Travel to Croatia by Car Train with ÖBB and ZSSK
Night train from Bratislava and Vienna to Split
Czech tourists who don't have far to go to Slovakia or Austria can take advantage of the direct nightjet night train to Croatia. With this train of the Austrian company ÖBB in cooperation with the Slovak Railways ZSSK, you will comfortably ride to the popular coastal resort of Split.
Trains will run 3 times a week from May 3 to October 4, 2023, always on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays to Split and on Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays back from Split. Advance sale is possible 180 days before the train's departure until sold out. Tickets are already on sale, they can now be purchased at ÖBB, ČD and ZSSK.
The advantage of this connection is also that you can use the car train and take your own vehicle with you on vacation so that you can get anywhere you need during your stay in Croatia.
Course of the journey
The nightjet trains will depart so that the journey takes place overnight and passengers have the opportunity to arrive in Split and back rested and have a whole free day ahead of them. From Bratislava, the connections will depart at 15:26 and then continue to Vienna, where this year it is the only way to load your car or motorcycle. According to the timetable, the train will arrive in Split at 8:20 in the morning.
The train leaves Split at 17:29 and is in Vienna before 9 a.m. and in Bratislava before 11 a.m.
How will you get to Split?
On the ÖBB nightjet train to Croatia, you can use seats, couchettes and beds. If you only opt for a seat, expect a stay in a six-seater compartment, a 4 or 6-seater couchette compartment, while a bed will allow you more privacy and comfort.
The carriage for transporting cars and motorcycles will only be included from/to Vienna this year.
Services on the night train to Split
As already mentioned, this night train offers the possibility of traveling in seating, couchette or sleeper cars. The services available on board are also divided according to this.
Seating carriages
In the seating carriages, you can buy small snacks, hot or cold drinks at selected times. Everything can be purchased in the sleeping car from the steward. An electrical outlet is available.
Couchette cars
In the couchette car you will have one bottle of bottled water, breakfast (coffee or tea, orange juice, 1 croissant, roll, cheese, ham and small butter). Other refreshments can be purchased. An electrical outlet is also available.
Sleeping cars
Sleeping cars offer 1 bottle of water, 1 bottle of sparkling wine or juice, 1 snack (sweet/savory), breakfast (coffee or tea, orange juice, 1 croissant, roll, cheese, ham and small butter), toiletries, towel, disposable slippers. Other refreshments can be purchased. An electrical outlet is also available.
How much do tickets cost and where to buy them?
Tickets are on sale from EUR 39.90 (seating), EUR 59.90 (couchette) and EUR 74.90 (bed) per person and direction. This is what the official ZSSK text says. However, in the ÖBB offer we also found a price for seating from EUR 24.9, a couchette from EUR 49.9 and a bed from EUR 69.9. In this case, this is the so-called Sparchiene offer. It is always limited by the occupancy of the train and the number of tickets intended for the train itself. Prices are the same for travel from Bratislava and Vienna.
| ADULT (LIMITED OFFER) | CHILD UNDER 15 (LIMITED OFFER) | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat | from 39,90 € | 19,90 € |
| Couchette in 6-bed compartment | from 59,90 € | 34,90 € |
| Couchette in 4-bed compartment | from 74,90 € | 39,90 € |
| Triple bed | from 99,90 € | 49,90 € |
| Double bed | from 124,90 € | 64,90 € |
| Single bed | from 244,90 € | – |
Offer of tickets at www.nightjet.com | ÖBB
Tickets can already be purchased at the e-shop of the Austrian carrier - https://tickets.oebb.at/en/ticket and www.nightjet.com, at the ÖBB ticket office and also at the ZSSK and Czech Railways ticket office. Tickets cannot be purchased at the ZSSK e-shop.
Sparschiene tickets can be returned under the following conditions:
- Sparschiene tickets cannot be returned or exchanged
- partially used documents cannot be returned or exchanged
Other tickets can be returned under the following conditions:
- up to 15 days before the train departure date - return without deduction,
- up to 15 days before the train departure date - return without deduction,
- 14 days to 1 day before the train departure - 50% deduction from the price, min. 15 EUR,
- tickets cannot be returned on the day of departure and later.
- tickets cannot be returned on the day of departure and later.
Car train to Split
In 2024, due to closures, it is possible to use the car train only from/to Vienna.
The price for a car starts at EUR 49.9, for a motorcycle from EUR 24.9. Price for one way. For the transport of a motorcycle or car, it is necessary to strictly comply with the transport conditions, which are listed below.
Just like passengers without a car, a passenger with a car or motorcycle has the option of choosing a ride in a three, two or single-bed compartment. The price is then increased accordingly.
Maximum permitted dimensions of transported vehicles:
- maximum vehicle length: 530 cm,
- maximum vehicle width: 205 cm,
- max. roof width on the upper platform: 130 cm,
- max. vehicle height: depending on its location. One vehicle up to 167 cm high, the others up to 158 cm high.
Loading and unloading the vehicle
Each passenger loads the vehicles themselves with the assistance of a railway employee. For the transport of motorcycles, it is necessary to have your own straps to secure them during transport.
- You can find information about loading in Bratislava, including a map, on the ZSSK website.
- You can find information about loading in Vienna, including a map, on the ÖBB website.
Loading and unloading times:
Bratislava
Loading: loading in Bratislava is not possible in 2024
Unloading: unloading in Bratislava is not possible in 2024
Vienna
Loading: 4:35 p.m
Unloading: upon arrival
Split
Loading: 3:00 p.m
Unloading: on arrival
All information on the ZSSK website
Split train station and what to do in the surrounding area
Trains to Split arrive at the local largest railway station called Split - Predgrade, which is located directly in the city. Right next to the station building is the bus station, from where buses leave for many Croatian destinations. After another five minutes, the train stops at its final station, Split, which is located right next to the port. A number of ferries to the surrounding islands also depart from the Split port.
You can also stay in Split itself, in the vicinity of which there are many beautiful beaches and in the evening you can enjoy the atmosphere of a Croatian coastal town. You can also go to countless ancient monuments, such as Diocletian's Palace.
