BEST CROATIA TRANSPORT GUIDES
Practical how to get around Croatia guides for buses and ferries, including how to travel between Croatia’s most popular destinations and islands. Whether you’re traveling without a car, or deciding between different transport options, these guides will help you choose the easiest way to get around Croatia.
HOW TO GET AROUND CROATIA WITH A CAR
Planning a Croatia road trip or wondering if you should rent a car? Start here! Whether you want to explore Croatia by car, discover the best road trip routes, figure out where to rent a car, or learn how to drive in Croatia, I have a guide for you.
Is renting a car in Croatia worth it?
Absolutely. I’ve already said that Croatia is best explored by car, and that’s 100% true. Without a car, you just can’t visit certain places like beaches and hidden gems, so you’ll really be missing out on some special spots. Renting a car is easy, and if you book in advance, it’s not even expensive.
Driving in Croatia
Learn what you need to know before your trip, including Croatian road rules, speed limits, tolls, parking, fuel stations, highways, ferries, and what to expect when driving between Croatia’s cities, coast, and islands. Whether you’re renting a car for a few days or planning a full Croatia road trip, this guide will help you feel confident behind the wheel and avoid common mistakes.
Things to know before renting a car in Croatia
Find out when renting a car makes sense, when you can easily travel without one, and the pros and cons of driving yourself around Croatia. From saving time and reaching hidden beaches to dealing with parking, tolls, and rental costs, this guide will help you decide if a car is the right choice for your trip.
What are best Croatia road trip itineraries?
Discover 4 amazing road trip itineraries that take you through some of Croatia’s most beautiful coastal towns, historic cities, national parks, islands, and hidden gems. Whether you have a few days or a couple of weeks, these routes will help you plan the perfect Croatia road trip, with ideas for where to go, what to see, and how to make the most of your time.
Is driving in Croatia safe for tourists?
Yes, driving in Croatia is completely fine. Croatia has excellent highways, and you won’t have any problems driving there. The islands and smaller towns have a bit narrower streets and limited parking. However, if you’re careful and confident, you won’t have any significant problems. Read this driving guide if you have any questions!
BEST DRIVING STOPS ALONG THE WAY
Best places to stop along the way, from must-see sights and historic towns to scenic viewpoints, beaches, and hidden gems worth adding to your route. Get practical stop-by-stop guides for popular journeys like Zagreb to Split, Zadar to Split, and Split to Dubrovnik.
LET ME WRITE YOUR CROATIA ITINERARY!
I’ve lived in Croatia my whole life and have explored just about every corner of it. If you want a truly authentic experience, I can create a personalized, day-to-day itinerary just for you, with recommendations for where to eat, stay, swim, and explore, all based on what you’ll love most. If that sounds like something you need, feel free to contact me and I’ll help you out!
how to get around croatia WITHout A CAR
Discover how to get around Croatia’s cities, coast, and islands using buses. ferries and other public transport options. Find practical guides for planning your routes, choosing the best transport connections, and making the most of your trip without having to rent a car.
Is it easy to travel around Croatia without a car?
It’s not as comfortable as travelling by car, but it’s more than fine. There are plenty of bus and ferry routes between all bigger towns and islands, so with some planning you should easily be able to do your whole trip using public transport.
How expensive is transportation in Croatia?
Overall, it’s not too expensive. Renting a car is the most expensive option, but even that can be totally reasonable if you book a few months in advance and not last minute. You can find cars for 200 to 500 euros for a week, depending on the car you want. Buses are the most affordable option, ranging from 10 to 20 euros per ticket, while ferries can be a bit more expensive, sometimes going up to 50 euros per ticket.
How do ferries work in Croatia?
Ferries are quite great in Croatia. You can either take a car ferry or a passenger catamaran. The car ferry takes longer, while the catamaran is much more modern and faster. You should buy your tickets in advance if you’re visiting in peak season, but if you’re travelling in the shoulder season, you can buy them on the day, either online or at the port. The companies you can use are Jadrolinija, TP Line, and Krilo.
Are buses reliable for traveling around Croatia?
Yes, buses are your best option when it comes to public transport. There are plenty of routes during the summer season, so you won’t have any problems booking a ticket. Do keep in mind that sometimes they can be late during peak season, since traffic can get very congested!
Are taxis expensive in Croatia?
