Ferries, catamarans and long-distance buses: what actually works for travelling down the coast and island-hopping, and what to book.
Published 6 August 2026 · By Patrick Faust
Coastal Croatia works very well without a car — often better: catamarans link towns and islands more directly than the road, long-distance buses are frequent and comfortable, and you escape the old towns' saturated car parks. Here is how the country is crossed, mode by mode.
Catamarans, the backbone of summer
Two main companies share the fast lines: Jadrolinija, the national operator, and Krilo (Kapetan Luka). Catamarans are passenger-only, air-conditioned, and run from one town-centre port to another: Split–Hvar in about an hour, Split–Korčula in two to three, and in summer the coastal line that strings together Split, the islands and Dubrovnik — the most useful route of any itinerary, and the first to sell out.
- Book online as soon as your dates are fixed: in July–August the inter-island crossings sell out days in advance.
- Check the departure port: in Split almost everything leaves from the same quay; elsewhere, catamarans and car ferries may use different piers.
- Leave a margin before a flight: in a strong bora or jugo, a crossing can be cancelled and pushed to the next day.
The classic ferries
Jadrolinija's car ferries serve the big islands year-round (Split–Supetar for Brač, Split–Stari Grad for Hvar, Split–Vela Luka for Korčula…). Slower than the catamarans, they are also more frequent, cheaper on foot, and board without booking outside peak times. They are the safety net when the fast lines are full or suspended.
Long-distance buses
The coach network is excellent — it is what replaces the train on the coast. Arriva, FlixBus and a swarm of local firms link Zagreb, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik almost hourly in summer. Zagreb–Split takes five hours by motorway, Split–Dubrovnik four to five along the magnificent coastal road. Tickets online; hold luggage sometimes costs a small cash fee.
The train, a special case
Croatian rail is secondary: the one useful line is Zagreb–Split (about six hours, with superb hinterland scenery), and there is no railway to Dubrovnik at all. Zagreb, on the other hand, connects well to Ljubljana, Vienna and Budapest. For travelling down the coast, the bus wins every time.
What this means for your itinerary
Without a car, the ideal route follows the sea: towns linked by catamaran, day trips (Krka, Plitvice) by tour or bus, a final island served directly. That is exactly the logic of our 10-day Dalmatian coast itinerary. A car only becomes useful for deep Istria or the hinterland — and is better rented locally, for a day or two.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I buy ferry and catamaran tickets?
On the companies' websites (Jadrolinija, Krilo) or at the port ticket offices. In summer, buying online in advance is the rule for catamarans; car-ferry foot passengers buy on the day without trouble.
How common are wind cancellations?
Rare at the height of summer, more frequent in shoulder season. The bora (north-easterly) and the jugo (southerly) can suspend the fast lines for a day; the big ferries handle the sea better. Hence the rule: never a tight boat-to-plane connection.
Do Uber, taxis and transfers exist?
Uber and Bolt work in the main coastal cities and for airport transfers. On the islands, count on local taxis and your host's shuttle — asking your accommodation is the norm.
Can you reach Croatia without flying?
Yes: day and night trains to Zagreb via Munich or Vienna, then a bus to the coast; or high-speed rail to Milan and bus/ferry via Trieste towards Istria and Rovinj. Allow a day and a half from Paris — a real journey, feasible and comfortable.