Route guide

Ljubljana → Zagreb

117 km · Slovenia to Croatia · Fastest: 1h by train · Cheapest: €12+ by bus

How to travel from Ljubljana to Zagreb

There are 3 ways to travel between Ljubljana and Zagreb — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€22–61

Duration: 59m

via EC Zagreb–Ljubljana

~1.6 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€12–28

Duration: 1h 41m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~3.3 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

Not practical for this route.

🚗Car

€14–26

Duration: 1h 18m

~20 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Ljubljana and Zagreb highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 117 km this is short-haul — feasible as a day trip if you start early.
Direct or connecting trains cover this route. Advance fares (1–2 months out) drop prices significantly.
This route crosses from Slovenia into Croatia. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Ljubljana to Zagreb — every option in detail

Ljubljana to Zagreb by train

Trains link Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Zagreb (Croatia) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 59m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include EC Zagreb–Ljubljana.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €22 to €61. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

On routes under 600 km like this one, train often beats flight door-to-door once you factor in airport check-in and transfers.

Ljubljana to Zagreb by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Ljubljana and Zagreb with a typical journey of 1h 41m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €12 when booked in advance, rising to €28 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Ljubljana to Zagreb by flight

Flight is not a typical choice for this 117 km route.

Ljubljana to Zagreb by car

The driving distance from Ljubljana to Zagreb is approximately 135 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 1h 18m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €14–26 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Slovenia–Croatia border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 20 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Ljubljana and Zagreb is approximately 117 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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