Tourist Helpdesk

[Kappa21]

Hey fellas,

I was wondering.

Im going to Budapest this summer and i would really love to go to Croatia.
My 2 destination of choice is Zagreb and Split.

From Budapest how does one get to Zagreb? Im on a very conservative budget and im not a early morning guy as well. Is train or bus available? And if so, are they frequent? As in daily or even a few times a day? Is flight available under say...75 EU for one way?

So while im in Zagreb...i wanna go to Split.... is there any way to get to split? im pretty sure buses are available..but which ones? And whats the distance between Zagreb and Split?

Thanks

[MasonicStage™]

I have never traveled from hungary to croatia, but i think train would be the best solution. Probably it's cheaper than a bus You could check the HŽ (croatian railways) site, with all lines and so. www.hznet.hr
u can also check the site of hungarian railways.

and zagreb-split relation...definitely bus the journey lasts for about 3-4 hours...not exactly sure.

[snupix]

You can take a train from Budapest to Zagreb, it takes about 5-6 hours, so I'd suggest an early morning train... And it's very easy to get to Split, there are at least 3 daily trains (5,5 hrs), one night train, and many buses (5 hrs) throughout the day, but if you decide to take a bus, you should check that it's a direct one and that it uses the motorway, so you don't stop in every town on the way.

[Astralis]

I think there are no bus lines from Budapest to Zagreb bc the railways have some kind of monopoly or sth and they keep the train faires too low so that no bus operater can compete with them. Anyways as guys said, take a train to Zagreb (I don't know what's the round trip fare but it should be lower than bus line from Vienna which is about 55, 60 euros). Use the train line to get from Zagreb to Split and back since fares are lower than the ordinary bus lines. One way ticket is about 22 euros so round trip fare should be under 40 euros. Make sure you check this website for train schedule in Croatia http://www.hznet.hr/ (switch it to English - there is an option in the bottom of the page). Enjoy your stay!

[Astralis]

However if you wanna use bus to get from Zagreb to Split then you should check this website http://www.akz.hr/EN/voznired.aspx. One way tickets are somewhat higher than the train ones but be aware since they variate from 171kn to 196 kn depending on the bus operator so make sure to check the prices which are available online before buying your ticket. Anyway, lowest one way ticket for bus is about 2 euros higher than the train one. Not sure if that's significant to you but if not I would rather use bus over train bc bus trip is somewhat shorter. BTW I forgot to tell you to pick Zagreb-Gl.Kolodvor as a departure station when looking for train lines to Split on the www.hznet.hr website.

[Ballota]

For enyone needing advice about Croatia. Places to stay, means of transport, sites to wisit....

Just come here, and ask us. We'll be glad to help.

-------------------------------------------

Originally Posted by olarreaga (PP)

Hi Ballota!

I'm a spanish forumer that next week will visit Croatia, I would really like you to give me some advice about your country, like schedules of trains, buses, places to stay and to visit, etc. I chose you for your forumer experience and because I dind't find a help thread in the croatian forum.

If you could help me I will be very greatfull, thankyou.

Well...the cities I recomend are Split and Dubrovnik. Maybe Zadar and Pula too, if you have time.
Other places to see are National Park (NP) Plitvice Lakes, NP Krka (river, and waterfalls), NP Kornati (beautyfull islands).....

I think there are some charter flights from Madrid to Split. You'll have to ask around.
Any other mean of transport would be too slow, in my oppinion.

If you have any other questions, just ask us.

P.S. OC, can you make this thread a stickey one?

[mic of Orion]

Not knowing where in Croatia, if you are flying to Zagreb (Via Bologna) than things are quite simple, Zagreb is quite well connected with the rest of the country, you have flights to Split, Zadar and Dubrovnik on a daily basis, and often more than twice a day.

There are 3-4 trains to Split and Zadar each day, and with Pula and Rijeka you have at least 5-6 daily trains. Varazdin is also well connected with Zagreb; with 12-15 trains each day.

