapest by EuroNight sleeper train Adria.
This runs every 2 days from late June to late September, check dates using www.mavcsoport.hu.
It leaves Split at 17:43 & arrives Budapest Keleti at 09:35 next morning.
The Adria is a pleasure to travel on. It has two comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-cars (with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin) and three or four couchette cars with 4 & 6 bunk compartments. There are no seats cars.
It has a Hungarian restaurant car serving dinner and breakfast - start your day with ham & eggs! The restaurant car usually used on this train is an older wood-panelled type which used to be part of the Hungarian governmental train, see the photo below.
Fares start from €49 with couchette in 6-berth, €59 with couchette in 4-berth, €64 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €79 with a bed in a cosy 2-bed sleeper or €119 in a single-bed sleeper. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
You can book it at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it. Booking opens 60 days ahead. Or book at Split station.
The southbound Adria from Budapest approaches Split. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lacey.
The Adria from Budapest arrived at Split station. So much nicer than a flight! Courtesy of Rebecca Lacey.
Option 4, via Podgorica & Belgrade
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From Dubrovnik to Budapest you could consider travelling via Podgorica and Belgrade over the spectacular Podgorica-Belgrade railway, see the section below. Then see the Belgrade to Budapest information here.
Dubrovnik to Belgrade
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Step 1, take a bus from Dubrovnik to Podgorica.
Buses run once or twice a day, usually early morning and evening, journey time 5h or 6h, fare between €18 & €30 depending on which company you use. Check times and buy online at a site such as getbybus.com. I'd allow at least a couple of hours between your bus arrival and your train departure.
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Step 2, travel from Podgorica to Belgrade on one of Europe's most spectacular railways, see the Belgrade-Bar page.
There's a daytime train in summer and a sleeper train all year round. The sleeper is time-effective but the day train a scenic treat. However, even the sleeper will show you some scenery in summer when the evenings are light.
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For onward travel from Belgrade to Sofia or Budapest, see the Trains from Belgrade page.
Dubrovnik to Bari, Rome & Italy
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Step 1, sail from Dubrovnik to Bari in Italy by ferry 2-6 times a week, usually leaving Dubrovnik at 22:00, arriving Bari 08:00.
Operated by Jadrolinija, there are a range of comfortable cabins on board, as well as reclining seats, bar & restaurant. Times and days vary, so check times, prices buy tickets at www.jadrolinija.hr or the Direct Ferries website.
In Bari, it's a 25 minute walk or 10 minute taxi ride from port to Bari Centrale station.
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Step 2, take a train from Bari Centrale to Naples, Rome, Milan or any other Italian destination. I'd allow at least 2-3 hours between scheduled ferry arrival and the train departure you book.
Bari to Rome takes 4h06, there's usually a 13:14 from Bari Centrale arriving Rome Termini 17:20, fares from €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class
You can buy Italian train tickets using www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in €). Italiarail will refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your booking reference. For fast trains it's ticketless, you print your booking reference or show it on your phone.
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If ferry sailings don't suit you, by all means take a bus from Dubrovnik to Split (3h45 to 4h35) and sail from there to Ancona instead, as below.
Split to Ancona, Rome & Italy
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Step 1, sail from Split to Ancona in Italy with Jadrolinija, 2-6 times a week, usually leaving Split around 20:00, arriving Ancona 07:00.
There are a range of comfortable cabins on board, as well as reclining seats, bar & restaurant. In Ancona, it's a fairly long taxi or bus ride from port to Ancona station.
Times and days vary, check times, prices and buy tickets at www.jadrolinija.hr or the Direct Ferries website.
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Step 2, take a train from Ancona to Naples, Rome, Milan or any other Italian destination. I'd allow at least 2-3 hours between scheduled ferry arrival and the train departure you book.
Ancona to Rome takes around 3h50 with fares from €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. For example, there's usually a 13:45 from Ancona arriving Rome Termini at 17:48.
You can buy Italian train tickets using either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in €). Italiarail will refund their small booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your booking reference. For fast trains it's ticketless, you print your booking reference or show it on your phone.
To all other destinations
From Dubrovnik
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Step 1, first travel to either Zagreb or Belgrade, depending on your destination:
If heading to Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and all points north and west, take a bus to Split then train to Zagreb as shown above.
If heading for to Sofia or Budapest, take a bus to Podgorica then train to Belgrade as shown above.
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Step 2, see the Trains from Zagreb page for onward travel from Zagreb or see the Trains from Belgrade page for onward travel from Belgrade.
From Split
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Step 1, take a train to Zagreb as shown above, although if you're going to Belgrade you could consider taking a bus to Podgorica then train to Belgrade. Or take one of the summer-only sleeper trains to Budapest or Vienna.
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Step 2, for onward travel from Zagreb, see the Trains from Zagreb page.