Transport & Getting Around
The International airport is located in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Croatia airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways, Swissair and Air France fly into Zagreb daily all year round. Other international flights are available but do not fly daily (ie. Eroflot, Air Bosna, Alitalia, Australian Airlines, Air France, Avioimpex, British Airways, Crossair, Lufthansa, LOT, Malev, Turkish airlines, SkyEurope). In peak season (July to August) flights into Croatia are increased to accommodate the influx of tourists.
The domestic airline, Croatia Airlines, provides regular services (generally one per hour) between Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Split, Pula and Zadar all year round and in summer they also fly to Osijek and the Island of Brac. In peak season you can also get charters to the most popular tourist destinations. Flying is dearer than other forms of domestic transport but significantly shorter in travel time so a worthwhile consideration for longer trips such as Zagreb to Dubrovnik.
Rail travel into the country is available with direct lines from Slovenia, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, France, Germany, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Yugoslavia. Indirect lines are available from almost all other European countries. Within Croatia there is a railway network connecting all of the major Croatian cities except Dubrovnik. Services run between the major cities several times each day but tend to take longer than by bus or car.
Bus is the cheapest way to travel to and within Croatia. Regular international buses are available from Austria, Italy, Hungary, France, Germany, the Slovak Republic and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The national bus service has extensive coverage, even to the smallest villages, and is fairly reliable so is a good choice particularly for travel along the coastline.
Tourists can also enter from Central Europe by car but in peak tourist season over summer there can be lengthy delays at the border. The main autobahn into Croatia from Austria is not free and a pass must be purchased at the border or gas stations or automobile club. To drive in Croatia, you will need a green insurance card and a valid national or international driving permit. Traffic drives on the right side of the road.
To rent a car the driver must be 23 years old and hold a valid licence. Most international rental agencies have offices in Croatia's larger towns. Some hire car companies will not let you bring a car hired outside of the country into Croatia so check with the office before booking.
Ferries are another choice of travel within Croatia with International services available from Italy, domestic services that travel up and down the coastline and local services that travel from the mainland to the islands. Ferries are cheap and whilst slow they are a great way to take in the scenery.
Useful Travel Links