If you are flying to Dubrovnik, than things are bit more difficult, but you have daily flights to Zagreb, with Croatian Airlines (http://www.croatiaairlines.com/Defau...irlines.com/hr) and Dubrovnik Airlines also flies to Zagreb (check the schedules http://www.dubrovnikairline.com/DAWeb/poc.html),

Dubrovnik is not connected by rail, therefore only alternative is a bus. For schedule you need to ask someone who lives in Dubrovnik or Split.

Split, if you land there, well Split is also well connected with the rest of Cro, so you'll have no problems there...

[Ballota]

A bus ride from Zagreb to Split (via A1) lasts some 4h.
It's quite comfortable......and a nice alternative to a plane, if you're on a tight budget.

P.S. A plane fare from Zagreb to Split (a 35min flight) can be as low as 35€.
You just have to get lucky, and get one from that cheap seats. Normal price is some 45€.

[Kappa21]

Thank you everything for your help!

I heard alot of ups and downs with Trains. Its a little different and they dont usually tell you the destination and only a number and there is delays usually because of people coming and going and such....

But i will try it...
Is it going through Hungary and Croatia or any other places? Bosnia?

Is Zagreb fairly small and easy to get to?
Is there Metro-Tram? I just got a book about Croatia and ill read it in the coming days

Flava! or Hvla

[Kappa21]

Thank you everything for your help!

I heard alot of ups and downs with Trains. Its a little different and they dont usually tell you the destination and only a number and there is delays usually because of people coming and going and such....

But i will try it...
Is it going through Hungary and Croatia or any other places? Bosnia?

Is Zagreb fairly small and easy to get to?
Is there Metro-Tram? I just got a book about Croatia and ill read it in the coming days

Flava! or Hvla

[mic of Orion]

Originally Posted by Kappa21

Thank you everything for your help!

I heard alot of ups and downs with Trains. Its a little different and they dont usually tell you the destination and only a number and there is delays usually because of people coming and going and such....

But i will try it...
Is it going through Hungary and Croatia or any other places? Bosnia?

Is Zagreb fairly small and easy to get to?
Is there Metro-Tram? I just got a book about Croatia and ill read it in the coming days

Flava! or Hvla

there are loads of trains for Zagreb from Budapest, especially in summer. I think on weekends you have 7-8 trains, and on weekdays about 4-5 a day.

Zagreb and Budapest are extremely well connected, when it comes to connection with Western Europe, especially, Vienna, Milan, Budapest, Munich, Prague and Bratislava, you are well connected with Croatia and Zagreb.

During summers, Slovak, Hungarian and Polish railways put on extra trains for Croatia, and most trains go across Hungary/Austria via Zagreb on to Croatian coast.

Zagreb is really well connected with the Central Europe, I'd be really surprised if you have any difficulties in getting to Zagreb or Split. Zagreb is well connected with all Croatian regions.


And if you are a student, you get the discount....

[Coffee Stain]

Originally Posted by Kappa21

Thank you everything for your help!

I heard alot of ups and downs with Trains. Its a little different and they dont usually tell you the destination and only a number and there is delays usually because of people coming and going and such....

But i will try it...
Is it going through Hungary and Croatia or any other places? Bosnia?

Is Zagreb fairly small and easy to get to?
Is there Metro-Tram? I just got a book about Croatia and ill read it in the coming days

Flava! or Hvla

The train networks in Croatia have been significantly improved over the last decade, especially the links to Split. You might want to look into car rentals as well, but if you want to save some cash (who doesnt?) train or bus is the best way, especially considering how close the two cities are. As for Zagreb to Split, another option you might want to take a look at is that party train I have heard of before. I know sounds kinda crazy, but some of the other forumers here might have a better idea of what I am talking about, as I just like you am living in the T-Dot, and it is dam hot in the last two days. Otherwise, you can probaby get a decent car rental from Zagreb-Split, and the new highway is pretty fast. Again, bus or train would be cheaper. What kind of holiday are you looking for exactly? Quiet time, raving beach parties, cultural sights...there is a fair bit. Dubrovnik is not too far from Split either it would be worth visiting.

