The best way to get around Croatia depends on your route. Buses are usually the most practical choice between coastal cities, ferries and catamarans connect the islands, and a rental car is best for exploring Istria, national parks, rural areas and smaller beaches. Trains work best from Zagreb and across inland Croatia, while domestic flights can save time on the longest journeys.
You can visit Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and several popular islands without a car. However, a car gives you more freedom if your accommodation is outside a town centre or you want to combine smaller destinations.
Use this guide to compare the main transport options before planning your route. For tickets and booking tools, see our guides to bus, train and ferry travel, car rental in Croatia and flights to Croatia.
Best Way to Get Around Croatia: Quick Answer
Choose your transport according to the places you want to visit:
- Coastal cities: Intercity buses are usually the most practical option.
- Island hopping without a car: Use passenger catamarans and fast ferries.
- Visiting islands with a car: Choose a car ferry and check the rental conditions.
- Istria, national parks and rural areas: A rental car offers the most flexibility.
- Zagreb and inland Croatia: Compare trains and buses.
- Long-distance journeys: A domestic flight may save time.
- Historic town centres: Walk or use local buses, taxis and ride-hailing services.
Always check current timetables. Ferry, bus and flight schedules can be less frequent outside the main travel season.
Do You Need a Car in Croatia?
You do not need a car for a classic route linking Zagreb, Split, Hvar, Korčula and Dubrovnik. Trains or buses connect Zagreb with the coast, while passenger ferries and catamarans link several popular Dalmatian islands. Seasonal routes must be checked before finalising the itinerary.
A car is more useful when exploring:
- inland and coastal Istria;
- Plitvice Lakes and rural Lika;
- smaller beaches and coastal villages;
- national and nature parks;
- countryside villas and accommodation outside town centres;
- several destinations during a short road trip.
A car can become an inconvenience in Dubrovnik Old Town, central Split and Hvar Town, where parking is restricted, expensive or located away from the historic centre. Travellers planning several islands may find it easier to return the car on the mainland and continue as foot passengers.
Travelling Around Croatia by Bus
Buses have wider coverage than trains along most of the Croatian coast. They connect Zagreb, Rijeka, Pula, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Makarska and Dubrovnik, as well as many smaller coastal towns.
Different operators serve different routes, so departure points, baggage rules, ticket conditions and onboard facilities can vary. Some companies charge a small separate fee for luggage stored under the bus.
Advance booking is recommended for popular routes during summer, especially at weekends. Local connections to small villages may be infrequent, so check both the outward and return journey before leaving.
Bus stations are not always next to the old town or ferry port. Allow enough time for walking, local transport or a taxi when combining a bus with another service.
Some booking links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Compare Bus and Train Tickets
Compare available routes, departure times and ticket prices in one place. Coverage varies by operator, so always check the ticket conditions before booking.
Travelling Around Croatia by Train
Croatia’s rail network is most useful for journeys from Zagreb and travel across inland Croatia. Trains serve destinations such as Karlovac, Varaždin, Osijek and Rijeka, although a bus may be faster or more frequent on some routes.
There are rail services between Zagreb and Split, but journey times and seasonal schedules should be compared with buses and flights. Croatia’s railway network does not extend to Dubrovnik, and trains are of limited use for most journeys along the Dalmatian coast or around Istria.
Check current departures, service changes and ticket information through the official HŽ Passenger Transport timetable.
Ferries and Catamarans in Croatia
Ferries are essential for getting around Croatia’s islands, but not every vessel carries vehicles. The two main options are passenger catamarans and car ferries.
Passenger Catamarans
Fast passenger catamarans are designed mainly for travellers without a vehicle. They connect ports such as Split, Hvar Town, Korčula, Mljet and Dubrovnik, with additional routes operating from Zadar and other coastal hubs.
Catamarans are often the easiest option for island hopping because they arrive close to historic centres and remove the need to find parking. Routes and departure frequency vary by season, and services can be affected by rough sea conditions.
