Getting Around Croatia by Bus

Bus travel is relatively comfortable as companies must compete for customers on popular routes. Seats recline and air-conditioning is standard. Most routes are daytime only but there are a few night buses between far-flung destinations.

What is bus travel like?

Don't expect a great night's sleep though. Here's what one passenger had to say about the experience:

I chaulked up another really bad night's sleep on the bus from Pula to Split in Croatia. David and I took the 10 hour, overnight bus, figuring that we would just be able to sleep on board and not have to pay for lodging for a night. The bus would stop every 30 minutes or so (or, however long it would take me to fall asleep), the lights would come on and people would bump our chairs on their way on or off the bus. The driver had the radio on some Croatian talk radio show, loud enough for the entire bus to hear. And people's cell phones were going off at all hours. Of course, the real irony is that it was still more comfortable than RyanAir. (http://www.reallifeonhold.com/2007/06/buses-not-condusive-to-sleep.html

Buying Bus Tickets

You usually do not need to reserve far in advance but it would be advisable if you are going to a popular coastal destination in the summer. Also, remember that seating is assigned so if you don't want to be stuck in the back you should buy your ticket a day ahead of time, if possible. The only place to buy bus tickets is at the bus station. You cannot buy bus tickets online.

How much does it cost?

There are a number of different companies competing for service on the most popular lines, i.e. Zagreb-Split, Zadar, Rijeka, Dubrovnik etc. which keeps costs within bounds. Competition on major routes means that there may be a big difference in prices depending on when you travel. If your hours are more flexible than your budget, check the prices at different times of the day.Be aware that if you buy a return trip you will have to travel on that company's bus! Baggage is placed under the bus and there is a small charge per bag. See more on costs of travel in Croatia.

How long does it take?

Buses are a little slower than cars but often not by much. The usual procedure is to stop for 10 minutes every two hours which is not much different from driving. To figure how long your bus trip will take, consult my Croatia driving distances chart and add about 30% extra. That should give you a rough idea of your bus trip.

Where to Get Bus Information

The best place for bus information is at the bus station. Check out the following bus station websites:

Zagreb bus station
Split bus station
Rijeka bus information
Dubrovnik bus station

Bus Companies

There is some information on-line. Major bus companies are:

You can look up schedules and fares but you cannot book buses online.

Related Pages

Buses to Split

Buses to Dubrovnik

Buses to Zagreb

Buses to Pula

Getting Around Croatia

Getting to Croatia

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