Croatia: Flights

Internal flights and major international airports

International airports in Croatia are Zagreb, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, Pula, Brac and Rijeka (on the island of Krk). Recently, Osijek Airport in Slavonia has been renovated for regional traffic. National airline company Croatia Airlines connects major cities in Croatia to foreign destinations and to each other. Due to the relatively short distances and comparatively high inconvenience, especially when travelling with luggage, domestic air travel is mostly made use of in order to get to end points such as Zagreb to Dubrovnik.

Getting to and from the airport

Getting to and from airports in Croatia is best by taxi or bus. There are usually regular buses departing from all airports to the main tourist destinations and Taxi companies are always available for hire. In the summer it can get vey busy so it is advisable to book in advance to ensure a quick transfer.

Travel costs

Getting around Croatia by bus is very economical as the typical inter-city bus fare is €2.60-€4.10 per hour. Local ferries are inexpensive for passengers (€2.60-€4.10 is the average fare) but taking a car can get fairly costly. For example, a passenger going from Split to Stari Grad (Hvar) pays only €3.60 but the car is another €16.80. Trains in Croatia are a little more expensive than buses. However, they are still reasonably priced compared to other European countries. Your main expense is likely to be renting a car in Croatia. After that, there is the cost of fuel (presently about €1.10 per litre for Eurosuper 95) and tolls, which are not too pricey (€21 from Zagreb to Split).

Renting cars

Renting a car in Croatia is simple, if possibly slightly expensive in comparison to other European countries. Weekly car rental charges are around 220 Euros. Generally, you'll get a cheaper deal on manual transmissions. Well-known international car hire chains exist in Croatia, as well as local companies. Most have offices in the larger Croatian towns and at airports.

The motorway system in Croatia has greatly improved in recent years thanks to some rather extensive road building. There are (amongst other routes) now motorways linking Zagreb to Pula, Rijeka, Zadar and Split along the coast and Varazdin inland. Further works have commenced to eventually allow for a full coastal motorway all the way down to Durbrovnik.

Drivers licenses requirements?

National or International Driving Permit is required. All motorists should also carry a valid passport or national identity card as proof of identity at all times. A Green Card should be carried by visitors (except EU nationals) who take their own car into Croatia. National registration in the country of origin is required for all foreign vehicles. Third party insurance is mandatory when hiring a car and a valid credit card is also needed.

Rules

The minimum driving age is 18. Speed limits are 130kph (81mph) on motorways, 110kph (62mph) on highways, 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas and 90kph (50mph) outside built-up areas. Heavy fines are imposed for speeding. It is compulsory for front and rear passengers to wear seat belts. It is illegal to use a handheld mobile telephone while driving. Headlights should be turned on at all times. Croatia has introduced rigorous anti-drink driving laws. No alcohol at all is permitted in the blood when driving. It is a legal requirement to carry a warning triangle and first aid kit in the car.

Buses

The bus service in Croatia is first class. There is even a bus connection between the smallest villages in the country. There are express buses that cover longer distances and which are reasonably comfortable. In general, buses are modern and air-conditioned (which is not the case with 2nd class trains).
Bus travel is also inexpensive, and the new motorways in parts of the country have reduced journey times considerably. the average inter-city bus fare is 20 to 30 Kuna (2.70 Euro to 4.05 Euro) per hour. In almost every larger town, there is a bus station (Autobusna Stanica) where tickets are sold and timetables are clearly displayed. Buses are popular way of transport so buying your ticket a day or two in advance for major routes is not a bad idea. Particularly 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 keep in mind that you should buy a seat reservation for the return journey. Note that for each piece of luggage you want to store in a bus storage you'll have to pay 5-8 Kuna (65 cents to 1.08 Euro) extra.

Taxis

Croatia’s taxi transfers are a good option for those who are new to Croatia and therefore need guidance in finding their way around. Instead of trying to get a taxi after you arrive in Croatia, it is highly recommended that you go online and book a taxi in advance. There are plenty of transfer services from all airports to all major hotels and tourist locations around Croatia. In general, the Taxis in Croatia are comfortable, on time and reasonably priced.

Prices for regular taxi service are determined by taximeter, which are switched when the passenger boards. Initial charge on the meter is around €3.5 (25 Croatian Kuna) and each kilometre is about €1.10 (8 Croatian Kuna). The charge for one hour waiting is €11 (80 Croatian Kuna).

Cycling in Croatia

Those travelling to Croatia are spoilt for choice when it comes to enjoying rugged, sun-drenched, rural terrain, and one of the best ways of doing this is by bike.

There are many kilometres of unspoiled countryside and gorgeous national parks for mountain biking. There are numerous clubs along the coast as well as in inland destinations, where you can hire both racing bikes and mountain bikes fairly cheaply. It is advisable to check your medical insurance coverage before you go.

Water Transport in Croatia

There are two modes of water transport. Firstly, the sea routes which, operate from the ports of Zadar, Split, Ploce and Rijeka. Secondly, the river transport, which operates on the Danube and Sava rivers.

Jadrolinija is the main provider of car and passenger ferries and catamarans in Croatia. There are regular connections between the main ports and the offshore islands. A coastal service runs all the way from Rijeka in the north to Dubrovnik in the south, via Split, Stari Grad and Kor