Air travel to Croatia and other Croatia Transportation Tips

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Croatia Airlines has daily flights from Zagreb to London, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, Vienna and Prague, where you can catch the flights for further destinations. Other destinations in Europe include Manchester, Brussels, Rome, Sarajevo, Istanbul, Skopje etc.

Most of these flights originate from Zagreb, although during the summer there are frequent direct flights to/from Split and Dubrovnik as well. Croatia is now a regional member of Star Alliance so it is possible to earn/spend miles on their flights. In big airports they use gates close to other Star partner airlines and have schedules coordinated with them which makes transfers to long distance flights easier.

International airports in Croatia are Zagreb and Osijek on the continent and Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Split, Brac and Dubrovnik on the coast.

Other airlines that have scheduled flights to Croatia include Lufthansa, Air France, Austrian, CSA Czech Airlines, LOT, Malev, Turkish Airlines, SAS, Aeroflot and others.

Leave a Comment

Website: www.croatiaairlines.hr

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Since 2006, when Croatia finally adopted the European Open Skies policy and lifted the monopoly of Croatia Airlines there is a growing number of budget airlines flying here. So, finding a return ticket for cheap is not a problem any more, especially if you book in advance or book during the special discount periods that most of these airlines offer quite often.

To find out which low cost airlines fly to Croatia the easiest way is to use one of the websites written under links below. Major birds on Croatian airports include Germanwings and TUIfly (flying to Germany), Wizzair, Easyjet and Ryanair (flying to UK), Norwegian (flying to Norway) and Sky Europe (linking Adriatic coast cities with Central Europe).

Note that some of these companies (like Ryanair and Sky Europe) only offer seasonal flights during the summer season.

Leave a Comment

Website: www.whichbudget.com ; www.skyscanner.net

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Croatia Airlines has flights within Croatia connecting Zagreb with Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Brac and Pula. On domestic flights you can get very good prices for as low as 100 kn (15 Eur) + taxes for one-way Zagreb – Dubrovnik or Zagreb – Split flights. The earlier you book your flight there are more chances you’ll get one of these deals.

Recently Croatia has introduced FlyOnLine system where you can buy your tickets online using credit cards and pick them up on the airport so if you know your dates and book early flying cheap within Croatia is not a problem.

Leave a Comment

Website: www.croatiaairlines.hr

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: There are eight international airports in Croatia. Their websites have useful info, like flight schedules, lists of air companies (including charters), car rental companies and buses to town centers.

ZAGREB (ZAG) www.zagreb-airport.hr
Although the airport building will evoke the feel of the communist 1950s, this is Croatia Airlines' main hub and still the main gateway to Croatia.

DUBROVNIK (DBV), www.airport-dubrovnik.hr
Modern airport building was re-built after the old one was totally destroyed in the war and is now one of the most modern airports in Croatia.

SPLIT (SPU) www.split-airport.hr
In continuous reconstruction during the last several years, set in a beautiful environment of olive trees, closer to Trogir than to Split.

ZADAR (ZAD) www.zadar-airport.hr
Also totally destroyed in war, and now reconstructed it is unique since their runway crosses the state road which is closed every time a plane lands or takes off.

PULA (PUY) www.airport-pula.com
Main airport in Istria, with several flights to Zagreb and mainly international connections.

RIJEKA (RJK) http://www.rijeka-airport.hr/
After the new highway connected Rijeka to Zagreb this airport lost its significance, but in the future it might become a base for low cost airlines.

BRAC / BOL (BWK) www.airport-brac.hr
Brac is the only real island with an international airport, small in size but a great way to avoid the crowds of Split ferry port.

OSIJEK (OSI) www.osijek-airport.hr
The third airport that was totally destroyed and now totally reconstructed. Interesting mainly to Slavonians wanting to reach the coast quickly.

