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The civilised way... Lunch in the restaurant car. Courtesy of Kevin Coumbe |
This page explains how to travel from Zagreb to other key European cities, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way. Information current for 2024.
Zagreb Glavni Kolodvor station
guide
Trains between Zagreb & Ljubljana
How to travel from Zagreb to Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Korcula,
Vis, Brac
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 buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or a 35 point-to-point ticket?". How far ahead can you buy train tickets?
European train travel FAQ
Buying train tickets for journeys within Croatia
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Check times & fares in Croatia at ww.hzpp.hr, you can buy Croatian domestic tickets here too, you print your own ticket.
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For national & international train times it can be easier to use the German Railways all-Europe timetable at int.bahn.de.
Zagreb to Split, Dubrovnik & Croatian islands
Take a scenic train ride from Zagreb to Split, then take a bus from Split to Dubrovnik or a ferry from Split to one of the Adriatic islands. The journey is part of the fun.
Zagreb to Split by train
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Daytime trains:
There are one or (in summer) two daytime trains on this scenic route every day:
Leave Zagreb 07:03, arrive Split 13:45. Runs 27-30 March, 1 April, 7 June to 29 September, 28-31October 2024.
Leave Zagreb 15:18, arrive Split 21:53. Runs daily all year round.
The ICN trains are comfortable and air-conditioned with 1st & 2nd class seats. Bring your own food & drink.
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Sleeper train:
A sleeper train leaves Zagreb at 22:30 arriving Split 07:01. Runs Friday nights all year round, daily 29 June to 30 August 2024.
The sleeper train has a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments and two couchette cars with 6 berth compartments.
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The standard fare is around 28 in 2nd class or 41 in 1st class.
Online fares start at 15.10 in 2nd class or 22.65 in 1st class, even close to departure date.
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Buy tickets at the Croatian Railways website www.hzpp.hr.
You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. It can book seats & couchettes, but not sleepers.
Or it's easy to buy tickets at the station, there are almost always places available.
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Zagreb to Split is a very scenic train ride, with mountains, lakes, rivers, and even vineyards. The trains are modern and air-conditioned, although there's no catering so bring your own food & drink. ICN trains tilt round the bends on this mountainous route, cutting the journey time to 6 hours from a previous best of around 8 hours. Seat reservation is compulsory on ICN trains. Sit back with a good book and a beer and enjoy the ride. For photos see here.
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In the summer there's also a sleeper train with sleeping-car & couchettes, but this starts in Osijek and passes through Zagreb at 01:10 on its way to Split.
Split to Dubrovnik by bus
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Buses link Split bus station with Dubrovnik every hour or half hour, run by various companies, journey time between 3h45 & 4h35, fare around 13-17.
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Bus information is at www.ak-split.hr (Split bus station arrivals & departures), www.dubrovnik-online.net or www.libertasdubrovnik.hr (Dubrovnik bus station departures).
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There are plenty of buses & plenty of seats, just buy a ticket at the bus station when you get to Split.
Split to Hvar, Korcula, Vis, Brac by ferry
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Ferries link Split with various Croatian islands such as Hvar, Vis, Brac & Korcula.
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For ferry information see www.jadrolinija.hr. If you have any feedback or photos from the ferry journey, do let me know!
Zagreb to Ljubljana from 9
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Several trains link Zagreb & Ljubljana every day, a lovely scenic train ride through the hills along the beautiful River Sava.
Departures from Zagreb to Ljubljana: 07:05, 12:50, 19:40. Journey time 2h15.
Times may vary, check times with German Railways at int.bahn.de or Austrian Railways at fahrplan.oebb.at.
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Tickets cannot be bought online, but you can easily buy tickets at the station for around 18, or just 9 with an advance-purchase ticket if you buy the day before or earlier. There's no need to buy way ahead as there are always places available even on the day.
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These trains also link Zagreb with Lesce-Bled for Lake Bled, journey time 3h15 or so, simply check times at int.bahn.de.
Zagreb to London, Paris, Brussels, Luxembourg, Amsterdam
Option 1, using the Zagreb-Stuttgart sleeper train - the most time-effective option
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Day 1, travel from Zagreb to Stuttgart by sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Zagreb at 19:40 arriving Stuttgart Hbf 08:38.
The train has a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats. See the Croatian sleeping-car video. There's no catering car so bring a picnic and bottle of wine. Morning tea or coffee is included in sleepers. In summer when it's light there is wonderful scenery along the river Sava between Zagreb & Ljubljana.
From 8 December to 7 January, 21 March to 7 April & 8 May to 28 September 2024, there's a direct Croatian sleeping-car from Rijeka, leaving Rijeka at 18:57, also arriving Stuttgart Hbf 08:38.
