Split to Vienna question

[williamn]

In November I need to travel from Split to Vienna. Bahn.de suggests this can be done in a day with the following routing via Hungary.

Split 07.54
Zagreb 16.04

Zagreb 16.30
Nagykanizsa 18.48

Nagykanizsa 19.05
Szombathely 20.52

Szombathely 21.00
Sopron 21.51

Sopron 22.23
Vienna 23.37


Is this sensible? I am slightly concerned about travelling through an unfamiliar corner of Hungary at night with tight connections and wonder if its better to overnight in Zagreb (or Nagykanizsa). Would be interested to hear from those familiar with this route.

 

[Farigiraf]

Zagreb 16.30
Nagykanizsa 18.48

Nagykanizsa 19.05
Szombathely 20.52

Szombathely 21.00
Sopron 21.51

Practically any long-distance train through rural Hungary seems to be plagued with delays, so when you add in the loco change at the border and the low priority nature of late-night regional services, I would say it's more than likely you would miss one of the connections.
Although I haven't travelled on HZPP's Split line before, I doubt a 20 minute delay along an 8 hour long route (on a line not in a particularly good condition) is uncommon either.
I'd say it's technically possible but you'd have to get lucky to make all the transfers. Zagreb and Szombathely both have decent hotel options, Nagykanizsa is a small town that's off the tourist trail so I think if you're unfamiliar with the area it's a risk.

 

[Austriantrain]

Practically any long-distance train through rural Hungary seems to be plagued with delays, so when you add in the loco change at the border and the low priority nature of late-night regional services, I would say it's more than likely you would miss one of the connections.
Although I haven't travelled on HZPP's Split line before, I doubt a 20 minute delay along an 8 hour long route (on a line not in a particularly good condition) is uncommon either.
I'd say it's technically possible but you'd have to get lucky to make all the transfers. Zagreb and Szombathely both have decent hotel options, Nagykanizsa is a small town that's off the tourist trail so I think if you're unfamiliar with the area it's a risk.

I certainly would not risk that either.

 

[cambsy]

I did Split-Zagreb Sept 2025, and due to loco over heating it ended up 30 plus mins late, so would as others have said I would split the journey and get hotels overnight, or if still running there is an overnight sleeper train from Split to Vienna. I used this service last September to get me down to Split, as part of an Interail 16 day trip.

 

[skifans]

I agree I wouldn't risk it. Some other options are to spend the night in Ljubljana or Maribor which have later trains from Zagreb and good onward connections. Or you could get the EuroCity the following morning from Zagreb to Vienna.

There is also a night train between Split and Zagreb but it doesn't run every night at that time of year.

Or you could look into buses as far as Zagreb or Reijka, they are quite a bit faster then the train but I would want plenty of slack. I've not looked but a similarly timed departure from Split would give you a little more slack.

 

[neilmc]

I too wouldn't attempt this- too many tight connections which might leave you stranded somewhere with even a little bit of late running. And whilst I love Hungary and its trains, being an oldie and able to travel there for free, I certainly wouldn't rely on them for any journey where time is of the essence - in May we caught quite a lot of trains in Hungary and I don't think any of them ran quite to time.

 

[williamn]

Thanks all, I think I shall overnight in Zagreb in this case! Am I right in understanding that there is no longer a dining car on the direct Zagreb - Vienna train?