Zagreb Airport Transfer Guide: Franjo Tuđman Airport (ZAG) to City Centre

Zagreb’s Franjo Tuđman Airport (ZAG) is one of the more straightforward airport arrivals in the region - the terminal is compact, signage is clear, and the city is only 17 km away. Three options cover most travellers: the Croatia Bus shuttle, a taxi or Bolt, and a pre-booked private transfer.

Airport Bus (Croatia Bus / Pleso Prijevoz)

The shuttle is the most popular option for solo travellers and pairs arriving with standard luggage.

Route	Frequency	Fare	Journey time
Airport → Main Bus Station	Every 30 min	approx. €7–8	30–40 min
Main Bus Station → Airport	Every 30 min	approx. €7–8	25–35 min

The shuttle terminates at the main bus station (Autobusni kolodvor) on Držićeva, a short walk or taxi ride from the city centre, Ban Jelačić Square, and most hotels. From the bus station, trams 2, 5, and 6 connect to the centre.

Buy your ticket: At the Croatia Bus desk inside the terminal before boarding. Cash (EUR) or card accepted. Services start early and run until late evening, but check the last departure if you have a late arrival.

Currency: Croatia uses the euro (EUR). You do not need to exchange currency specifically for the shuttle - euro notes are accepted everywhere.

Taxis from Zagreb Airport

Regulated taxis wait in the designated zone directly outside arrivals.

Typical fare: approximately €25–35 to central Zagreb as of 2026. The meter starts at a fixed call-out rate for airport journeys.

Journey time: 20–25 minutes without traffic; up to 40 minutes during the 07:30–09:30 and 16:00–18:30 rush periods.

All registered taxis display the taxi sign, driver ID, and a tariff card. The fare to the centre is regulated, so you should not pay significantly more than the estimate above unless you request a major detour.

Bolt

Bolt operates in Zagreb and can be requested from the ride-hailing pick-up zone. Fares are typically comparable to or slightly below the metered rate, with the price shown upfront in the app.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked private transfers suit groups, business travellers, and anyone arriving late or very early when cab availability is uncertain.

Book a private airport transfer from ZAG via Kiwitaxi - fixed price, name board in arrivals, no waiting. A standard saloon for the airport-to-centre run costs approximately €30–40, making it competitive with a taxi for two or more people.

Welcome Pickups also covers Zagreb airport, with English-speaking drivers and a free 60-minute delay buffer if your flight is late.

GetTransfer aggregates multiple operators for the ZAG route - useful for comparing prices across services before you commit to a booking.

Driving to the City

The airport connects to central Zagreb via the A3 motorway and city approach roads. Journey time is around 20 minutes off-peak. Tolls apply on some motorway stretches - have a card or small euros to hand.

Rental car desks (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt, and local operators) are in the arrivals hall. If you plan to drive across borders - for example into Bosnia or Serbia - confirm cross-border permission with the hire company before leaving.

Departure from Zagreb

Allow at least 90 minutes before your flight for check-in and security. If travelling during peak summer (July–August), add another 30 minutes. Croatia Bus shuttles from the main bus station run on the same 30-minute schedule - purchase tickets in person at the bus station desk or online.

A pre-booked transfer is the most reliable option for early departures when bus frequency is lower.

Key Facts

• Airport IATA code: ZAG
• Full name: Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport
• Distance to city centre: approximately 17 km
• Typical taxi fare (2026): €25–35
• Bus fare (Croatia Bus): approx. €7–8
• Journey time: 20–25 min (no traffic), 35–45 min (peak)
• Currency: Euro (EUR) - Croatia joined the eurozone in January 2023

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