Summer is coming – an overview of how to get from Italy to Croatia for season 2017.
Summer is coming, and that means that Croatia’s roads, ports and airports will once more fill up with visiting tourists.
Visitors – both Italian and from further afield – are using Italy as an entry point to Croatia more and more, and with excellent flight, ferry and catamaran connections, there is enviable choice.
Here is an overview of how to get from Italy to Croatia for season 2017. Please note that this will be updated as more routes are announced. Most of these routes are seasonal only, so we are providing links to the transport providers for the very latest information.
PLEASE bear in mind, that Croatia is not yet in the Schengen zone, so you will need to show documentation when crossing the border.
By Sea
Italy and Croatia are connected all year by sea, with the Jadrolinija ferry from Split to Ancona, but the options increase considerably as the season approaches
Three companies offer overnight car ferry services from Ancona to Split, with a small diversion to Stari Grad on Hvar included during the peak season.
Check the schedules here for Jadrolinija from Ancona to Split, as well as SNAV here, and Blue Line here.
Zadar is also connected by Jadrolinija car ferry from June 2 to September 26. Timetable here.
And Dubrovnik also has a direct Italian car ferry route to Bari, from April 10 to October 26. Timetable here.
For prices and online booking of Jadrolinija ferries, click here.
There are lots of other seasonal options for foot passengers.
Venezia Lines connects Venice to several places in Istrian – Umag, Porec, Rovinj, Pula, Mali Losinj and Rabac. Get the latest timetables on the Venezia Lines website.
Trieste Lines offers seasonal connections from Trieste to Rovinj, Pula and Porec. Learn more on the Trieste Lines website.
SNAV also usually offers fast hydrofoil routes in peak season from Pescara to Bol on Brac, Stari Grad on Hvar, and Vela Luka on Korcula, but these have yet to be announced. Check the SNAV website for the latest.
By Plane
Links between the two countries are slowly increasing as the budget airlines expand their interest in Croatia. Routes and timetables are subject to change (and this article will be updated with new announcements), but here is a list of routes and airlines, with links to their websites for the latest. (If we have missed some, please contact us at [email protected] and we will update).
Dubrovnik – Naples, Milan
Zadar – Milan
Split – Naples, Milan
Dubrovnik – Catania (Sicily), Milan, Venice,
Zagreb – Milan, Bologna, Catania (Sicily), Cagliari (Sardinia)
Osijek – Rome
Rjeka – Milan, Cagliari (Sardinia)
Pula – Brindisi, Milan, Cagliari (Sardinia)
Split – Batica (Corsica), Catania (Sicily), Cagliari (Sardinia)
Dubrovnik – Venice
Split – Venice
Zagreb – Rome, Milan
Dubrovnik – Rome
Split – Rome
Last year the two countries were connected by seaplanes from European Coastal Airlines, with regular flights from Pecara and Ancona to Pula and Split. ECA has stated its intention to resume services in 2017 after suspending flights in October, but no concrete announcement has been made so far.
By Bus
There are plenty of bus connections between the two countries, and most of your needs will be serviced by the following companies:
Eurolines has the most extensive network in Europe, including good connections between Croatia and Italy.
Flixbus is growing quickly in Croatia, recently adding 450 connections from Zagreb.
Trieste Bus station has a selection of bus companies which offer routes to Croatia.
By Train
The journey time between Zagreb and Venice is about seven hours, and usually involves 1-2 changes. For the best information about connections, check the excellent Bahn.de
By Car
Although the two countries are not connected directly by road, driving to Croatia from Italy is a very popular option, a journey which includes crossing a small part of Slovenian territory. With so many destinations serving north-eastern Italy (particlarly Trieste and Venice), a popular option for some visitors to Croatia is to pick up a hire car at these airports, then drive to Croatia on a one-way rental. With flight prices varying wildly in high season, this can be an economical option, and it always pays to do 15 minutes of online research when booking.
Private Transfers
There are, of course, plenty of private transfer options, from helicopter and private plane, to speedboat and chauffered car. Please contact for more details on [email protected]
Please note that the information above is published as a guide only – you should follow the links to the transport providers to check the current situation before making plans to book.
Any additional info/ommissions/errors, please contact us at [email protected] and we will fix immediately.