Fares start at 49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, 59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, 66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, 86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or 129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Paris, Brussels, Luxembourg or Amsterdam, allowing at least 60 minutes between trains. For example:
The 09:51 from Stuttgart Hbf, change at Cologne Hbf, reaches Amsterdam Centraal at 15:29.
The 10:37 from Stuttgart Hbf, change at Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen, reaches Brussels Midi at 15:35.
The 10:52 ICE train from Stuttgart Hbf reaches Paris Est at 14:13.
All these trains have a restaurant or cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at around 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Times may vary. Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Tip: Change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes. I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Stuttgart.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Option 2, by comfortable daytime trains with an overnight stop in Munich
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Day 1, travel from Zagreb to Munich by EuroCity train, leaving Zagreb at 12:50 with one easy change at Villach, arriving Munich Hbf 21:41.
Or take the morning direct train leaving Zagreb at 07:05 also with one easy change at Villach, arriving Munich Hbf 15:41.
This is a lovely scenic run along the pretty river Sava from Zagreb into Slovenia, then through the mountains of Austria on the Tauern route to Salzburg and Germany. The trains are comfortable and air-conditioned.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 56.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
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Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection Mόnchen 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.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Paris, Brussels, Luxembourg or Amsterdam, for example:
For Paris, the 06:49 TGV Duplex from Munich Hbf arrives Paris Est at 12:33, see the Munich-Paris TGV video.
For Amsterdam, the 07:47 ICE from Munich Hbf, change Frankfurt Flughafen onto another ICE, arrives Amsterdam Centraal 15:29.
For Brussels, the 07:47 ICE from Munich Hbf, change at Siegburg/Bonn onto another ICE, arrives Brussels Midi at 15:35.
But by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take a later train.
All these trains all have a restaurant car or cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Check times and buy tickets at int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. Tip: I recommend changing Transfer time from Normal to minimum 20 minutes.
Option 3, using the Zagreb-Zurich sleeper train
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Day 1, travel from Zagreb to Zurich by air-conditioned sleeper train, leaving Zagreb at 19:40 arriving Zurich HB 09:20.
The train has a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. See the Croatian sleeping-car video. There's no catering car so bring a picnic and bottle of wine. There is lovely scenery along the Sava river between Zagreb & Ljubljana.
Fares start at 49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, 59.90 with a couchette in a 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 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Zurich to Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam. I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Zurich. For example:
Leave Zurich HB at 11:34 by TGV-Lyria, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 15:38.
Leave Zurich HB at 11:59 by ICE train, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto an ICE3 train, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 20:29.
Leave Zurich HB at 11:59 by ICE train, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf onto an ICE3 train, arriving Brussels Midi at 19:35.
You'll find more detail on the International trains from Zurich page.
All these trains have a restaurant car or cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Book from Zurich to Paris at www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings together in one place, easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
Book from Zurich to Brussels, Luxembourg or Amsterdam at either www.thetrainline.com (keeping all your bookings together in one place, easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in , also easy to use, no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Option 4, using the Nightjet sleeper train from Vienna to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam & Cologne
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This is not the fastest option because of the free time between trains in Vienna, but what's not to like about an afternoon in the Austrian capital? With a lovely scenic journey from Zagreb to Vienna via the UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway, then a high-quality Nightjet sleeper train, this option is worth considering if you're heading from Zagreb to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam or Cologne.
Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Vienna, leaving Zagreb at 07:05, change at Graz (11:22-11:26), arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:02.
Zagreb to Graz is by comfortable EuroCity train, Graz to Vienna is by swish Austrian railjet with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The journey is a treat, enjoy lunch with wine or beer as the train travels over the wonderfully-scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Graz & Vienna. If the Croatian train is late into Villach (which it may be), there's another railjet to Vienna an hour later.
Fares from Zagreb to Vienna start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (same fares, in ). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Spend a pleasant afternoon in Vienna.
Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ΦBB Lounge at Vienna Hbf, with free WiFi & complimentary tea & coffee.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam or Cologne by comfortable Nightjet sleeper train
A Nightjet leaves Vienna Hbf at 19:38 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 10:24.
A Nightjet leaves Vienna Hbf at 19:38 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Cologne Hbf 06:58 & Brussels Midi 09:56.
A Nightjet leaves Vienna Hbf at 20:10 every day and arrives Cologne Messe/Deutz 06:53 & Amsterdam Centraal 09:59.
Each of these comfortable Austrian Nightjet trains 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.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book these trains at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices) or at the Dutch Railways international site www.nsinternational.nl (in , no fee).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 5, using the Nightjet sleeper train from Salzburg to Paris, Brussels or Cologne.
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This is similar to option 4, but with a later departure, picking up the sleeper to Paris/Brussels in Salzburg instead of Vienna.
