Today, I’ll discuss how to navigate Zagreb using the public transportation system effectively. It’s my favorite way to move around the city – fast and cheap!
As I keep saying, Zagreb is actually a relatively small city and it’s pretty much walkable. However, for faster travel across town, I recommend using the city’s public transport system, which is straightforward and convenient.
I have already shared a map of the public transportation network in Croatia’s capital, so make sure you check that article as well. Or you can install the moj ZET app which deals with the public transport system in the city (available on Android and iOS).
Zagreb’s layout is flat and compact, making it ideal for walking. We rarely use buses or trams when we’re near the city center or the train station since most key locations are just a short walk away.
For example, to visit the most important Zagreb sights, everything is a 30 minutes walk from Jelacic Square – located in the heart of the city.
Zagreb is served by an extensive network of buses and trams which are operated by the Zagreb Municipal Transit System (ZET). There is no metro in the city, though.
Trams in Zagreb
Zagreb’s electric tram system is quick, efficient, and reliable, and it runs 24/7 (with some exceptions – read on to find about them).
Tram routes cover mainly the central Zagreb area and connect to buses that run to outlying areas and suburbs.
Most lines meet at the main train station, the Zagreb bus station and Ban Jelacica Square.
The city is covered by 15 tram lines that run from 04:00 AM to 24:00 PM and 4 night tram lines that run from 24:00 PM to 04:00 AM.
Tram ticket prices in Zagreb:
- Single fare, daytime (valid 30 minutes): 0,53 €
- Single fare, daytime (valid 60 minutes): 0,93 €
- Daily ticket: 3,98 €
- 3 days: 9,29 €
- 7 days: 19,91 €
- 15 days: 26,54 €
- 30 days: 53,09 €
Please double check, as these prices can always change. You can also buy tickets from the driver, but you will pay more – so buy in advance.
Each ticket must be validated with a time stamp at the orange machines on board and make sure you always do this, as there are random tickets control checks – and they happen quite often.
If you are caught without a ticket or with an invalidated ticket, the fine is between €66 to €106, so it’s always best to buy the cheap tickets.
Where to buy the tram or bus tickets to get around Zagreb?
To buy tickets, find the nearest newspaper (Tisak) kiosk or the rarer ZET ticket offices and ask for a “tramvajska karta” (tram ticket). Alternately, you can use the app I linked to at the begging of the article.
If you aren’t familiar with the city or the language, it can be difficult to figure out whether a tram goes to your destination because only the final destination and a stop or two are listed on the tram or bus itself.
Tips: Almost none of the tram operators speak English. Ask the younger or middle generation as the most of them speak at least decent English (as well as German or Italian). Remember, locals are very polite and ready to help you!
Full details of the tram system can be found at the Zagreb tram website.
Buses in Zagreb
In addition to the tram traffic, to get around Zagreb you can use buses for the same price as trams, using the same tickets or passes.
Keep in mind that if you get a single fare ticket, you will have to validate a new one if you change the means of transportation.
The Zagreb bus network is more widespread, with 133 day lines and 4 night ones. You will notice that the Zagreb center (Upper and Lower town) isn’t covered by bus service.
Buses operate more to connect surrounding city districts actually. Comparing tram and bus service, the second one runs less frequently and you’ll wait much longer for the next bus than for a tram.
But it also depends where you want to go as you might not have a tram available to get you to the destination.
There are several important bus terminals around Zagreb, if you are planning to visit some sights near the city:
- From the terminal at Britanski Trg (British square), take bus line N° 102 to Mihaljevac and from there bus line N° 140 to Sljeme Ski Center.
- From the Kaptol terminal you can take bus N° 106 to the famous Mirogoj cemetery.
- From the terminal Ljubljanica you can take bus N°113 to the Jarun lake.
- Take bus 105 from Britanski Trg for a day tour to Medvedgrad Tower.
Zagreb tourist buses to get around the city
If you don’t want to take advantage of the public transportation network and if you also don’t want to walk, you also have the option of getting a sightseeing tour with the open-top buses in the city.
During May – October, the company Zagreb City Tour (official website here) provides hop on, hop off type of busses to cover the important parts of the city. There is also a virtual tour guide available, giving you the details about the places you visit and it is available in eight different languages.
The price of the day ticket is 20 Euros for an adult, but kids under 7 travel for free. Also, children between 7 and 18 years of age pay half the price. You have to book your ticket in advance – although you might also be able to buy directly from the driver at one of the stops.
These buses have a starting station at Palmotićeva ulica 2 at 10 AM, 11:15 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:30 PM – but you can jump in wherever you see the bus, as long as you have a ticket.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to double check these departure times as they could change before I manage to update the list!
The Zagreb Funicular
The Zagreb funicular is one of the main attractions in the city, although not extremely useful when it comes to getting around Croatia’s capital, as it is the shortest funicular in the world, with a length of just 66 meters.
Built in 1890, it is still in use today mostly because of its original appearance and construction. The Zagreb cable car is under protection as a cultural monument.
It connects the Lower and the Upper Town every day from 6:30 AM to 10 PM. It runs every ten minutes and the price of a one-way ride is €0,66.
However, when we last visited, we got to ride it for free – probably it was some sort of a special occasion.
It’s a real tourist attraction, useful as a starting point for your Upper Town sightseeing to Zagreb attractions with great views of the city like Strossmayer promenade and Lotrscak tower.
Is there a metro system in Zagreb?
At the moment, there is no metro running in Zagreb, although this project has been in the works (or, better said – in the talks) for years now.
However, since the city is not that large and it’s extremely walkable, the options listed above – such as the tram and buses, but also the free options will be more than enough to have you travel around Zagreb easily and very cheap.
If you have additional questions regarding the public transportation options in the city, let me know by commenting below.