There are two buses from Zagreb Airport. ZET bus 290 is the cheapest at about €0.95 for a 60-minute kiosk ticket, 45 to 50 minutes to Kvaternikov trg, roughly every 35 minutes from 04:20 to 00:15 (Sundays from 05:20). The Pleso Prijevoz shuttle costs €9, takes 35 to 45 minutes, runs every 30 minutes until around 22:30, and goes direct to Autobusni kolodvor (the main bus station). Pick 290 for the cheapest fare, the shuttle for the simplest direct trip with luggage.
Last updated: May 24, 2026. Fares cross-checked against ZET's current tariff and Pleso Prijevoz on this date.
Two Bus Services from Zagreb Airport
Most travel guides conflate the two. The honest split: one is the public city bus, the other is a dedicated airport coach. Different price, different drop, different schedule. For the wider picture, see our overview of compare all transport options.
| Service | Operator | Fare | Journey time | Frequency | Drops you at | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZET bus 290 | ZET (city public transport) | ~€0.95 kiosk / ~€1.30 onboard | 45 to 50 min | ~35 min | Kvaternikov trg | Card at kiosk; cash on bus |
| Pleso Prijevoz shuttle | Pleso Prijevoz (airport coach) | €9; kids under 7 free | 35 to 45 min | ~30 min | Autobusni kolodvor (main bus station) | Cash onboard or online card |
Bus 290 wins on price by a wide margin. The Pleso shuttle wins on directness, luggage handling, and a drop point that connects straight to long-distance coaches.
ZET Bus 290 (Public Bus, Cheapest)
Bus 290 is part of Zagreb's regular city bus network, run by Zagrebački Električni Tramvaj (ZET). It runs between Velika Gorica and Kvaternikov trg in the east of central Zagreb, with the airport as one stop along the route. The fare is the cheapest of any option to or from the airport, no exceptions.
Where to Catch Bus 290 at the Airport
Walk out of the Arrivals exit and look across the access road, slightly to your left. The stop is on the far side, not in front of the passenger terminal doors. In Moovit, Citymapper, and Google Maps the stop is usually listed as "Zračna luka Zagreb" or "Stari terminal." The Pleso shuttle parks much closer to arrivals, which is why people sometimes board the wrong bus on a first visit.
Bus 290 Schedule
| Day | First from airport | Last from airport | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | ~04:20 | ~00:15 | every ~35 min |
| Sunday and holidays | ~05:20 | ~00:15 | every ~35 min |
Times shift occasionally. Confirm on ZET's current timetable before you travel, especially if you have a tight connection. The published trip time is 45 to 50 minutes; that is the realistic figure including all 20-plus stops along the route.
Where Bus 290 Drops You in Zagreb
The terminus is Kvaternikov trg (Kvaternik Square), a major transport hub in the east of central Zagreb. This is not the main bus station; that is where the Pleso shuttle goes. From Kvaternikov trg, tram 13 reaches Glavni kolodvor in about ten minutes, and trams 12 and 4 link to other parts of the center.
How to Pay for Bus 290
Cheapest is a 60-minute paper ticket from the Tisak kiosk inside the terminal at about €0.95. Stamp it in the validator on board. Buying from the driver costs around €1.30 and is cash-only (euro); card is not accepted on the bus.
ZET tickets are time-based, not zone-based. A 60-minute ticket covers the whole ride plus any onward tram or bus transfer started inside the 60-minute window. A 90-minute ticket is also sold for longer onward legs.
Pleso Prijevoz Airport Shuttle
Pleso Prijevoz is the dedicated airport coach. It costs more than 290 because it runs direct, has a luggage hold, and drops at the main intercity hub. For travelers wishing there was a no direct train to the airport, this is the closest substitute.
Where to Catch the Pleso Shuttle
The shuttle parks immediately outside the Arrivals exit. Follow signs marked "shuttle bus" or "Pleso Prijevoz." The coach is large and clearly branded.
Pleso Shuttle Schedule
Departures from the airport run roughly every 30 minutes during the day. First city-side services start around 04:00; the last regular run leaves the airport around 22:30. Additional runs are added to meet inbound Croatia Airlines flights inside the operating window. Once it closes, no late flight reopens the route.
