Split-Zagreb InterCity Express

Croatian Railways (HŽPP)
Croatia
Loading Map...
The Journey

Navigate from Split Railway Station to Zagreb Glavni Kolodvor across a span of 429km. This is an overnight service.

Scenery Highlights
  • Adriatic Coastal Climb — train erupts from Split seafront palms straight into sheer limestone cliffs
  • Dinaric Alps — dramatic mountain crossing via tilting trains engineered for steep curves
  • Lika Region — high karst plateau, snow-dusted pine forests, glacial lakes
  • Plitvice Lakes proximity — accessible via connecting bus from either endpoint
  • Vrlo Poljane viaduct — dizzying concrete spans over deep river gorges unreachable by road
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    7.97 hours

  • Distance

    429 km

  • Est. Price

    Affordable to Moderate

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

HŽ series 2062 diesel-electric locomotives (2,006 kW) for non-electrified sections; HŽ series 1141/1142 electric locomotives for electrified Zagreb–Oštarije section; new KONČAR electro-diesel DEMU (2,200 kW electric + diesel hybrid, 160 km/h max, 150 passengers: 18 first class + 132 second class, delivery July–December 2026)

Track Gauge

1,435 mm (standard gauge)

Braking Technology

Air brakes with ICN tilting system (active tilt of up to 8° for curve negotiation); KONČAR DEMU equipped with modern disc brakes and regenerative braking

Route Engineering Challenges

  • Dinaric Alps crossing — highest point ~1,200m via mountain railway

  • Hybrid operation: switch from electric to diesel traction at Oštarije (end of 103 km electrified section)

Route

M604 Lika railway: Zagreb–Split, 429 km

Electrification

Partial — 103 km Zagreb to Oštarije electrified (25 kV AC); remaining 326 km non-electrified (diesel)

Max Speed

160 km/h (ICN/KONČAR); 120 km/h standard

Rolling Stock

Bombardier/Consorzio ICN tilting diesel trainsets (2004); new KONČAR electro-diesel hybrids (6 units, July–Dec 2026)

KONČAR Features

Low-floor, wheelchair accessible, free Wi-Fi, power outlets, bicycle storage, CCTV, multimedia screens, vending machines, 4 doors per side, couplable for doubled capacity

Tunnels & Viaducts

60+ tunnels; numerous deep valley viaducts — some only accessible by rail

Gradient

Up to 5.5% on steepest sections

Fleet Investment

€57.3 million EIB loan; additional 5 hybrid trains contracted for 2027 (Osijek, Rijeka, Pula routes)

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    7.97 hours

  • Distance

    429 km

  • Est. Price

    Affordable to Moderate

Official Booking Provider