Croatia Travel Guide

Social Conventions

People normally shake hands upon meeting and leaving. Smoking is generally acceptable but there are restrictions in public buildings and on public transport.

Photography: Certain restrictions exist.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The national airline is Croatia Airlines (www.croatiaairlines.hr).

Departure Tax

None.

Main Airports

Zagreb (ZAG) (Pleso International) (www.zagreb-airport.hr) is 17km (10 miles) southeast of the city. To/from the airport: An airport bus runs to the city center (journey time - 25 minutes); taxis are also available (journey time - 20 minutes). Facilities: Left luggage, banks/bureau de change, restaurants, snack bars, bars, business lounge, duty-free shops, post office, tourist information and car hire.

Dubrovnik (DBV) (www.airport-dubrovnik.hr) is 18km (11 miles) southeast of the city. To/from the airport: An airport bus runs to the city (journey time - 20 minutes). Facilities: Banks/bureau de change, post office, bars, duty-free shop, shops and car hire.

Split (SPU) (www.split-airport.hr) is 25km (16 miles) northwest of the city. To/from the airport: An airport bus runs to the city (journey time - 40 minutes). Facilities: Banks/bureau de change, post office, car hire, duty-free shops and bar/restaurant.

Pula (PUY) (www.airport-pula.com) is 8km (5 miles) northwest of the city. To/from the airport: A local bus service runs to the city (journey time - 15 minutes). Facilities: Bureau de change, car hire, duty-free shop and snack bar/restaurant.

Rijeka (RJK) (www.rijeka-airport.hr) is 27km (17 miles) from the city on the island of Krk. To/from the airport: Buses runs to the city (journey time - 45 minutes). Facilities: Car hire, duty-free shop, ATM, left luggage and snack bar/restaurant.

Getting There By Water

Main ports: Split (www.portsplit.com), Dubrovnik (www.portdubrovnik.hr), Rijeka (www.lukarijeka.hr) and Zadar (www.port-authority-zadar.hr).

Passenger and car ferry services run to Italy. The main routes are: Split-Ancona, Zadar-Ancona and Dubrovnik-Bari. Throughout the summer, fast hydrofoil services also operate on some routes. Jadrolinija (tel: (051) 666 111; www.jadrolinija.hr) is the main service provider.

Dubrovnik is an established cruise destination and the city is visited by hundreds of vessels and thousands of passengers each year. An increasing number of cruise ships also stop at Split.

Getting There By Rail

Croatian Railways (tel: 060 333 444, within Croatia only; www.hznet.hr) operates trains in Croatia. Direct trains run from Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. Express services run from Zagreb to major cities including Berlin, Budapest, Munich, Venice and Vienna.

Rail Passes

InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Inter Rail (www.interrailnet.com).

Eurorail: the global Eurail pass offers unlimited train travel in 20 European countries including Croatia. Select (valid in 3, 4 or 5 countries bordering Croatia), regional (Croatia is grouped with Slovenia plus either Austria or Hungary) and one-country Eurail passes are also available. Tickets are valid for 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months or three months. The passes cannot be sold to residents of Europe (including Turkey and the Russian Federation). Available from The Eurail Group (www.eurail.com).

Getting There By Road

There are routes from all neighboring countries. Hrvatski Autoklub (the Croatian Automobile Club) (www.hak.hr) can provide information.

Highway A2 is now complete between Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Zagreb (Croatia); Zagreb is now directly connected to Western European highway system).

Bus: There are regular international buses connecting Croatia with Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Germany, Hungary, Italy and the Slovak Republic. Eurolines (tel: 0870 514 3219, in the UK; www.eurolines.com) runs regular coach services from the UK to Croatia.

Duty Free

Overview

Travelers are exempt from customs duty for goods of a non-commercial nature which they carry in their personal luggage up to the value of 300 Kn. In addition, the following items may be imported into Croatia by travelers over 18 without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco.
• 2L of wine and 1L of spirits and 2L of liqueur.
• 250mL of eau de cologne or perfume up to 50g.

Prohibited Imports

When crossing the state border, travelers must report to the police weapons and ammunition they are bringing in.

Prohibited Exports

Articles of archaeological, historical, ethnographic, artistic and other scientific or cultural value require an export license issued by the Croatian authorities.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Water

Jadrolinija (tel: (051) 666 111; www.jadrolinija.hr) is the main provider of car and passenger ferries and catamarans in Croatia. There are regular connections between the main ports and the offshore islands. A coastal service runs all the way from Rijeka in the north to Dubrovnik in the south, via Split, Stari Grad and Korčula.

Getting Around By Rail

Croatian Railways (tel: 060 333 444, within Croatia only; www.hznet.hr) operates trains in Croatia. The network connects all major cities except Dubrovnik. However, it is often quicker to travel by bus. An upgrading of the track between Zagreb and Split now means that this journey can be done in 5 hours 25 minutes.

Rail Passes

InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Croatia. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Inter Rail (www.interrailnet.com).

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the right. The last decade has seen considerable investment in Croatia's roads and the country has an extensive network of highways (designated as E roads) and unclassified roads. Motorway connections are continually improving, and Croatia's 11 motorways are designated with the numbers A1 to A11. The A1 is the main artery between Zagreb and Split. The A2 IS now complete between Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Zagreb (Croatia), which means Zagreb is now directly connected to Western European highway system.

Coach: There are regular services to destinations throughout Croatia. Autotrans (tel: (051) 660 300; www.autotrans.hr) is a key service provider. Timetable information is available from Zagreb Central Bus Station (tel: 060 313 333, within Croatia only; www.akz.hr).

Car hire: International and local car hire firms have offices in Croatia's airports, cities, bigger towns and leading resorts.

Regulations: The minimum driving age is 18. Speed limits are 130kph (81mph) on motorways, 110kph (62mph) on highways, 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas and 90kph (50mph) outside built-up areas. Heavy fines are imposed for speeding. It is compulsory for front and rear passengers to wear seat belts. It is illegal to use a handheld mobile telephone while driving. Headlights should be turned on at all times.

Emergency breakdown service: Hrvatski Autoklub (HAK) operates an emergency service (tel: 987; www.hak.hr).

Documentation: National or International Driving Permit. All motorists should also carry a valid passport or national identity card as proof of identity at all times. A Green Card should be carried by visitors (except EU nationals) taking their own car into Croatia. National registration in country of origin is required for all foreign vehicles. Third party insurance is mandatory when hiring a car and a valid credit card is also needed.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Zagreb: The center of Zagreb can easily be navigated on foot. It also has a good network of trams and buses run by ZET, as well as a funicular and taxis.

Dubrovnik: Dubrovnik's Old City is pedestrianized. Libertas operates efficient bus services, with stops just outside the Pile and Ploče gates.

Journey Times

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Zagreb to other major cities and towns in Croatia.

	Air	Road	Rail
Dubrovnik	0.55	4.00	-
Split	0.45	4.00	5.25

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Dubrovnik to other major cities and towns in Croatia.

	Air	Road	Water
Zagreb	0.55	8.00	-
Split	-	4.00	9.10
Rijeka	-	10.00	22.00