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Salzburg by train, leaving Zagreb at 12:50, make a quick & easy change at Villach, arriving Salzburg Hbf 19:48.
The Zagreb-Villach train is 2nd class only, bring your own food & drink. The Villach-Salzburg train is an Austrian railjet with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. If there's a delay, there's another Villach-Salzburg railjet 2h later.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Have dinner in Salzburg.
Tip: If you have a sleeping-car ticket, you can use the ΦBB Lounge at Salzburg Hbf with free WiFi and complimentary tea & coffee.
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Step 2, travel from Salzburg to Paris, Brussels or Cologne by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Salzburg Hbf at 22:28 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, one portion arriving Cologne Hbf 06:58 & Brussels Midi 09:56, another arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 10:24.
Each portion of this comfortable Austrian Nightjet 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 a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car. 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.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in plain English, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Zagreb to Nice & the South of France
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Day 1, travel from Zagreb to Ljubljana by express train, then Ljubljana to Trieste by EuroCity or regional train and Trieste to Venice by regional train, as explained here. A cheap, scenic and enjoyable journey with a chance to see Ljubljana and Trieste on the way.
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Stay overnight in Venice - for a hotel that won't break the bank, but is 2 minutes walk from the station with good reviews, try the Hotel Maggior Consiglio or for a little more, the Hotel Abbazia. Hotels near Venice Mestre on the mainland are usually cheaper, but I'd never miss a chance to stay in Venice itself if I could.
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Day 2, travel from Venice to Monaco, Nice, Cannes changing at the magnificent Milan Centrale as shown on the Trains from Venice page.
It's a lovely journey along the coast between Genoa and Nice, have your camera ready!
Fares start at 34.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Check times & book from Venice to the South of France at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Italian Railways website www.trenitalia.com (in , more fiddly, requires Italian language place names, see advice on using it). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
Zagreb to Zurich & Switzerland
Option 1, Zagreb to Zurich by sleeper train - the most comfortable & time-effective option, great scenery in the evening, great scenery in the morning
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A comfortable sleeper train links Zagreb with Zurich every night, leaving Zagreb at 19:40 and arriving Zurich HB 09:20.
This train has a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats. See the Croatian sleeping-car video. In summer when it's light there is wonderful scenery along the Sava river between Zagreb & Ljubljana, and you'll wake to beautiful mountain scenery in Switzerland.
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Fares start at 49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, 59.90 with a couchette in a 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 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 2, Zagreb to Zurich by day train - direct route
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Travel from Zagreb to Zurich, leaving Zagreb at 07:05, changing at Villach & Schwarzach-St.Veit, arriving Zurich HB 19:20.
Zagreb to Villach is by air-conditioned EuroCity train, Schwarzach-St.Veit to Zurich is by smart Austrian railjet train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. There's fabulous scenery through Austria on the Tauern route then through the Arlberg Pass into Switzerland, see the Arlberg Railway page for photos, video & tips.
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Fares from Zagreb to Schwarzach-St.Veit start at 29.90.
Fares from Schwarzach-St.Veit to Zurich start at 29.90.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com.
It might just book Zagreb to Zurich in one go (look carefully for a 1-change option matching this itinerary), but if not, first book from Zagreb to Schwarzach-St.Veit, then use it again to book from Schwarzach-St.Veit to Zurich or to any other station in Switzerland. You print your own ticket.
You can also book at Austrian Railways' own website www.oebb.at, again splitting the booking at Schwarzach.
Option 3, Zagreb to Zurich by day train via Vienna - a round-about route, but good trains, great scenery
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Vienna, leaving Zagreb at 07:05 every day, change at Graz (11:22-11:26), arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:02.
Zagreb to Graz is by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car, Graz to Vienna is by swish Austrian railjet with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The journey is a treat, enjoy lunch with wine or beer as the train travels over the wonderfully-scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Graz & Vienna. If the Croatian train is late into Villach, there's another railjet an hour later.
Fares from Zagreb to Vienna start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in ). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Zurich by railjet train leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:28 and arriving Zurich HB at 23:20.
The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. 1st & business class passengers have restaurant orders taken & served at their seats. The train passes from Austria into Switzerland via the scenic Arlberg Pass, there may still be good views in summer when it's light.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class, 39.90 in 1st class & 54.90 in business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in ). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 4, by day trains with overnight stop in Vienna
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Stay overnight in Vienna. Hotels near the station with good reviews include the Motel One Vienna Hbf, GraetzlHotel, Hotel Schani Wien.
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Day 2, travel from Vienna through the wonderfully scenic Arlberg Pass to Zurich as shown here.
