Getting Around Zagreb With Kids: The Honest Local Guide (2026)
If you just landed at Zagreb Airport with a car seat, a carry-on, and a toddler who has already asked “are we there yet?” three times, take a breath.
TL;DR: The Zagreb Transport “Cheat Sheet”
I’ve been navigating this city with small children for over six years as a mum and ten years as a preschool teacher. I organized more field trips than I can count, and I’m going to save you from the mistakes people usually make.
Zagreb’s transport system is pretty simple and family-friendly once you know the rules. The problem is that nobody tells you the rules until after you’ve paid €100 for a ten-minute airport ride. Let’s fix that.
Arriving at Zagreb Airport (ZAG); The Kiss & Fly Secret
The moment you walk out of Zagreb Airport arrivals, you’ll have more options than you might expect. The first thing most families do wrong is exit through the main arrivals hall and walk straight into the arms of the licensed, but private taxi operators waiting near the doors. They’re friendly, they have nice cars, and usually provide good service. They can also charge you whatever they want.
Here’s what to do instead.
Use the Kiss & Fly zone on the 1st floor
This is the designated short-stay drop-off and pick-up area, and it’s where your Uber, Bolt or private transfer driver will meet you.
A local rule to remember:
Do not try to have a driver meet you in front of the airport area. Airport security is very strict here and will move cars along immediately.
It’s a short walk from baggage claim, it’s covered (in case of bad weather), and most importantly, you’re in a zone with clear signage and camera coverage.
Check your app as soon as you land to see wait times, but don’t hit “Request” until you’re actually standing on that sidewalk. Drivers arrive fast, and they can’t wait if you’re still wrestling a stroller into an elevator.
Clean, simple, and for everyone like me who doesn’t like to negotiate, there’s no negotiation required.
Uber vs. Bolt vs. Private Taxis
I have already mentioned private taxis before and a reason why I avoid them. If you use it, my best advice would be to agree on the price before you get into the car.
Zagreb to the city centre is roughly a 30-minute drive. A fair price is somewhere between €15 and €35 depending on traffic, distance and time of day. I personally know about people who paid over €100 for the ride that would cost €15 in an uber or bolt app.
Uber and Bolt are your friends here
Both operate reliably in Zagreb, prices are shown before you confirm the ride, payment is handled in-app (unless you use cash), and there’s a record of your journey.
For a family arriving in an unfamiliar city at the end of a long travel day, this transparency is worth everything.
A few things to know:
Important: Car Seat Laws in Croatia
Croatia requires children under 12 and under 150 cm to travel in an appropriate restraint. This is the law.
However, the reality in Zagreb taxis including most app-based rides is that car seats are rare to non-existent. Drivers are not required to provide them, and most don’t carry them.
If you’re travelling with a baby or toddler, your safest option is to bring your own travel car seat (the lightweight, foldable kind).
If that’s not possible, the airport bus into the city centre allows pushchairs and is a legitimate alternative for families who prefer not to compromise on safety.
The “Stroller-Sanity” Choice: ZET Bus 290
If your child is a “car seat hater” or has finally fallen asleep in the stroller, skip the taxi apps entirely. The ZET Bus 290 is your choice. You can wheel the stroller right on without folding it or waking the baby.
Bus 290 is a regular ZET public bus, low-floor, stroller-friendly, and running straight into the city for the price of a standard transit ticket.
When you walk out of the arrivals door, the bus stop is right across the street.
It’s flat, it’s straightforward, and it’s only a few minutes walk from the exit. It’s flat and easily walkable for every generation.
For tickets, use the MojZET app. You’ll read all about it further down in this guide, but the short version is: download it before you land, load some credit, and you’re set.
No coins, no kiosk queues, no paying the driver extra. If you’re travelling with a stroller, board through the second door and you’ll find the space you need.
The journey to the city takes up to 40 minutes depending on the time of day and how cooperative Zagreb’s traffic is.
This is a local bus making local stops, not an express shuttle, so settle in, let the kids watch the city unfold through the window, and enjoy the fact that you’re paying almost nothing for it.
The last stop is Kvaternikov Trg, which lands you almost in the city centre already. From there, it’s just four tram stops to the main square, and Kvaternikov sits right in the middle of a big loop of Zagreb’s tram network, giving you easy connections to Dubrava, Novi Zagreb, Trešnjevka, Črnomerec, and beyond.
Different parts of town have their own nearby tram stops clustered close together, so it’s worth a quick look at the map before you hop on.
Not sure which tram to take? Check the MojZET app for routing, or pull up Google Maps. And if technology fails you, just ask someone nearby.
Croatian people are happy to help a lost tourist.
