YOUR GO-TO GUIDES ON HOW TO GET AROUND CROATIA WITHOUT A CAR
A detailed island hopping itinerary only using ferries in Croatia!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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!
How do ferries work in Croatia?
Ferries are quite great in Croatia. You can either take a car ferry or a passenger catamaran. You will use the catamarans which are 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.
Is Uber available in Croatia?
Yes, Uber is available in most Croatian cities and you can use it without any problems. 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.
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. Better safe than sorry!
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.
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!
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!
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).
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.