Zagreb to Trieste, Venice, Florence, Rome & Italy
Option 1, Zagreb to Venice in a day via Ljubljana & Trieste - cheap, scenic, see Ljubljana & Trieste on the way
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Day 1, travel from Zagreb to Venice in once scenic day with a choice of two departures, see the Zagreb & Ljubljana to Venice page for timetable, fares & how to buy tickets.
You travel from Zagreb to Ljubljana by express train, from Ljubljana to Trieste by EuroCity or regional train, then Trieste to Venice by regional train. Zagreb-Ljubljana costs as little as 9, then Ljubljana to Venice costs 22 or so, any day, any date, no prior reservation necessary, it cannot sell out, just buy at the station on the day. And if you've ever wondered where prosecco comes from, you'll find out on this route (see the Ljubljana to Venice page!)
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Stay overnight in Venice - for a hotel that won't break the bank, but is 2 minutes walk from the station with good reviews, try the Hotel Maggior Consiglio or for a little more, the Hotel Abbazia. Hotels near Venice Mestre on the mainland are usually cheaper, but I'd never miss a chance to stay in Venice itself if I could.
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Day 2, take an onward high-speed train from Venice to Milan, Florence, Rome or Naples, see the Train travel in Italy page.
Option 2, Zagreb to Venice in a day - inexpensive, comfortable, scenic, slightly longer than option 1
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Villach by EuroCity train, leaving Zagreb at 07:05 and arriving Villach in Austria at 11:07.
This comfortable EuroCity train has air-conditioned carriages and a restaurant car. Have lunch in Villach.
Fares start at 19.90 in 2nd class or 29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Villach to Venice by railjet train, leaving Villach at 16:49 and arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 20:05.
The railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic ride on the afternoon Vienna-Venice railjet, although you join it south of the Semmering line. More about the journey to Venice by railjet.
Fares start at 21.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Venice and continue to Florence, Rome or Naples next day. Check onward times within Italy & buy tickets at www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in , $ or £, they'll refund the 3.50 booking fee to seat61 users if you email them after booking at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in , requires Italian-language place names, see advice on using it).
Option 3, Zagreb to Italy using the Nightjet sleeper train to Bologna, Florence & Rome with an afternoon free in Vienna
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Vienna, leaving Zagreb at 07:05 every day, change at Graz (11:22-11:26), arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:02.
Zagreb to Graz is by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car, Graz to Vienna is by swish Austrian railjet with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The journey is a treat, enjoy lunch with wine or beer as the train travels over the wonderfully-scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Graz & Vienna. If the Croatian train is late, there's another railjet an hour later.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices). You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Italy by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:18, one portion arriving Verona P. Nuova 05:51, Milan Rogoredo 07:42, Genoa Piazza Principe 09:38, La Spezia 11:10, another portion arriving Bologna Centrale 05:15, Florence 06:52, Rome Termini 09:10.
In 2024, arrival in Florence & Rome varies: Monday-Thursday mornings it arrives Florence Campo di Marte 06:52 & Rome Termini 09:10. Friday & Sunday mornings it arrives Florence SMN 06:57, Rome Termini 10:30. Saturday mornings it arrives Florence SMN 06:18, Rome Termini 09:10.
Update: Due to trackwork, the portion of this Nightjet going to Bologna, Florence & Rome won't run from 8 June to 7 September 2024.
Each portion of this comfortable Austrian Nightjet 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.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in ). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Tip: You can check the train formation, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click nj.
Option 4, Zagreb to Ljubljana, overnight stop, Ljubljana to Italy next day via Villach - a comfortable option, easily booked
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Ljubljana on any train you like, see above.
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Stay overnight in Ljubljana, see suggested hotels near the station.
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Step 2, travel from Ljubljana to Villach by express train, leaving Ljubljana at 07:24, arriving Villach at 09:07.
Have a coffee at the station in Villach in southern Austria.
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Step 3, travel from Villach to Venice by railjet, leaving Villach at 10:49 arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 14:05.
The swish modern railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Step 4, travel from Venice to Florence, Rome, Naples or anywhere else in Italy.
Changing at Venice Mestre on the mainland saves time, but going over the causeway to Venice Santa Lucia and changing there allows a brief peek at the city of Venice which is always welcome! I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Venice in case of any delay.
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How much does it cost?
Zagreb to Ljubljana costs 9, bought at the station.
Ljubljana to Venice start at 26.50 in 2nd class or 39.40 in 1st class.
Venice to Florence or Milan start at 19.90 in 2nd class or 29.90 in 1st class.
Venice to Rome or Naples start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Book from Ljubljana to Venice at www.thetrainline.com (easiest, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket.
If going beyond Venice, book an onward train at www.thetrainline.com or as shown here.
Buy the Zagreb-Ljubljana ticket at the station in Zagreb, there are always places.
