Vehicles

1. Automobil

   Car

   Usage

   The formal word on documents and signs; in speech people say "auto"

2. Autobus

   City bus

   Usage

   The city bus; the stop is "stanica". In Zagreb you buy the ticket first and validate it in the machine on board

3. Međugradski autobus

   Intercity coach

   Usage

   The backbone of travel in Croatia. The rails do not reach the Dalmatian coast, so Zagreb–Split–Dubrovnik is a bus journey. It leaves from the "autobusni kolodvor"

4. Noćni autobus

   Night bus

   Usage

   Zagreb runs buses through the night on renumbered routes, sometimes at a separate night fare

5. Kombi

   Minibus / Van

   Usage

   The van used for airport transfers and small tours; some inland towns are served by these rather than full coaches

6. Tramvaj

   Tram

   Usage

   Zagreb and Osijek have networks; Zagreb's blue cars double as a sightseeing ride

7. Vlak

   Train

   Usage

   Run by HŽ; the station is a "kolodvor". Zagreb–Split exists, but no railway reaches Dubrovnik

   Grammar Note

   Serbian uses an entirely different word for the same thing, "voz"

8. Prigradski vlak

   Suburban train

   Usage

   For the towns around Zagreb along the Sava; it needs its own ticket, not the city transport one

9. Taksi

   Taxi

   Usage

   Insist on the meter. "Trebam taksi" — I need a taxi — also appears in the Public Transport category

10. Motocikl

    Motorcycle

    Usage

    Shortened to "motor" in speech. The coast road is a favourite ride, though heavy with traffic in summer

11. Bicikl

    Bicycle

    Usage

    Istria has the Parenzana, a cycle route on a disused railway, with plenty of places to rent

12. Romobil

    Scooter (kick / electric)

    Usage

    The electric kind is "električni romobil"; share schemes operate in Zagreb and Split

    Grammar Note

    Serbian uses an entirely different word, "trotinet"

13. Zrakoplov

    Airplane

    Usage

    The official Croatian word, used on signage at the "zračna luka"; in everyday speech "avion" is just as common

14. Brod

    Ship

    Usage

    The word for a large vessel, and what island day-trips are advertised as

15. Trajekt

    Car ferry

    Usage

    The essential link to the Adriatic islands, mostly run by the state line Jadrolinija. In summer the car queue is long, so get to the port early

16. Katamaran

    Fast catamaran

    Usage

    The passenger-only fast boat — no cars, but far quicker. It is what you take for a day return to Hvar, Korčula or Vis; seats are limited, so buy ahead in summer

17. Brodica

    Small boat

    Usage

    The small craft that runs from a harbour to a cove — the size of boat used for beach shuttles, the "taksi brod"

18. Gliser

    Speedboat

    Usage

    The fast little boat used for the Blue Cave and island-hopping tours; trips are cancelled in rough weather

19. Hitna pomoć

    Ambulance

    Usage

    Literally "urgent help", meaning both the vehicle and the service. Dial 194, or 112. Pair it with "Zovite Hitnu pomoć!" from the Health & Hospital category

20. Iznajmljeni automobil

    Rental car

    Usage

    Shop signs usually just say "rent-a-car". Driving to Dubrovnik crosses the Bosnian corridor at Neum, so check the green card insurance covers it

21. Kamion

    Truck

    Usage

    The word you will hear when a border queue or the motorway is jammed

22. Uspinjača

    Funicular

    Usage

    Zagreb's, linking the lower and upper towns, is among the world's shortest at 66 metres and a sight in itself

23. Žičara

    Cable car

    Usage

    The Dubrovnik one climbs Srđ for the full view over the old town

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