Domestic train routes
The railway system in Croatia is limited but in recent years many improvements have been made. New air-conditioned trains are now running between Zagreb and Split (2x daily), Rijeka (3x daily) and Osijek (5x daily). Making travelling by train in Croatia more comfortable and faster. Before it took 9 hours to travel from Zagreb to Split, whereas today the journey takes a mere 5,5 hours along a very scenic route. The national rail network in Croatia connects all major cities except Dubrovnik. To visit Dubrovnik by train, you travel to Split, the southernmost train station reachable directly from Zagreb, and from there take a bus or ferry to Dubrovnik. Buses, from different bus companies, leave Split for Dubrovnik every few hours and take about 4-5 hours to reach Dubrovnik, for more information go to buses Split. For information about ferries to Dubrovnik, but also to other destinations like the islands Hvar, Korcula, Brac go to Jadrolinija.

Seat reservations are not needed for most domestic trains in Croatia, except the Intercity Zagreb – Rijeka, -Osijek, -Cakovec and for the fast ICN train from Zagreb to Split, the costs for reservations are locally about 1 euro. There are some very scenic train routes in Croatia, and few of the nicest are Split – Ogulin and Split -Knin- Zadar. In summer months it is allowed to take a bicycle with you on the train Zagreb -Split, and Rijeka – Zagreb -Osijek. There is a daily train connection between Zagreb and Split which departs Zagreb at 07.35 and 15.21 and leaves Split daily at 08.27 and 14.35, it is a scenic ride with plenty to see, like mountains, lakes, and rivers. In the months April – late October there is a daily sleeper-train between Zagreb and Split, leaving Zagreb at 23.05 and arriving in Split at 06.54, and from Split at 21.43 arriving in Zagreb at 05.40, the other months the sleeper train goes three times a week.

International train routes
There are international train connections to Croatia from Slovenia, Austria, Czech republic and Germany. The international ticket office at Zagreb main railway station (Glavni Kolodvor) is open 24 hours a day. The transport of bicycles on most international trains is allowed; bicycles can be brought as luggage on the trajects Frankfurt – Zagreb, Vienna – Zagreb, Lubljana – Rijeka for an additional fee of a few euro’s.

It is allowed to bring pets on the train, small dogs and cats that can be kept in a transport cage, smaller dogs (up to 30 cm high) that can be kept on a lap. Larger dogs (larger than 30 cm high)
can be brought with the appropriate veterinary papers (vaccinations, microchip), must be on a short leash and wear a muzzle.

The official website from the Croatian Railway Department, is clear, has up-to-date information and is also available in English.