Water public transportation in the country is in demand due to the rich choice of routes. Croatian shipping companies offer passengers boats with different levels of comfort and prices. The density of ferry schedules and ticket prices depend on the season. From May to September, the number of trips triples compared to the rest of the year.
Ferry companies in Croatia
Croatian companies' seagoing vessels come in three types:
- Ferries are vessels that carry cars on the lower decks and passengers on the upper decks. Their speed is low, but their price is also gentle.
- Classic passenger ships «run» a little faster than the former and cost more.
- High-speed catamarans reach speeds up to three times faster than the ferry and offer a higher level of comfort. The fare is significantly higher.
Almost every Croatian city has its own port. The main sea gates are located in Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split and Zadar.
Jadrolinija: crossings throughout Croatia
Jadrolinija is the country’s largest transportation company with a century-long history. It has 4 passenger ships, 34 car ferries and 10 high-speed catamarans. Departure ports and routes of Jadrolinija vessels:
- From the port of Rijeka — Krk, Lošinj, Cres, Rab, Pag, Ilovik, Susak, Unije;
- From the port of Zadar — to Ugljan, Pašman, Ist, Olib, Premuda, Rivan, Lošinj, Veli Iž and Rava, Silba, Dugi Island, Molat, Zverinac, Sestrunj;
- Route Sibenik — Zlarin — Gire — Caprije;
- Split is connected by routes to the nearby islands of Brač, Hvar, Drvenik Veliki, Vis, Solta, Lastovo and the mainland city of Mali;
- Pelješac is connected to the islands of Korcula and Mljet;
- Dubrovnik — Kolocep — Lopud — Šipan;
- Rijeka — Dubrovnik is the longest ferry route along the entire Croatian coast with intermediate stops in Split, on the islands of Hvar and Korcula.
Jadrolinija’s fast catamarans sail from Croatia to Italy on routes: Split — Ancona; Zadar — Ancona; Dubrovnik — Bari.
Italian ferry company SNAV
SNAV operates on international flights between Italy and Croatia only in the high season, from April to October. Its ferries operate between the Italian port of Ancona and the Croatian port of Split.
Gulf of Kashtel: Buraline Ferries
A small local shipping company, Buraline, has organized a small boat ferry service between the three nearby resorts of Split, Trogir and Slatine.
To the islands of Croatia: GV Lines
GV Lines transports passengers on catamarans between the ports of Zadar and Dubrovnik, as well as the islands of Mljet, Lastovo and Korcula. It operates only during the tourist season from May to October.
Islands of Split: Krilo catamarans
Krilo’s high-speed catamarans ply the route between Split and the islands of Hvar and Korcula all year round.
Ferries from Linijska nacionalna Plovidba (LNP)
LNP operates all year round and transports passengers between the island of Krk and Lopar, between the island of Brač and Split.
In summer, ferry routes connect Pula with Zadar and Mali Lošinj.
Kvarner Bay: Rapska Plovidba Ferries
Rapska Plovdpa ships connect the islands of Pag and Rab with the mainland by water route.
Ferries from Zadar: Miatours
Miatours transports passengers from Zadar to nearby cities.
How do I buy tickets for Croatian Ferries?
You can also buy tickets at the port before departure, but almost all Croatian shipping companies have the option of buying tickets online on their official websites, which is especially important in summer when passenger traffic is high. In small ports, ticket offices may not be open all day, but open some time before the voyage.
You can buy advance tickets for local ferries within the country, as well as international flights, on websites:
- https://www.croatiatraveller.com/
- https://www.absolute-croatia.com/ferry-booking-croatia
- https://www.croatiaferries.com/booking-croatia-ferries/
A short 30-minute trip will cost a passenger approximately 10—30 HRK (Croatian kuna). A five-hour long-distance catamaran ride will cost approximately 220 HRK. A night crossing from Croatia to Italy will cost about 500 HRK. A kuna costs approximately 10 Russian rubles.