Bus and ferry routes
See how to move between places by bus and ferry.
Croatia trips by bus, ferry and on foot.
Plan your first Croatia trip
Trip plans for first-time visitors traveling Croatia by bus and ferry.
Most stops here can be reached on foot, by bus or by ferry.
Plan the route
How we help
We focus on the details you need to choose a route and get around.
Day-by-day plans
Know where to go each day without overplanning.
Practical tips
Clear advice on tickets, transfers, timing and what to expect.
Good places to begin
Popular first stops
These places fit well into a first Croatia trip.
Split
A good base for islands, old town walks and day trips.
Hvar
An island stop served by passenger ferries.
Dubrovnik
A southern stop for a few nights near the old town.
Zagreb
A good start or finish with strong bus links.
Plitvice Lakes
A famous nature stop between Zagreb and the coast.
Pula
Roman sights, harbour walks and Brijuni boat trips make Pula a practical base for exploring southern Istria.
Rovinj
A small old town, harbour walks and a slower pace make Rovinj well suited to a relaxed stay.
Zadar
Flat old-town streets, sunset by the Sea Organ and nearby day trips make Zadar an approachable coastal base.
Šibenik and Krka
Stone lanes, hilltop forts and nearby Krka make Šibenik a quieter base for central Dalmatia.
Opatija and Rijeka
Seafront Opatija and nearby Rijeka combine gentle walks, old hotels, markets and a busier city atmosphere.
Korčula
A walled old town, seafront walks and local wine make Korčula a relaxed island stop.
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Popular tours
Well-reviewed tours that take the planning off your hands.
From Zagreb
Plitvice Lakes & Rastoke day trip from Zagreb
A guided day with transport and your park ticket included. About 10 hours.
See tour & book
Split
Split & Diocletian's Palace walking tour
A guided walk through the Roman palace and the old streets around it.
See tour & book
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik Old Town & City Walls
The Old Town and the famous walls with a guide. Expect plenty of steps on the walls.
See tour & book
Zagreb
Zagreb highlights with a local
About two hours on foot through the Old Town and the WWII tunnels, with a ride on the funicular and street-food tastings at Dolac Market.
See tour & bookTours are booked on Viator. Some tour links are affiliate links: if you book, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How this works. Ratings are from Viator, October 2026.
Keep travel days light
How it works
Start with the route. Then fill in the days.
Pick your main stops
Choose two or three places that fit your trip length.
Link the stops
Use buses on land and ferries where they make sense.
Build calm days
Add sights and day trips without packing every hour.
November to March
Planning a winter trip?
Croatia is quieter in winter. City breaks still work well, but island services and opening hours can be reduced.
Free guide
The Simple 7-Day Croatia Plan
Get a first-trip route with Split, Dubrovnik and day trips, planned for travelers using buses and ferries.
- A clear 7-day route
- Bus and ferry guidance
- Day trips that fit the plan
Send me the free plan
Free PDF to download right away, plus a copy by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Book a tour that fits this plan
From Zagreb
Plitvice Lakes & Rastoke day trip from Zagreb
A guided day with transport and your park ticket included. About 10 hours.
See tour & bookSplit
Split & Diocletian's Palace walking tour
A guided walk through the Roman palace and the old streets around it.
See tour & bookDubrovnik
Dubrovnik Old Town & City Walls
The Old Town and the famous walls with a guide. Expect plenty of steps on the walls.
See tour & bookTours are booked on Viator. Some tour links are affiliate links: if you book, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How this works.
Plan ahead
Coming up in Croatia
Local festivals and seasonal events worth planning a trip around.
24 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027
Advent in Zadar
Christmas concerts, food and an ice rink in the Old Town.
27 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027
Opatija Advent
Christmas lights and events along the seaside promenade.
28 Nov 2026 – 7 Jan 2027
Advent in Zagreb
Croatia's biggest Christmas market, spread across the city center.
Tours are booked on Viator. Some tour links are affiliate links: if you book, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How this works.