From the look of things, only one train runs from Zagreb to Split, which gets one to the latter around 9pm. Has anyone taking this train and, if so, is what I said previously accurate?
Posted by
Hvar
1 posts
We have lived on Hvar for over 3 years and during that time occasionally have needed to take the trip from Split – Zagreb (and back!). I can say that for one of those trips, we booked a return train journey... however, after the experience of the Split > Zagreb leg of the journey, it was so awful that we decided to skip our (non-refundable!) return train journey and took the bus instead!
I remember it was in June, there was no AC, there were no curtains to cover the windows so the sun was beaming in. The journey was incredibly slow... supposed to be 6 hours and ended up being 8. The whole thing was extremely nauseating.
Ever since then, we always use FlixBus to travel between Split and Zagreb. Comfortable, air-conditioned buses. Fast journey (5 hours max). Can book online instantly. And would recommend paying the extra €5 for the "panoramic" seats upfront.
In answer to you original question though, I believe yes there is one train that runs from Zagreb to Split arriving in Split evening time, but there is also a night train that arrives in Split early morning so you have the day ahead of you.
Posted by
1038 posts
Similar experience to Rachel Scott’s above, between Ljubljana and Zagreb. Miserable ride that also took well longer than advertised. The train system is just not in the same universe as Western Europe unfortunately. The good news is the bus service is pretty good. Used Flixbus several times and was happy with it. Easy to book online, reliable and very cheap.
Posted by
Louisville, KY
2 posts
I agree with the others. We actually rented a car and that was really easy. The roads were great.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1700 posts
FWIW, in 2019 we took the train from Zagreb to Ljubljana, and the train ride was fine. Nothing wrong with it. It's an older train similar to the one we took 20 years ago from Prague to Krakow. It's not like the fast trains we have taken in Spain, if this comparison helps you at all. The train ride did NOT take longer than expected. It was about 2.5 hours. The scenery along the way is pretty, following the Sava River. We passed lots of cornfields, some sunflower fields, lots of churches, valleys and mountains.
Posted by
Wengen
2488 posts
The train from Split to Zagreb, if you take the day time IC train, is a relatively modern german made DMU. And it has air conditioning. I prefer it over the bus as the scenery is much more appealing, and it has the huge bonus of not being a bus.
I would certainly advise people to take the train here.