By train to Croatia: night trains, motorail and journey times
Most people drive to Croatia or fly. The train is an option too. Since December 2025 a daily EuroCity has run from Munich to Zagreb without a change. There is also a night train from Stuttgart and Zurich.
This page lists all train connections to Croatia to the coast: direct trains from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, night trains, the motorail train to Split and journey times to Rijeka, Pula, Sibenik and Split.
By train to Croatia from Germany, Austria and Switzerland
From Munich two trains run direct to Zagreb. The EuroCity leaves at 10:18 and reaches Zagreb at 19:20. The EuroNight leaves Stuttgart at 20:29 and arrives at 10:46. From Zagreb you continue to Rijeka and Split. For Rijeka and Istria, Ljubljana is the shorter change. Zadar has no passenger trains until the end of 2028. In summer a night train with car transport runs from Vienna to Split.
Rijeka and Opatija
Kvarner Bay
Rijeka is the station for the Kvarner Bay. From Zagreb the train runs via Karlovac and Ogulin in 4 hrs 20 min to 5 hrs 40 min. From Ljubljana it takes about 3 hrs, and the trains also stop at Opatija-Matulji. In summer there are direct trains from Budapest and Warsaw. From Rijeka the bus takes 30 min to Opatija and 45 min to Krk.
- Ljubljanadailyabout 3 hrs, connects with the EuroCity from Munich
- Zagrebdaily2 train pairs via Karlovac and Ogulin
- BudapestsummerIstria-Zug, 2026 from 26 June to 30 August, 2027 to be confirmed
- Warsaw, ViennasummerAdriatic Express, 2026 from 26 June to 31 August, 2027 to be confirmed
- Prague, ViennaplannedRegioJet, December 2027 at the earliest
Properties:Kvarner Bay propertiesOpatija
Pula and Istria
Istria
Trains to Istria run via Slovenia. The Istrian railway runs from Pula via Pazin and Buzet to the border. Since June 2026 a daily summer train has run from Ljubljana to Pula without a change. All year round a train runs from Zagreb via Ljubljana to Pula on Fridays and returns on Sundays. No trains run to Porec, Rovinj or Umag. You take the bus there from Pula or Pazin.
- Ljubljanasummerdaily without a change, 2027 from 26 June to 4 September
- Zagreball yearout on Fri, back on Sun, via Ljubljana, about 7 hrs 20 min
Properties:Istria propertiesPula
Split
Central Dalmatia
The train to Split runs from Zagreb on the Lika line and takes 7 hrs 30 min to 8 hrs. From 13 December 2026 two train pairs a day will run all year. Six new trains from Koncar are being added for this, and the first has been running since 15 September 2026. There is a night train from Zagreb at weekends, and daily in summer. In summer a night train with car carriers runs from Vienna.
- Zagrebfrom 13 December 20262 train pairs daily in new trains
- ZagrebFri and Sunnight train, daily in summer
- ViennasummerNightjet with car carriers, dep. Vienna 18:57, arr. Split 10:04, 2027 to be confirmed
- BudapestsummerAdria-InterCity, 2026 from 3 July to 4 October
Properties:Split propertiesCentral Dalmatia
Sibenik and Zadar
Northern Dalmatia
For Sibenik you change at Perkovic to a regional train. The journey takes 30 min. From December 2026 there will also be an evening connection all year round. Zadar currently has no passenger trains. The line from Knin to Zadar is being renewed until October 2028. Until then you take the bus from Zagreb or Split.
- Perkovicdailyregional train to Sibenik, connects with trains from Zagreb and Split
- Kninuntil 2028Zadar back on the railway after the upgrade
Properties:Sibenik propertiesZadar
Zagreb
Change inland
Zagreb is the hub for all journeys to Dalmatia. The EuroCity from Munich and the EuroNight from Stuttgart and Zurich terminate here. From December 2026 the EuroCity towards Munich will again run without a change in Villach. By hire car it is about 2 hrs from Zagreb to Rijeka and about 4 hrs to Split.
- MunichdailyEuroCity, dep. Munich 10:18, arr. Zagreb 19:20
- Stuttgart, ZurichdailyEuroNight, dep. Stuttgart 20:29, arr. Zagreb 10:46
- ViennadailyEuroCity via Graz and Maribor, about 7 hrs
How long does the train to Croatia take?
From Munich to Zagreb it takes 9 hrs without a change. To Rijeka it takes 10 hrs 40 min with a change in Ljubljana. To Split you take the night train and arrive after about 22 hrs. From Graz you reach Zagreb in just under 4 hrs, from Vienna in 6 hrs 30 min. The table shows the fastest connection from each departure city. It accepts up to one hour longer if that saves changes.
| Departure | Zagreb | Rijeka | Pula | Split | Sibenik |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munich | 9:040 x | 10:402 x | 13:252 x | 22:142 x | 21:593 x |
| Stuttgart | 11:021 x | 13:274 x | - | 25:181 x | 25:032 x |
| Zurich | 13:283 x | 16:351 x | 25:523 x | 27:081 x | 26:532 x |
| Vienna | 6:270 x | 9:532 x | - | 15:544 x | 19:293 x |
| Graz | 3:520 x | 8:181 x | - | 13:193 x | 13:044 x |
| Berlin | 14:243 x | 16:373 x | - | 27:103 x | 26:554 x |
Fastest train connection in hrs, followed by the number of changes. ÖBB journey planner, travel date Wednesday 18 November 2026. In summer there are extra trains to Pula, Rijeka and Split.
