How Much Does Zagreb Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Zagreb offers an approachable entry point to Central Europe, remaining significantly more affordable than nearby capitals like Vienna or Venice. While prices have risen following the adoption of the Euro, the city remains a high-value destination where a solo traveler can get by on $53 / €45 per day, while luxury seekers can enjoy high-end experiences for around $447 / €380. Costs are driven by a mix of affordable public infrastructure and a thriving cafe culture where a coffee or beer won't break the bank. Visitors should note that while summer is popular, the Advent season in December sees price spikes similar to peak July, particularly for accommodation. For the best balance of weather and value, visiting when temperatures are 18–24°C (64–75°F) in May or September provides the most comfortable experience.
Is Zagreb expensive to visit?
Zagreb is a moderately affordable European capital, with daily costs ranging from $53 / €45 for budget travelers to $447 / €380 for luxury stays.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Zagreb
$53
per person /day
$165
per person /day
$447
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $159 | $494 | $1,342 |
| 5-Day Trip | $265 | $824 | $2,236 |
| 7-Day Trip | $371 | $1,153 | $3,131 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to set aside a 15% budget buffer to account for the mandatory City Tourist Tax (approximately $1.88–$2.35 / €1.6–€2 per night) and occasional restaurant 'kuver' charges of $1.77–$3.53 / €1.5–€3. Additionally, parking in the Upper Town (Zone 1) is strictly limited and expensive, so an emergency fund is helpful if you find yourself needing a last-minute garage space.
How Does It Compare?
See how Zagreb stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Zagreb
Food & Drink (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal for Two, Mid-Range Restaurant (3-course) A high-end meal on Tkalčićeva Street usually falls into this bracket. | $71 €60 |
| Traditional Štrukli at La Štruk Traditional pastry filled with cottage cheese. Salted and sweet versions available. | $9.42 €8 |
| Large Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) Market price; expect to pay ~$2.94 / €2.5 in tourist-heavy cafes. | $1.34 €1.14 |
| Pint of Local Beer (0.5L) Local brands like Ožujsko or Karlovačko are the most affordable. | $4.12 €3.5 |
Transport (5)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airport Shuttle Bus (One-way) Runs every 30 minutes from 06:00–22:30 between the airport and Main Bus Station. | $9.42 €8 |
| ZET Public Transport (30-minute ticket) Valid for buses and trams. Purchase at Tisak kiosks for the best price. | $0.62 €0.53 |
| Zagreb Funicular Railway (One-way) Connects Lower and Upper Town. The shortest cable-car in the world (66m long). | $0.78 €0.66 |
| Radio Taxi Zagreb (Start Fee) The primary official taxi association. Waiting time costs ~$7.06 / €6 per hour. | $2.35 €2 |
| Sljeme Cable Car (Non-Resident Return) Locals pay a significant discount (~$11 / €9.29 return). The ride takes ~20 minutes to the summit. | $23 €20 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed in a highly-rated hostel (Swanky Mint) Located in a former factory with a rooftop pool. Prices rise to ~$41 / €35 during peak festivals. | $29 €25 |
| Stay Swanky Bed & Breakfast (3-star) Verified ground truth rate for 2 adults. Approximately ~$104 / €88. | $100 €85 |
| Luxury 5-star Hotel (Esplanade Zagreb) Historic hotel built for Orient Express passengers. Prices can exceed ~$412 / €350 during Advent. | $230 €195 |
Activities (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Museum of Broken Relationships (Adult Entry) Students and seniors pay ~$6.47 / €5.5. Located in the Upper Town. | $8.24 €7 |
| Zagreb Card (24-Hour Pass) Includes unlimited public transport and entry to 6 major attractions. | $21 €18 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| HT Visiting Croatia eSIM (10-Day) The best value for short trips. Includes 5G and Uber discounts. | $12 €10 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Zagreb is a blend of hearty Austro-Hungarian traditions and modern Mediterranean influences, with a mid-range three-course meal for two typically costing around $71 / €60. Budget travelers can find exceptional value in local staples like traditional salted or sweet štrukli at La Štruk for just $9.42 / €8. While a pint of local beer at a pub averages $4.12 / €3.5, visitors should be aware of 'kuver'—a small cover charge for bread and spreads common in traditional sit-down restaurants.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Heritage Snack Bar
$7.06–$14 / €6–€12Lower Town · Local chain
Try the 'Croatian Food Heritage' platter for a taste of regional specialties under ~$12 / €10.
Pingvin Sandwich Bar
$5.89–$11 / €5–€9City Center · Street food area
A Zagreb institution since 1987. Best for a late-night bite after 23:00.
La Štruk
$7.06–$12 / €6–€10Upper Town · Local chain
Only serves Štrukli. The blueberry and honey version is a local favorite for ~$8.83 / €7.5.
Nokturno
$9.42–$18 / €8–€15Skalinska Street · Local chain
Famous for high volume and low prices; perfectly located on a charming street.
Plac Market
$8.24–$15 / €7–€13Dolac · Street market
Modern take on Croatian grill (ćevapi) located right under the Dolac market umbrellas.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Zagreb is a highly walkable city, but its efficient tram and bus network is very affordable, with 30-minute tickets costing only $0.62 / €0.53 when purchased at Tisak kiosks. The iconic 66-meter funicular, the shortest in the world, connects the Lower and Upper towns for $0.78 / €0.66, while the Sljeme Cable Car offers a scenic 20-minute ride to the mountain summit for $23 / €20. For airport transfers, the dedicated shuttle bus is the most cost-effective option at $9.42 / €8 one-way.
