We will be traveling from Dubrovnik to Zageb in October at the end of a Rick Steves tour. Is there a way to get there other than by private car or by plane? We have heard there is a train, but do not see it on the train schedule (probably our ignorance). If there is a train, can tickets be purchased in Dubrovnik just before traveling or do we need to pre-purchase them? If so, how?
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5372 posts
You can't find a train schedule because Dubrovnik isn't served by train. The nearest train station is in Split, which is 3.5 hours away from Dubrovnik. You either fly, drive or take the bus.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
The area round Dubrovnik is separated from the rest of Croatia (rather like Alaska is separated from the rest of the USA). To get from Dubrovnik to Split by land you need to go via Bosnia for a short distance. As neither country is in Schengen, this is a proper border with passport and customs. You need to check if you need a visa or other paperwork, depending on your nationality.
As the previous poster said, there are no trains along the Croatian coast south of Split, There is almost certainly a bus service, but I don't know any details.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7025 posts
Looks like there are a few bus options ranging from 9-1/2 to 14 hours. Or you could take a bus to split, then train to Zagreb (total of about 11 hours or so). My vote would be to fly if at all possible.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
If you have a USA or Canadian passport, then you don't need any additional documents to enter or cross Bosnia. You will also do this in the course of the tour.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32198 posts
Anne,
As the others have mentioned there are no rail links from Dubrovnik, so you'd either have to take a Bus to Split to connect with rail, drive or take a short flight. Travel by ground is going to be a long and tiring ordeal, so a short flight is really the best and easiest option. Is there a particular reason you don't want to fly?
I took the Adriatic tour this year, so travelled that route towards the end of September. The flight from Dubrovnik to Zagreb is only about an hour, so very quick. Also, DBV is smaller airport so not hard to navigate. Croatia Air appears to have three flights per day with departures at 06:40, 13:20 & 16:15 (that's the airline that I used, first to Zagreb and eventually to Zürich). I used the 06:40 flight, which meant getting up at a dreadful hour! The 13:20 would be a nice compromise, as you'd be able to sleep in and then have a leisurely breakfast.