Franjo Tuđman Airport in Zagreb is Croatia's primary airport, located approximately 17 km southeast of the capital.
It is the hub of Croatia Airlines, the national carrier, and the most common entry point for visitors to the Croatian interior, distinct from Adriatic coastal destinations.
How to get to Zagreb Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to ZAG
Parking near Zagreb Airport
The official parking area, on multiple levels, is positioned in front of the terminal.
It does not have a separate rate tier for long-term parking: the cost rises to about €96 for an entire week. For long stays, one of the affiliated external parking lots (with free shuttle) is almost always better value, starting from about €4-5 per day.
How to get to Zagreb from ZAG
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Car rental at Zagreb Airport
Well-known car rental agencies have a desk in the terminal's arrivals area.
Have your driver's license, passport, and credit card ready: the agency will almost certainly ask for the International Driving Permit as well.
Hotels near Zagreb Airport
Trg Bana Jelačića and the historic centre
About 17 km and 20 minutes by taxi from the airport; the Pleso shuttle stops at the bus station, 10-15 minutes on foot from this area.
Best for: Travellers who want the Dolac market, the Upper Town and the evening life within walking distance.
- Hotel Dubrovnik is practically on the main square, 2 minutes' walk from the heart of the city
- Dolac market, the Upper Town and the funicular are reachable without any transport
- No direct connection to the airport: a shuttle or taxi is always needed
- Rooms with a square view can be noisy on weekends
Recommended hotels
- Esplanade Zagreb Hotel Built in 1925 for Orient Express passengers, it's Croatia's first luxury hotel: overlooking Starčevićev trg, a 4-minute walk from the railway station and about 900 metres from Trg Bana Jelačića. View availability
- Hotel Dubrovnik Right on Trg Bana Jelačića, along Ilica: the most central position possible in Zagreb, with breakfast among the things guests appreciate most. View availability
Theatres and museums of the lower centre
About 20 minutes by taxi from the airport; from here the historic centre is a 10-minute walk away.
Best for: Travellers looking for an international 5-star hotel a few minutes' walk from the main square.
- The Westin is next to the Croatian National Theatre and the Mimara Museum, in the heart of Lenuci's Horseshoe gardens
- The Sheraton is about 1 km (10 minutes on foot) from the main square, near Zrinjevac park
- An office and theatre district, less lively in the evening than the historic centre
- 5-star rates, higher than the city average
Recommended hotels
- The Westin Zagreb Next to the Croatian National Theatre and the Mimara Museum, amid Lenuci's Horseshoe gardens; 0.1 miles from the city centre according to OTAs. View availability
- Sheraton Zagreb Hotel On Kneza Borne, about 1 km from the main square; closer to the centre than the Westin according to several guest reviews. View availability
Radnička cesta, the business district
About 20-25 minutes by taxi from the airport; the historic centre is reachable in 15-20 minutes by tram or car.
Best for: Business trips and trade fairs, with modern chain hotels often cheaper than the centre.
- The DoubleTree and the Hilton Garden Inn are just 390 metres apart, in the Green Gold complex
- Rates are generally lower than in the historic centre
- An office district: little to do on foot in the evening outside the hotels
- A tram or taxi is needed to reach Trg Bana Jelačića
Recommended hotels
- DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb Opened in 2012 in the Green Gold complex on Radnička cesta, Zagreb's growing financial district; indoor pool and gym. View availability
- Hilton Garden Inn Zagreb - Radnička At number 21 Radnička cesta, between the business district and the city centre, about 390 metres from its twin DoubleTree. View availability
On the road to the airport
4.3 km (about 10 minutes by car) from the terminal, with a free shuttle to the airport; a public bus stop for the centre is right outside the hotel (15-minute ride).
Best for: Very early morning departures or late-night arrivals, with a budget hotel near the runways.
- Free shuttle to and from the airport, no need for a taxi
- Public bus stop for the centre a few steps from the entrance
- It's on the main road into the city, with no restaurants or bars nearby
- An evening out in Zagreb still needs the bus or a taxi, both ways
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, recently renovated, is modern. From check-in to gate, the walk typically takes 10–15 minutes.
Security screening can lengthen during peak hours: for international flights, allow 2–3 hours of advance time.
Map of Zagreb Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do you need a visa for Croatia?
No, for EU citizens and most Western nationalities: Croatia has been a Schengen member since January 2023, with tourist stays of up to 90 days for non-EU citizens.
Q. Is it better to fly into Zagreb or a coastal city for the seaside?
Zagreb is convenient for the inland areas and the Plitvice Lakes, but for the beaches it's better to fly directly into a coastal airport like Split, Dubrovnik or Zadar, which is often more direct than combining a flight to Zagreb with a car journey.
Q. Does Croatia use the euro?
Yes, since January 2023, when it replaced the kuna by adopting the euro alongside joining Schengen.
Q. Is Zagreb famous for its Christmas markets?
Yes, Zagreb's Christmas market has been voted the best in Europe in several editions of an international industry survey, with events spread across the whole city centre from late November to early January: a period when demand for flights to the Croatian capital rises noticeably.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