Zagreb to Barcelona & Spain
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Day 1, travel from Zagreb to Zurich by air-conditioned sleeper train, leaving Zagreb at 19:40 & arriving Zurich HB 09:20.
The train has a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. See the Croatian sleeping-car video. There's no catering car so bring a picnic and bottle of wine. There is lovely scenery along the Sava river between Zagreb & Ljubljana.
Fares start at 49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, 59.90 with a couchette in a 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 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Day 2, take an onward Swiss Intercity train from Zurich HB to Geneva, these leave every hour, taking around 2h45. Enjoy an afternoon & evening in Geneva.
Book from Zagreb to Geneva at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , a bit more fiddly, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Geneva. Hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Genθve, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare.
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Day 3, travel from Geneva to Barcelona, leaving Geneva at 07:14, change Lyon Part Dieu & Montpelier St-Roch, arriving Barcelona Sants 16:31.
Geneva to Lyon is by TER regional train along the river Rhτne, Lyon to Montpelier is by TGV with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, Montpelier to Barcelona is by TGV Duplex also with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
The TGV Duplex passes Beziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes between Montpelier & Narbonne, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks before Perpignan, with great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees. More about the journey.
Geneva-Lyon costs a fixed-price 33.40. Lyon-Barcelona starts at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Book from Geneva to Barcelona at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
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Day 3, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Malaga, Cordoba, Seville, Valencia or Alicante and so on by high-speed train.
A high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:25, arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
A fast EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:07 & Alicante 23:40.
For Granada, Seville, Cordoba & Malaga, stay in Barcelona overnight, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants inside the station. Next morning direct high-speed AVE trains leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 for Granada and 08:35 for Cordoba, Seville Santa Justa & Malaga Maria Zambrano.
Check times & buy tickets using either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or Spanish railways own site www.renfe.com (in , much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it) or www.petrabax.com (in $, small mark-up). You print your own ticket.
Booking for Spanish trains normally opens only 60 days ahead, but this varies. Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona.
Zagreb to Berlin
Option 1, Zagreb to Berlin in a single day - the scenic daytime option, usually cheapest
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Munich, leaving Zagreb at 07:05, make an easy cross-platform change at Villach, arriving Munich Hbf at 15:41.
There's beautiful scenery along the river Sava between Zagreb & Ljubljana and again through the mountains across Austria. There's a restaurant car from Villach to Munich. Do not risk any tight connections in Munich.
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Step 2, travel from Munich to Berlin by high-speed ICE train leaving Munich Hbf at 17:51 arriving Berlin Hbf 21:52.
The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about ICE trains.
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How much does it cost?
Fares from Zagreb to Berlin start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 57.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets from Zagreb to Berlin at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
I'd click Stopovers, enter Munich with a length of stay 1 hour. Do not risk tight connections in Munich.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Option 2, Zagreb to Berlin using the Vienna-Berlin sleeper
Although the connections work better via Budapest (see option 2), the trains on the Vienna route are higher-quality with a longer booking horizon. And what's not to like about an afternoon in Vienna?
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Vienna, leaving Zagreb at 07:05 every day, change at Graz (11:22-11:26), arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:02.
Zagreb to Graz is by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car, Graz to Vienna is by swish Austrian railjet with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The journey is a treat, enjoy lunch with wine or beer as the train travels over the wonderfully-scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Graz & Vienna. If the Croatian train is late, there's another railjet an hour later.
Fares from Zagreb to Vienna start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Or you can buy at the station either on the day or ideally a day or two beforehand as you can get advance-purchase discounts even a day before.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Berlin by nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 22:10 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 08:15 next morning.
This comfortable nightjet has a Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3 bed standard compartments with washbasin, three 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, there's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in standard sleepers. There are also 4 & 6 berth couchettes. A light breakfast is included in the fare in both sleepers and couchettes. More about Nightjets.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares. so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Tip: You can check the train formation, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click nj.
Option 3, Zagreb to Berlin by daytime trains with an overnight stop in Vienna. If you prefer day trains and a hotel to sleepers, this is the most practical route with high-quality trains, all easily booked online.
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Vienna, leaving Zagreb at 07:05 every day, change at Graz (11:22-11:26), arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:02.
Zagreb to Graz is by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car, Graz to Vienna is by swish Austrian railjet with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The journey is a treat, enjoy lunch with wine or beer as the train travels over the wonderfully-scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Graz & Vienna. If the Croatian train is late, there's another railjet an hour later.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Or you can buy at the station either on the day or ideally a day or two beforehand as you can get advance-purchase discounts even a day before.