Accommodation Overview
The city's lodging market ranges from trendy hostels like Swanky Mint, which offers dorm beds for $29 / €25, to historic landmarks like the Esplanade Zagreb where rooms start at $230 / €195. A comfortable mid-range stay at a 3-star bed and breakfast typically averages around $104 / €88 per night. Value seekers should look for apartments in the Lower Town (Donji Grad) to stay within walking distance of most attractions.
Accommodation Budget in Zagreb
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase tram and bus tickets at 'Tisak' or 'iNovine' newsstands for $0.62 / €0.53; buying them directly from the driver is significantly more expensive.
- 2 Invest in a 24-hour Zagreb Card for $21 / €18 if planning to visit multiple museums like the Museum of Broken Relationships, as it includes unlimited public transport.
- 3 Drink the tap water; it is safe and high-quality throughout the city, saving you from paying $1.34 / €1.14 or more for bottled water.
- 4 Eat 'gablec' (lunch specials) between 11:00–14:00 at local spots like Heritage or Nokturno for traditional meals at a fraction of dinner prices.
- 5 Avoid the $23 / €20 Sljeme Cable Car fee by taking the public ZET bus line 102 or 140 to the top of Medvednica mountain for the price of a standard transit ticket.
- 6 Buy fresh produce and local snacks at the Dolac Market (Plac) rather than city center convenience stores.
- 7 Get the HT Visiting Croatia eSIM for $12 / €10 to secure 10 days of 5G data and avoid roaming charges or expensive hotel Wi-Fi.
- 8 Walk the 'Green Horseshoe' (Lenuci's Horseshoe), a series of seven interconnected parks that allow you to see the city's best architecture for free.
- 9 Visit the Museum of Broken Relationships during the last hour of operation or check for student/senior discounts which lower the $8.24 / €7 entry to ~$6.47 / €5.5.
- 10 Choose a hostel with kitchen facilities like Swanky Mint to prepare breakfast, as even basic cafe breakfasts can add $12–$18 / €10–€15 to a daily budget.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-20-30%
May, Sep, Oct
Zagreb is unique because December (Advent) is as expensive as summer. For best value, visit in May or September when weather is 18–24°C (64–75°F) and crowds are thinner.
Events to Watch
- ● Advent in Zagreb (December): +60% hotel rates
- ● INmusic Festival (Late June): +40% hostel rates
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Watch the daily firing of the Grič Cannon at the Lotrščak Tower precisely at noon.
- 2 Explore the Mirogoj Cemetery, one of Europe's most beautiful cemetery parks featuring impressive arcades and sculptures.
- 3 Walk through the Stone Gate (Kamenita vrata), a holy site and the last remaining gate of the old city walls.
- 4 Stroll through Maksimir Park, the city's oldest public park featuring five lakes and numerous forest trails.
- 5 Visit St. Mark's Square to see the famous tiled roof of St. Mark's Church and the Croatian Parliament buildings.
- 6 Wander through the Grič Tunnel, a former WWII bomb shelter that now serves as a cool pedestrian shortcut and exhibition space.
- 7 Attend a free outdoor festival or concert at Zrinjevac Park, especially during the summer months or Advent.
- 8 Window shop and people-watch along Tkalčićeva Street, the heart of Zagreb's social and cafe life.
- 9 Hike the marked trails of Medvednica Mountain, which offer panoramic views of the city without using the cable car.
- 10 Visit the Art Park near the Grič Tunnel, an open-art gallery featuring street art and murals by local artists.
- 11 Take a self-guided tour of the 'Green Horseshoe' park system to see the Croatian National Theatre and various fountains.
- 12 Explore the Botanical Garden during their free entry hours (typically Monday and Tuesday mornings in the shoulder season, though verify locally as schedules change).
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Zinfandel's Tasting Menu
Fine dining in the historic Esplanade Hotel with ingredients sourced from Dolac Market. Includes a lesson on Zinfandel's Croatian origins.
Private Day Trip to Plitvice Lakes
Avoid the crowded buses and reach the park at opening time (08:00) to beat the thousands of day-trippers. Price covers transport for up to 4 people.
Full Sljeme Hiking Experience with Lunch
Guided trek through Medvednica Nature Park ending with a traditional mountain hut meal (grah s kobasicom). Includes cable car descent.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Zagreb
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Zagreb and what they cost
Plitvice Lakes National Park
$29 / €25 by bus
$47 / €40
$100 / €85
Samobor
$9.42 / €8 by bus
Free
$29 / €25
Varaždin
$18 / €15 by bus
$7.06 / €6
$53 / €45
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
Widely accepted in shops, hotels, and major restaurants. Cash is still required for Dolac Market, small bakeries (pekara), and many bars on Tkalčićeva Street.
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. In cafes, rounding up to the nearest Euro is standard. In restaurants, 5–10% is generous for good service.
Use ATMs located inside or attached to major banks (Zagrebačka banka, PBZ, Erste). Always choose 'Decline Conversion' to let your own bank handle the rate.
Connectivity
eSIM: $12 for 10 days (Unlimited 5G Data) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12–$18 / €10–€15 at Tisak kiosks or the airport for 10-20GB.
WiFi: Excellent. Available in almost all cafes, squares, and the ZET public transport network.
The Hrvatski Telekom 'Visiting Croatia' eSIM is unbeatable for $12 / €10, providing unlimited data for 10 days.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Zagreb.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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