Could Night Trains Become the Next Tourism Opportunity for Croatia?

May the 25th, 2026 – Night trains are making a comeback across Europe, and with railway infrastructure being updated, it could provide a golden tourism opportunity for Croatia. Night trains were once largely viewed as outdated relics of pre-budget airline Europe. They’re now returning to public discussion as travellers search for slower, more sustainable and more comfortable ways to move across the continent.

Croatia is now increasingly part of that conversation. For years, night trains declined across much of Europe due to the rise of low-cost airlines and high-speed daytime rail. In more recent years, attitudes have begun shifting. Environmental concerns, airport fatigue, rising aviation costs and renewed interest in slower travel have all helped revive demand for overnight train routes between major European cities. Countries such as Austria, Germany and France are increasingly investing in sleeper connections again, while European rail operators continue expanding international cooperation. will croatia be too late to catch this proverbial train? Croatia’s geography makes it especially interesting for overnight rail development. The country sits relatively close to major Central European markets such as Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovenia — all regions with strong historical rail connections to the Adriatic. For decades, overnight summer trains carried tourists toward the Croatian coast before air travel became dominant. Now, discussions are emerging about whether some of those patterns could return in modern form. One reason the idea has momentum is simple: people still want to reach the Adriatic, and in their droves. Croatia continues attracting millions of visitors from across Europe every summer, especially from countries connected by relatively manageable rail distances.

Key points

• Croatia is now increasingly part of that conversation.
• For years, night trains declined across much of Europe due to the rise of low-cost airlines and high-speed daytime rail.
• In more recent years, attitudes have begun shifting.
• Environmental concerns, airport fatigue, rising aviation costs and renewed interest in slower travel have all helped revive demand for overnight train routes between major European cities.
• Countries such as Austria, Germany and France are increasingly investing in sleeper connections again, while European rail operators continue expanding international cooperation.