By merging two major Croatian bus carriers, Arriva Croatia and Brioni Pula, starting from December 1, 2025, bus travel across the country has gained a new dimension. Their joint network under the Busly brand has connected existing lines into a wider, denser, and more flexible whole, with tickets on certain routes starting from as low as 2.50 euros. Passengers are thus opened to the possibility of choosing between multiple departures during the day on almost all major intercity routes in Croatia, along with a modern fleet of buses, online ticket purchases, and a unique travel experience regardless of whether the specific departure is driven by Arriva or Brioni.

Busly: a joint network connecting regions

Busly is the name under which Arriva Croatia and Brioni Pula act jointly, with the aim of turning their existing offer into a unique network of intercity bus lines. In practice, this means that two separate networks – one strongly present in the continental part of Croatia, and the other deeply rooted in Istria and part of Dalmatia – overlap and complement each other. A passenger planning a trip from Zagreb to Rijeka, Istria, Dalmatia, or Slavonia now gets an overview of a large number of departures in one place, and a ticket bought from one carrier can also be used in the fleet of the other, depending on the chosen time and availability of departures in the Busly network.

Instead of separately checking the timetable of each carrier, the passenger gets a connected network covering key corridors – from Zagreb towards Rijeka and Istria, via Zadar and Split to the south, as well as towards Osijek and Slavonski Brod in the east. The cooperation of the two companies strengthens the connection of Croatian regions and reduces the risk that a passenger, due to a lack of information or choice of departures, gives up on public transport and reaches for a car.

Dense schedule of departures on the busiest routes

The biggest change that passengers feel immediately is a significantly denser schedule of departures on the most burdened routes. On the Zagreb – Rijeka route, one of the busiest bus lines in Croatia, the Busly network offers as many as 28 departures daily in each direction, and tickets start from just 2.50 euros. Such a rhythm of departures allows passengers to coordinate their departure or return with working hours, classes, university obligations, or weekend trips, without the need for long waits or compromises.

Towards Zadar and Split, an intensified rhythm has also been introduced. The Zagreb – Zadar line has seven departures daily, with a starting price of 4.00 euros, while Zagreb – Split offers seven daily departures with tickets from 5.00 euros. Such a schedule particularly suits students and workers who regularly travel between the north and south, but also passengers who plan a trip occasionally, for example for a weekend, an extended vacation, or a family visit.

Along the Adriatic coast, connections between Rijeka, Zadar, and Split have been additionally strengthened. On the Rijeka – Zadar route, eight departures operate daily, with a ticket price starting from 7.90 euros, while on the Rijeka – Split route, passengers have seven daily departures at their disposal with a starting price of 19.90 euros. Thereby, Kvarner is firmly connected with Dalmatia, and the choice of departures and prices is adapted to both regular passengers and those who decide on the bus only occasionally.

From Zagreb towards Istria and Slavonia with more daily departures

The Busly network is particularly visible on routes towards Istria as well. On the lines Zagreb – Pula, Zagreb – Rovinj, and Zagreb – Poreč, up to 18 departures daily are available in each direction, with starting ticket prices of 3.00 euros. Such a schedule allows passengers to travel from Zagreb towards Istrian cities at almost any part of the day – from early morning to late evening – which is especially important in the tourist season, when Istria attracts both domestic and foreign guests.

In the east of the country, the joint network covers key routes towards Slavonia. The Zagreb – Osijek line has ten departures daily, with a ticket price starting from 7.50 euros, while on the Zagreb – Slavonski Brod route, ten daily departures are also offered, with a starting price of 7.00 euros. In practice, this means that residents of Slavonia get more flexibility in traveling towards Zagreb, whether for work, studies, medical appointments, or administrative obligations, and can plan their return on the same day without additional complications.

Affordable prices and first minute tickets from as low as 2.50 euros

Pricing policy is one of the most important assets of the Busly network. On the most popular routes, passengers can find first minute tickets from as low as 2.50 euros, and promotional campaigns on selected routes bring reductions of up to 50 percent compared to the regular price. Such discounts are particularly attractive to students and younger passengers, as well as to everyone who plans their trip in advance and is ready to reserve their seat a few days or weeks earlier.

