Pula – Zadar

Train from Pula to Zadar is one way of travelling between these two cities, although the least convenient one. There are no direct trains on this route and all departures require more than one train change. The route is operated by Hrvatske Željeznice with up to 1 daily departure. 

IMPORTANT: Although there is a railway connecting Pula and Zadar, the train does not travel the entire route, but only to Knin. Once in Knin, you will always be transferred to Zadar by bus. The route from Pula to Knin requires a change to a bus in Lupoglav and then to a train in Rijeka. All this does not mean you have to buy separate tickets.

Obviously, this route makes no sense to travel by train, therefore consider taking a bus from Pula to Zadar as a much more convenient option. There are up to 4 daily departures with tickets starting from €28. The journey takes around 7-8 hours.

However, if you’re still interested in travelling from Pula to Zadar by train, here is all the necessary information.

Types of trains

There is usually one departure per day which combines two types of trains and a bus. 

Usually, regular trains operate the first part of the route (Pula – Rijeka, Rijeka – Oštarije) and InterCity (IC) trains operate the second part (Oštarije – Knin).

A small part of the route from Lupoglav to Rijeka is operated by bus, as well as the final part of the route from Knin to Zadar. 

The waiting time between the trains is usually from a few minutes to 2 hours. However, the waiting time for a bus in Knin can be up to 9 hours. Accordingly, the journey takes up to 22 hours. 

Tickets

The price of a regular one-way ticket is around 250 HRK (~ €33). 

Children between the age of 6 and 12, students and seniors have a 50% discount while youth between the age of 12 and 26 have a 30% discount.

For all other discounts and benefits check Train Croatia Discounts.

Other popular routes from Pula

Pula – Zagreb

Pula – Rijeka

Pula – Ljubljana

Good to know

• I have a heavy suitcase, can a taxi drop me to the train station in Pula?
  Yes, Pula Main Train Station is located very close to Pula city centre, so it is easily accessible by taxi and other means of transport such as buses. 
• Where do I board the train in Pula?
  There are two train stations in Pula, but in order to reach Zadar, you board the train at Pula Main Train Station, about a kilometre from Pula Arena.
• Where do I get off the train in Zadar?
  As stated in the text, all passengers have to change to a bus in Knin train station, so the bus arrives at the main bus station in Zadar instead. 
• Is there a car train from Pula to Zadar?
  No, there are no car trains from Pula to Zadar as passengers have to change to a bus at Knin station.
• Is there a luggage service at Pula/Zadar train station?
  Yes, both train stations have luggage storage service. Luggage storage in Pula is located within the bus station building at the address Trg 1. istarske brigade 1. Working hours of the luggage storage are from 00:00 to 24:00 (24/7) and the price is 1,30 HRK/hour/piece. Since Zadar train station is not used, you can leave your luggage at the main bus station for 3 HRK/hour if the luggage is up to 15 kg and 10 HRK/hour if it’s more than 15 kg. 

For more information regarding trains in Croatia read our Train Croatia FAQ.