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Zagreb's main railway station, the terminus for the daytime and overnight trains from Split.
Photo: Nils Berg / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Split to Zagreb by Train
A domestic route within Croatia.
Reviewed by Eurotraintrip on 2026-07-30
- Duration
- 6h 45m – 8h 44m
- Price from
- 15 EUR
- Distance
- 424 km
- Operators
- HZ Putnicki prijevoz (HZPP)
- Frequency
- One daytime and one overnight train a day from Split; two trains a day from Zagreb
Compare and book Split–Zagreb tickets
Check pricesWhat makes Split to Zagreb different
- At around 424km of actual rail distance for a roughly 259km straight-line hop, this is one of the least direct major routes on this site - the line winds inland through Croatia's mountainous interior rather than following the coast, which is also why the trip takes 7-8 hours for a distance a fast train elsewhere in Europe might cover in half that time.
- This route offers three distinct overnight accommodation tiers on the same train - ordinary six-seat compartments, four- or six-berth couchettes, and a three-bed sleeping car - a level of sleeper-class choice not found on most other routes covered by this site.
- Split's railway station sits directly beside both the city's ferry port and its main bus station, a three-way transport hub about 5 minutes' walk from the historic center built around Diocletian's Palace - unusually convenient for a station serving a route this long.
Split station
Departs from Split's main railway station, which sits alongside the city's ferry terminal and bus station in a single transport hub about 5 minutes on foot from the Diocletian's Palace old town.
Zagreb station
Arrives at Zagreb Glavni kolodvor, the 186.5-metre 1892 neo-Renaissance terminus designed by Ferenc Pfaff - Croatia's largest railway station and, once, a scheduled Orient Express stop.
Train vs. other options
Domestic flights between Split and Zagreb cover the distance in under an hour and are the fastest option by far for this specific pair of cities; driving the A1 motorway takes around 4.5-5 hours without traffic, notably faster than the train's 7-8 hours, which is why most time-pressed travelers between Croatia's two largest cities choose to fly or drive rather than take the train - the appeal of the rail option here is mainly the overnight sleeper saving a hotel night, not speed.
Booking tips
- Book e-tickets through HZPP's own website or app rather than at a ticket counter or machine - online tickets run about 10% cheaper on this route.
- The night train (departing Split at 21:44, arriving Zagreb at 05:47, or the reverse leaving Zagreb at 23:05 and arriving Split at 06:48) is worth considering over the roughly 7-8 hour daytime service, since it saves a travel day and a hotel night at once.
- Overnight cars mix 2nd-class seating (six seats per compartment), four- and six-berth couchettes, and a three-bed sleeping car - decide which class you want before booking, since couchettes and sleepers cost more than a standard seat.
Good to know: HZPP runs only one daytime departure a day from Split (versus two from Zagreb) plus the overnight service each way, so unlike busier routes on this site, missing your booked train can mean a genuinely long wait for the next one - double-check the timetable for your specific travel date rather than assuming an hourly-style frequency.
While you're in Zagreb
St. Mark's Church, its tiled roof forming the coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, Slavonia and Zagreb.
Photo: 99LJH / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Zagreb's Upper Town is topped by St. Mark's Church, whose tiled roof forms two coats of arms - Croatia's and the city's own - visible from streets away, a short walk from the bustling Dolac produce market below.
Full Zagreb travel guide →Frequently asked questions
How long does the train from Split to Zagreb take?
Around 6h45m to 8h10m for the daytime service, or about 7-8h44m for the overnight train, depending on the specific departure.
Is there a night train between Split and Zagreb?
Yes - HZPP runs one overnight service each way, with a mix of ordinary seating, couchette and sleeping-car options, departing Split at 21:44 or Zagreb at 23:05.
Is it faster to fly or drive between Split and Zagreb instead?
Yes - domestic flights take under an hour and driving the A1 motorway takes about 4.5-5 hours, both considerably faster than the train's 6.75-8.75 hour journey.