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The train from Zagreb to Málaga usually takes 40 hours 12 minutes on average to travel 1226 miles (1973 km), although the quickest services can take as little as 38 hours 38 minutes. You can expect to find 2 trains per day running on this popular route. As there aren’t any direct services running between Zagreb and Málaga, you’ll need to make 3 changes on your way to Málaga. You can choose to travel with TGV, AVE or Renfe to get to Málaga. As the main rail operators on this route, their trains offer modern comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.
To help you get the best train deals, we'll highlight the cheapest train ticket prices from Zagreb to Málaga in our Journey Planner. Just remember, the sooner you book your tickets, the more you'll save!
Keep reading for more information about the train journey to Málaga, including FAQs, timetables with first and last train times and tips on booking cheap train tickets. If you’re ready to book, just start a search for tickets with us today.
TGV Lyria links France to Switzerland and can travel at a maximum speed of 200 mph (320 km/h). Resulting from the collaboration between SNCF and SBB, TGV Lyria has three comfort classes on all trains. Standard (equivalent to the Second Class TGV, with comfortable seats), Standard 1ère (with more legroom and access to the SNCF show Grand Voyageur at the Gare de Lyon in Paris) and Business 1ère (available all week except Saturday, on some lines only).
SNCF is the national train operator of France. It operates all domestic trains and routes across France, as well as international services to Spain and Germany. There are three different types of domestic trains that operate under the SNCF banner – TGV (high-speed, full-service trains that connect the major cities in France), Intercités (usually a more frequent stopping service, but with all the amenities), and TER (regional train services with basic onboard facilities).
ÖBB is the major railway company for Austria, subdivided into several subsidiaries, responsible for certain areas of transport, such as long distance and local transport, the operation of postal buses and the transport of goods. Railjet is ÖBB's high-speed train, which travels at speeds of up to 143 mph (230 km/h) and connects the main Austrian cities with Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Italy.
Operating since the end of 2022, iryo is a new high-speed train company in Spain. It’s a consortium between the Spanish airline Air Norstrum and the train company Trenitalia, one of the greatest leaders in European rail transport. The first private Spanish high-speed company to operate, iryo runs high-speed services on the Madrid – Zaragoza – Barcelona route and connects Madrid – Cuenca – Valencia/Alicante and Madrid – Cordoba – Seville/Malaga. They are doing this all with a fleet of ETR1000 model trains that offer the highest level of comfort in Spain, with a combination of advanced propulsion and highest quality onboard services, including WiFi connection and catering service. 98% of the parts of the trains are 100% recyclable, making this trip sustainable as well!
In Second Class, TGV INOUI allows you to travel comfortably while enjoying the onboard services, such as free WiFi, power sockets and more.
Want to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Second Class as well as some additional perks.
When travelling on ÖBB’s InterCity trains, Economy class is perfect if you’re looking for spacious seats and generous luggage storage at an affordable price.
If you prefer to travel in style, upgrade to First Class on your ÖBB’s InterCity service and you’ll take advantage of adjustable seats and additional legroom.
TGV Lyria’s Standard Class offers comfortable seats and access to the dining car, perfect for an economical trip in comfort.
When travelling in Première with TGV Lyria, you will have additional legroom, the comfort of a first-class seat, as well as food sold at your seat.
If you prefer to travel in style, upgrade to Première Signature class and enjoy a welcome drink, a meal on board and much more.
If you're looking for a reasonably-priced experience without compromising on the best service and comfort, Inicial Class is ideal for you!
Singular Class is ideal for business travellers looking for flexibility and comfort. If you need to, you can adapt your ticket to your needs at the time.
If you're looking for added comfort and full flexibility, Singular Only YOU class is a fantastic choice, with access to select hotels too.
iryo's Infinita Bistró Class offers plenty of amenities on board, including wider leather reclining seats, free WiFi and at-seat meal service offering a complimentary gourmet meal. You'll need to book your meal 24 hours in advance.
On board TGV INOUI trains, you can take up to 2 pieces of luggage measuring no more than 70 x 90 x 50 cm, plus one hand luggage measuring no more than 40 x 30 x 15 cm. If you are bringing an XL baggage (maximum 90 x 130 cm), it will replace one of the two 70 x 90 x 50 cm pieces of luggage authorised.
All your luggage must be labelled before entering the train.
All TGV INOUI trains are equipped with a café-bar carriage offering a range of food and drink to suit you at any time of day. The Bar is always situated in carriage 4 or 14 of the train. There's a range of local and responsibly sourced products on offer to whet your appetite.
TGV INOUI trains have free WiFi on board for you to use throughout your journey, allowing you to stay connected, reply to emails or even relax and enjoy what's offered on the TGV INOUI entertainment portal.
Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap.
If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand luggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket. Bike tickets cost €10 per bike, per journey.
Small pets are allowed on board TGV INOUI trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on TGV INOUI services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a lead. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains.
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
You can take your luggage free of charge onboard all ÖBB Intercity trains, provided that it is stowed in the luggage racks above or below your seat or in the areas provided for hand luggage.
The pieces of luggage must not exceed the maximum dimensions of 90 x 60 x 40cm. These dimensions can only be exceeded if you’re travelling with skis and snowboards, ski and hiking poles, wind, string or plucked instruments, wheelchairs, or strollers.
