Arriving in Croatia
By Ferry
The Croatian coastal towns and cities are served by ferry and ship services. The inhabited islands are linked with the mainland (and some of them also with other islands) by ferry/ship services. You can take ferries (or catamarans) from the ports of Venice, Rimini, Citanova, Ancona, Pescara or Bari from which one you travel depends on your destination. The summer sailing schedule normally remains in operation from 31 May to 28 September.
1. SEM MARINA
The Croatian passenger shiping line which contains the international daily ferry lines: Split - Ancona - Split and season lines: Rijeka - Zadar - Split - Stari grad (island Hvar) - Korcula - Dubrovnik - Bari, Ancona - island Hvar - Ancona, Ancona - island Vis - Ancona, Zadar - Ancona - Zadar, Ancona - island Mali Losinj - Ancona.
Boktuljin put b.b.
21000 SPLIT
Republic of Croatia
Tel. 00385(0)21 338 219, 338 292
Fax. 00385(0)21 338 267
Web. www.sem-marina.hr
E-mail: booking@sem-marina.hr
2. ADRIATICA
The Italian passenger shiping line contains the regular international ferry lines Ancona - Split -Ancona (Linea costa istriana).
Booking
Jadroagent - Rijeka
Tel. (051) 211 152
The connection Trieste - Grado Lignano - Piran - Rovinj - Brijuni during the season
Booking
Jadroagent - Split
Gat sv. Duje 4
Tel. 00385(0)21 338 227
Fax. 00385(0)21 338 335
Reservation:
Eurostar travel
Obala Pino Budicin 1, Rovinj
Tel:052 813 144
Fax:052 816 615
E-mail: eurostar-travel@pu.tel.hr
Web: www.adriatica.it
3. JADROLINIJA
The main Croatian passenger shiping line, contains the largest number of regular international and domestic ferrys and shipping lines.
Inernational Car Ferries:
- Rijeka - Zadar - Split - Stari Grad (island Hvar) - Korcula - Durovnik - Bari
- Split - Ancona - Split
- Korcula - Stari Grad (island Hvar) - Split - Ancona
- Zadar - Ancona - Zadar
- Zadar - Brbinj (Dugi otok) - Ancona
- Dubrovnik - Bari - Dubrovnik
Information on sailing times and fares is obtainable from the following addresses:
Riva 16
51000 RIJEKA
CROATIA P.O. Box 123
Tel. 00385 (0)51 666 111, 211 444
Fax. 00385(0)51 213 116
Telex 24225
Web: www.jadrolinija.hr
E-mail: passdept_if@jadrolinija.hr
4. SNAV
The Italian company SNAV sailsy fast line between Italy - Croatia for only 4 hours. Ancona, Civitanova, Giulianova and Pescara are connected with Split, Zadar and Croatian islands.
Gat sv. Duje 4
Tel:(021) 322 252
Fax: (021) 322 253
Web: www.snav.com
E-mail: snav@st.hinet.hr , snav@inet.hr
By air
Croatia has eight major airports: Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka (on the island of Krk) Zadar, Brac and Osijek.
Most major European airlines have flights into Croatia, including Lufthansa, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, CSA and LOT. There are also numerous internal flights within Croatia (operated by Croatia Airlines), so if you're having trouble finding direct flights to a particular city, you could always fly via Zagreb. If you book early enough, you can get great bargains with full-fare airlines. Budget airlines may give you great flight prices, but the extra travel costs (buses, trains, ferries etc.) in reaching your final destination can really add up.
CROATIA AIRLINES - Croatia Airlines operates regular services between Zagreb and other airports within the country. There are flights between Zagreb and dubrovnik, Split, Pula and zadar. In summer, there is also a service to the island of Brac. For more information please visit their site.
Croatia Airlines
Savska 41
Information Tel. 0800 7777, (01) 481 96 33
Reservation Tel. 062 777 777, (01) 487 27 27
Web: www.croatiaairlines.hr
From outside Europe
As you won't be able to fly into Croatia directly, the best idea is to first research which European city you can fly to reasonably easily and cheaply. London, Frankfurt and Rom are good cities to fly in order to get connecting flights to Croatia, but you might also like to consider other alternatives to make use of budget airlines or to prehaps get ferries across from Italy.
Airports in Croatia
Some route details, and information on traveling to and from the airports, can be found at these websites.
By Train
The railway network connects Croatia to the major cities in all neighboring countries: Slovenia, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Czheck Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro.
This is a popular mode of transport in Croatia. Tickets are inexpensive.
To answer one of our more popular questions ? there are no train services to Dubrovnik! (The town does not have a train station.)
Rail travel in Croatia
Route, timetable and price details can be found at the following websites.
- Croatia Railways
- Die Bahn - Useful timetable info from German Railways
- Railway Map - From the Croatian National Tourist Board
By Car
The motorway system in Croatia is not extensive as other European countries, but is improving rapidly; there is currently about 250km of motorway in country. The motorway from Zagreb to Split, with connections to Zadar and Sibenik, was opened in 2005. There is major road-building going on in Istria that will connect Croatia to the Italian motorway system. Work has started on certain sections of the motorway between Split and Dubrovnik.
The most pituresque route in Croatia is definitely the Adriatic road (Jadranska magistrala) which connects Rijeka and Dubrovnik.
Roads in Croatia are of a reasonable standard. You are unlikely to encounter any problems when driving in Croatia.
Petrol is easily available, whether you require Regular, Premium or Unleaded. Diesel is also available.
Speed and alcohol limits
50 km/h - in built up areas, 80 km/h - outside bulit-up areas (unlessotherwise stated), 130 km/h - on motorways.
Speed limit for cars towing caravans or trailers is 80 km/h.
The maximum premitted level of alcohol in the blood is 0.0 parts per thousand.
Use of mobile phones while driving is not allowed. Driving with headlights on is mandatory during the night and day.
In case you need road assistance, the Croatian Auto Club Emergency Service will help you. Their telephone number is 987.
Car hire in Croatia
Renting a car in Croatia is easy. Below is a list of some of car hire agencies in Croatia.
- National
- AVIS
- Last-Minute
In case you need luxuy car services don't hesitate do conctact us via mail.
Documents
It is requested that you carry a valid driving licence, automobile registration card and your green card (unless regulated differently). All damage to vehicle must be reported at the border when entering the country. Tolls are collected on major motorways and several bridges. For more informations please visit the Croatian Automobile Club site www.hak.hr.
Useful Motoring Websites
- Croatian Auto Club has some useful informations about road conditions and road network
- The Croatian Motorways website has very useful maps, as well as information about tolls
By Bus
The bus service is first class: even the smallest villages have some sort of bus connection. There are express buses which cover longer distances. Bus travel is also inexpensive, and the new motorways in parts of the country have reduced journey times.
In almost every larger town, there is a bus station ( Autobusna stanica) Where tickets are sold and timetables are clearly displayed.
Bus Terminals in Croatia
Timetables can also be found at the following websites:
- Split Bus Terminal ( Croatian only)
- Varazdin Bus Terminal
- Zagreb Bus Terminal
