RegioJet Shifts Focus to Bus Service for Croatia Routes, Citing Competition and Infrastructure Challenges
Travelers planning summer trips between Central Europe and the Croatian coast will find a revised landscape of options this year. Czech-based RegioJet has announced it will not reinstate its seasonal train service to Croatia, a route it operated successfully for four years beginning in 2020. Instead, the company will offer two new bus routes connecting the Czech Republic with popular destinations along the Croatian coastline. This decision comes as Polish state railway PKP Intercity plans to continue its Warsaw-Rijeka train service, offering a rail connection, albeit from a different origin point.
The shift in strategy follows speculation fueled by the recent cessation of direct train services from Bratislava, Slovakia, to Croatia by ZSSK. Rumors circulated online suggesting RegioJet might fill the gap, but Radim Jančura, owner of RegioJet, definitively dismissed these claims to the Czech news outlet Zdopravy.cz. The company has now officially begun selling tickets for its new bus services, offering a more affordable alternative for travelers.
New Bus Routes to Popular Croatian Destinations
RegioJet’s bus routes will serve both the northern and southern Croatian coasts. One route will focus on southern Croatia, stopping at nine resorts between Zadar, Šibenik, Trogir, and Split. A detailed timetable for this route is available on the IDOS website: http://portal.idos.cz/Down.aspx?f=pdf/L000116_250530_395471.pdf. The second route will head to the northern Kvarner Gulf, specifically to Rijeka and Crikvenica. Ticket prices start at 899 Czech Koruna (approximately $32 USD as of February 23, 2026, though exchange rates fluctuate).
“There is consistently high demand for travel to Croatia among our passengers. Our services are often fully booked, so we recommend reserving tickets well in advance,” stated Dita Tomešová, Executive Director of Bus Transport at RegioJet. “Our yellow buses offer an accessible and comfortable alternative to individual car travel.”
Service Details and Timetable
The first bus to Split from Prague is scheduled to depart on May 29, 2026, with stops in Brno and Bratislava. It will exit Prague at 4:30 PM and arrive in Split the following morning at 9:30 AM. Initially, until mid-June, the service will operate three times a week – Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from Prague, with return journeys from Croatia on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, arriving in Prague around 1:00 PM the next day. From June 12, 2026, the service will increase to daily frequency, continuing until the first week of September. The final seasonal departure from Croatia is planned for September 21, 2026.
The Prague-Brno-Bratislava-Rijeka-Crikvenica route will commence on June 12, 2026, with a departure from Prague at 6:30 PM, arriving in its final destination the next day before 8:00 AM. This service will also run three times a week – Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from Prague, with return journeys from Croatia on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, arriving in Prague around 9:00 AM the following day. The last seasonal service from Croatia is scheduled for September 21, 2026.
RegioJet will deploy two-story Setra buses with a capacity of 58 passengers, featuring a 2+1 seating arrangement on the upper deck, to operate these routes. This configuration aims to provide a comfortable travel experience for passengers on the longer journeys.
Competition and Railway Connections
While RegioJet is focusing on bus services, rail connections to Croatia will still be available through PKP Intercity. The Polish operator ran a service last year connecting Warsaw and Rijeka via Ostrava, and has announced plans to continue this service in 2026, while tickets are not yet available for purchase. This provides an alternative for travelers preferring rail transport, originating from a different location than the previous RegioJet train service.
The decision by RegioJet to discontinue its direct train service to Croatia comes amidst increasing challenges faced by private operators entering the Polish rail market. According to reports from November 2025, RegioJet has accused PKP Intercity of engaging in anti-competitive practices, including denying advertising space at stations and allegedly attempting to hinder the recruitment of staff. RegioJet has filed a complaint with the European Commission regarding these alleged actions, claiming they violate principles of fair competition. Knews.media reported on this complaint, detailing accusations of prolonged sale finalizations and interference with employee contracts.
Similar issues have been reported regarding access to advertising space. As noted in a discussion on RailForums.co.uk, PKP S.A. Is reportedly refusing to allow RegioJet to advertise at stations, and advertising firms are allegedly restricted from selling space to PKP Intercity’s competitors. RailForums.co.uk details these challenges faced by RegioJet as it expands into the Polish market.
These challenges highlight the complexities of open-access rail operations in Poland and the competitive dynamics between established state-owned operators and new private entrants. RegioJet’s shift to bus services for Croatian routes may be a strategic response to these obstacles, allowing the company to maintain a presence in the region while navigating the regulatory and competitive landscape.
Looking Ahead
The expansion of RegioJet’s bus network to Croatia represents a significant development for travelers seeking affordable and convenient transportation options to the Adriatic coast. While the discontinuation of the direct train service may disappoint some, the new bus routes offer a viable alternative, particularly given the continued availability of rail connections via PKP Intercity from Warsaw. The situation underscores the ongoing evolution of the European rail and bus travel market, with competition and regulatory challenges shaping the services available to passengers.
The next update regarding PKP Intercity’s ticket sales for the Warsaw-Rijeka route is expected in the coming weeks. Travelers interested in utilizing RegioJet’s bus services are encouraged to book tickets in advance, especially during peak season, to secure their preferred travel dates.
What are your thoughts on RegioJet’s shift to bus services? Share your travel plans and experiences in the comments below.