English How to get from Ljubljana Airport to Zagreb
From €213. Ljubljana Airport to Zagreb is around 160 km and takes roughly an hour and a half to two hours: the route follows the A2 motorway south-east before crossing into Croatia at the Bregana border crossing, close to Zagreb. It is an internal Schengen border with no routine passport checks, and as both countries use the euro, there is no need to exchange currency. You are dropped off at your exact address in the city.
Bregana is the busiest crossing between Slovenia and Croatia. Although routine document checks are not normally carried out, traffic towards the coast can build up during peak season and extend the journey time.
Ljubljana and Zagreb: two capitals, one easy journey
Few European capitals are as close to one another. This proximity means Zagreb and Ljubljana are often visited as part of the same trip, making the journey between the Slovenian airport and the Croatian capital a popular route for both city breaks and business travel.
In practical terms, it is an international journey that feels almost like a domestic one: a relatively short distance, a single border without customs formalities and the same currency on both sides. The main difference compared with a transfer within Slovenia is the crossing at Bregana and the seasonal traffic it can bring.
Upper Town and Lower Town: where the car can stop
Zagreb is divided into two distinct areas: the Lower Town (Donji Grad), with its broad grid of streets and road access, and the Upper Town (Gornji Grad), the medieval old town on the hill, with narrow lanes and restricted traffic. The drop-off point depends on where your accommodation is located.
Lower Town
The area of grand boulevards, museums and hotels, with direct road access. Most transfers finish here, directly outside the accommodation.
Upper Town
The old town on the hill, with narrow pedestrian streets. It is reached by funicular or on foot, so the drop-off point is arranged at the edge of the restricted area.
Ban Jelačić Square: pedestrianised and served by trams
The heart of Zagreb, Ban Jelačić Square, is pedestrianised and a major tram hub, with no car traffic. If your accommodation is on the square or on the surrounding pedestrian streets, provide the exact address so the nearest suitable road access point can be arranged.
Vehicle, luggage and city breaks
It is a relatively short urban journey, but it involves crossing an international border, so choosing a vehicle that matches the number of passengers and pieces of luggage is important. For weekend breaks or business trips, arriving in good time for a meeting or check-in is often the main priority.
You can see the available options in the Zonetransfers fleet, and if your plans combine Ljubljana, Zagreb and other destinations, the chauffeur service in Ljubljana allows you to arrange the journey with a driver at your disposal. Stops and waiting times are subject to the service terms.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Ljubljana Airport to Zagreb?
It takes around an hour and a half to two hours for the 160 km journey, crossing into Croatia at Bregana. During peak season, border traffic can bring the total journey time closer to two hours.
Are there passport checks at the border?
Not routinely: Slovenia and Croatia are both part of the Schengen Area. Even so, Bregana is the busiest crossing, so it is advisable to keep your identity document readily available.
Do I need to change currency when I arrive in Zagreb?
No. Croatia has used the euro since 2023, just like Slovenia, so you can pay in euros throughout the journey.
Are the motorway vignette and toll included?
Yes. The Slovenian section requires an electronic vignette and the Croatian motorway section has tolls; with a fixed-fare transfer, both are included in the price.
Can the car take me directly to my hotel in central Zagreb?
In the Lower Town, normally yes, directly outside the accommodation. If your accommodation is in the Upper Town or near pedestrianised Ban Jelačić Square, the drop-off point is arranged at the nearest suitable road access point.
Can I combine the journey with Ljubljana in the same booking?
Yes, combining the two capitals is a popular option because they are so close. Stops or the itinerary can be agreed when booking so that the journey time and fare can be arranged accordingly.
Is it suitable for a business trip with a tight schedule?
Yes. For a time-critical appointment, the collection time is planned around your commitment, allowing extra time for the Bregana crossing during peak season.
How do I arrange the return journey from Zagreb to Ljubljana Airport?
Book with the exact collection point in Zagreb and your flight time, allowing again for the hour-and-a-half-plus journey and sufficient time for check-in.
Get a quote for your transfer to Zagreb
Provide your date, flight number, number of passengers and pieces of luggage, together with your exact address in Zagreb, indicating whether it is in the Upper Town or near Ban Jelačić Square. This information is used to prepare a fixed fare including the vignette and motorway toll.
Available from 09:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00.