Few car trips can mix traditional vineyards littering rustic mountain terrain with stylish coastal towns packed with majestic Habsburg-era villas. But the stunning drive from Zagreb to Opatija combines everything to create an adventure that will kindle your passion for wanderlust!
The lush greenery of northern Croatia is just a short drive from the festival-like streets of Zagreb's bustling center. And before you know it, fresh country winds blow through your hair as you admire the changing landscape. Green, sloping woodlands make way for desert-like cliffs, and the familiar taste of salty sea air signals the final leg of your journey when you run out of road at the edge of Croatia's mainland.
The chances are you don't know many people fortunate enough to embark on this voyage. So, if you're lucky enough, make the most of this unique opportunity and keep reading our in-depth guide to traveling between Zagreb and Opatija in 2024!
About Opatija
After a winding trip from Zagreb to Opatija, you'll arrive where Croatia's land gently falls into the Adriatic Sea. It's also the starting point of the nation's most famous region, Istria. Under 12,000 residents live in this seaside village, adding to its relaxing and sophisticated ambiance.
Records first mentioned Opatija in the 1400s, but it took over four centuries to grow into a sought-after destination. The then-ruling empire of Austria-Hungary dubbed the town "Croatia's Monte Carlo." After the construction of chic hotels, it became what it's known for today.
Its stunning promenade snakes around its jagged coastline, offering views of the Adriatic Sea's turquoise waters. Its compact size and affluent visitors encourage you to unwind and remain in the vacation spirit. And there are plenty of spots to do so, including upscale restaurants, trendy cocktail bars, or its stony beaches.
Language: Croatian
Currency: Euro
Time zone: GMT+1
Climate: Mild Mediterranean
Plug types: C and F
Peak tourist season: July to early September
From Zagreb to Opatija: travel tips
Nobody wants to arrive at "Croatia's Monte Carlo" feeling flustered. So, our local drivers and travel experts put together some insider tips to ensure a straightforward cruise from Zagreb to Opatija!
### Prepare for the weather
The road from Zagreb to Opatija receives over 300 days of sunshine. Therefore, you should consider packing a light bag with a few essentials to combat the elements.
Believe it or not, you can still get burned inside a car. The sun's rays can penetrate the glass, so sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and plenty of water are vital at any point of the year.
### Plan sightseeing stops
Most travelers overlook or don't know that countless natural, historical, and cultural landmarks are on the road from Zagreb to Opatija. As a result, they're disappointed when they speed past signs for the foodie city of Samobor and the surreal Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Book your tickets for sights in advance (it's mandatory for Plitvice!), and ensure your mode of transportation stops en route!
### Book tickets in advance
Opatija is in demand by luxury-seeking tourists. But its small size means that it doesn't have an extensive transportation network.
Since seats are limited, you must book your tickets at least 30 days before departing in the high season. You'll be guaranteed a place at your desired time, and you'll take advantage of the lowest fares!
How to get from Zagreb to Opatija
The lack of transport from Zagreb to Opatija may leave you feeling overwhelmed. But there's no need to worry. The journey is possible, and you'll find out how below!
### Bus from Zagreb to Opatija
The bus is the most popular way people get from Zagreb to Opatija. It's also a cheap way to travel. Several budget-friendly companies offer services on this route, including Flixbus, Nomago, and Arriva.
A direct bus will take you from Zagreb Bus Station to Opatija Bus Station in as little as 2 hours and 50 minutes. However, you can also opt for an indirect service with Flixbus and explore the city of Ljubljana along the way.
Lowest ticket price: €11.99
Average ticket price: €18
Shortest journey: 2 hours, 50 minutes
Average journey: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Earliest departure: 12:30 AM
Latest departure: 8:00 PM
### Train from Zagreb to Opatija
Although getting a train from Zagreb to Opatija is possible, it's not recommended. No direct services are available so it's more expensive and slower than the bus. Additionally, there's no station within Opatija, so you'll need to transfer to a bus in Rijeka.
You must book a ticket from Zagreb Glavni Kolod Train Station to Rijeka Train Station to travel between the cities. Once you arrive, you'll walk downtown and transfer to the local bus line 32.
Overall cost: €17-€22
Overall duration: 5–6 hours
Daily trains: 3
### *Daytrip private car service from Zagreb to Opatija*
Daytrip is the fastest, easiest, and most comfortable way of traveling from Zagreb to Opatija. Our private door-to-door service can sweep you off your feet from your hotel in Zagreb to your new one in Opatija in only 2 hours. But first, there's the matter of getting lost in a one-of-a-kind Croatian town en route.
