If you’re able to, plan to stay at least 2-4 days in Venice. While you can see St. Mark’s Basilica and ride a gondola in an afternoon, you owe it to yourself to have enough time to visit more of the many palaces and museums, explore the side streets and tiny canals, and feast on the delicious seafood-based cuisine.
How much is the train from Zagreb to Venice?
The average cost of the train from Zagreb to Venice is €55 one way. However, tickets start at as low as €40. Book your tickets online more than 30 days before you depart for the best fares.
What is the easiest way to get to Venice?
Daytrip's private door-to-door service is the easiest way to travel from Zagreb to Venice. You can select where and when you wish your English-speaking driver to pick you up and drop you off in Venice. They will also help with your luggage, and with 24/7 customer service, we're more than happy to assist you with any queries.
Is there a train from Croatia to Venice?
Yes, you can travel from Croatia to Venice by train. However, no direct services are available, meaning you'll likely have to change carriages in Ljubljana or Villach. OBB, Slovenian Railways, and Traenitalia operate during the daytime and overnight on this route.
Can I get a ferry from Zagreb to Venice?
There is no ferry from Zagreb to Venice. If you want to travel to Italy by boat, you must get a flight or bus to Pula. Then, you can cruise to Venice in around 3 hours and 30 minutes with Atlas Kompas. The overall journey will cost between €140 and €200.
Are there flights from Zagreb to Venice?
As of 2024, no direct flights are operating from Zagreb to Venice. However, you can opt for an indirect flight between the cities. Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines offer connecting services, stopping at Munich or Vienna en route. Seats start at €80 and will take about 4 hours to complete. This doesn't count the time getting to and from the airport, or the 2 hours for check-in and security.
Put two destinations together, and you've got yourself a car trip. But when it's the road from Zagreb to Venice, you've created a bucket-list adventure blessed with natural beauty and filled with unmissable attractions!
The adventure begins as the bubbling cauldron of Zagreb's vibrant Ban Jelacic Square pours you into the lush countryside of northern Croatia. You'll continue to flow like the crystal-clear rivers running through Slovenia's ridged valleys and around its soaring peaks until the Italian border. With the Alps on your right and the sprawling vineyards on your left, you begin to feel La Dolce Vita until the nation's most iconic city floating in the Adriatic Sea comes into view.
Driving in three countries and through rugged terrain can feel overwhelming if this is your first time touring from Zagreb to Venice. So, we created this one-stop-shop travel guide to ensure you immerse yourself in the laidback Italian lifestyle before you arrive!
About Venice
After your bucket-list drive from Zagreb to Venice, you'll arrive at Italy's capital of culture. Over 300,000 locals annually live in Veneto's second-largest city, located along the Adriatic Sea, only 80 miles from Slovenia in the east.
The beginning of Venice
Although Venice is a bustling, sought-after city today, it began life as a sanctuary for refugees fleeing invading tribes after the Roman Empire collapsed. At noon on March 25, 421 A.D., locals proclaimed the area a city called Venetia. From 697 until 1797, Venice thrived as a republic, leading to the stunning architecture you'll see today.
Modern Venice
With no roads, people turn to the maze of picturesque walkways and iconic canals to move around. The Grand Canal is like a main artery, cutting through the island's historical heart. A famous gondola ride here will reveal some of the city's most impressive structures, including the Rialto Bridge, Santa Maria della Salute, and Palazzo Grassi. However, no trip from Zagreb to Venice is complete without sampling a refreshing Aperol Spritz and a tasty cicchetti in one of the many lively bars!
Language: Italian
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Time zone: GMT+1
Climate: Subtropical
Plug types: C and F
Peak tourist season: late June–early September
From Zagreb to Venice: travel tips
The first step to a smooth trip from Zagreb to Venice is learning insider travel tips. Luckily, our travel experts and local drivers want to share some with you!
Visit Slovenia
Slovenia isn't on most travelers' radar. However, this breathtaking nation is one of Europe's most underrated destinations, sandwiched between Italy and Croatia!
Visiting this relatively unexplored Eastern European country, you'll contribute to sustainable travel and create unique memories. Some must-see attractions include the UNESCO-listed Skocjan Caves or Predjama Castle, the world's largest cave castle!
Embrace simplicity
Public transportation has limited storage space and often charges more for extra or oversized luggage. Therefore, embracing simplicity by packing light and taking only the essentials is important.
Also, if you stop to explore the extraordinary sights en route, you must carry your bags through towns or attractions. The last thing you want to do is trek over cobbled lanes and under the summer sun with a pack straining your back!
Reserve your spot in advance
There isn't a vast transportation network from Zagreb to Venice, and transportation companies know this. As a result, businesses often inflate the price of last-minute tickets, especially overnight carriages, as travelers have no choice but to use their service.
Also, Venice is one of Europe's most visited cities, so the museums and well-known restaurants are booked well in advance. Make sure to check the times and reserve your tickets before your trip from Zagreb to Venice. Whenever possible, buy skip-the-line tickets!
Pro tip: Book your free 15-minute spot at the Fondaco dei Tedeschi rooftop viewing platform today, as spaces are limited and sell out months in advance!