Where the Pleso Shuttle Drops You
The terminus is Autobusni kolodvor (Zagreb's main bus station, AKZ). Tram 6 from there reaches Ban Jelačić Square and Glavni kolodvor in minutes. AKZ is also the hub for long-distance coaches to Split, Rijeka, Pula, Ljubljana and other regional cities.
How to Pay for the Pleso Shuttle
€9 one way; children under seven free. Pay the driver in euro cash onboard, or buy in advance on the Pleso Prijevoz site by card. Online tickets arrive as a PDF with a QR code.
Which Bus Should You Take?
It is a real choice, not "shuttle always wins."
Take Bus 290 If
You are budget-first, you have light luggage, you are staying near Kvaternikov trg or the eastern center, or you want to use ZET's onward tram network. It is also the only option after the last Pleso shuttle has left for the night.
Take the Pleso Shuttle If
You want the direct route to the main bus station for an onward intercity coach, you have larger or checked luggage, you do not want to navigate local stops on a first visit, or you have landed at the end of a long day and want the simplest path into town.
Bus from Zagreb to the Airport (Return Direction)
Both services run both ways. ZET 290 leaves from Kvaternikov trg back to the airport on the same schedule. The Pleso shuttle leaves from Autobusni kolodvor with first runs around 04:00 and final runs late evening.
Published times are when buses leave the city, not when they reach the airport. Add the full journey time to your departure plan, then add airport processing time on top. For an early flight, the Pleso shuttle from the bus station is usually the safer bet than waiting for the first 290.
Bus from Zagreb Airport at Night
Honest answer: after roughly 00:30, no bus is running. The last 290 leaves the airport around 00:15 and the regular Pleso shuttle has stopped by 22:30 (with flight-coordinated exceptions inside the operating window). If your flight lands later, your options are a taxi from Zagreb Airport, a Bolt or Uber, or a pre-booked transfer.
Insider Tips for Bus Travel from Zagreb Airport
The Tisak kiosk beats the driver on price. A 60-minute ZET ticket from the kiosk is about €0.95; the same ride from the driver is around €1.30, cash only.
Use Moovit or Citymapper for live 290 position. Both work in Zagreb. The published schedule is approximate; the real-time apps show where the bus actually is.
The airport stop is "Zračna luka Zagreb" or "Stari terminal." Search either name in transit apps; "Stari terminal" is a holdover from the old terminal building.
Sunday bus 290 starts later. First Sunday and holiday service is around 05:20, an hour after the weekday first. For a very early Sunday flight, plan a taxi or transfer.
Pleso waits for flights only inside its operating window. The shuttle holds for delayed Croatia Airlines arrivals during scheduled hours. Once the last service has left, no late flight reopens the route.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the bus from Zagreb Airport cost?
ZET bus 290 is about €0.95 for a 60-minute kiosk ticket or ~€1.30 from the driver. The Pleso Prijevoz shuttle is €9 one way; children under seven free.
What time does the first bus leave Zagreb Airport?
Bus 290 leaves around 04:20 Monday to Saturday and around 05:20 on Sunday and holidays. The first Pleso shuttle from the city is around 04:00.
What time does the last bus leave Zagreb Airport?
Bus 290 runs until around 00:15 daily. The Pleso shuttle's last regular run is around 22:30, with later runs added for inbound Croatia Airlines flights inside the operating window.
How long does the bus from Zagreb Airport take?
Bus 290 takes 45 to 50 minutes to Kvaternikov trg. The Pleso shuttle is faster at 35 to 45 minutes to Autobusni kolodvor.
Where does the airport bus drop you in Zagreb?
Bus 290 ends at Kvaternikov trg in the east of central Zagreb, with tram connections onward. The Pleso shuttle ends at Autobusni kolodvor; tram 6 reaches Ban Jelačić Square in minutes.
Can I pay for the Zagreb airport bus by card?
The Tisak kiosk takes cards for ZET 290 paper tickets. Onboard bus 290 is cash-only (euro). Pleso Prijevoz takes cash onboard and card for online bookings.
Is the Pleso shuttle better than bus 290?
It depends. Bus 290 is far cheaper and runs later. The shuttle is direct, faster door-to-coach, and drops at the main bus station, which suits checked luggage or an onward intercity bus.
Is there a bus from Zagreb Airport at night?
Not after roughly 00:30. Bus 290 stops by 00:15 and the Pleso shuttle by 22:30. After that, a taxi, Bolt, or pre-booked transfer are the only options.