Zagreb is not known to be a very expensive destination. But, it is easy to part with large amounts of your travel budget if you are not wise and cynical when it comes to spending money. In this article I outline a few tips on how to get a cheap transport from the train station and airport, and how to get an inexpensive hotel-

When you travel on a budget you are likely to be interested in the prices and costs on your destination, and I would like to help you stretch your kunas so that you get plenty of value for your money.

So here you are, either arriving from the airport, or stepping outside of Glavni Kolodvor, the main train station of Zagreb. The main building of Glavni Kolodvor was built in 1892 and was designed by a Hungarian architect Feranc Pfaff who also designed the train stations in Bratislava, Slovakia and Rijeka, Croatia. Once you exit the station, there is a statue of King Tomislav who was the first king of Croatia. King Tomislav was crowned in 925 A.D and is considered to be one of the most important figures in Croatian history. Behind the statue there is a colourful and spacious garden which gave me a good impression when I arrived in this town. If you walk from the train station to the main square you pass by the Art Pavilion and park Zrinjevac (the official name is Nikola Subic Zrinski square). Yes, it's immensly pretty, but we need somewhere to stash our baggage and a bed to sleep in, don't we?

Luckily you are smack in the middle of the centre of Zagreb if you arrive by train. If you arrive by plane on the other hand, you should seek to take the Zagreb airport bus which will cost you 30 kunas (4 euros), if you decide on taxi on the other hand, you are looking to part with 150 kunas, or 20 euros. Be wise, be money-smart, choose the Zagreb Airport bus for God's sake.

If you are planning to stay in a hotel during your visit to Zagreb, it might be wise to book in advance and stay within your budget. There are many hotels like Hotel Jarun that are out of the centre vicinity and will require you to take a tram into the city centre.

How much will a 3-star hotel cost?

A typical 3-star hotel will cost about 300 kunas (42 Euros) per night. So it is probably best to stay in a hostel. Hostels in the centre cost about 145 kunas(20 Euros) per night. Finding anything less than 20 Euros is highly unlikely and will probably be some shady hang out. So145 kunas is a bargain.

More expensive accommodation during summer

During the summer, accommodation is more expensive than in the spring or in autumn. During the months of March, April, October, and November accommodation at hostels is reasonable, usually between 140-145 kunas per night.

I hope these tips can help you enjoy a holiday in Zagreb without going broke. Make smart decisions and get value for your money in order to have a successful budget holiday in Croatia.