How to get from Zagreb to Venice
As of 2024, you have three options when choosing how to get from Zagreb to Venice. Find which is the cheapest, most scenic, and most convenient below!
Bus from Zagreb to Venice
The bus is the most popular way for local and international travelers to transfer from Zagreb to Venice. It's also the cheapest way to travel, as budget-friendly services, including Flixbus and Union Ivkoni, operate on this route.
The most vital thing to note is that buses don’t arrive on the island of Venice. Instead, you'll travel from Zagreb Bus Station to Mestre Train Station. You can take a short, 11-minute train to the floating city from here.
Unfortunately, no direct trains run from Zagreb to Venice. However, you can catch an indirect service, covering a total distance of around 187 miles. This is also the most scenic way to travel between the cities.
OBB operates the most convenient service, where you only have to transfer once in Villach, Austria. You can also opt for a mix of Slovenian railways and Trenitalia, switching to Ljubljana and Trieste before arriving at Venice Santa Lucia station. Remember to research the times and book 30 days before you depart for the lowest fares.
Daytrip's private door-to-door service is the fastest, most comfortable, and most convenient way to transfer from Zagreb to Venice. We will sweep you off your feet at your accommodation and bring you to Venice in a comfortable vehicle in just over 4 hours. Whether you need help with luggage or information about Italy, your English-speaking driver will be more than happy to assist you. And if your accommodation is in the center of Venice, your driver will bring you to the water bus station at Piazzale Roma.
Yes, you can sit back, relax, and watch the stunning views unfold from your window, but why not turn your journey into an adventure? You can roam the Disney-like streets of Ljubljana, shop until you drop at Palmanova Outlet shopping village, or visit Gorizia, a small city most travelers overlook!
Seats from: €86
Pet friendly
Equipped for children or those with limited mobility
Complimentary water
24/7 customer service
Free cancellation 24 hours before departure!
Things to do when you get to Venice
The 30 million visitors, eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and one surreal city should give you an insight into the abundance of things to do after driving from Zagreb to Venice. Put these attractions on your travel schedule to take advantage of the highlights!
Bask in the beauty of St. Mark's Square
St. Mark's Square was Europe's center of culture and entertainment for centuries. Today, St. Mark's Basilica dominates the area and is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, symbolizing Venice's wealth and power during the height of the Republic.
Intricate mosaics, marble columns, and stunning artwork decorate the interior. But remember to ascend to the balcony for a breathtaking view of Piazza San Marco and the surrounding cityscape.
Cross the Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge is the first permanent structure to cross the awe-inspiring Grand Canal. It dates back to 1588, but it's still only one of four that cross the city's primary waterway today.
Here, you can catch iconic canal views wedged between floating buildings. Once you've finished snapping up pictures for social media, head to the cozy stores lining the bridge to pick up a handmade souvenir.
Take a gondola ride
The gondola is a mark of Venice, bedded deep in its past. Although travelers mainly use the boat for touring the city, it was once the most favored mode of transportation for locals.
Today, you can opt for a shared gondola ride and save some cash. Or you can hire a private boat to weave through its labyrinth of canals, viewing sights lit up at night, such as Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
When is the best time to visit Venice?
The Floating City is a mesmerizing spectacle, no matter when you travel from Zagreb to Venice. But due to the popularity among visitors, the shoulder seasons, aka spring and fall, are the best time to visit Venice.
Venice in Spring
Spring in Venice lasts from mid-March to mid-June. The average daily temperature is 74° Fahrenheit, which is perfect weather for exploring the canals, though it gets considerable water towards the end of this period.
In spring, the maze of narrow paths bursts into life as the blooming flowers hang from buildings. It's arguably the most beautiful time to explore Venice, and you have enough personal space, unlike in the summer.
Venice in the Fall
In the fall, temperatures start to cool, which is more pleasant for immersing yourself in the platter of cultural activities and tours. However, the air is still warm. So you can enjoy an Aperol spritz on one of the many outdoor terraces, even at night.
October to November is also the best time to visit for value for money. Expensive hotels offer affordable prices to fill empty rooms after the summer.
沿途参观这些景点
Ljubljana
The capital and largest city in Slovenia, Ljubljana is high on the list of the world’s most sustainable tourist destinations. Green Capital of Europe
Postojna Cave
Take a ride on a cave train through the 2 million year old Postojna Cave. This famous Slovenian cave offers an underground network perfect for exploring. A jewel of natural wonder
Predjama Castle
Predjama Castle was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest cave castle in the world. Renaissance castle within a cave
Skocjan Caves
Skocjan Caves is the largest underground chamber in Slovenia and has been listed on the UNESCO List of World Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites. The underground Grand Canyon
Gorizia
The province of Gorizia is located in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia at the border of Italy and Slovenia. At the confluence of two valleys
Palmanova Outlet
Italy and fashion go hand in hand, and this plaza offers discounts on Italian and name brands. A Discount Shopping Citadel
每位乘客可以携带一件大行李（29" x 21" x 11" / 74 x 53 x 28 cm）和一件小行李（22" x 14" x 9" / 56 x 36 x 23 cm）。豪华轿车最多可容纳 2 件大行李。我们始终会为您安排最合适的车辆，以确保您的行李能够容纳。如有超大行李，或您不确定行李是否能放下，请 联系我们。