Unfortunately, a restaurant carriage is not available on ÖBB Intercity trains. However, you can take your own food on board so pick up some snacks at the station before you set off!
Unfortunately, ÖBB Intercity trains do not offer an entertainment portal on board. Also, WiFi is not always available.
If you’re travelling with your child, you’ll get a discounted ticket. Children aged 0-5 travel for free on ÖBB Intercity trains, while those aged 6-14 get a half-price ticket. Kids aged 15 or over need a full-price ticket.
Many ÖBB Intercity trains offer special compartments for children in Economy Class – they come with 6 seats and can be booked for any route. Breastfeeding compartments are available too – they have curtains that block the view for more privacy. These seats can’t be booked.
You can travel with your bike for free on all ÖBB Intercity trains, provided that it can be folded and is not larger than 90 cm x 60 cm x 40 cm. You won’t need to book a space for your bike.
If you can’t fold your bike, you’ll need to buy a bike ticket to reserve your space. You can book your ticket up to 6 months in advance from ÖBB Ticketshop online. If possible, we recommend you print out your bike reservation and attach it to your bike where it is clearly visible to the ticket inspector.
Small pets can travel for free on ÖBB Intercity trains if they’re placed in a carrier or cage. If you can’t carry them in a carrier or cage, you’ll need to buy a ticket for them. They must also be kept on a leash and equipped with a muzzle.
Guide and assistance dogs are allowed on all trains at no additional cost and don’t need to wear a muzzle.
ÖBB Intercity trains come with accessible toilets. Depending on the type of coach, several wheelchair bays including one seat for an accompanying person can be booked free of charge.
On many trains, the wheelchair bays are in First Class. However, passengers with wheelchairs and the person accompanying them can travel in First Class with their Second Class tickets and can also make use of the at-seat meal service on offer there.
You can take luggage on board TGV Lyria trains without worrying about weight restrictions, so long as you're able to carry it yourself.
There are two refreshment options on board TGV Lyria trains:
Le Bistrot: Available in the café-bar carriage or at your seat, with a Standard or Première TGV Lyria ticket.
La Table: A French-Swiss dining experience available with a Première Signature TGV Lyria ticket.
Free WiFi is available on board. To get online, connect to the network _WIFI_LYRIA when you're on the train and go to the TGV Lyria Portal in your browser.
Families can reserve two different areas on the train:
The Family Square, located in carriages 6, 16, 7 or 17 in Standard (Second Class). This is a set of four seats facing one another, with space for a pushchair.
Club 4, which is also a set of 4 seats facing one another around a table.
You will also find baby changing facilities, including a baby changing table on the upper deck of carriages 7 and 17, and the lower deck of carriages 1 and 11.
Bikes are allowed on board, so long as they're folded or their wheels are detached. Bikes must also be placed in suitable storage cases (no larger than 130 x 90 cm).
Small pets may travel with TGV Lyria, as long as they are carried in a carrier or container no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Pets must be placed on your lap or by your feet and must travel with their own ticket at a flat rate of €7.
Dogs on a lead may travel on TGV Lyria trains, but they must be muzzled throughout the journey and placed by your feet. Passengers must pay a flat-rate ticket fee of €20.
2 seats in carriages 1 or 11 in First Class are reserved for passengers with reduced mobility. You can request one of these seats when making your booking. If these spaces are no longer available, you can reserve a standard seat. You can also reserve assistance at the train station for help folding and storing your wheelchair.
You can travel with musical instruments if they're stored in a case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. If you're going skiing, snowboards and skis are allowed on board (one pair of skis or one snowboard per person). They must be stored in their covers.
You can carry up to 3 pieces of luggage on iryo trains, as long as they do not exceed 25kg in total. These 3 pieces can be 2 suitcases with a maximum size of 85 x 55 x 35cm and a backpack or handbag that does not exceed the dimensions of 36 x 27 x 15cm.
iryo offers different menus with high-quality products in all classes. You can buy your favourite meal from their onboard restaurant/bar carriage, which is usually near coach 2.
If you’re travelling in the Infinita Bistró Class, you can enjoy the Infinita Bistró food service – your meal will be served straight to your seat. Please note that you’ll need to book your meal at least 24 hours in advance.
You can enjoy free WiFi in all classes on iryo trains, as well as an onboard entertainment platform providing a wide selection of movies, TV series, live news and Spotify.
Children aged 0-3 travel for free on all iryo trains. Children aged 4-13 get a discounted ticket while those aged 14-18 need to pay the full price. Please note that children aged under 18 need to be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
You can take your bike on board iryo trains for free if it’s folded and does not exceed 90 x 120 x 40cm. Also, your bike must travel without the pedals and with the handlebar rotated 90 degrees.
iryo allows pets that do not exceed 10kg in weight, as long as they travel inside a carrier with a maximum size of 60 x 35 x 35cm. You'll need to buy a ticket for your pet in advance. In addition, guide dogs can travel at no additional cost.
There are seats for people with reduced mobility on iryo trains. Step-free access is also available both when boarding and when getting off the train.
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Zagreb to Málaga by booking early.§
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.