Route guide

Rome → Zagreb

517 km · Italy to Croatia · Fastest: 3h by flight · Cheapest: €22+ by bus

How to travel from Rome to Zagreb

There are 4 ways to travel between Rome and Zagreb — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€46–133

Duration: 4h 18m

via Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo, HŽPP

~7.0 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€22–56

Duration: 7h 23m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~14 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€56–182

Duration: 3h 11m

via Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways

~81 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€62–114

Duration: 5h 45m

~88 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 517 km this is a comfortable weekend trip — train or flight both work.
Both train and flight options exist. Trains often beat flights door-to-door under 600 km once you count airport overhead.
This route crosses from Italy 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.

Rome to Zagreb — every option in detail

Rome to Zagreb by train

Trains link Rome (Italy) and Zagreb (Croatia) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 4h 18m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo, HŽPP.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €46 to €133. 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.

Climate footprint: about 7.0 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 81 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~74 kg on this distance.

Rome to Zagreb by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Rome and Zagreb with a typical journey of 7h 23m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €22 when booked in advance, rising to €56 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.

Rome to Zagreb by flight

Flights between Rome and Zagreb take around 1h in the air, but plan on roughly 3h 11m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways.

Typical fare range is €56–182. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 81 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Rome to Zagreb by car

The driving distance from Rome to Zagreb is approximately 594 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 5h 45m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €62–114 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Italy–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 88 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Rome and Zagreb is approximately 517 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Both cities have international airports with regular flight service. 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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