Insider tip
Look for someone on the younger side. Older locals are just as kind, but English is much more reliably spoken by the under-40 crowd.
The Zagreb Airport Shuttle: The Stress-Free Middle Ground
The airport shuttle bus is the middle ground between public transport and private transfer. More comfortable than Bus 290, cheaper than a taxi, and completely stress free.
The shuttle connects Zagreb Airport directly to Zagreb’s central bus station, a journey of around 30 minutes depending on traffic.
From the bus station you’re well-positioned for the city centre, and the tram network is right on your doorstep.
Tickets cost €9 per person per direction, and children under 7 ride free.
Departures from Zagreb Bus Station run from 4:00 AM through to 10:30 PM, every 30 minutes.
From the airport, the first shuttle leaves at 6:00 AM and the last at 10:30 PM.
Important: the schedule has gaps depending on whether it’s a weekday, weekend, or public holiday, like Christmas.
Always check the timetable before you travel.
Getting to Zagreb by Bus
If you’re already somewhere in Europe, there’s a good chance you can reach Zagreb by bus.
Connections across the continent are reliable, surprisingly comfortable these days, and almost always the cheapest way to cover serious distance, especially if you’re travelling as a family and the flight prices are too high.
If you want to check bus schedule, you can do it here.
Getting Around Croatia by Train
Trains don’t get nearly enough credit as a family travel option, and in Croatia that’s especially true.
Yes, they’re slower than driving or taking a bus. This is just the reality of the Croatian rail network, and there’s no point pretending otherwise.
But speed isn’t everything when you’re travelling with small children, and a train offers something a car or bus simply can’t: the freedom to get up and move around.
For anyone who has ever driven four hours with a restless three-year-old in the back seat, that alone is worth quite a lot.
Croatia’s railway network connects Zagreb to the coast and to major cities, and while it won’t be the fastest option on most routes, it can be the most pleasant one.
The overnight train to Split is a perfect example. The drive takes around 4.5 hours, the bus is similar or slightly longer, but the night train does it in around 7+ hours while your family is asleep.
Book a sleeping wagon, get the children settled, and you arrive on the Dalmatian coast in the morning, rested and ready. It’s one of the better-kept secrets of travelling Croatia with kids.
Tickets are also very reasonable, which makes the slower pace easier to accept.
For timetables, routes, and booking, check the official Croatian Railways website.
ZET Public Transport; Cheaper Than You Think
Zagreb’s public transport network (ZET) runs trams and buses throughout the city and it works great, particularly if you’re staying for more than a couple of days.
The 2026 prices are:
| Ticket Type | Kiosk or App Price | Buying from the Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 30-minute ticket | €0.53 | €0.80 |
| 60-minute ticket | €0.93 | €1.33 |
| 90-minute ticket | €1,33 | €1,99 |
| Daily pass | €3.98 | €3.98 |
The pattern here is obvious: always buy in advance. Buying from the driver costs significantly more, and sometimes the driver doesn’t have change for larger notes. If you’re buying from the driver, prepare an exact amount of coins to avoid complications while with kids.
Children under 7 travel free on all ZET services with a paying adult. It means that a family of two adults and two young children can ride all day for under €8.
The Shortcut to the Zagreb Zoo
If the Zoo is on your list (and it should be!), you don’t need a complicated bus route. Just hop on Tram 11 or 12 from the main square heading east. It drops you at the Bukovačka stop, right at the entrance of Maksimir Park.
The MojZET App: Set It Up Before You Arrive
The easiest way to manage tickets is through the MojZET app, available for both iOS and Android.
You create an account, load credit onto a digital wallet, and scan a QR code on the tram or bus to validate your ticket. No fumbling for coins, no queuing at kiosks.
How to Set Up the MojZET App Before You Leave the Hotel
Once you’re registered, topping up your wallet takes about thirty seconds.
Mom tip
I recommend topping up €5 at the start of your trip. It covers about 9 individual rides, so you don’t have to enter credit card details while your kids are trying to press all the buttons on the tram!
Stick to Zone 1
Don’t let the map overwhelm you! For 95% of your family sightseeing, including the Main Square, the Zoo (Maksimir), the Cathedral, and the Main Station, you only need Zone 1.
The only exception: You only need Zone 2 if you are heading deep into the suburbs or taking the local 290 bus all the way back to the airport. If you’re staying in the city, just tap Zone 1 in the MojZET app and you’re good to go!
When you board, open the app, tap your ticket type, and present the QR code to the scanner near the door.
The QR code stickers are posted inside every tram, usually near the doors, so you can scan quickly while managing small people and bags.