It is important to note that prices change depending on the date of travel, seat availability, bus occupancy level, and current promotional offers. Nevertheless, the combination of a large number of departures and low entry prices on many lines positions Busly among the most affordable options for intercity transport in Croatia. If periodic actions like seasonal discounts or special offers for certain days of the week are added to this, passengers who follow online sales channels can often find tickets at prices that are competitive even with driving a personal car, especially when fuel costs, tolls, and parking are factored in.

One network, two companies: a ticket valid for both carriers

An essential feature of the Busly concept is the fact that the expanded network relies on the fleet and infrastructure of two carriers but functions as a single entity from the passenger's perspective. A ticket purchased through the sales channels of Arriva or Brioni is valid for departures within the joint network, so passengers do not have to track who the nominal carrier of a particular line is. This further simplifies travel planning, as the focus is on the departure, destination, and price, and not on the administrative division between companies.

For the passenger, this means greater flexibility: for example, one can buy a ticket for a morning departure towards Rijeka, and leave the return open, with the possibility of choosing an afternoon or evening slot either organized by Arriva or Brioni. In practice, a denser timetable and a larger number of lines reduce stress around travel – especially in situations when obligations are unexpectedly prolonged, so the originally planned departure time no longer suits.

Sales channels: from online purchase to tickets on the bus

In order to fully utilize the advantage of the expanded network, the ticket sales system is adapted to different habits and needs of passengers. Tickets can be bought via the internet, on the official websites of Arriva and Brioni, as well as at physical sales points of both carriers. Those who prefer digital channels can buy a ticket online on the Croatian version of the Arriva site, via the section for searching departures and prices, or on the Brioni website, where direct ticket purchase is also enabled.

For passengers who rely on smartphones, an additional convenience is the Arriva Croatia mobile application, in which departures can be searched, tickets bought, and more favorable prices used thanks to digital discounts and loyalty programs. Thereby, the Busly network, although formally not having a special application under that name, functionally lives through existing online channels of the two carriers.

At the same time, passengers who are not inclined to online shopping or decide on travel at the last minute can still use the classic approach: buying a ticket at bus stations and other sales points, but also from the driver on the bus, whereby prices are harmonized with the valid price list. Such a hybrid sales model ensures that the Busly network is available even to those who do not have the possibility of online payment or internet access at the moment of purchase.

Service standard: modern buses, Wi-Fi, and luggage

Besides the number of departures and prices, the quality of the ride itself is important to passengers. In that domain, Busly relies on the standard that Arriva and Brioni have already previously set on the Croatian market: modern, well-maintained buses, equipped with comfortable seats and air conditioning, and a free Wi-Fi network. The possibility of connecting to the internet during the ride is especially appreciated by passengers who want to work on a laptop, follow classes remotely, quickly check e-mails, or simply shorten the time by watching content on mobile devices.

On selected lines, an additional benefit is that luggage is included in the ticket price. For example, on the Zagreb – Zadar and Zagreb – Split routes, passengers do not pay an additional fee for luggage, which ultimately can mean significant savings for those who travel more often with larger suitcases or sports equipment. For passengers from Dalmatia and central Croatia, this is an important detail, especially during the summer or around holidays, when traveling with more things than usual.

Ultimately, the service standard, including vehicle cleanliness, driver professionalism, and clarity of information about departures, is an essential part of the value that Busly offers. The more stable the standard, the greater the probability that passengers will perceive the bus as a reliable alternative to a personal car or train.

Flexible travel planning with an expanded network of lines

The joint network of Arriva and Brioni does not only mean more departures on a few popular routes, but also a greater breadth of destinations throughout Croatia. A passenger departing from Zagreb can easily plan a multi-day trip that includes, for example, Osijek, Slavonski Brod, Rijeka, and Pula, combining departures of different carriers within a unique system. Similarly, a resident of Istria can in one day complete a business trip to Zagreb, conduct meetings, and return in the evening, choosing among multiple departures covering early morning, afternoon, and late evening hours.

