Getting around · Zagreb · Croatia
Getting around Zagreb
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Central Zagreb is compact: the Upper Town, Kaptol and the Lower Town are within 15 minutes' walk of Ban Jelačić Square. ZET's blue trams form a dense network across the city, supplemented by buses, the funicular and the Sljeme cable car. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Tram
- Airports
- ZAG
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- Zagreb Card
Ways to get around
Tram
Trams run frequently day and night across the city and are the backbone of public transport, with most lines passing through or near Ban Jelačić Square.
Buy time-based tickets at kiosks or from the driver and validate them on board; tickets are valid for transfers within their time limit.
Walking
The historic centre is best explored on foot, though the climb to the Upper Town is steep; the funicular and the Grič Tunnel help.
Bus
ZET buses cover the outer districts, Mirogoj and Medvednica, and leave from hubs such as Kaptol and Črnomerec.
Cycling
A public bike-share scheme and cycle paths along the Sava and around Lake Jarun make cycling practical in the flatter parts of the city.
Ride-hailing
Ride-hailing apps operate in Zagreb alongside taxis and are commonly used for airport and late-night trips.
Cable car
The Sljeme cable car climbs from Gornji Stenjevec in the west of the city to the top of Medvednica.
Tickets and passes
Zagreb Card
A 24- or 72-hour card from the tourist board covering public transport with discounts at museums, restaurants and attractions.
From the airport
Franjo Tuđman Airport is about 15 km south-east of the centre. A shuttle bus runs to the main bus station in about 30 minutes, and a city bus links the airport with the Kvaternikov trg area. Taxis and ride-hailing cars take about 20–30 minutes to the centre.
Do you need a car?
No. The centre is walkable and trams are excellent. A car is useful for Plitvice, Zagorje castles and the coast, though buses run regularly to Plitvice and Samobor.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Plitvice Lakes National Park | About 2–2.5 hours by bus or car | Bus from Zagreb bus station, car or tour |
| Samobor | About 30–40 minutes by bus | Bus from Zagreb bus station or Črnomerec |
| Varaždin | About 1–1.5 hours by car, bus or train | Bus, train or car |
| Trakošćan Castle | About 1.5 hours by car | Car or organised tour |
| Krapina Neanderthal Museum | About 1 hour by car | Car or bus |
| Ljubljana | About 2–2.5 hours by bus or train | Bus, train or car |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Zagreb?
No. The centre is walkable and trams are excellent. A car is useful for Plitvice, Zagorje castles and the coast, though buses run regularly to Plitvice and Samobor.
+How do you get from the airport to Zagreb?
Franjo Tuđman Airport is about 15 km south-east of the centre. A shuttle bus runs to the main bus station in about 30 minutes, and a city bus links the airport with the Kvaternikov trg area. Taxis and ride-hailing cars take about 20–30 minutes to the centre.
+What is the best way to get around Zagreb?
Tram: Trams run frequently day and night across the city and are the backbone of public transport, with most lines passing through or near Ban Jelačić Square.