Car Ferries
Car ferries transport vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and foot passengers. They are slower than catamarans but are necessary if you want to take a car to an island.
A ferry ticket does not always reserve a guaranteed place on a particular departure. On some local car-ferry routes, tickets are valid for the selected date rather than a specific sailing. Check the conditions for the exact route and arrive early during busy travel periods.
When booking, enter the correct vehicle category and dimensions. If you are using a rental car, confirm that ferry travel is permitted and that the insurance remains valid while the vehicle is being transported.
For current schedules and booking conditions, check:
Local transport can be limited after arrival on smaller islands. Before travelling without a car, check how you will reach your accommodation from the ferry port.
Driving and Renting a Car in Croatia
Driving is the most flexible way to explore Croatia beyond the main cities and ferry ports. Motorways connect Zagreb with Rijeka, Istria and Dalmatia, while local roads provide access to beaches, villages, parks and rural accommodation.
Croatia charges motorway tolls rather than requiring a standard national motorway vignette. Check current toll information and payment methods on the official Croatian Motorways website. Live traffic conditions, road closures and delays at border crossings or ferry ports are available from the Croatian Automobile Club.
Before booking a rental car, check:
- the required deposit and accepted payment card;
- whether the main driver needs a credit card;
- one-way rental charges;
- ferry and island restrictions;
- cross-border travel conditions;
- fuel and mileage policies;
- insurance exclusions and excess;
- office opening hours for collection and return.
Photograph the car at collection and return, including the wheels, windows, bumpers and roof. Keep the rental documents and fuel receipt until the final charge has been confirmed.
Parking is limited near many historic centres. If you are staying in Dubrovnik, Split, Rovinj or another old town, check the exact location of the accommodation and parking before booking.
Compare Car Rental in Croatia
Compare airport and city collection points, vehicle types and rental conditions. Check the deposit, payment card, one-way, ferry and cross-border rules before booking.
Domestic Flights
Domestic flights can be useful for long journeys, particularly between Zagreb and Dubrovnik. Flying may also work when combining northern Croatia with the far south during a short trip.
Compare the complete journey rather than the flight time alone. Include travel to and from the airport, check-in, security procedures and waiting time. On shorter routes, a direct bus or car journey may be simpler.
Check current services through the Croatia Airlines flight schedule.
Compare Flights within Croatia
Compare available domestic and multi-city flights. Remember to include airport transfers and check-in time when comparing a flight with a bus or train.
Local Buses, Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Public transport within larger Croatian cities is usually based on local buses. Zagreb also has an extensive tram network.
Official city transport information is available from:
- ZET for Zagreb trams and buses;
- Promet Split for Split and nearby areas;
- Libertas Dubrovnik for Dubrovnik and surrounding settlements;
- Autotrolej for Rijeka and nearby towns.
Taxis and ride-hailing services are useful for airports, ferry ports, luggage transfers and late arrivals. Availability can be lower in small towns and outside the main season. With traditional taxis, check the displayed price list or request a price estimate before starting the journey.
Historic centres are often compact and best explored on foot. Comfortable shoes are important because many coastal towns have stone streets, slopes and steps.
Bikes, E-bikes and Scooters
Bicycles and e-bikes work best for exploring a specific region or island rather than travelling across the whole country.
Good areas for cycling include Istria and the Parenzana route, Krk, Brač, Hvar, Pelješac and quieter roads around Zadar and Šibenik. An e-bike is useful on hilly coastal and island routes.
A scooter or motorcycle can make it easier to reach beaches and villages on a larger island. However, it is not always practical for long journeys with luggage or on busy summer roads.
Check licence requirements, helmet provision, insurance, deposit, mileage limits and rules for carrying a passenger before booking.
Find Bikes, E-bikes and Scooters
Compare available bicycles, e-bikes, scooters and motorcycles in Croatian cities and island destinations. Availability varies by location.