Bus links from airports to town centres can also be found on CTA website:

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.croatiaairlines.hr/important.php?part=2&page=1

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: The only 4-lane motorway that was built during the Yugoslav period was the one running from Zagreb eastwards, connecting it with Belgrade. Until recently, the motorway directed towards the Adriatic was stopping 50 kilometres away from Zagreb - in Karlovac.

But in the last decade an ambitious program started and now modern motorways stretch from the Hungarian (Gorican) and Slovenian borders (Macelj, Bregana) to Zagreb and further in direction of Rijeka and Split.

On all motorways and some bridges (Krk bridge) and tunnels (Ucka tunnel) you have to pay the toll.

For updated price lists check the following websites:
www.hac.hr is the website of Croatian Highways - company that operates Zagreb - Lipovac, Zagreb - Macelj, Zagreb - Gorican, Zagreb - Bregana, Zagreb - Split highways and Krk bridge.
On their website you can find toll prices, maps and current traffic info:
http://www.hac.hr

www.arz.hr is the website of a separate company that operates Zagreb - Rijeka highway.
ARZ toll prices: http://www.arz.hr

Toll can be paid in kunas and in major foreign currencies, as well as with major credit cards (American, Diners, MasterCard, Maestro, Visa).

The Adriatic Tourist Road (Jadranska magistrala), built in the 1960s changed the life in all places along the Adriatic and served a long time as the major backbone for the tourist traffic along the coast. Today this narrow, 2-lane road gets jammed during the summer months but still offers the magnificent views as it goes along the coast following its outline - a nightmare for drivers but one of the best viewpoints if you take the bus for instance.

For gas prices in Croatia check INA website: http://www.ina.hr

Leave a Comment

Website: www.hak.hr (Croatian Automobile Club), www.hac.hr, www.arz.hr

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Buses (coaches) are the best way to move around Croatia. The network consists of numerous private companies and can be somewhat confusing. In general buses are modern and air-conditioned (which is not the case with 2nd class train cars).

There are bus lines to literally all places you might consider visiting, and on major routes there are many departures - for instance, on the Zagreb - Split route there are departures every 30 minutes where some 20 different companies compete.

Buses are popular way of transport so buying your ticket a day or two in advance for major routes is not a bad idea. Especially if you are using the second leg of your return ticket (which is always 20-30% cheaper) when you don't have much flexibility since you must return with the same company you used on your first leg. Also remember that you should buy a seat reservation for the return trip even in cases when you have the ticket - just go to the bus station. Seats are numerated (broj sjedala = seat number).

For each piece of luggage you want to store in a bus storage you'll have to pay 5-8 kunas to the driver.

Please see my next tip for some useful links (I can't put them here because of the length).

Leave a Comment

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Here are links to major bus stations or timetables:
Zagreb Bus Station:
www.akz.hr
Split Bus Station:
www.ak-split.hr (click on vozni red)
Trogir bus info:
www.trogir-online.com/eng/buses.asp
Dubrovnik bus info:
www.libertasdubrovnik.com
Pula Bus info:
www.pulainfo.hr/en/autobus.asp
Makarska bus info:
www.makarska-croatia.com/informacije/autobuse.html
Karlovac Bus Station:
www.ak-karlovac.hr
Varazdin Bus Station:
www.ap.hr/?URL=emain.html
Zadar Bus Station:
http://www.liburnija-zadar.hr

Some of the major bus companies with websites and online timetables:
Croatia Bus, Autotrans, Cazmatrans, AP Varazdin, Panturist, Croag, Contus, Brioni

If the website is in Croatian, just click on Vozni red (=timetable).

Leave a Comment

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Train network in continental part of Croatia is extensive and connects all the major towns, while the one connecting it with the coast is rather limited. Istria is still connected by rail only to Slovenian network, while Dubrovnik isn’t connected to railroad network at all.

