Zagreb Airport (Franjo Tuđman, code ZAG) lies near Velika Gorica, about 17 km south-east of the city centre. There is no train to the airport, so you have four choices: the airport shuttle bus, the city bus, a taxi or ride-hailing app, or a pre-booked private transfer. Here is how they compare, so you can pick the right one before you land.
1. Airport shuttle bus to the main bus station
The airport shuttle runs between the terminal and Zagreb’s main bus station (Autobusni kolodvor), with departures timed around the flight schedule. The ride takes around 30–40 minutes depending on traffic. From the bus station you continue by tram or taxi to your hotel.
Best for: solo travellers with light luggage who are staying near the bus station or plan to continue by bus.
Check before you travel: current timetable and fares on the official Zagreb Airport website (zagreb-airport.hr), because they change with the season.
2. City bus
A ZET city bus connects the airport with the eastern part of the city, where you can change to trams. It is the cheapest option but the slowest, with stops along the way and a change needed to reach the centre.
Best for: budget travellers with plenty of time.
3. Taxi and ride-hailing apps
Taxis wait outside arrivals, and ride-hailing apps operate in Zagreb. The drive to Ban Jelačić Square takes around 25 minutes outside rush hour. Prices vary with the time of day and demand, and at night or when several flights land at once you may wait for a car.
Best for: travellers who did not plan ahead and do not mind the price changing.
4. Private transfer with meet & greet
With a pre-booked transfer your driver tracks your flight and waits for you in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign. He helps with the luggage and takes you door to door at a fixed price agreed in advance – the price stays the same if your flight is late or traffic is heavy.
Best for: families, business travellers, late arrivals, groups and anyone with a lot of luggage. For a group of three or four, a private car often costs about the same as a taxi, without the uncertainty.
See our Zagreb Airport transfer →
Quick comparison
- Shuttle bus: cheap, 30–40 min, to the bus station only
- City bus: cheapest, slow, change needed
- Taxi / app: door to door, price depends on the moment
- Private transfer: door to door, fixed price, driver waiting in arrivals
Going straight to the coast?
You don’t need to go into Zagreb at all. From the airport you can drive directly to Plitvice Lakes, Split, Zadar, Rijeka and Opatija or Ljubljana. It saves time and a night in a hotel you don’t need.
Tips for arriving at Zagreb Airport
- Share your flight number when you book a transfer – the driver adjusts to delays automatically.
- Have the address in writing, ideally with the hotel name, especially for apartments in the Upper Town where cars have limited access.
- Leaving Zagreb? For most European flights, plan to arrive at the airport two hours before departure; allow extra time at morning and evening rush hour.
Questions before you book?
Call or message us any time – you will speak to the people who drive you.