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Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday

Croatian Coastline by Rail

Thirteen-day rail journey from London to Dubrovnik via Heidelberg and Zagreb

Illustration of Croatian Coastline by Rail

Tailor Made Rail's Croatian Coastline by Rail is a 13-day self-guided holiday that departs London by Eurostar and takes you across Europe to the Adriatic. The journey spans Heidelberg in Germany, Zagreb in Croatia's interior, and the coastal gems of Split, Hvar Island, and Dubrovnik. You sleep aboard the EuroNight sleeper from Stuttgart to Zagreb in a private double cabin, then train and ferry south along the Croatian coast. Each destination offers two to three nights, giving you freedom to explore Renaissance palaces in Split, relax on the island of Hvar, or walk the old walls of Dubrovnik at your own pace. Tailor Made Rail handles all bookings, including rail fares in standard class, 11 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast, ferries, and your return flight to London. This trip suits independent travellers who want the structure of booked transport and accommodation but the flexibility to spend their days as they choose.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary offers extensive free time; some days (such as day 2 in Heidelberg and days 5, 6 in Split) are largely unstructured, requiring you to plan your own activities.
  • Ferry type from Split to Hvar varies by season: high-speed service in summer, traditional ferry in other months.
  • Day 13 ends with a flight to London; an overland return by rail and/or ferry can be arranged but is not the standard package.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Heidelberg

    London to Heidelberg

    Eurostar to Brussels, then an easy change onto high-speed German trains to Heidelberg via Cologne. Evening in the cobbled old town of this Renaissance-castle university town on the Neckar River.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Sleeper train (Stuttgart–Zagreb)

    Heidelberg and overnight to Zagreb

    Full free day in Heidelberg before returning to the station for a train to Stuttgart, then boarding the EuroNight sleeper service bound for Zagreb.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zagreb

    Heidelberg and overnight to Zagreb

    The sleeper arrives mid-morning in Zagreb; check in and spend the rest of the day exploring the Croatian capital.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Split

    Zagreb to Split

    Further morning in Zagreb, then an afternoon train through the Dalmatia region to Split, arriving in the evening for a 3-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Split

    Split

    Explore the Roman-era centre around Diocletian's Palace, museums and galleries, and the harbour-front restaurants; optional day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park.

  6. Day 6overnight: Split

    Split

    Further time to explore Split's Old Town and Adriatic waterfront.

  7. Day 7overnight: Hvar Island

    Split to Hvar Island

    Ferry from Split to the island of Hvar (high-speed in summer, traditional ferry at other times) for a 3-night stay.

  8. Day 8overnight: Hvar Island

    On Hvar Island

    Explore Stari Grad, Hvar Town and Jelsa; watersports, hiking or relaxing by the pool. Car hire or a private island tour can be arranged.

  9. Day 9overnight: Hvar Island

    On Hvar Island

    Further free time on Hvar Island.

  10. Day 10overnight: Dubrovnik

    Hvar to Dubrovnik

    Ferry from Hvar back to the mainland at the historic city of Dubrovnik for a 3-night stay.

  11. Day 11overnight: Dubrovnik

    Dubrovnik

    Explore the Old Town and city walls of this former Maritime Republic, or head to the beach on the Lapad Peninsula.

  12. Day 12overnight: Dubrovnik

    Dubrovnik

    Further time in Dubrovnik, including a tour of Game of Thrones filming locations.

  13. Day 13rail

    Leave Dubrovnik

    Transfer to the airport for a flight back to the UK (an overland return by rail and/or ferry can also be arranged).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar from London to Brussels, then high-speed German trains through Cologne to Heidelberg, arriving in the Renaissance old town on the Neckar River.
  • Day 2Board the EuroNight sleeper service from Stuttgart in a private double cabin bound for Zagreb.
  • Day 4Afternoon train through the Dalmatia region to Split, where Diocletian's Palace and the Old Town occupy your three-night stay.
  • Day 7Ferry from Split to Hvar Island in the Adriatic Sea for three nights of island exploration, watersports, or hiking.
  • Day 10Ferry from Hvar to Dubrovnik, a former Maritime Republic with historic old-town walls and Game of Thrones filming locations.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 11 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Overnight sleeper from Stuttgart to Zagreb in a private double cabin
  • Ferry from Split to Hvar Island and Hvar to Dubrovnik
  • Flight from Dubrovnik to London in Economy Class
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail includes all rail journeys in standard class, seat reservations, the EuroNight sleeper cabin from Stuttgart to Zagreb, ferries from Split to Hvar and Hvar to Dubrovnik, and the return flight to London in Economy Class.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is a self-guided rail holiday. You navigate between cities on your own, with handpicked hotels, tickets, and easy-to-follow documentation provided by Tailor Made Rail.
What trains are used?
Eurostar from London to Brussels, high-speed German rail to Heidelberg via Cologne, and the EuroNight sleeper (private double cabin) from Stuttgart to Zagreb. The route then uses regional trains and ferries to reach the coast.
Which hotels are included?
One night each in NH Heidelberg and Canopy by Hilton Zagreb City Centre; three nights each in Hotel Marul (Split), Amfora Grand Beach Resort (Hvar Island), and Hotel More (Dubrovnik). All include breakfast.
How much walking is involved?
Daily itineraries feature city exploration in Heidelberg, Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik, with stairs and cobbled streets typical of historic old towns. An optional day trip to Plitvice Lakes and optional island hiking are available but not required.
What is the price and when does it run?
From £1,699 per person in low season (November-March), £1,849 in shoulder season (April, May, October), and £2,199 in high season (June-September). The pack does not specify published departure dates; confirm availability directly with Tailor Made Rail.

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