Zagreb to Vienna - 13 Best Ways to Travel in 2024

Travelers often prefer taking the train for its comfort while exploring Europe. Sadly, currently, there are no direct Zagreb to Vienna trains. However, if you still prefer to travel by rail, you can opt for a connection with a change along the way.

The most convenient and fastest option departs from Zagreb at 7:05 AM, arriving in Vienna seven hours later, including a swift change in Graz, Austria. Other connections might take about eight hours.

If you're considering traveling from Zagreb to Vienna by train, pay attention to the transfer points. Some routes require a 50-minute walk between Harmica in Croatia and Dobova in Slovenia. While the travel time is generally under eight hours, transferring between train stations can be cumbersome, especially with large luggage. The 2.5-kilometer walk between countries may not be appealing to everyone.

The upside of taking the train from Zagreb to Vienna is the scenic landscape you will see along the way. Just before reaching Vienna, you'll pass through the renowned Semmering railway, constructed in 1854 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making for a scenic travel experience.

Zagreb to Vienna night train

Another train connection from Zagreb to Vienna worth considering is the night train. This route requires a change in Villach, Austria, but the schedule is quite manageable, allowing you to relax and get some sleep on your journey from Zagreb to Vienna.

First, you need to take the train towards Villach, departing from the Croatian capital at 7:40 PM. You'll arrive in the Austrian city just before midnight. After approximately an hour's wait, you will board the night train to Vienna, arriving there just after eight in the morning.

Zagreb to Vienna train tickets

The price for the Zagreb to Vienna train ticket starts at €28.60 when purchased in advance and can increase to €80 on the day of departure.

The night connection is more expensive, with prices ranging from €65 to €120, depending on when the ticket is bought. For an additional fee, you have the option to select a bed in the 6-person couchette compartment (for €20) or a sleeping cabin (starting at €200). These options are worth considering for those wanting to ensure a restful sleep and a more relaxing journey.

The best place to purchase tickets is online via the Austrian Railways ÖBB website.

Tickets can also be bought at the train station in Zagreb. The ticket offices are located on the left side as you enter the station's building, accessible after passing through a corridor.

Zagreb to Vienna train with the travel pass

The Interrail tickets or other travel passes are also valid in Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria, making your train journey from Zagreb to Vienna straightforward. While not mandatory, you might consider purchasing a seat reservation for €3 to ensure a guaranteed seat. The simplest way to make this reservation is through the Austrian Railways ÖBB website.

Train stations in Zagreb and Vienna

All trains in Zagreb depart from the main station, Zagreb Glavni Kolodvor, situated in the city center, just a 15-minute walk from the main square, Trg J. Jelačića. You can easily reach the station by taking one of the many trams. Additionally, popular ridesharing apps like Bolt and Uber are available in Zagreb.

Upon arrival in Vienna, you will reach Wien Hauptbahnhof, the central train station. From there, you can take the metro's red line U1 to reach your final destination in the city.

A good alternative to the train is the Zagreb to Vienna bus. There are six to nine direct connections throughout the day and the travel time is also shorter. 

The bus journey from Zagreb to Vienna takes just over five hours. It offers a comfortable ride, with enough legroom, power sockets beside each seat, and complimentary Wi-Fi to keep you entertained throughout your trip.

Zagreb to Vienna bus tickets

Flixbus operates all the buses on the Zagreb to Vienna route. Visit their website to check the schedule for the day that interests you and to buy the ticket. 

If you plan your trip in advance, Zagreb to Vienna bus tickets can be purchased for €25 for a one-way trip. Last-minute purchases may cost up to €65.

Bus stations in Zagreb and Vienna

Buses from Zagreb to Vienna depart from the main bus station on Avenija Marina Držića, situated approximately 2 km from the city center. You can reach it by tram, as numerous lines stop here, or by using the Bolt or Uber ridesharing service.

Upon arrival in Vienna, you will be at the Erdbergstrasse bus station. Although it's not in the city center, the U3 orange metro line is conveniently available to quickly transport you to the heart of Vienna.

Another convenient method of traveling from Zagreb to Vienna is by plane. Each day, there are four direct flights between the capitals, operated by Austrian Airlines and Croatia Airlines.

The flights depart from Zagreb at 7:55 AM, 8:15 AM, 2:45 PM, and 5:55 PM, with a flight duration of only 50 minutes. Including the time it takes to get to and from the airport, as well as all airport procedures, the entire journey between the cities should take approximately five hours.

Zagreb to Vienna plane tickets

Unfortunately, the Zagreb to Vienna plane ticket isn't the cheapest. Prices start at €117 when purchased in advance, but expect to pay even up to €500 for last-minute trips. 

The best place to buy the tickets is through the websites of Austrian Airlines or Croatia Airlines. 

Airports in Zagreb and Vienna

Zagreb Airport is located 16 km away from the city center. It can be accessed via a dedicated bus line that departs from the central bus station every 30 minutes throughout the day. The journey to the airport takes about 35-40 minutes, depending on traffic. Tickets for the airport bus cost €8; you can purchase them online or directly from the driver.

