Zagreb's public transport operator ZET is gearing up for a ticketing upgrade that will let riders pay for tram and bus journeys by simply tapping a bank card, phone or smartwatch on a validator. The rollout is expected across the network during 2027, with full implementation targeted for summer.
The system will support Visa and Mastercard cards plus digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, according to reports from Financije.hr. Procurement of new validators and central control units is already under way, and the modernisation will cover more than 700 trams and buses — along with changes to the wider ticket sales and inspection setup.
Here's how it will work in practice: you tap your payment device on the validator, a screen message and sound confirm the transaction, and you're on board. At launch, one ticket per transaction — buying multiple tickets at once may come later. Ticket inspections change too. Instead of hunting for a paper ticket or opening a banking app, you show the inspector the same card or phone you tapped with. Their device checks whether a valid fare is linked to that payment method.
ZET stresses this is an addition, not a replacement. Existing ticket types stay, and contactless payments are an extra option for buying single journeys. Because of the size of the fleet and the technical work involved, the rollout will be gradual rather than overnight.
For visitors, this could be a genuine quality-of-life improvement. Zagreb is a popular short-break city and a common gateway to the Croatian coast, and tourists often don't have a local transport card or small change handy. Being able to hop on a tram at the main station with the same card you use for coffee removes one of those small frictions that add up on a city trip. It's the same model that has worked well in cities like London, where contactless fares are now the default for many travellers.
If you're planning a Zagreb trip before summer 2027, the current system still applies — buy tickets at kiosks or from drivers, and validate them on board. From summer 2027 onwards, keep an eye out for the new validators; it should be clear which vehicles are equipped. Worth noting that Zagreb's tram network is the easiest way to get between the upper town, the main square and the bus and train stations, so the upgrade will matter more here than in most mid-sized European cities.
The takeaway: from summer 2027, getting around the Croatian capital should get noticeably simpler for anyone travelling without local currency or a ZET card. Just tap, listen for the beep, and ride.
