Split
A very useful base. The old town is walkable, and the main bus station and ferry port are close together. It is easy to reach islands and nearby towns.
Start here
Your first trip to Croatia, step by step
You can see a lot of Croatia without a car. Start with a few well-connected places, then use buses on land and passenger ferries for islands.
Where to go
Good areas for a first visit
You do not need to see everything. These are useful places to build around.
Hvar
A popular island stop. Passenger ferries connect Hvar with Split and, on some routes or seasons, other coastal towns and islands.
Dubrovnik
A good choice for a few nights at the southern end of a trip. Long-distance buses and seasonal passenger ferries connect it with other parts of the coast.
Zagreb
Croatia's capital is useful if you fly in or out there. It has strong bus links to many parts of the country.
Plitvice Lakes
A famous national park between Zagreb and the coast. It can be reached by bus, but plan the day carefully because travel times can vary by season.
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.
Getting around
Buses and ferries
The system is simple once you know what to check.
How buses work
- Long-distance buses connect major cities and many tourist areas.
- Different companies can run the same route.
- Buy ahead for busy summer dates when you can.
- Check the exact departure station before travel.
- Keep your ticket easy to open on your phone.
- Allow extra time for summer road traffic.
How ferries work
- Passenger ferries and catamarans are useful for island trips.
- Routes change by season.
- Check the operator's site for your exact travel date.
- Read the ticket details for the correct port and boarding point.
- Arrive early enough to find the boat without rushing.
Important: Times and routes can change. Always check today's schedule on the operator's website before you travel.
Tickets
Where to check times and buy tickets
Use the official operator websites when possible. For buses, the Zagreb bus station timetable shows departures and arrivals for many bus companies.
Jadrolinija — ferries and catamarans
TP Line — passenger catamarans
FlixBus — long-distance buses
Arriva Croatia — buses
Zagreb Bus Station — timetable for buses to and from Zagreb
Simple ticket tips
- Use your real travel date when searching.
- Check the departure and arrival place carefully.
- Save tickets to your phone before leaving Wi-Fi.
- Keep extra time between separate bus and ferry tickets.
- Avoid the last possible service if the connection matters.
A simple way to plan
Choose two or three main bases first. Then add day trips that are easy to reach from those bases. This keeps packing and transport simple.
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