Best Transport for Popular Croatia Routes
Zagreb to Split
Compare the bus, train and flight. Buses usually offer practical departure choices, trains provide a relaxed overland journey, and flying can save time if the airport connections fit your itinerary.
Split to Dubrovnik
The main options are an intercity bus, rental car or seasonal passenger catamaran. There is no train connection to Dubrovnik. A catamaran is attractive if you want to include Hvar, Korčula or Mljet, while a bus is usually the simplest direct public transport option.
Split to Hvar
Choose a passenger catamaran to Hvar Town if you are travelling without a car. Drivers normally use the car ferry from Split to Stari Grad and then continue by road. Check which port your accommodation is closest to before booking.
Zadar to Plitvice Lakes
A bus works for a direct visit when the timetable fits the park opening hours. A rental car gives you more flexibility, particularly if you are staying outside the main entrance area or continuing to another destination.
Getting Around Istria
A rental car is usually the easiest option for combining Rovinj, Poreč, Pula, hilltop villages, wineries and smaller beaches. Buses can work between the main towns, but they offer less flexibility for rural stops.
Dubrovnik and Nearby Islands
Dubrovnik can be explored without a car. Use local buses for the city and nearby settlements, then passenger ferries for islands such as Lokrum, Lopud, Šipan, Mljet and Korčula. Always check whether the route is local, seasonal or excursion-only.
Zagreb to Dubrovnik
Flying is usually the quickest option when schedules align. A bus or rental car suits travellers who want an overland journey or additional stops, but the distance makes this a long travel day.
Common Transport Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common planning mistakes:
- assuming every ferry ticket guarantees space on a specific departure;
- taking a car to an island when staying only in a walkable port town;
- booking old-town accommodation without checking parking;
- relying on trains for travel along the entire Croatian coast;
- overlooking one-way car rental fees;
- forgetting to check reduced off-season schedules;
- planning a flight, bus and ferry connection without enough buffer time;
- assuming local buses operate frequently in every village;
- booking a ferry before checking which island port is closest to the accommodation.
Build extra time into connections involving separate tickets. Transport companies are not usually responsible for a missed onward service booked independently.
Getting Around Croatia FAQs
Can you travel around Croatia without a car?
Yes. Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar and several popular islands can be combined using buses, trains and passenger ferries. Choose accommodation near bus stations or ferry ports and check seasonal connections before booking.
Is it better to travel around Croatia by bus or train?
Buses usually provide better coverage along the coast, while trains are more useful from Zagreb and across inland Croatia. Compare both options for routes such as Zagreb to Split or Zagreb to Rijeka.
What is the best way to travel from Split to Dubrovnik?
An intercity bus is usually the simplest public transport option. A seasonal passenger catamaran works well for coastal scenery or island stops, while a rental car offers more flexibility. There is no train to Dubrovnik.
Can you take a rental car on Croatian ferries?
Often, but rental conditions vary. Confirm that ferry travel is permitted and check whether the insurance remains valid on islands and during transport. Additional restrictions or fees may apply.
How far in advance should you book ferries in Croatia?
Book popular passenger catamarans and reservable vehicle departures early during summer. For car-ferry routes without a reserved place, arrive well before departure. Always check the conditions for the specific route.
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Croatia?
EU and EEA driving licences are generally accepted. Travellers with licences from other countries, especially licences not written in the Latin alphabet, should check the rental company’s requirements and whether an International Driving Permit or official translation is needed.
Plan Your Transport Before Booking Accommodation
Transport and accommodation should be planned together. A cheaper stay outside the centre may require a car, while accommodation near a ferry port or bus station can make a car-free trip much easier.
Start with your main destinations, choose the most practical connection between them and then check where each bus, train or ferry arrives. For more help with flights, stays, car rentals and ferry planning, visit our Plan Your Trip hub.
Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. This means that we get a small commission from any purchase you make, at no additional cost to you!