Main passenger route is the one connecting two largest cities - Zagreb and Split. Since July 2004 new tilting trains are introduced on this route but so far are unable to reach top speeds. After the extensive railroad reconstruction is finished (in 2006/07) trains will run on this route in less than 5 hours. Today (2005) it still takes 5,5 hours, which is faster than the conventional trains that need between 8 and 9 hours. For those wanting a good night sleep night trains are better (although much slower) option.
(Update Summer 2005: even if you don't want good night sleep, but want to save 50 kunas take the night train and head to the car that is turned into disco on wheels).

Zagreb is connected with major cities in neighbouring countries by direct trains (several daily to Budapest, Ljubljana, Vienna, München, Belgrade and Sarajevo).

Note that in many trains you need a reservation, while on others it might be only recommended. Don’t listen to ladies selling you only the ticket without the reservation and pay extra 6 kunas to get a reserved seat, especially if you travel during the major tourist season. Many times I’ve seen people standing on the corridor of the Zagreb – Split train that was full, cursing the ladies that said “no problem, you just need a ticket” – but it was too late…

If you’re using www.bahn.de to get international train schedules, note that the main station in Zagreb is Zagreb Glavni kolodvor, while other stations listed (Zagreb Zapadni kolodvor and Zagreb Klara) are only stops for local commuter trains.

Leave a Comment

Website: www.hznet.hr

'Mode': TO
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: Between Italy and Croatia there are frequent ferry links, especially during the summer. The main lines are Bari-Dubrovnik, Ancona-Split, Ancona-Zadar and Venice to western coast of Istria.

Almost all companies have their websites where you can book tickets in advance, which is a smart idea if you're travelling during the busy weekends in July or August.

JADROLINIJA (www.jadrolinija.hr) is the largest Croatian ferry company, and its ferries sail on Bari to Dubrovnik and link Ancona with Zadar and Split.

SEM / SMC ferry (www.smc-ferry.com) has links from Ancona to Split, but also to some mid-Dalmatian islands which is great if you want to avoid the crowded ferry port in Split.

ADRIATICA (www.adriatica.it) is Italian ferry company, sailing on Split - Ancona route.

AGESTEA (www.agestea.com) is also Italian ferry company sailing on Bari - Dubrovnik route.

Most of the ferry crossings are overnight ferries (6-8 hours); some faster options are offered by:

VENEZIALINES (www.venezialines.com) - fast catamarans from Venice to Istrian west coast.

SNAV (www.snav.it) - fast catamarans crossing the Adriatic in only 4 hours, on routes from Ancona and Pescara to Split, Zadar, Sibenik and Dalmatian islands.

MIATOURS (www.miatours.hr) - fast hydrofoils from Zadar to Ancona, but also some links to Brac and links from Pesaro to Pula.

Leave a Comment

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: The largest ferry company in Croatia is Jadrolinija (www.jadrolinija.hr) that has frequent ferry services to almost all inhabited islands of Croatian Adriatic.
The so-called Fast Line is linking Rijeka with Zadar, Split, Hvar, Korcula and finishes in Dubrovnik - Rijeka to Split stretch is always overnight while Split to Dubrovnik is by day and it's one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world (sailing among many islands).

Other ferry companies that might be of your interest are:

SEM MARINA (www.sem-marina.hr) - based in Split, offering ferry and catamaran links to Dalmatian islands.

MIA TOURS (www.miatours.hr) - based in Zadar, with hydrofoil service to nearby islands.

LOSINJSKA PLOVIDBA (www.losinjska-plovidba.hr) - linking Losinj with Zadar and Pula.

RAPSKA PLOVIDBA (www.rapska-plovidba.hr) - ferries to island of Rab (Jablanac - Misnjak) and from Rab to Pag.

If you don't have a car and travel in hot summer days it is always wiser to take faster catamarans or hydrofoils (if there are any on the route of your interest) than much slower ferries.
On the contrary, during the winter catamarans and hydrofoils won't sail on bad weather while ferries are somewhat less sensitive to bad weather conditions.

Leave a Comment

Website: www.jadrolinija.hr , www.sem-marina.hr