Yes, regular taxis are quite expensive, mostly because the drivers, who are self-employed, have the right to set their own prices, which is quite ridiculous. If you end up using a regular taxi, make sure you agree on the price of your ride in advance and check the POS terminal before paying with a card.
How to get to Plitvice Lakes?
Find out how to get there from Zagreb, Split, Zadar, and other popular destinations in Croatia, with practical information on driving, buses, travel times, and the best options for your route. Use this guide to choose the easiest way to reach Plitvice and plan your visit without the guesswork.
ADDITIONAL GUIDES ON HOW TO GET AROUND CROATIA
These are the only transport guides you’ll need, made by a local!
My name is Karla aka KarlaTypes
I’m a full-time travel blogger with a big love for my home country, Croatia. Before this adventure, I was a English teacher, but for the last 5 years my passion is sharing stories, tips, and guides to help you have the best possible trip to Croatia.
I’ve lived in Croatia my whole life, and I never get tired of exploring it. Most of my summers are spent on the coast, specifically in Dubrovnik, hopping between islands and enjoying the sea.
15+ years exploring Croatia
5+ years publishing Croatia travel guides
300+ Croatia travel articles
300k+ annual readers
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way how to get around Croatia?
The best way is definitely by car. It’s the most flexible and comfortable option, and there are so many off-the-beaten-path places in Croatia that are easiest to see by car. You can rent a car in any bigger town, and I would highly recommend doing that to explore Croatia properly.
Is Uber available in Croatia?
Yes, Uber is available in most Croatian cities. However, it’s not available on the majority of the islands. Along with Uber, there’s also Bolt, which is a similar ride-sharing app. I would highly recommend checking both of these apps before taking a regular taxi, as it will most likely be a lot cheaper.
How long does it take to travel between major Croatian destinations?
While Croatia does seem like such a small country, it does take quite some time to get from one place to another. For example, from Zagreb to Split there’s a 4-hour drive, from Split to Dubrovnik 3 hours via highway or almost 4 via the scenic road. From Split to Plitvice Lakes you’ll need about 2.5 hours. Obviously, with public transport, all of these take much, much longer, so plan accordingly and don’t overstuff your itinerary.
Can I visit national parks without a car in Croatia?
Yes, you can visit most of them. Plitvice Lakes NP has buses from Zagreb and Split that drop you at the entrance to the park. From Split or Sibenik, you can also get to Skradin, which is the entrance to Krka NP. You can reach Mljet and Brijuni by ferry. For others, you can book a private transfer or a tour that can take you there!
What are the downsides of visiting Croatia without a car?
The only downside is that you’ll have to adapt your itinerary and essentially shorten it, choosing fewer destinations to cover, because travel between towns by bus usually takes a lot longer. You’re not flexible with the schedule, and it takes longer to get from one place to another. With a car, you can add more destinations to your itinerary in the same amount of time.
Is Split a good base for traveling Croatia without a car?
Split is maybe the best base for those travelling without a car. It has a big airport where you can fly into directly, use an Uber or a bus to get to the Old Town, and from there explore Split on foot. You can see plenty of islands by ferry, since there are so many options from Split (Brac, Hvar, Vis, Solta), or you can book easy day-trip excursions to the surrounding area (Klis Fortress, Trogir, Krka, Makarska Riviera).
Is Dubrovnik easy to explore without a car?
Yes! You do not need a car in Dubrovnik at all. About 90% of the things you need to see in Dubrovnik are in the Old Town, where you can’t use a car anyway. The majority of Dubrovnik can be explored on foot, and you can use Uber or buses if you want to see something outside the Old Town. For day trips, just book organised tours!
Which Croatian cities are easiest to visit without a car?
All popular Croatian cities (Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Split) are very walkable, and once you get to them, a car would be more of a hindrance than an advantage, so it’s actually great if you don’t have one. Even when you visit the islands, the ferry will leave you right in the old town (Hvar, Korcula, Bol), so you can easily explore them as well. The only disadvantage on the islands is that you can’t really move beyond the town where the ferry drops you off unless you pay for taxis.
What is the best way to get around Croatia without renting a car?
The best way to get around is by buses, ferries, and organised day-trip tours or private transfers. Croatia doesn’t have good railway connections, so trains are not really an option.
Can you travel around Croatia without a car?
Yes, you can easily travel around Croatia without a car. It’s not going to be the fastest or the most comfortable option, but with a combination of buses and ferries, you can see the majority of the country without any problems.