Traveling in Croatia

By | October 6, 2021

Croatia – how to get there

Airplane: Croatia’s national airline is Croatia Airlines (OU). Airlines that also offer flights to and from Croatia include Lufthansa (LH), EasyJet (EZY),British Airways (BA), LOT Polish Airlines (LO), Hapag Lloyd Express (HLX), Austrian Airlines (OS), Adria Airways (JD), Aeroflot (SU), Air France (AF), Turkish Airlines (TK), Alitalia (AZ), CSA (OK), Germanwings (GWI), KLM-Northwest (KL), Malév Hungarian Airlines (MA) and SNBrussels (SN).

Airports: Croatia has international airports in Zagreb (ZAG), Split (SPU), Dubrovnik (DBV), Zadar (ZAD), Rijeka (RJK), Pula (PUY) and Brac (BWK).
Osijek Airport (OSI) is also important for regional traffic.

Ship: There are a number of important sea ports on the coast of Croatia. The largest port in the country is Rijeka, followed by Ploce and Split. Several shipping companies offer ferry connections between Croatia and Italy and Slovenia. The most important companies include Jadrolinija, SEM, SNAV, Sanmar Venezia Lines, Emilia Romana Lines, Jadroagent and Istra Line.
However, travelers should note that many routes are only used in summer and the timetables are often only available in late spring.

Rail: There are daily train connections between Vienna (Austria), Zagreb and Rijeka as well as between Zagreb and Budapest (Hungary), Venice (Italy), Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Belgrade (Serbia). There are also regular connections between Ljubljana and Rijeka.

Automobile: Drivers need a driver’s license and the green insurance card to enter the country with their own vehicle. The most important border crossings between Croatia and Hungary are Gori? An (between Nagykanisza and Vara din), Gola (23 km east of Koprivnica), Terezino Polje (opposite Barcs) and Donji Miholjac (7 km south of Harkány).

There are dozens of border crossings between Croatia and Slovenia, around 23 to neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina. There are ten border crossings to Serbia and Montenegro, including the one over the important Zagreb-Belgrade motorway. Important travel destinations such as Sarajevo, Mostar or Medugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina can be easily reached from Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik.

There are regular bus connections between Croatia and Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Italy, among others. There are also buses to and from Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.

Croatia – traveling in the country

Airplane: Croatia Airlines is the first and so far the only one airline that offers flights within the country. There are regular flights between Zagreb and Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar.
The flight prices depend on the season. Booking in advance is common cheaper. Special discounts are available for seniors and travelers under the age of 26. Visit themakeupexplorer for Croatia Tour Plan.

Ship: The Jadrolinija line runs all year round along the coast in front of Bari, Rijeka and Dubrovnik. The ferries also go to Split and the islands of Hvar, Korcula and Mljet. However, there are fewer connections in winter than in the rest of the year. The most scenic sections of the coastal route are between Split and Dubrovnik.
Traveling by ferry in this region of Croatia is more comfortable than traveling by bus. However, you also pay a little more. Fares vary depending on the season. The main season is from the end of June to the end of August. Cabins should be booked about a week in advance. There are also some sofa beds available. Check-in for cars begins two hours before departure.
Local ferry providers connect the larger islands of the country with each other and with the mainland, although the frequency of the connections offered varies. Especially in the summer months, car travelers have to prepare for longer waiting times at the ferries, as the capacities on board many ferries are insufficient for the increased number of passengers. However, if you are planning a ferry ride on foot or by bike, you shouldn’t have such problems.

Train: Train travel is cheaper and a little more comfortable than bus travel; however, one is also slower on the way. The main railway lines run between Zagreb and Rijeka, Zadar and Split and Osijek in the east. There are no trains along the coast. Regional trains are usually second class. Reservations may be required for express trains. Further information is available from the Croatian railroad company.

Car: a valid driver’s license is sufficient to drive or rent a car in Croatia. The Croatian automobile club Hrvatski Autoklub (HAK) offers help and advice in the event of a breakdown. HAK breakdown assistance is also available throughout the country.
Croatian petrol stations are usually open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., in summer also until 10 p.m. With a few exceptions, a toll is levied on all Croatian motorways.

Bus: the bus connections within Croatia are well developed and relatively inexpensive. There are a number of bus companies that offer connections. Therefore, there can be significant differences in the fare and the duration of the journey. Travelers can get a good overview of all bus companies, routes and prices at the local bus stations.
The largest Croatian bus companies include Autotrans – based in Rijeka and with connections to Istria, Zagreb, Vara din and Kvarner – and Brioni Pula – with headquarters in Pula and connections to Istria, Trieste, Padua, Split and Zagreb. The company Contus in Zadar is also one of the larger bus operators and offers connections to Split and Zagreb.
In large bus stations, tickets are sold in the appropriate offices. If you book in advance, you will have your seat safely. Ticket sales on the bus are handled by the conductors. Most intercity buses are air-conditioned and stop at rest stops at regular intervals.

The most important means of local transport in Croatia are buses. Zagreb also has a well-developed tram network. It should be noted that the small medieval towns along the coast are generally closed to traffic.

Taxis can be found in all cities and towns. You will be called by phone or ordered at the taxi rank. The prices for taxi rides are relatively high.

Bicycle: the islands of Croatia in particular can be explored by bicycle. There are rental stations in all tourist centers. Many tourist offices have maps showing cycle routes. Travelers should note that there are almost no special cycle routes in Croatia. Great caution is therefore advised, especially on the numerous narrow streets.

Traveling in Croatia