For students studying in major university centers, such as Zagreb, Split, or Rijeka, the Busly network means easier planning of trips home and returns to college. A larger number of departures reduces the risk that they will miss the only daily bus due to exams, exercises, or other obligations. At the same time, workers who work in larger cities, and spend weekends in smaller communities, get more options to adapt travel to the time of shift completion or family obligations.

The role of the Busly network in the development of domestic tourism

Bus transport has long been one of the foundations of domestic tourism in Croatia, especially for passengers who do not own a car or arrive from abroad by plane and want to tour the interior of the country. The expanded Busly network further consolidates this role by connecting attractive tourist destinations such as Istria, Kvarner, Dalmatia, and continental cities into one logical whole.

For domestic passengers, affordable prices and a dense timetable mean that a weekend trip by bus to another city is simpler and cheaper than before. For foreign tourists landing in Zagreb, Split, or Zadar, the possibility to reach Rijeka, Pula, Rovinj, Poreč, or Osijek at relatively low costs makes the bus a natural part of the itinerary. Thereby, Busly contributes to a more even distribution of tourist traffic between the coast and the continent, especially in periods outside the peak season.

Considering that it is a network covering a large part of Croatia, Busly can also serve as support for the development of smaller destinations that are not directly connected by plane or railway. With a combination of bus lines and local transport, it is easy to devise trips that include national parks, historical cities, or smaller tourist centers, without the need for car rental.

Digitalization and passenger habits: from paper to mobile ticket

The cooperation of Arriva and Brioni takes place at a moment when passenger habits are rapidly changing towards digital solutions. An increasing number of bus transport users expect to be able to buy a ticket online, save it on a mobile phone, and show a digital code or confirmation upon boarding. In this sense, the Busly network relies on existing digital platforms of Arriva and Brioni, including the Arriva Croatia mobile application and online interfaces where passengers search for departures, prices, and seat availability.

For those who still prefer paper tickets or buying at the counter, the sales system retains traditional channels. But the trend is clear: more and more passengers combine searching for departures on the internet with quick online payment by card or via mobile wallets. In such an environment, the Busly network has an advantage because it combines robust physical infrastructure of bus lines with digital tools that facilitate planning and purchase.

Busly as part of a wider public transport offer

Although it is a bus network, Busly in practice fits into a wider system of public transport in Croatia. In larger cities, bus departures and arrivals are connected with local city transport lines, and in individual cases with railway departures as well. A passenger who, for example, arrives in Zagreb by train can continue the journey by bus towards Rijeka, Istria, or Dalmatia within the same station infrastructure, while residents of cities with developed city transport combine city and intercity lines depending on daily obligations.

A broader perspective shows that the development of the Busly network also encourages the shift of part of travel from personal cars to public transport, which has a positive effect on traffic safety, reduction of congestion, and emissions. Although individual effects are difficult to measure precisely, the trend towards stronger and more organized bus transport fits into European policies of encouraging public transport and sustainable mobility.

What Busly means for passengers in everyday life

For a passenger thinking exclusively practically – how much the ticket costs, when the bus departs, and how long the journey will take – Busly comes down to three key advantages: a larger number of departures, more affordable prices, and simpler ticket purchase. In the background stands the cooperation of two large carriers and a complex system of lines, but in practice, it is enough to select the route, check the departure, and buy a ticket via the channel that best suits personal habits.

Whether it concerns daily commuters, students, workers, or tourists, the joint network of Arriva and Brioni gives new flexibility to movement around Croatia. With a modern fleet, digital sales channels, included luggage on selected lines, and the possibility of combining different departures within the same network, Busly is positioned as one of the central elements of intercity bus transport in the country. As passenger habits continue to change, and needs for mobility grow, this form of cooperation becomes an important foundation for the further development of public transport in Croatia.