Vienna to Zagreb - 13 Best Ways to Travel in 2024

Even though the train is a popular and comfortable mode of transportation in Europe, there are currently no direct connections between Vienna and Zagreb. However, numerous options require a change along the way. So, if you prefer traveling from Vienna to Zagreb by train, you can still use this method for your trip.

Typically, the train ride from Vienna to Zagreb takes about eight to nine hours, requiring a train change in Villach, located in southern Austria. The fastest option takes approximately six and a half hours, involving just a quick change in Graz. This train departs from Vienna just before 4 PM and arrives in Zagreb at 10:20 PM.

When searching for train schedules from Vienna to Zagreb, take note of the train change locations, as some connections require a 50-minute walk between Dobova in Slovenia and Harmica in Croatia. While the travel times for these connections may appear favorable, the overall journey from Vienna to Zagreb could be too much of a hassle, especially for those traveling with large luggage or those who prefer not to walk three kilometers.

However, regardless of the train route chosen, it will be a scenic journey. You will not only travel through beautiful mountains, but part of your journey will also include the historic Semmering Railway, built in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Alternatively, if you travel via Budapest—a viable option—you will journey alongside Lake Balaton, one of Hungary's major attractions.

Vienna to Zagreb night train

Besides the daytime trains, there is also a night connection available, although it requires a change in Salzburg. You would depart from Vienna around 10 PM, arriving in Salzburg approximately two and a half hours later.

The train to Zagreb leaves at 2 AM, so the main drawback of this connection is the wait of over an hour in Salzburg in the middle of the night. However, once you're on the train to Zagreb, you can relax, catch up on some sleep, and you'll arrive at your destination before 11 AM.

Despite the inconvenient change in Salzburg, it's still worth considering traveling from Vienna to Zagreb by night train as you can save time and money on this journey.

Vienna to Zagreb train tickets

The tickets for the Vienna to Zagreb train start at €28,60 if you purchase them in advance and can cost up to €80 for last-minute trips. 

The night train via Salzburg costs between €65 and €120, depending on when you buy your ticket. For the extra fee you can choose a bed in the 6-person couchette compartment (for €20), or the sleeping cabin (at least €200) - this is worth considering if you want to get some sleep and relax better during your trip. 

The best place to buy the ticket is online at the website of the Austrian Railways ÖBB. 

If you prefer to purchase your ticket the traditional way, visit the central train station in Vienna—Hauptbahnhof—and proceed to the customer center, located on the right side as you enter the building from street level. If you decide to travel from Vienna to Zagreb by train at the last minute, make sure to arrive at the train station with time to spare, as the lines for buying tickets can become long, especially during peak hours.

Vienna to Zagreb train with the travel pass

If you are traveling around with Interrail/Eurail passes, you can also use them for the Vienna to Zagreb train trip, as they're accepted in Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary (depending on which route you choose). You might want to purchase a seat reservation for a small fee for a more comfortable journey, however it is not required. 

Train stations in Vienna and Zagreb

In Vienna, trains depart from the central train station, Hauptbahnhof, which is conveniently located not too far from the city center. You can reach it by taking the red metro line U1 to the "Südtiroler Platz-Hauptbahnhof" stop.

In Zagreb, you will arrive at the central train station, Zagreb Glavni Kolodvor, situated in the heart of the city center, just a 15-minute walk from the main square, Trg J. Jelačića.

Traveling from Vienna to Zagreb by bus is a more convenient option, with numerous direct connections available throughout the day (ranging from six to nine, depending on the day).

The typical travel time from Vienna to Zagreb by bus is just over five hours, although some connections may take less time.

Flixbus operates all these bus services, utilizing modern and comfortable vehicles equipped with ample legroom, power sockets next to each seat, and complimentary Wi-Fi to keep you entertained during your journey.

Vienna to Zagreb bus tickets

Bus tickets from Vienna to Zagreb start at €25 for a one-way trip. To access these rates, you'll need to plan your journey in advance, as the cheapest tickets sell out quickly. For last-minute trips, prices can rise to as much as €65.

To purchase tickets and check schedules, visit the Flixbus website.