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Stay overnight in Vienna. Hotels near Vienna Hbf with good reviews include the Motel One Vienna Hbf, GraetzlHotel, Hotel Schani Wien.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Berlin on the superb ICE train Berolina with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:13 arriving Berlin Hbf at 17:53.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at either www.thetrainline.com (quickest & easiest to use, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Zagreb to Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg & Germany from 37.90
Option 1, Zagreb to Germany by daytime trains
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There are two daily EuroCity trains and an overnight sleeper train between Zagreb & Munich. One EuroCity train is direct, another one involves a quick and easy cross-platform change at Villach on the Austrian border.
You'll find departures from Zagreb to Salzburg & Munich at 07:05, 12:50 & 19:40 (sleeper, to Munich Ost).
Fares to anywhere in Germany start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 56.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
You can book from Zagreb to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich or anywhere in Germany.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Option 2, Zagreb to Germany using the sleeper train Lisinski from Zagreb to Munich & Stuttgart
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Germany on the sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Zagreb at 19:40 arriving Munich Ost 05:50 & Stuttgart Hbf 08:38.
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. Morning tea or coffee is included in sleepers. In summer when it's light there is wonderful scenery along the river Sava between Zagreb & Ljubljana.
Fares start at 49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, 59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, 66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, 86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or 129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket.
If going via Munich, you usually need to transfer from Munich Ost to Munich Hbf by frequent S-Bahn train taking 8 minutes.
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Step 2, travel from Munich Hbf or Stuttgart Hbf to anywhere in Germany.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in case the sleeper is late.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
Option 3, morning EuroCity train to Vienna, afternoon free, then Vienna to Cologne, Dόsseldorf or Hamburg by sleeper train
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Vienna, leaving Zagreb at 07:05 every day, change at Graz (11:22-11:26), arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:02.
Zagreb to Graz is by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car, Graz to Vienna is by swish Austrian railjet with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The journey is a treat, enjoy lunch with wine or beer as the train travels over the wonderfully-scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Graz & Vienna. If the Croatian train is late, there's another railjet an hour later.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Cologne, Dόsseldorf or Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna at 20:10 and arriving Cologne Messe-Deutz 06:53, Dόsseldorf 07:23 or (a separate portion) Hamburg Hbf 08:47 next morning.
Each portion of this comfortable Austrian Nightjet 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.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Zagreb to Vienna from 29
Option 1, Zagreb to Vienna by daytime train
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You can leave Zagreb at 07:05 every day, change at Graz (11:22-11:26), arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:02.
Zagreb to Graz is by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car, Graz to Vienna is by swish Austrian railjet with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The journey is a treat, enjoy lunch with wine or beer as the train travels over the wonderfully-scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Graz & Vienna. If the Croatian train is late, there's another railjet an hour later.
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Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Or you can buy at the station either on the day or ideally a day or two beforehand as you can get advance-purchase discounts even a day before.
Option 2, Zagreb to Vienna, other departures
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Leave Zagreb at 12:50, make a quick and easy change of train at Villach, arriving Vienna Hbf at 21:36.
A restaurant car is available on the railjet train from Villach to Vienna, treat yourself to dinner. This train takes a scenic route including the UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Bruck an der Mur & Vienna.
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Fares from Zagreb to Vienna start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. Or you can buy at the station either on the day or ideally a day or two beforehand as you can get advance-purchase discounts even a day before.
Zagreb to Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria
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There are two daily trains between Zagreb & Salzburg, involving a quick & easy cross-platform change at Villach on the Austrian border. There are also two daily direct trains from Zagreb to Graz.
There are trains from Zagreb via Villach to Salzburg Hbf at 07:05 & 12:50. Change at Salzburg Hbf for Innsbruck.
There is a train from Zagreb to Graz at 07:05.
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Fares from Zagreb to Austria start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets from Zagreb to Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck or anywhere in Austria at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Zagreb to Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm & Scandinavia
Option 1, using the Zagreb-Munich sleeper - fastest & most time-effective option
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Day 1, travel from Zagreb to Munich by sleeper train, leaving Zagreb at 19:40 arriving Munich Ost 05:50.
The sleeper train 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. Morning tea or coffee is included in sleepers. In summer when it's light there is wonderful scenery along the river Sava between Zagreb & Ljubljana.
Fares start at 49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, 59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, 66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, 86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or 129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, you print your own ticket.
Transfer from Munich Ost to Munich Hbf by frequent S-Bahn train taking 8 Minutes.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Copenhagen, leaving Munich Hbf at 08:20 by ICE train, changing at Hamburg Hbf onto a EuroCity train arriving Copenhagen at 19:34.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book from Munich to Copenhagen at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, but (and this is important) before running the enquiry, change Transfer time from normal to 40 minutes. That gets you a robust connection in Hamburg, not a tight one, as that's the last train of the day to Copenhagen. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
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Day 3, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm as shown here, Copenhagen to Gothenburg as shown here, or Copenhagen to Oslo & Norway as shown here.
