Transportation
Traveling by plane
According to top-medical-schools, the national carrier Croatia Airlines (OU) offers scheduled flights from Zagreb to Split, Dubrovnik, Pula and Brac.
Traveling by car/bus
Car: Croatia has a well-developed motorway network. The A2 is a continuous stretch of motorway from Passau via Graz and Maribor to Zagreb, with a connection to the A1 (Zagreb – Zadar – Split – Ploce) and the A6 to Rijeka. Dubrovnik, 90 km from Ploce, can only be reached by country roads. From the Slovenian-Croatian border, the A9 runs between Umag and Pula on the Istrian peninsula. From the Hungarian border you can get to Rijeka and Sibenik in central Dalmatia via Zagreb. The A7 connects Rupa with the port city of Opatija. Toll: Motorways are subject to tolls. Payment is made with a ticket that you receive at the beginning of a toll road section. If you leave this again, it must be shown and the toll paid in cash (local currency or euros; change often in local currency), by credit card or EC card. Cashless payment is slightly cheaper. It takes place via the Electronic Toll Collect (ETC) system. You buy a transponder that has to be topped up with credit. Payment can be made in cash, by credit or debit card or by bank transfer in advance. The ETC system is accepted on the routes Zagreb-Split-Ploce, Zagreb-Rijeka, Bregana-Zagreb-Lipovac, Zagreb-Varazdin-Gorican, Beli Manastir-Osijek-Svilaj, on the bridge to Krk and Rupa-Rijeka. Petrol stations are open 24 hours a day on motorways and in major tourist centers. On country roads and in built-up areas, they are mostly closed between 12.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. and between 7.30 p.m. and 7.00 a.m. Outside the opening hours you can pay with banknotes at dispenser machines. The transport of fuel in reserve canisters is generally prohibited. Please note: Fuels are often offered with the designations “Diesel” and “Super 95” (unleaded). However, “diesel” is specifically for trucks, and “super 95” (unleaded) does not meet European quality requirements. Traffic reports are available from the Croatian Angels (tel. (062) 99 99 99) and the Croatian Auto Club (HAK, tel. in Croatia: +385 1 1987, from abroad: +385 1 4693 700).
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Road classification
Motorways are marked with an A and a number. Expressways and state roads are partly developed like federal roads, partly similar to motorways, with several separate lanes. They are signposted with a D (abbreviation of Državna cesta) and one or more numbers: – single-digit for state roads, which mostly run through the whole country up to the state borders; – two digits for mainland state roads; – three-digit for main island roads (100s), cross-border branch routes (200s), branch routes (300s), port entrances (400s) and connecting routes (500s).
Car rental
You can book rental cars in Croatia from international and national providers both directly at airports and in cities or larger holiday resorts.
Coach
Long-distance buses and regional bus lines run quite frequently between the larger cities. The largest bus terminal in Croatia is in Zagreb. Information provided by Autobusni Kolodvor.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Alcohol limit: 0.5 ‰. For drivers up to the age of 24 and for professional drivers 0.0 ‰. – Helmets are compulsory for cyclists under the age of 16. – Telephoning at the wheel is only permitted via a hands-free system. – From the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March, drivers must also drive with their lights on during the day both inside and outside of built-up areas. Motorcyclists are compulsory all year round. – It is compulsory for drivers to wear fluorescent warning vests when they leave their vehicle outside of built-up areas, eg in the event of a breakdown or an accident. Speed limits: – in built-up areas: 50 km/h; – on rural roads: 90 km/h; – on expressways: 110 km/h; – on motorways: 130km/h. With trailers outside built-up areas: – on country roads and expressways: 80 km/h; – on motorways: 90 km/h. The following speed limits apply to drivers up to the age of 24: – on country roads: 80 km/h; – on expressways: 100 km/h; – on motorways: 120 km/h.
Roadside Assistance
In the event of breakdowns, the ADAC foreign emergency hotline: Tel. +49 89 22 22 22 offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance assistance with regard to hotels, rental cars, vehicle or patient return transport.
Documentation
The national driving license is valid in Croatia. For citizens of the EU and EFTA countries, the license plate number serves as proof of insurance. Nevertheless, EU and EFTA citizens are recommended to take their international motor insurance card with them in order to be able to enjoy full insurance cover in the event of damage. Otherwise, the statutory minimum liability insurance coverage applies. In addition, the international motor insurance card can make it easier to record accidents.
Note on travel by road
In many areas of eastern and western Slavonia, the western and southwestern border areas with Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is still a risk of landmines. In most cases these areas are marked with plastic strips or warning signs. Motorists should definitely avoid these areas and should not leave the main roads. More information is available from the Croatian mine clearance agency Hrvatski Centar za Razminiranje. Information is also provided by the respective foreign offices.
Traveling in the city
The public transport network in Zagreb is well developed. It consists of trams, buses and the cable car. Tickets are valid for tram, bus and cable car. Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver (except in the new trams), at Zagrebački električni tramvaj (ZET) sales points or at TISAK kiosks. There are single tickets, day tickets, three-day tickets and weekly tickets.
Locally on the way by train
The railway has been neglected in Croatia for many years. However, with the exception of Dubrovnik, all major Croatian cities are accessible by train. The northeast of Croatia in particular is well developed. Connections between north-west and east are faster and more comfortable than the route to Dalmatia. Modern trains with tilting technology operate on the route to Split. The expansion of an express train route is planned for the next few years.
rail passes
The Interrail One Country Pass and the Interrail Global Pass are also valid in Croatia.
Traveling by ship
Regular ferry services between all ports and from the mainland to the islands. Passenger and car ferries operate between Rijeka, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik. The largest Croatian passenger shipping company, Jadrolinija, operates most of the international and national ferry, ship and express ship lines.