Bus stations in Vienna and Zagreb

In Zagreb, you will arrive at the main bus station located on Avenija Marina Držića, about 2 km from the city center. Numerous trams can transport you to your destination within the city. Additionally, popular ridesharing apps like Bolt and Uber are available in Zagreb.

Traveling from Vienna to Zagreb by plane is a convenient option. Depending on the day, there are three to five direct flights between the two capitals, operated by Austrian Airlines and Croatia Airlines. Departures are scheduled for late morning, afternoon, and evening.

The flight time from Vienna to Zagreb is just 50 minutes, so including the time to get to and from the airport, the entire journey should take approximately five hours.

Vienna to Zagreb plane tickets

Since the operating airlines are not low-cost, tickets for a flight from Vienna to Zagreb are not the cheapest. Prices for one-way flights start at €117 if purchased in advance, but for last-minute trips, you can expect to pay up to €500.

The best way to purchase the tickets is directly through the websites of Austrian Airlines or Croatia Airlines. 

Airports in Vienna and Zagreb

In Vienna, you can easily reach the airport by train. You have two options: a direct City Airport Train departing from Wien Mitte station, with a travel time of 16 minutes and a one-way ticket costing €14.90, or the slower suburban train S7, also from Wien Mitte, with a travel time of 25 minutes and a one-way ticket priced at €4.10.

Additionally, RailJet trains depart from Wien Hauptbahnhof station twice an hour, offering a travel time of 15 minutes, and the tickets cost €4.40.

Upon arrival in Zagreb, a dedicated bus line connects the airport to the central bus station. Buses depart every 30 minutes throughout the day, taking 35-40 minutes to reach their destination. The bus stop is conveniently located in front of the airport exit. The tickets for the airport bus are priced at €8; you can purchase them online or directly from the driver.

Taxis are also available to take you to the center, with fares starting at €30.

The fastest way to travel from Vienna to Zagreb is by car. Although the shortest route goes through Hungary, the road that passes through Slovenia actually takes less time. The distance between the capitals is about 350 km, and it takes less than four hours since there are good highways.

Before starting your trip, make sure to purchase vignettes for Austria and Slovenia/Hungary (you can do it online), as they are mandatory for using the highways. In Croatia, highway fees are also required, but payment is collected at traditional toll booths along the way.

If you're not in a hurry, consider taking a road trip from Vienna to Zagreb to explore some interesting places along the way—there are plenty to choose from.

Some of our recommendations are Graz (Austria), Maribor, and Ptuj (if you drive via Slovenia), or Sopron, Szombathely, and Varazdin (if you drive via Hungary). These are only the main highlights, but this region is full of charming small towns, villages, and picturesque landscapes, so you will undoubtedly find even more exciting places to stop in during your Vienna to Zagreb drive.

If you need to rent a car for your trip from Vienna to Zagreb, expect to pay at least €600, as returning the vehicle to a different location incurs additional costs. Despite this, renting a car is worth considering for the freedom it offers to travel and plan your trip according to your own needs and interests.

If you value the comfort and ease of travel that comes with traveling by car but prefer not to drive yourself, opting for a private transfer is a great choice. An English-speaking driver with a comfortable car will pick you up from your accommodation in Vienna and, about four hours later, drop you off at your chosen location in Zagreb.

The cost for a private transfer from Vienna to Zagreb is approximately €400 for a car accommodating two passengers. If you wish to enrich your trip with some sightseeing stops, this can be arranged for an additional fee. Most popular places to visit along the way from Vienna to Zagreb are Liechtenstein Castle, Lake Neusiedl, Graz, Maribor, Ptuj, and Trakošćan Castle.

Another way to travel from Vienna to Zagreb by car is through carpooling. This option allows you to enjoy company during your trip and ensures a smooth drive from Vienna to Zagreb.

The most popular website that connects drivers with passengers is BlaBlaCar. You can browse through available rides there, and once you find the one that works for your itinerary, connect with the driver to arrange details like the pickup time and location.

Unfortunately, the Vienna to Zagreb route isn't the most popular, so there are usually only very few offers (on some days, there might be none at all). If you find an offer you like, don't wait too long to contact the driver and reserve your spot right away.

The price for the Vienna to Zagreb carpooling trip starts at €20, but the cost depends on the driver as they set the price. 

