Brian Parsa was enjoying a vacation in Europe last month with his girlfriend when, suddenly, everything fell apart.
21.07.2023 - 07:13 / lonelyplanet.com
Getting around Croatia is generally a breeze.
Croatia’s bus network connects almost everywhere and is a great budget option. If you’re touring the coast, you can hop on ferries to reach mainland cities and the islands. Driving is fairly straightforward and allows you to reach destinations that aren’t well-served by public transportation. Flights and trains are useful for hopping between Zagreb and the coast.
Transportation does vary seasonally. In buzzing July and August, it’s worth booking ahead or turning up early for buses and boats, and you may find yourself stuck in traffic on the way in and out of resort towns.
Between November and March, timetables for buses and ferries are reduced, and you may need to plan your route more carefully. Here's everything you need to know about traveling around Croatia.
Bus services are excellent and relatively inexpensive. You can explore most of Croatia car-free, although Istria (once you’re off the main coastal route) and the islands have patchier networks. The majority of bus stations are in central locations (and conveniently near ferry ports), making getting around straightforward. One exception is Dubrovnik, where the main bus station is around 5km (3.1 miles) from the old town – hop on a local bus or taxi.
Different companies often operate on the same route, so prices can vary. Luggage stowed in the baggage compartment under the bus costs extra (around €1.30 a piece). Buses between Split and Dubrovnik pass through Bosnian territory, so keep your passport or ID handy.
At large stations, bus tickets must be purchased at the office, not from drivers, and it's worth booking ahead in high season. Major companies include Arriva, FlixBus and Čazmatrans. Getbybus is a useful website offering schedules and bookings.
Boats connect the main coastal centers and the surrounding islands year-round, with services extended during the tourist season. Many visitors find cruising the blue waters and rocky shores of the Adriatic one of their trip highlights. The major hubs are Split, Dubrovnik, Šibenik, Zadar and Rijeka. Locals use “ferry” to refer exclusively to car ferries (which can also be used by foot passengers) and “catamaran” for faster, passenger-only services.
Boats are comfortable, with seating inside and out on the deck. The larger boats have restaurants and bars, and almost all have at least a snack counter. Most offer free wi-fi, though the signal is variable.
You can usually buy tickets online (Jadrolinija is the main operator), but pre-booking doesn’t guarantee you a space on a particular sailing – get to the wharf early in peak season if you’re traveling with a car. Foot passengers pay less, have more flexibility and can generally hire a car, scooter or bicycle on
Brian Parsa was enjoying a vacation in Europe last month with his girlfriend when, suddenly, everything fell apart.
The first time I went to Croatia was in 2017. I was on a week-long winter break trip before I would return to London to start my final semester of university. My friend and I stayed in the capital, Zagreb. We hiked through snow-capped trees, went to markets in the city center, and even took a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia’s largest national park and a UNESCO site. After that trip, I knew I had to visit the country again.
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