Multi-Day Passes: Go to the ZET Office
If you’re staying for several days and want a proper multi-day pass (better value than daily passes stacked together), you’ll need to visit a ZET office in person. There are two convenient locations:
Petrićeva 4– directly off Ban Jelačić Square (the main square). Walk out of the tram stop, turn towards the upper town, and it’s on your right.
Importanne Center– the underground passage at Zagreb Main Railway Station (Glavni Kolodvor). Useful if you’re arriving by train.
Both offices are staffed and straightforward. Bring your passport or ID.
Strollers on Public Transport; The Rules That Make It Easy
Navigating Zagreb’s trams and buses with a pushchair is very doable once you know two things.
The Second Door Rule for buses
When boarding a Zagreb city bus with a stroller, always use the second set of doors (the middle doors), not the front.
This is where the low-floor section is, there’s more space to manoeuvre, and you won’t be blocking the driver or the priority seating area. Other passengers are used to this and will make way.
Low-floor trams
Most of Zagreb’s newer trams are low-floor and have a designated stroller/wheelchair space near the doors. You can usually spot a low-floor tram by the absence of steps at the door.
These are much easier with pushchairs than the older high-floor models, which require lifting. During peak hours on busy routes, it’s worth waiting for the next tram if the first one is crowded.
A practical tip:
Fold your stroller if the tram or bus is crowded. Zagreb passengers are helpful but trams get full during the morning and late afternoon school run.
Outside those hours, you’ll almost always have room.
Getting to Sljeme (The Cable Car): A Worth-It Adventure
The Sljeme cable car, the gondola that climbs from the edge of the city up into Medvednica Nature Park is one of the best family outings in Zagreb.
Fresh air, forest trails, and a view of the city below. Children are usually amazed by the cable car.
Getting there by public transport takes a little planning but is not complicated.
The route: Take tram 14 (or tram 8 depending on your starting point) to the Mihaljevac terminus.
From Mihaljevac, you then transfer to either tram 15 or bus 233, which takes you up to station Dolje, where the cable car station is located.
The whole journey from the city centre takes around 30–40 minutes. Allow extra time with young children who will want to look out the window and comment on everything.
One thing that surprises many first-time visitors
The gondola cabins don’t stop at the platform. They move continuously at a slow, steady pace and you step on and off while they’re moving.
It’s slow. Slower than a walking pace, so it’s completely safe, but do hold your child’s hand firmly and let a nervous child watch a few cabins come and go before stepping on.
Once they understand the rhythm, most kids find it exciting rather than scary.
The cable car runs year-round (weather permitting) and the upper station has a café, walking trails, and in winter, a small ski slope.
Insider tip: Here’s the thing nobody warns you about. There is a mid-station about 15–20 minutes into the ride.
The gondola slows, the door opens, and it looks like you’ve arrived. You haven’t. Keep your children seated and calm, because that door will not stay open for long. It closes again and the cabin continues up to the real summit.
You’ll know you’re at the top when you see the gondolas sweep around in a half-circle and begin their journey back down. That’s the point where you should gather your things and step off.
The Funicular (Uspinjača): The 60-Second Cheat Code
Don’t confuse the big Sljeme cable car with the tiny Funicular in the city center. This is the shortest cable car ride in the world, and for parents, it’s a total game changer. Instead of pushing a heavy stroller up the steep hill to the Upper Town, pay the €0.66 and ride up in 60 seconds. It runs every 10 minutes and saves your legs (and your patience) for sightseeing at the top.
The Quick-Reference Summary
– Airport: Kiss & Fly zone, 1st floor. Uber or Bolt only.
– Private taxis: Agree on a price before you get in, or use apps with fixed pricing.
– Car seats- Almost never available in taxis. Bring your own if needed.
– ZET tickets: Always buy from the kiosk or app. Never from the driver.
– Kids under 7: Free on all ZET services.
– Multi-day passes: Petrićeva 4 (Main Square) or Pothodnik (Main Station).
– Strollers: Second door on buses. Look for low-floor trams.
– Sljeme: Tram 14/8 → Mihaljevac → Tram 15 or Bus 233 → Dolje. The gondola moves slowly but continuously.
Ready to Plan the Rest of Your Trip?
Getting around confidently is just the start. For everything else, where to stay, what to eat, which museums actually hold a four-year-old’s attention, and how to survive a rainy day in Zagreb with small children, head to our Zagreb Ultimate Guide With Kids → for the full picture.
And if Zagreb is just one stop on a bigger Croatian family adventure, our Croatia Family Guide covers the whole country, from the Dalmatian coast to the Plitvice Lakes, with the same practical, no-nonsense detail you’ve found here.
Safe travels and may your trams always be on time.
*Croatia Insiders is written by locals, for families. All prices are verified for 2026. Have a tip to add or a question about getting around Zagreb? Leave a comment below.
