Week in Croatia Advice

Does anyone know if it is possible to get from Budapest to Split? I have read that there is a night train but that this only runs twice a week.

There are daily train services that connect at Zagreb, but over the summer the direct train between Budapest and Split -- 'Adria' -- runs twice a week (also stopping at Zagreb). In 2014, the 'Adria' leaves Budapest at 1800 on Tuesdays and Fridays, arriving in Split at 0848. The first train of the season departs on 13 June and the last train departs on 29 August.

(In the reverse direction, the 'Adria' leaves Split at 1837 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, arriving in Budapest at 0935. The first train of the season departs on 15 June and the last train departs on 31 August.) See the schedule at http://www.mav-start.hu/res/1204_1205_adria_14.pdf

For information on fares, fire up Google translate and copy content from http://www.mav-start.hu/utazas/horvat_tenger.php Note that the return fare is cheaper than the one-way fare. This is important.

For online bookings for journeys from Budapest, use http://www.mav-start.hu/english/index.php Enter a dummy return date (which must be a day the train runs) to get the cheaper return fare. In fact, it unlikely that the one-way fare will show up in the online system and so you won't get a response if you try to book a one-way itinerary. You can book and pay online, but you will need to print your ticket from a machine at the station in Budapest. This is very quick and simple.

This direct service is very popular, and berths and couchettes sell quickly. The second-class sitting carriage will be full of backpackers who drink all night, so if that's not your thing take care.

As for whether or not you should visit Zagreb -- it's a completely different experience from what you'll find on the coast. And the fact that 'everyone will be on the coast' is possibly a good reason to include a stop in Zagreb in your travels.

I think the duration of your stay depends on what you plan to do in those places. For example, if you are more interested in culture, you'd want to visits museums in Split (archaeology, Meštrović sculptures), go to see ancient Salona, Klis fort (Game of Thrones was filmed there) etc. If you want to have summer fun, take boat to Pakleni islands beaches, explore coves, hitchhike to Stari Grad and other small towns, you can prolong the stay in Hvar. You can spend great time and drink cocktails in all of three. Personally, I think you can't go wrong, just do some research on what three destinations offer and decide accordingly. You can consult In Your Pocket guides for Split and Zadar.

Also, for all interested in swimming and enjoying the sea, islands are unbeatable, all Croats know that. It's not about the beaches per se (rock, pebbles, sand - this is irrelevant), but the sea itself, surroundings, clear water, relative isolation, the whole ambiance is better. You can never have the same feeling at the city beaches in Zadar and Split as you can on Dugi otok, Brač, Hvar or Vis islands.