Night train to Croatia
The night train to Croatia runs daily from Stuttgart and Zurich. In Munich you board at Munich East station, shortly before midnight. The train has seats and couchettes and reaches Zagreb in the morning. If you are going to Split, you continue from there on the day train. In summer the Nightjet also runs from Vienna and Graz direct to Split. From Zagreb there is a night train to Split at weekends, and daily in summer.
Motorail train to Croatia
A motorail train to Croatia only runs from Austria. In summer 2026 the Nightjet with car carriers ran from Vienna via Graz and Zagreb to Split. It left Vienna on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 18:57 and reached Split the next morning at 10:04. The car needs its own vehicle ticket. That way you have your car with you for viewings on site. ÖBB has not yet announced whether the train will run in 2027. There is no motorail train from Germany to Croatia.
Train, car or plane: Munich to Split
The train is slower than the car or the plane. But you pay no tolls and can take plenty of luggage. If you are viewing a property on the coast, you will usually still need a car there. Hire cars are available at all major stations.
Train according to the ÖBB journey planner, car according to the OSRM route planner, flights according to airline schedules as of 10 October 2026.
New train connections to Croatia: what is coming
The map shows what is set to change on the railways in Croatia over the next few years. The new trains to Split from December 2026 are confirmed. The line to Zadar is being renewed until 2028. A new line to Rijeka is under construction. A railway along the coast is so far only an idea.
| Connection | What changes | When | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zagreb to Split | 2 train pairs all year, new trains from Koncar | from 13 December 2026 | HZPP draft |
| Zagreb to Munich | EuroCity again without a change in Villach | from 13 December 2026 | HZPP draft |
| Perkovic to Sibenik | evening connection all year | from 13 December 2026 | HZPP draft |
| Ljubljana to Pula | summer train without a change, since 2026 | 26 June to 4 September 2027 | HZPP draft |
| Prague and Vienna to Rijeka and Split | RegioJet night train via Ljubljana and Ogulin | December 2027 at the earliest | planned |
| Knin to Zadar | line being renewed, then passenger trains again | October 2028 | under construction |
| New line Zagreb to Rijeka | 56 km shorter, 160 km/h, first section to Karlovac | 2029, complete around 2035 | under construction |
| Adriatic-Ionian corridor | railway along the coast from Trieste via Rijeka, Zadar, Sibenik, Split and Ploce to Greece | no date | idea, initiative of 2 October 2026 |
| Ucka tunnel to Istria | better rail link from Rijeka to Istria | no date | in planning |
| Vienna to Split by motorail | summer 2027 not yet published | open | open |
Sources: HZPP draft timetable 2026/2027 of 24 July 2026, ÖBB, MÁV, RegioJet, Croatian Ministry of Transport. The final timetable will be published before 13 December 2026.
How much does the train to Croatia cost?
That depends heavily on the day and on when you book. The journey planners show current fares, the links are at the bottom of this page. Saver fares are limited. Booking opens up to six months before travel.
Timetables and tickets
Frequently asked questions about the train to Croatia
Is there a direct train from Germany to Croatia?
Yes, to Zagreb. The EuroCity runs daily from Munich to Zagreb without a change, and the EuroNight runs from Stuttgart. No train from Germany goes direct to the coast. You change in Zagreb or Ljubljana.
How do I get to Split by train?
Take the EuroCity or the night train to Zagreb, then the train on the Lika line to Split. From December 2026 two trains a day will run. In summer a night train runs direct from Vienna to Split.
Can I take the train to Zadar?
Not at the moment. The Knin–Zadar line is being renewed until October 2028. Until then you take the train to Zagreb or Split and then the bus.
Is there a motorail train to Croatia?
Yes, in summer from Vienna to Split. There is no motorail train from Germany to Croatia. ÖBB has not yet published the 2027 timetable.
What new train connections to Croatia are coming?
From 13 December 2026 two train pairs will run between Zagreb and Split all year in new trains. The EuroCity to Munich will again run without a change. RegioJet plans a night train from Prague via Vienna to Rijeka and Split from December 2027 at the earliest. In the long term there is the idea of a railway along the whole coast from Trieste via Rijeka, Zadar and Split to Greece. The initiative was signed in Zagreb on 2 October 2026. There is no timetable yet.
How long does the train from Berlin to Croatia take?
There is no direct train from Berlin. The fastest journey to Zagreb takes 14 hrs 24 min with three changes. To Rijeka it is 16 hrs 37 min, to Split about 27 hrs. The overnight option is more comfortable: take the ICE to Munich in the evening, board the night train to Zagreb there and continue to Split the next day.
Can I take my dog on the train to Croatia?
Yes, with conditions. Small dogs travel in a carrier as hand luggage. Larger dogs usually need their own ticket, a lead and a muzzle. On the ÖBB Nightjet a dog can only travel if you book a whole compartment, and not at all in the Mini Cabin. Dogs are not allowed in couchette and sleeping cars on the Polish, Czech and Hungarian night trains. For Croatia the dog needs a microchip and an EU pet passport with a valid rabies vaccination. Check the exact rules with the railway before booking.
Note: Timetables change on 13 December 2026. All details without guarantee. Book with Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB or Croatian Railways HZPP.