Before agreeing on the car-sharing journey, be sure to read the fine print, too, as sometimes the pickup or drop-off locations are away from the center, and getting there might be a hassle, especially if you don't know the city.

Fans of thrill and adventure can try hitchhiking from Vienna to Zagreb. Be aware that you might not find the ride all the way to the Croatian capital. 

Still, since you will be traveling on popular roads leading to the Balkans, you should be able to move towards your destination easily. But to be on the safe side, it's better to first aim for places like Graz or Maribor. 

The best starting point for the Vienna to Zagreb hitchhiking trip is on Triesterstraße, where you can get by public transport using buses or trams that stop nearby.

Cycling from Vienna to Zagreb is a good idea for those traveling with two wheels. Not only will you be able to move around in an environment-friendly way, but you will also see some amazing places and beautiful landscapes along the way. 

Depending on your itinerary, you can cycle from Vienna to Zagreb via Hungary or Slovenia. You can also zigzag around a bit and visit both countries, together with Austria and Croatia on your way. 

The distance from Vienna to Zagreb is around four hundred kilometers, so you need around a week to get by bike from one capital to another. Some parts of the journey can get a bit hilly, so you need to be in somewhat decent shape for the trip. Or go via Hungary to take advantage of a more flat terrain. 

When planning your trip from Vienna to Zagreb by bike, you might want to stop in places like Lake Neusiedl, Sopron, Őrség National Park, Maribor, and Ptuj along the way. These are only a few suggestions, but the area between Vienna and Zagreb is packed with beautiful places, so no matter which way you choose, we have no doubt you will have a wonderful journey.

A more challenging (but still doable) way of getting from Vienna to Zagreb is on foot. You will need around three weeks to cover the distance of around four hundred kilometers between the capitals, so you need good endurance for such a trip. But you will be rewarded with some beautiful places to see along the way and a unique opportunity to get to know in-depth this part of Europe and the four countries you can visit during your walk.

Since hiking is a popular activity in Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia, you can expect fine infrastructure on your way from Vienna to Zagreb.

If you travel by motorhome, you can go for a fantastic Zagreb to Vienna RV trip. You don't need to hurry; you can stop in numerous places along the way (we've already covered the best ones in this article) and enjoy the slow travel in the less popular yet still amazing spots in this underrated part of Europe. 

Just keep in mind that camping in the wild is forbidden in all four countries you will visit. But there is nothing to worry about - on the way from Zagreb to Vienna, you will find many campsites where you can park your motorhome and rest before continuing your journey towards Vienna.

Those who travel with a motorhome are in for a treat, as the Vienna to Zagreb road trip is a perfect way to spend your holidays in Central Europe and visit some of the less-popular yet still amazing places. We've already mentioned many of them in this article, but there are many other lovely spots where you can park your RV and enjoy your time exploring the region.

When planning your Vienna to Zagreb RV itinerary, remember that camping in the wild is forbidden in all four countries you will visit. Fortunately, there are many campsites between Vienna and Zagreb where you can park your motorhome and relax before continuing your journey towards the capital of Croatia.

Those who like the freedom of motorcycle travel will surely enjoy the trip between the two capitals. You can take different roads from Vienna to Zagreb by motorcycle. 

If you are in a hurry, you can go on the highway to test your machine and its power and speed or take the leisure trip through the backroads to have a slower journey where you can also enjoy the smaller and less known destinations. Either way, you will have an enjoyable Vienna to Zagreb motorcycle trip.

A fancy option to travel from Vienna to Zagreb is by a private jet. It's a bit expensive, at least €4.000, to charter a plane. Still, this trip is worth considering if you enjoy luxurious and comfortable travel. 

The flight time with a private jet from Vienna to Zagreb is around forty minutes, so with getting to and from the airport, it should take you around three hours to travel between the capitals.

Final thoughts on traveling from Vienna to Zagreb

As outlined above, there are numerous options for traveling from Vienna to Zagreb. The choice is yours, but regardless of the method, we are confident you will have a wonderful trip.

Once in Zagreb, make sure to dedicate some time to explore the city before you continue on to your next destination. Zagreb is one of Europe's most underrated capitals, boasting beautiful architecture, fascinating historical sites, quirky attractions, and a lively atmosphere.

Have a fantastic journey!