Option 2, using the Vienna-Hamburg sleeper
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Vienna, leaving Zagreb at 07:05 every day, change at Graz (11:22-11:26), arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:02.
Zagreb to Graz is by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car, Graz to Vienna is by swish Austrian railjet with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The journey is a treat, enjoy lunch with wine or beer as the train travels over the wonderfully-scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Graz & Vienna. If the Croatian train is late, there's another railjet an hour later.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Hamburg by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:10 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 08:47 next morning.
From the timetable change on 10 December 2023 this train is a new generation Nightjet train with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips & photos. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.
Fares start at 59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
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Step 3, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 10:53 and arriving Copenhagen at 15:34.
Fares start at 27.90 in 2nd class or 46.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
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Step 4, take an onward train to Malmo, Gothenburg or Stockholm. Check times at www.sj.se. Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Copenhagen. An overnight stop in Copenhagen may be required if going to Stockholm, if there isn't a late enough train.
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Alternatively, travel to Vienna, stay overnight then use any of the options shown on the International Trains from Vienna page.
Zagreb to Bratislava & Prague
Option 1, Zagreb to Prague or Bratislava in a single day
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Vienna, leaving Zagreb at 07:05 every day, change at Graz (11:22-11:26), arriving Vienna Hbf at 14:02.
Zagreb to Graz is by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car, Graz to Vienna is by swish Austrian railjet with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. The journey is a treat, enjoy lunch with wine or beer as the train travels over the wonderfully-scenic UNESCO-listed Semmering route through the mountains between Graz & Vienna. If the Croatian train is late, there's another railjet an hour later.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, for Bratislava:
Take a Regional Express train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna in just 1h09, these leave every hour, fixed-price fare 11.60, just buy a ticket at the station in Vienna on the day. No reservation is necessary or even possible for these local trains. You can check times & prices at www.thetrainline.com. Important: If travelling between 4 March & 14 December 2024, see the update here.
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Step 2, for Prague:
Travel from Vienna to Prague by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 17:10 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 21:13.
The trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. There are later trains if you'd like an afternoon in Vienna. See timetable & more about trains from Vienna to Prague.
Fares start at 14.90 in 2nd class, 29.90 in 1st class or 44.90 in business class (premium 1st). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, small booking fee, Booking opens up to 6 months ahead) or the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz (in koruna, booking normally opens 92 days ahead), whichever is cheaper for your chosen date and train. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Zagreb to Munich by sleeper, morning express train to Prague - time-effective and saves a hotel bill
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Munich by sleeper train Lisinski, leaving Zagreb at 19:40 and arriving Munich Ost 05:50.
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. Morning tea or coffee is included in sleepers. In summer when it's light there is wonderful scenery along the river Sava between Zagreb & Ljubljana.
Fares start at 49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, 59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, 66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, 86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or 129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Transfer from Munich Ost to Munich Hbf by frequent S-Bahn train taking 8 Minutes.
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Step 2, travel from Munich to Prague by express train, leaving Munich Hbf at 08:44 arriving Prague Hlavni at 14:22.
Fares start at 16 in 2nd class or 39 in 1st class. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares so book ahead.
Book this at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, you print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
Tip: An earlier train leaves Munich Hbf at 06:44 arriving Prague Hlavni at 12:22, this is a bit tight if the sleeper arrives late, but consider booking a cheap 15 on both this train and the 08:44. For details, see the Munich to Prague timetable.
Option 3, Zagreb to Prague or Bratislava with overnight stop in Budapest
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Day 1, travel from Zagreb to Budapest by InterCity train, leaving Zagreb at 16:35 and arriving Budapest Deli at 22:24.
Zagreb to Budapest starts at 15 in 2nd class. This is a limited-availability fare, the price varies so book ahead.
Book online at the Hungarian Railways website jegy.mav.hu, see my advice on using it. Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but less than this when the mid-December timetable change intervenes. You may find that only 2nd class tickets are sold. You print your own ticket or can show it in the MAV app on your phone. Alternatively, buy at the station, ideally the day before as this can be cheaper than buying on the day.
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Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Nyugati is the T62 Hotel just across the road, a traveller's favourite. More hotels in Budapest.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Bratislava or Prague by comfortable EuroCity train, Budapest Nyugati to Bratislava Hlavna in 2h34 or to Prague Hlavni in 6h50. These trains leave every two hours through the day.
Budapest to Prague starts at 19 in 2nd class or 35 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice for using it, booking opens 60 days ahead, or (if going to Prague) the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz, booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own tickets. See timetable & more about Budapest-Bratislava-Prague trains.
Zagreb to Budapest from 15
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A comfortable InterCity train called the Agram leaves Zagreb at 16:35 arriving Budapest Dιli 22:24.
