Salzburg to Zagreb by train

How to take the stunning rail journey from Salzburg to the Croatian capital

Step on board for one of Europe's most fabulous journeys by train.

And travelling by day is the way to go on this route, as the night train is usually scheduled to depart from Salzburg between 01:30 and 2:00.

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Routes

From Salzburg Hbf to Zagreb Glavni kolodvor

Travel Information

Final Destination: Zagreb

The train also calls at: Ljubljana and Dobova

This direct to Zagreb is usually scheduled to depart from Salzburg at 14:12.

However, a train heading to Klagenfurt, which departs from Salzburg at around 10:12 has a guaranteed easy connection at Villach into a train on to Zagreb.
Make this connection and you will arrive in Zagreb at around 17:15 and will also be able to see more of the stunning Sava Gorge scenery; if you'll be making the journeu between October and March, when the direct train will be travelling between Slovenia and Croatia after night fall.

1 x train per day

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: 6 months ahead of the travel date

When making an online booking, check that you’re looking at booking info for the direct EC train; look for the train that departs Salzburg Hbf at around at around 14:12

Book tickets on OBB and your seat reservation is included.

Rail pass users need to make reservations for this train prior to boarding.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
OBB from €29 approx

OBB Guide

OBB is the national rail operator and its booking service offers journeys by express trains within Austria, as well as international journeys which don't involve making a connection outside of Austria.

It pays off to book online, as the discounted 'Sparscheine' tickets are only ever made available on the website, and when making international journeys to and from Austria, these Sparscheine tickets tend to be cheaper.
OBB can offer particularly good value for money when travelling with children on international rail journeys, but something to watch out for when travelling between Austria and Germany on daytime trains, is that reservations are an optional extra; but if you book 1st class tickets with the Germany railways website DB, the reservations are complimentary.

OBB often takes a unique approach to its booking path, but a key thing to keep in mind is that the first price you will see for any journey is that of a Second Class seat.
The costs of upgrading to first class, a reservation, or a sleeping cabin etc, is then added to this price.

On this journey

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLandscape (Hills / Mountains)River views

Good to Know

The coaches heading to Zagreb will be joined to coaches heading to Klagenfurt, the train separates at Villach.
So when boarding check that you will be in the part of the train heading to Zagreb.

Don't be overly concerned about this, the conductor will verify that you're sat in the correct part of the train when they inspect your ticket.

Approaching Bad Gastein Approaching Bad Gastein
Between Bad Gastein and Villach #1 Between Bad Gastein and Villach #1
Between Bad Gastein and Villach #2 Between Bad Gastein and Villach #2
Between Bad Gastein and Villach #3 Between Bad Gastein and Villach #3
Between Villach and Ljubljana #1 Between Villach and Ljubljana #1
Between Villach and Ljubljana #1 Between Villach and Ljubljana #1
The Sava Gorge in summer #1 The Sava Gorge in summer #1
The Sava Gorge in summer #2 The Sava Gorge in summer #2
The Sava Gorge in summer #3 The Sava Gorge in summer #3

This can be a journey where travelling 1st class can pay off, as you'll have more freedom to move from one side of the train to the other, to make the most of the trip.

The railway line this train travels over between Schwarzach St Veit and Spittal is known as the Tauern Railway / Tauernbahn.

After Bad Hofgastein the train will ascend up the valley to Bad Gastein with the best of the views here are ON THE LEFT

On departure from Bad Gastein, the best of the views here are back over to the right; look out for the waterfalls. ~

Th next highlight of the journey comes when the train exits the Tauern Railway Tunnel and begins to descend to Spittal.
For around 25 mins there are stunning birds-eye views across the valley; from the right.

The Tauern Railway ends at Villach, where the train will reverse direction, but what makes this journey so special is that the fabulous views are far from over.

The stunning landscapes continue as the train crosses Slovenia, but you'll need to be travelling when days are at their longest to see the best of the Sava Gorge after departure from Ljubljana.

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