In Vienna, you have the option of using the City Airport Train, which costs €14.90, or the slower suburban train S7, priced at €4.10. Both options will take you to Wien Mitte station, situated near the city center and served by the U3 orange metro line and the U4 green metro line.

If you prefer complete control over your journey, driving from Zagreb to Vienna is an option. This is for sure the quickest way to travel between the capitals.

The distance is about 350 km, allowing you to cover it in under four hours on highways. Although the shortest route passes through Hungary, the path through Slovenia tends to be quicker.

However, we recommend taking a Zagreb to Vienna road trip with sightseeing stops along the way. Notable places to visit include Ptuj, Maribor, and Graz if traveling through Slovenia, or Varazdin, Szombathely, and Sopron if going through Hungary. These are just a few options; this region is filled with charming towns, villages, and scenic landscapes. Regardless of the route, your drive from Zagreb to Vienna will be enjoyable.

Before embarking on your journey from Zagreb to Vienna, remember the requirement for vignettes in Austria and Slovenia/Hungary, which you can purchase online for highway use. In Croatia, highway fees are paid at traditional toll booths.

If renting a car for this trip, be aware of the extra charge for returning the vehicle to a different location. The rental cost for a Zagreb to Vienna trip can start at €600.

If you appreciate the comfort of driving but prefer not to drive yourself, consider using a Zagreb to Vienna private transfer. You can hire an English-speaking driver who will transport you in a comfortable car from your accommodation in Zagreb directly to your chosen destination in Vienna for around €400 (price per car for two passengers).

The journey typically takes about four hours, but for an additional fee, you can include sightseeing stops to enhance your trip. Popular destinations for stops between Zagreb and Vienna include Trakošćan Castle, Ptuj, Maribor, Graz, Lake Neusiedl, and Liechtenstein Castle.

Carpooling is a popular mode of travel around Europe. However, it's important to note that the Zagreb to Vienna route is not among the most popular ones. Typically, there are very few carpooling offers available between these cities, and on some days, there might be none.

To find available carpooling rides from Zagreb to Vienna, the BlaBlaCar website is the most popular platform for connecting drivers with passengers. There, you can browse through the available rides, and once you find one that suits your needs, contact the driver to arrange details such as pickup time and location.

Before making a decision, be sure to read the fine print carefully. Occasionally, the pickup or drop-off locations might be far from the city center. Considering the hassle of reaching or returning from the designated point, it might not be worth the effort for an unconventional journey.

The starting price for a Zagreb to Vienna car-sharing trip is around €20, but the final cost depends on the driver, as they determine the price.

If you're on a tight budget or simply enjoy the excitement of adventure and the unpredictability of travel, consider hitchhiking from Zagreb to Vienna. The capitals are well-connected by a network of motorways, making it feasible to find a ride directly to your destination.

A great starting point for your hitchhiking journey from Zagreb to Vienna is near the West Gate shopping center, located by the motorway. You can get there using the free shuttle bus that departs from the Črnomerec and Ljubljanica bus terminals. Close to the shopping center, you'll find a motorway toll station, an ideal spot to try your luck at hitching a ride towards Vienna.

Fans of traveling on two wheels can go for a Zagreb to Vienna cycling trip. On this bike trip you will see some of the underrated yet interesting places in Central Europe and learn more about the region, its culture, customs, and history. Depending on your itinerary, you can go from Zagreb to Vienna by bike via Slovenia or Hungary. Or you can plan your journey to include both countries for an even more fulfilling trip. 

You need around one week to cover the distance of around four hundred kilometers from Zagreb to Vienna by bike. You need to be in decent physical shape for this trip, as some parts of the journey go through hilly areas. To avoid those, you can go via Hungary and take advantage of a flatter terrain. 

We've already mentioned above the interesting places to stop in between Zagreb and Hungary. But since you will not be limited by schedules, we are sure you will discover some real gems in the area, as this region is full of beautiful spots.

A crazy (or challenging) idea of going from Zagreb to Vienna is on foot. The distance between the cities is around four hundred kilometers, so you will need around three weeks to walk from Zagreb to Vienna. Good endurance, comfortable shoes, and high spirits are highly recommended for this trip!

There are many places you can stop along the way, so it surely won't be a boring adventure. We've already given you some ideas in this article, but how you decide to lead your route is up to you. 

Hiking is a popular activity in all the countries along the way, you can expect good infrastructure on your way from Zagreb to Vienna.

Getting from Zagreb to Vienna by motorcycle can be a great experience and an excellent way to enjoy the freedom of travel. You can use motorways to save time and quickly travel from Zagreb to Vienna, or you can use back roads for a more leisurely trip. 

This way, you can get to know the region better and visit some beautiful places along the way, like those we've already mentioned in this article. No matter which road you choose, you can be sure this will be a wonderful trip, packed with picturesque spots and excellent routes to take your motorcycle.

The fastest (and most expensive) way to travel from Zagreb to Vienna is by private jet. Chartering a plane for this journey starts at approximately €4000, offering a luxurious, comfortable, and stylish experience.

The flight duration from Zagreb to Vienna in a private jet is about forty minutes. Factoring in the travel time to and from the airport and simplified airport procedures, the total journey from the center of Zagreb to your destination in Vienna should not exceed three hours.