Cheers

[Verso]

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/que...rotocol=http:&

[Astralis]

Great idea for a thread . I suggest that we wite here only in English and that OC puts it as sticky thread.

Regarding olarreaga's question of recommending what to visit in Croatia. It would be nice if you could give us some guidelines of what are you interesed in - architecture, history, art, places, nature, sports... If you're intersted in nature, for example, you should definitely visit National Park Plitvice and of course any town or place at the seaside for enjoying the warm sun, clean sea and good looking natural beaches. If you ask me I would recommend you north Dalmatia - any place between Zadar and Šibenik should please you that way. For connections between towns in Croatia you can use train or bus. I would recommend using bus lines since the connections are somewhat faster, although they are a bit more expensive as well, but not significantly. For example, if you use train to get from Zagreb to Split you would save about 2 euros over using bus lines. Not sure if it's significant for you but if not I definitely recommend using buses. And one more thing when you look for bus lines make sure you choose lowest fare since they may vary a bit among different bus operaters.

[Astralis]

Originally Posted by Kappa21

Thank you everything for your help!

I heard alot of ups and downs with Trains. Its a little different and they dont usually tell you the destination and only a number and there is delays usually because of people coming and going and such....

But i will try it...
Is it going through Hungary and Croatia or any other places? Bosnia?

Is Zagreb fairly small and easy to get to?
Is there Metro-Tram? I just got a book about Croatia and ill read it in the coming days

Flava! or Hvla

It's ok. Train goes through Hungary and Croatia only. No Bosnia.

Zagreb is not that small - it's quite big actually if you're referring to the area in km2 but everything is well connected - tram system can get you almost anywhere you want so no need to worry about that . In addition you get a chance to ride in new low floor trams which make majority of rolling stock and look really nice.

And BTW for "thanks" in Croatian we say "hvala".

[dubart]

Don't forget to avoid taxis, except in Rijeka... They're extremely expensive here in Cro.

[Ballota]

If you come to Split (wich i hope you will ), Promet D.O.O. is your solution :

[olarreaga]

Hi guys!!

Thanks a lot for all this this info and all the help you're giving me.
First of all I'm going to tell you a bit about our journey and then I'll give more details.
We arrive to Venice next wednesday, 11th june and we come back to Spain next 25th june also from the Venice airport. We have in mind to visit Liubliana (Slovenia) and finish our trip down in Dubrocknick, maybe also visit Montenegro. And finally go back to Venice.

Our big problem is what to visit in the way, and how to organize time and places. Therefore I would be greatfull if you could give me this kind of advice, including recommendations on restaurants and afordable hotels. It would be great if you could also tell us which is the best transport to travell from one place to another. We are interested in architecture, art, sightseeing and of course to rest on the beach.

Thanks again, looking forward to read your posts.

[OettingerCroat]

Originally Posted by olarreaga

Hi guys!!

Thanks a lot for all this this info and all the help you're giving me.
First of all I'm going to tell you a bit about our journey and then I'll give more details.
We arrive to Venice next wednesday, 11th june and we come back to Spain next 25th june also from the Venice airport. We have in mind to visit Liubliana (Slovenia) and finish our trip down in Dubrocknick, maybe also visit Montenegro. And finally go back to Venice.

Our big problem is what to visit in the way, and how to organize time and places. Therefore I would be greatfull if you could give me this kind of advice, including recommendations on restaurants and afordable hotels. It would be great if you could also tell us which is the best transport to travell from one place to another. We are interested in architecture, art, sightseeing and of course to rest on the beach.

Thanks again, looking forward to read your posts.

if you are in zagreb, go to Ljubljana by train, best choice

[Ballota]

On your way to Dubrovnik stop by for at least one day in Split.

Some pics...just to make you drool :


















14km of beeches are waiting for you...