Buses, Bathrooms, and Baristas
Don't find yourself in this situation while traveling!
On May 1, 2025, I took my first international bus trip, a direct trip between Zagreb and Budapest on FlixBus.
The ride was only four hours, including one required rest stop for the driver, which allowed us to take a WC (bathroom), drink, and food break (although the bus had a small WC). I was impressed. WiFi and storage for one piece of luggage underneath the bus were also included in the ticket price. Seat assignments were at an additional charge, and one has the option to purchase the adjacent seat for extra room and comfort at a lower rate than a second ticket. According to the seatback safety card, the driver also had snacks and drinks for sale. The experience was similar to air travel, but the seats were more comfortable. Zagreb also has a new FlixBus Lounge where you can relax and recharge before your trip. With bus travel, there’s also not the hassle of going through security.
This bus experience reminded me of my first long-distance bus trip on Arriva last year on May 6, 2024, Zagreb to Pazin, which is located on Croatian peninsula of Istria.
I arrived early to make sure I could learn my way around the Zagreb bus station. I didn’t know if the bus would make a stop or have a WC on board, so I found one at the bus station. It was one euro to enter – cash only – and I didn’t have any. Out of the blue, a woman behind me put in a coin, and pulled me through with her. Was it kindness or was she just trying to keep the line moving? Nonetheless, I was extremely thankful for her gesture.
I found my departure platform. A gentleman was loading luggage under the bus. He took my bag and held out his hand. I asked how much and he replied €1,30. I said, “Card?” He looked at me like he thought I was crazy and shook his head no. “I don’t have cash,” I replied. He rolled his eyes and took my bag anyway.
Aboard the bus, I was seated near someone who must take this route often, who realized this was a new experience for me. When we arrived at a station about halfway through the trip, she turned to me and said, “You can get off here for 10 minutes, for the toilet and coffee.”
I disembarked and followed the WC signs. Again, it was cash only. I had tears in my eyes when a woman in line stepped up, put in her coin, and helped me enter the turnstile with her. I was embarrassed that three people had covered my cash-only costs.
We re-boarded the bus, arriving on time to Pazin, where the owners of Croatian Premium Wine Imports were picking me up in their rental car. I texted them that I had arrived. They were delayed, so I would have to find somewhere to wait.
Near the bus station was a small caffe bar. I entered and ordered a coffee and a pastry. The barista invited me to take a seat at a table and brought them to me. There was a WC, so of course I used it before I left.
I got up to leave and went to pay. I pulled out my credit card and the barista said, “Cash only.”
In that moment, I realized I must always have cash and coins. ALWAYS.
I told her I didn’t have cash. She said OK and let me leave without paying. I felt terrible.
When the importers and I arrived in the city of Poreč at the end of that week, I said, “I must find an ATM and get cash.” When I returned to live in Zagreb for four weeks, I made sure I always had cash. And now, as an expat local, I always have it.
I can’t stop thinking about that caffe bar. I plan to return and pay back what I owe. If the barista’s still there, she probably won’t remember me (or hopefully she won’t!), so my payback will be in the form of a very large tip.
My next long-distance bus trip is May 8-11 on Arriva, a roundtrip between Zagreb and Poreč (also in Istria), to attend a wine trade tasting at Vinistra. With my stockpile of coins in a change purse, I’m ready.