If you're a beer enthusiast, you may have heard of Karlovac. The city is home to one of the most famous breweries nationwide and hosts an annual festival dedicated to the beverage. But you can also experience idyllic villages like Rastoke and Kastav. You're free to explore at a leisurely pace since we will safely store your bags in the trunk of your selected vehicle!
Seats from: €44
An English-speaking driver with local knowledge
Equipped for children or those with limited mobility
Sanitized, smoke-free cars
24/7 customer service
* Free cancellation 24 hours before departure!
Things to do when you get to Opatija
Opatija is small in size but big in ways to stay entertained, whether you're here for a week or 24 hours. When you travel from Zagreb to Opatija, you don't have to be worried about feeling bored when you have these things to do on your travel schedule!
### Walk around Lungomare PromenadeLungomare Promenade is a postcard pathway stretching over 7 miles along the coastline. Lined with palm trees and offering stunning sea views, this promenade takes you past historic villas, lush parks, and secluded beaches.
While here, stroll carefree and take your time to soak up the refreshing sea breeze. At some point, the distinguishable Belle Époque architecture will grab your attention!
### Hit the beach
Nothing screams vacation more than lying on a picture-perfect beach surrounded by azure waters and green hills. Fortunately, numerous shores along the Optaija coast cater to everyone's tastes.
If you want a thrilling day on the water plunging head first into activities, head to the lively Slatina Beach. If you prefer something on the other end of the scale, visit Lipovica Beach to read a book in silence or admire the bamboo forest nearby!
### Relax in Angiolina ParkAngiolina Park is as colorful as a rainbow and as relaxing as a hot bath. The vast array of flowers hugs the shaded walkways, where crisp sea air keeps you cool even in the hot summer months.
You can spend an hour relaxing on a bench while admiring the Italian-style villas. Or you can take a guided tour and learn about its fascinating history dating back to 1844.
When is the best time to visit Opatija?
Due to its mild Mediterranean climate and position along the Istrian peninsula, the warmer months are the best time to travel from Zagreb to Opatija. This sunny season runs from April, in the middle of spring, to October, towards the end of fall.
When traveling in the spring, the daily high temperature rises to 73° Fahrenheit. This is better for lying on the beach and taking long walks along its promenade. But Opatija also receives far fewer tourists, so you don't have to worry about queuing for hours outside a restaurant you've been eyeing.
Summer is the most popular tourist period when temperatures rise to 77° Fahrenheit. June to August are the best times to visit if you appreciate the baking sun or a city buzzing at night. Just be warned that this is when prices are at their highest.
Fall is the shoulder season and the last warm period of the year. However, the most significant advantage of traveling in the fall is the attractive hotel discounts. Upscale accommodation outlets litter the city, and establishments try to fill their rooms at lower prices before the slow winter period comes.
While Opatija is on the Istrian Peninsula, it’s not actually in Istria County. This means you get the perfect weather and seaside charms of western Croatia with fewer crowds and lower prices than places like Rovinj and Poreč.
The fastest and easiest way to travel from Zagreb Airport to Opatija is by booking a custom trip with Daytrip's private door-to-door service. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Zagreb Airport to downtown and switch to another bus from Zagreb Bus Station to Opatija Bus Station.
A bus, train, flight, and Daytrip's private door-to-door service are the four ways you can travel from Zagreb to the coast of Croatia. However, trains and flights are only available to a limited number of coastal cities. Buses and Daytrip have the most extensive network in Croatia.
There’s no direct train from Zagreb to Opatija. In fact, Opatija doesn’t have a train station! While it’s possible to take a train from Zagreb to Rijeka, you’d then need to take a bus to Opatija. This ends up being slower, less comfortable, and more expensive than just taking a direct bus in the first place.
A day trip is certainly possible since Daytrip can whisk you from Zagreb to Opatija in only 2 hours. Zagreb’s inland location means it has no beaches. Therefore, traveling to the Istrian peninsula allows you to soak up the nation's turquoise waters. It's also a tiny city. So you can see its highlights within one day.
The shortest road distance from Zagreb to Opatija is 107 miles, which can take as little as 2 hours with Daytrip's private door-to-door service. However, leaving during Zagreb's rush hour traffic from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM and from 4 PM until 6 PM can increase the duration by 30 minutes.
