How to get to Croatia
Entering the country
To enter Croatia you need to have a valid passport or personal ID (only for centain countries' citizens). Unless staying in a hotel or a tourist accomodation, all foreign citizens are required to register with the local police within 48 hours of arrival. Failure to do so may result in a fine or possible removal from Croatia.
There is a legal requirement for minors under 18 years of age travelling to Croatia without their parents/ legal representatives to carry a letter of consent signed by their parents/ legal representatives. Failure to carry a letter on them may result in the refusal of entry into Croatia.
When driving to Dubrovnik you have to cross Bosnia where there is a passport control, as well.
Costums regulations
Foreign and local currency may be taken in and out of the country without restriction but transfers of an amount of 10,000 euros or more must be declared.
Passengers are exempted from paying costums or tax at import of:
- 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 g tobacco
- 1 l alcoholic beverages
- 2 l wine, sparkling wine, liqueur
- 50 ml parfume
Refund of tax when leaving the country is made to foreign nationals for individual goods purchased in Croatia for amounts in excess of 740 HRK, on presentation of a “Tax-cheque” form (PDV-P form). This form is provided on request by a sales assistant, when items are purchased. Claims for refund of VAT must be submitted no later than six months from the date of issue of the invoice.
By car
To enter Croatia a valid driving licence, vehicle registration documents and insurance documents (including a Green card) are required. Seat belts must be used front and rear, and using a mobile phone when driving is forbidden. You must always drive with your lights on. Croatian introduced a zero tolerance approach to drink driving.
Speed limits:
motorway: 130 km/h
on major roads: 110 km/h
outside built-up areas: 90 km/h
within built-up areas: 50 km/h
Croatia has a newly built motorway network. In the summer expect heavy traffic on those motorways which connect the inland with the coast. The toll have to be paid at toll stations. Rates depends on the lenght of the used section and the vehicle group. To check the toll rates visit the website of the Croatian Motorway Ltd.(www.hac.hr).
You also have to pay a toll for the use of certain bridges (Krk and Mirna) and tunnels (Učka).
Croatian Autoclub (www.hak.hr)
Tel: + 385 1 455 44 33
By bus
There are several bus companies which operate regular coach services connecting Croatia with all neighbouring countries (Austria, Italy, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro) as well as Germany, France, Switzerland and Slovakia.
Bus travel is the quickest and most comfortable way of getting around in Croatia.
Main bus companies:
www.akz.hr
www.autotrans.hr
www.croatiabus.hr
www.ak-split.hr
www.libertasdubrovnik.hr
By train
Direct trains connect Zagreb with the neighbour countries and Germany.
EC Croatia: Vienna - Zagreb
EC Mimara: Villach (Austria) - Ljubljana - Zagreb
IC Corvinus: Vienna - Zagreb
IC Kvarner: Budapest - Zagreb - Rijeka
Maestral: Budapest - Zagreb
Venezia EN: Budapest - Zagreb
Direct train: Münich - Villach - Ljubljana - Zagreb
The website of the Croatian railway: www.hznet.hr
By plane
The national carrier is Croatia Airlines which flies to bigger European cities (e.g. Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Istambul, Paris, Rome, Tel-Aviv, Warsaw).
There are several international airports in the country, most of them are seasonal.
Zagreb (www.zagreb-airport.hr)
The Croatian capital is connected to the European capitals by traditional and low fares airlines all year around. Airlines: Aeroflot, Air France, Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines, CSA, Germanwings, Iberia, Lufthansa, MALEV, SAS, TAP, Turkish Airlines, WIZZ Air
Osijek (www.osijek-airport.hr)
The airport is situated 20 km southeast of Osijek. Airlines: Croatia Airlines (Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb), Ryanair (Frankfurt-Hahn), charter airlines (seasonal)
Pula (www.airport-pula.hr)
Airlines: Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Flyglobespan, Germanwings, Transavia, Fly Nordic, Ryanair, Norwegian, Monarch Airlines, SAS, Ural Airlines
Rijeka (www.rijeka-airport.hr)
The airport is located on Krk island. Airlines: Air Berlin, Croatia Airlines, Helvetic, Norwegian, TuiFly
Zadar (www.zadar-airport.hr)
Airlines: Croatia Airlines, Danube Wings, Germanwings, Intersky, Ryanair
Split (www.split-airport.hr)
Airlines: Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Easyjet, SAS, MALEV, Lufthansa, Norwegian,
Dubrovnik (www.dubrovnik-airport.hr)
Airlines: Croatia Airlines, Easyjet, Germanwings, LOT
By boat
Croatia's main ship company is Jadrolinija (www.jadrolinija.hr). Its international services connect Croatia with Italy (Ancona-Zadar, Ancona-Split, Bari-Dubrovnik). Venezia lines operates regular summer services between Venice and Istria (Pula, Rovinj, Poreč and Mali Lošinj).