The Agram consists of one comfortable air-conditioned Hungarian car with open-plan 2nd class seats and one air-conditioned Croatian car with 6-seat 2nd class compartments, attached to various other cars only going part of the way. There's no 1st class and no catering so take your own picnic & wine.
The train runs along the southern shore of Lake Balaton, with great views over the lake. The lake will be on the left hand side of the train.
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Fares start at 15 in 2nd class if you book in advance. This is a limited-availability fare, the price varies so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
You can book Zagreb to Budapest trains at the Hungarian Railways website jegy.mav.hu, see my advice on using it.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, less than this when the mid-December timetable change intervenes. You print your own ticket or can show it in the MAV app on your phone.
If you don't succeed in buying online, simply buy at the station either on the day or ideally a day or two beforehand. Tip: It's cheaper to buy in advance, even when buying close to departure. The fare might be 39 bought 15 minutes before departure, but 29 if you buy at least 2h before departure or the day before.
Zagreb to Sarajevo
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Coming from Ljubljana, you'd first catch a train to Zagreb, see above.
Zagreb to Belgrade, Sofia, Athens, Istanbul
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Travel from Zagreb to Belgrade on the daily train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.
This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended in 2024.
It's 2nd class only, there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink.
Zagreb to Belgrade costs around £44 bought in the UK, or just 29 or so bought locally. It's easy to buy a ticket at the station, or you can simply board the train and pay when the conductor comes round.
You can check train times using the journey planner at int.bahn.de. There's no restaurant or buffet car, just the occasional on-board vendor, so bring your own picnic and even bottle of wine or beer.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.
A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 09:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 14:30. There are later buses at 14:00 and 16:45.
The fare is around 20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
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Stay overnight in Belgrade. I recommend the excellent & historic Hotel Moskva at the end of Belgrade's main pedestrianised shopping street, see map of Belgrade showing station.
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For Sofia, travel from Belgrade to Sofia as shown on the Belgrade to Sofia page. Buy at the station, tickets cannot be bought online.
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For Istanbul, first travel to Sofia by daytime trains as shown on the Belgrade to Sofia page, stay overnight in Sofia and spend the next day there, then take the overnight sleeper to Istanbul, see the Belgrade to Istanbul section for full details.
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For Thessaloniki or Athens, see the Trains from Belgrade page. There are currently no international trains to or from Greece, take a ferry from Italy.
Zagreb to Warsaw, Krakow, Bucharest, Kyiv & Moscow
Option 1, by morning train to Vienna, then sleeper train
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Vienna on the morning train, as explained above. Enjoy an afternoon in Vienna.
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Step 2 for Krakow & Warsaw: Take the 23:10 sleeper train Chopin from Vienna to Krakow & Warsaw as shown here.
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Step 2 for Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest: Take the 19:42 sleeper train from Vienna to Romania as shown here.
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Step 2 for Lviv & Kyiv: Take the 16:42 sleeper train from Vienna to Lviv & Kyiv as shown here.
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Step 3 for Moscow, travel to Kyiv then take an overnight sleeper from Kyiv to Moscow as shown here. This route avoids Belarus.
Option 2, by afternoon train to Budapest, overnight stop, then daytime train
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Step 1, travel from Zagreb to Budapest on an afternoon train, as explained above.
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Step 2 for Krakow & Warsaw: Take a daytime Intercity train from Budapest Nyugati to Warsaw & Krakow as shown here
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Step 2 for Brasov & Bucharest: Take a daytime Intercity train from Budapest Keleti to Brasov or Bucharest as shown here.
Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Nyugati is the T62 Hotel just across the road, a traveller's favourite. More hotels in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away.
Option 3, by afternoon train to Vienna, overnight stop, then daytime train
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Step 4, travel from Zagreb to Vienna on the afternoon train, as shown here.
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Stay overnight in Vienna. Hotels near the station with good reviews include the Motel One Vienna Hbf, GraetzlHotel, Hotel Schani Wien.
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Step 2 for Krakow & Vienna: Ttravel from Vienna to Krakow & Warsaw on the morning train as shown here.
Hotels in Zagreb: The Esplanade Hotel
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If you can possibly afford it - and it's not expensive by western standards - book a room at the venerable and historic Esplanade Hotel. 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!
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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) or the more modern Central Hotel.
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 most cities at rock-bottom prices.
Travel insurance & VPN
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Always take out travel insurance
Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover. It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. Here are some suggested insurers. Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.
www.staysure.co.uk
offers enhanced Covid-19 protection & 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.
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Get an eSIM with mobile data package
Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting 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.
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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 at time of writing. The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.
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 digging 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.
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Get a VPN for safe browsing. Why you need a VPN
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.
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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.