Direct buses from Zagreb to Zadar operate year-round, majority of buses travel via the highway other take the more scenic country road route that passes by the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes National Park. The driving time from 3.5 to 5 hours.
The cost of traveling from Zagreb to Zadar by bus, fluctuate depending on time of year and occupancy of the buses. During winter season tickets are available for as little as 10 Euro for a one-way ticket. During summer you should expect to pay around 20 Euro. Some bus operators offer discounted return ticket and reduced ticket prices for children, pensioners and students.
Zagreb and Zadar are very well connected by bus; in the winter season, there are more than 10 daily departures. In the summer season, the number of departures increases to about 20 daily departures. Below, you can see some of the most popular departures.
Station | Arrival | Departure |
---|---|---|
Zagreb, Bus terminal | 09:30 | |
Jastrebarsko | 10:00 | 10:00 |
Zadar, Bus terminal | 13:10 | 13:10 |
Biograd na Moru, Bus terminal | 13:40 | 13:40 |
Pirovac | 14:05 | 14:05 |
Vodice, Bus terminal | 14:20 | 14:20 |
Sibenik, Bus terminal | 14:40 |
Station | Arrival | Departure |
---|---|---|
Zagreb, Bus terminal | 11:30 | |
Perusic | 13:45 | 13:45 |
Zadar, Bus terminal | 15:00 |
Station | Arrival | Departure |
---|---|---|
Zagreb, Bus terminal | 12:00 | |
Zadar, Bus terminal | 15:30 |
Station | Arrival | Departure |
---|---|---|
Zagreb, Bus terminal | 14:30 | |
Zadar, Bus terminal | 18:00 |
Station | Arrival | Departure |
---|---|---|
Zagreb, Bus terminal | 17:00 | |
Jastrebarsko | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Zadar, Bus terminal | 20:40 | 20:40 |
Biograd na Moru, Bus terminal | 21:20 | 21:20 |
Pirovac | 21:40 | 21:40 |
Vodice, Bus terminal | 21:50 | 21:50 |
Sibenik, Bus terminal | 22:10 |
Station | Arrival | Departure |
---|---|---|
Zagreb, Bus terminal | 18:00 | |
Zadar, Bus terminal | 21:30 |
You can see bus timetable in the opposite direction here.
The departure bus station in Zagreb is located at the address Avenija Marina Držića 4, 10000 Zagreb, which is about 20 minutes walk from the city center, you can find more info about the bus station here:
In Zadar all buses arrive at the main intercity bus station which can be found at the address: Ante Starcevica 1, 23000 Zadar, you can find more info about the bus station here:
The buses which travel via the highway have a travel time of about 3.5 hours, the departures which travel via the scenic country road have a travel time up to about 5 hours. During peak season delays may occur.
During the summer season, buses are very frequent, with departures almost every hour during the daytime. In the winter, departures are less frequent.
In the winter season, tickets are often available from about 10 Euros. In the summer season, you should expect to pay around 20 Euros. A last-minute ticket for a popular departure might cost 25 Euros or higher.
In Zagreb, buses arrive at the only intercity bus terminal in town, which is a 5-minute tram ride away from the city center. In Zadar, buses also arrive at the intercity bus terminal, which is about a 20-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride from the old town.
As Croatia is a really beautiful country, there is, of course, also a scenic view on this bus route. The most beautiful scenery can be experienced if you take the longer-lasting departures, driving via Plitvice National Park.
Now, all bus companies accept electronic tickets, so all you need to do is present the ticket on your smartphone to the driver!
Yes, all departures between the cities have a rest stop on the way at a gas station, where passengers can buy food and drinks or use the restroom.
The amenities available on the bus vary; on the bus from Zagreb to Zadar typically, you'll find Wi-Fi, extra leg-room, and air conditioning. On some departures, there may also be charging sockets and a restroom.
As a general rule, each passenger is allowed to bring a carry-on or backpack and a suitcase for the hold. Be aware that the suitcase may incur a charge of 1-3 Euros, so it's wise to have some coins on hand. Typically, there's ample space in the hold for additional suitcases, though these will also be subject to a fee.
Travel distance fastest route | 295 Km / 183 Miles |
Average ticket price | €20 / $22 / £18 |
Scenic views | Yes, some! |
Departures in summer | up to 20 |
Departures in winter | around 10 |
Bus companies on this route | Cazmatrans Promet, Arriva, Slavonija Bus, AP Varazdin, Samoborcek, Flixbus, Francuzevic, Knezevic |
Stops at Zagreb Airport | No |
Stops at Zadar Airport | No |
Zagreb to Plitvice | Zagreb to Rijeka | Zagreb to Sarajevo |
Zagreb to Split | Zagreb to Vienna | Zagreb to Belgrade |
Zagreb to Pula | Zagreb to Rovinj | Zagreb to Porec |
Zagreb to Varazdin | Zagreb to Osijek | Zagreb to Ljubljana |
There are, of course, other ways of traveling from Zagreb to Zadar than by bus.
Text, Photo and Travel Tips, by Morten Smalby