About this journey

Split station sits at the southern terminus of line M604, the 320 km corridor that forms Croatia's only operating rail link between continental Croatia and Dalmatia. Departing the coast, the route immediately enters the city through tunnels before climbing into the Dalmatian hinterland toward Knin. This southern section — from Split to Knin — is the oldest part of the line, built in 1888 and historically known as the Dalmatian railway.

The broader M604 was extended northward in stages: construction of the Lika railway portion began in spring 1913, and the final segment between Gračac and Knin was completed on 25 July 1925, closing the last gap in the Zagreb–Split rail link. The 220 km Lika section remains single-track and unelectrified to this day, which is why the class 7123 ICN tilting train operates under diesel traction throughout the journey. The line suffered severe damage during the 1991–1995 Croatian War of Independence, and track reconstruction in 2004–2005 reduced sharp curves and steep gradients, shortening journey times considerably.

Knin station is a significant railway junction where M604 meets lines toward Šibenik and Zadar, the latter opened in 1967. The city itself carries a long historical weight, having served as the medieval capital of the Kingdom of Croatia. Arriving here from Split, the journey moves from a coastal city with ancient Roman roots to an inland hub shaped by centuries of political change.