沿途参观这些景点
萨莫博尔
The old artesian town of Samobor is known for its gastronomic specialties, with culinary delicacies dating back to the 19th century. This tidy, well-kept suburb of Zagreb offers a welcomed break from city life. A town of gourmet tradition
卡尔洛瓦茨
Karlovac is a city in central Croatia which started out as a military outpost in the 16th century. Today, the historic city is most known for its parks and popular Croatian beer. The city of four rivers
拉斯托克
Rastoke is an idyllic Croatian village most known for its 18th century flour mills and traditional homes. Undiscovered Croatian village
普利特维采湖国家公园
Plitvicka Jezera, or Plitvice Lakes, is a UNESCO listed National Park consisting of 16 lakes interconnected by over 90 waterfalls. Its breathtaking beauty makes it one of the most magnificent natural sights in all of Europe. Croatia's most beautiful natural wonder
卡斯塔夫
Kastav is a tranquil Croatian town just a stone’s throw away from Opatija. The medieval town successfully combines its own historic morals with a contemporary way of life. Hilltop town along the coast
"The trip was perfect! We are so glad we discovered your service. Will absolutely recommend this to all our friends. And will use you again! Maybe even again while we are in Croatia.
Kristijan was wonderful! Such a nice and professional young man. We highly recommend him. "
Sonja M.
Canada
2024年6月18日
"Andelko was an excellent driver.
He was very punctual, very helpful. His vehicle was very roomy and very clean. He made sure anything we needed, all we had to do is ask.
He dropped us off at the proper hotel.
The whole experience was excellent."
Guy P.
Canada
2024年6月3日
"Our DayTrip drivers and trips were excellent in Croatia. Drivers were early and accommodating. All were professional and quite helpful."
Curt G.
United States
2023年10月1日
"Goran picked us up early and was great. The drive was smooth and dropped us off at the hotel just fine. "
Thanh T.
United States
2023年5月17日
"Goran was a delightful host, on time and kept us informed and amused during the trip. Thoroughly recommended.
"
Mel G.
Australia
2023年4月21日
"Our trip was great! Dino was a terrific driver and we truly appreciated the way that he spoke with us, made recommendations, and truly cared about our experience during the trip. He was warm and personable as well as knowledgeable and informative! I would highly recommend him and your company to anyone in need of services. Thank you so much!!
"
Carol M.
United States
2022年9月9日
"All was great: the pickup, the ride and the driver. Learned a lot about Croatia on the way to Opatija!"
Adele H.
United States
2022年7月13日
" we had a very pleasant trip with Darko. He is a good driver and very nice and informative companion!"
Elena N.
Canada
2022年6月24日
"Great trip- Luka met us right at the hotel right on time, and we were able to get on the road earlier than expected. This was our very first time using Daytrip, and we were VERY impressed! Thank you for reaching out! This was our first time using Daytrip, and I must say- my wife and I were very impressed! The booking process was very easy, and it was nice knowing who to look for on the day of the trip. As we checked out of our hotel in Zagreb, Luka was there waiting, even earlier than we expected, which was great! His car was new, clean and he even provided us water for the drive- he was very pleasant, professional and we enjoyed chatting with him a bit on the ride.
As far as things to improve, I genuinely cannot think of anything- the experience was wonderful. I am very certain we will be using Daytrip in the future!
Thanks again"
Zach O.
United States
2021年7月8日
"Hello, I’m back in Texas now and happy to report we had a wonderful experience using your company. Luka performed expertly and it was smooth in every regard. He also drove us from Zagreb to Opatija, and was the driver arranged by my husband’s host company, ioLap, for transfers to/from Rijeka. It was rather humorous that we had him more than once, but we thought he was great. The vehicle was larger and more comfortable than we predicted, and I am so grateful we did not attempt to drive ourselves. All those hairpin curves would have frightened me, but Luka was completely at ease. No regrets that we hired through you.
"
James S.
United States
2021年6月29日
"Daytrip was great - timely and professional. We’ll look forward to using your services again when we return to Europe next year."
Linda C.
United States
2019年10月18日
"Our day with Darko exceeded our expectations which were high after our previous trips with Aloui. He was a great host and flexible with timing, for example when we visited Plitvice National Park. When we were hungry after this he suggested we try Ćevapi. We very much enjoyed the late unscheduled lunch stop we made. We very much appreciated his sharing of his extensive local knowledge. The drive over the mountains and then along the coast to Opitija was very scenic. It was close to 5pm when we were approaching Kastav. We decided not to stop there as originally planned so we had more time in Opitija. All in all a wonderful day. "
Kate S.
New Zealand
2019年10月10日
"We wish you very much success with your business.
Every trip was excellent and very professional.
Davor drove us twice and is a great driver.
He is very caring and was able to pass on very interesting information.
Thanks for the wonderful service.
"
IAN Y.
2019年7月4日
"Our trip with Darko was fantastic.
He was an awesome driver and he made our day very special.
His local knowledge and his willingness to make our day very special was much appreciated.
Have used mydaytrip three times so far this holiday and each time it has been awesome.
"
