uk travel to croatia

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications for Croatia when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

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How Brits can visit and live in Croatia: Guide for 2024 and post-Brexit

UPDATED: 30.09.2022 .

Croatia has become increasingly popular for Brits, especially in the wake of Brexit. With that in mind, we’ve created a guide specifically for UK citizens who want to move to Croatia long term. If you’re just passing through, we cover tourist visas too.

In this post, we cover:

• How UK citizens can visit Croatia as a tourist

How Brexit changed residence options for Brits in Croatia

• Digital nomads
• EU/EEA permanent residence

Working for a Croatian company

Eu blue card, starting your own croatian company, prepayment of rent, learning croatian language, scientific research, volunteering, marrying a croatian or eu national, citizenship by croatian descent.

• Requirements for residence
• Health insurance
• Exchanging driver’s licenses
• Buying property in Croatia

Where to find the UK embassy and consulate in Croatia

• Skip the research and let EIC answer all your questions
• Read reviews from people we’ve helped

The facts are these…

How Brits can visit and live in Croatia

Tourist visas for uk citizens to visit croatia.

Brits enjoy visa-free travel to 106 countries around the world. Croatia is one of those countries.

Even though a visa is not needed, there are requirements for UK citizens to enter Croatia. You can find the latest rules here .

You can always see the latest tourist visa status here , but it’s unlikely to ever change even in these Brexit times.

As of January 1, 2021, UK citizens have limited privileges when it comes to work and travel within the EU. Brits can no longer just show up in Croatia and get residence easily like they could prior to 2021.

Brits are now considered third-country citizens, which is how Croatia refers to anyone who does not hold EEA/EU/Swiss nationality. Given this, it’s now harder to get long-term residence in Croatia. It’s not impossible, but there are limitations and challenges.

Those that moved to Croatia and applied for and/or already hold residence in Croatia will have their rights and privileges preserved according to the withdrawal agreement, even after January 1.

Every UK citizen should use this Brexit Checker that the UK government created, which provides guidance on what you need to do in your specific situation going forward.

View Croatia’s guide on Brexit here .

View the UK’s guide on living in Croatia post-Brexit here .

Next, let’s dive into the highlights of getting residency.

How British citizens can apply for temporary residence in Croatia

I’ll be upfront. It’s not going to be as easy as it used to be for Brits to live in Croatia, now that we are on the other side of Brexit. That being said, there are still many options for you to live in Croatia for a short or long-term stay. This comprehensive guide will cover all of your options for residence as well as what is required of you as a British citizen.

All residency applications must be submitted at the closest administrative police station to where you live in Croatia. The police are part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, called in Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova in Croatian. We all call it “MUP” for short, which is how we will refer to this institution for the rest of this post. [Read: How to find administrative police stations in Croatia ]

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get started. We will go through each residency option, starting with the one that allows you the least amount of time in Croatia, moving up to the ones that allow you the most time in Croatia.

Digital Nomads

Starting in 2021, digital nomads can be granted temporary residence based on their remote work as long as they are not working for any Croatian companies. UK citizens can now apply for this permit.

• This permit is only for up to 1 year and it is not renewable. Six months after the expiration of your permit, you can apply for a new permit.
• At the end of the term, you must leave Croatia for 90 days.
• Upon approval of residence, state health insurance is not mandatory. You can use your private health insurance or sign up for Croatian health insurance.
• You are not allowed to do any work for a Croatian company.

Here is a post that explains the requirements and process for applying for a permit based on being a digital nomad.

[Read: Frequently asked questions about Croatia’s digital nomad permit ]

Permanent residents of EU/EEA/Switzerland

Brits who hold long-term residence in another EU/EEA Member State may be granted temporary residence in Croatia.

Here are instructions on how to apply for a permit based on your permanent residence in another EU/EEA country.

Student Permit

Brits can live in Croatia to study at one of the many universities across Croatia. You can also study Croatian at certain language schools and qualify for a permit as well.

To get a student residence permit, you must include proof of acceptance into a qualified Croatian institution of education with your residence application. You’ll also need to show you have the financial means to support yourself. [Read: How to show proof of financial means (as part of your application for residence) ]

• The term of the permit will be for a single school year, excluding summer months unless you can prove you need to be here in between semesters.
• As of right now, you cannot work as a student. Although, there is legislation in the works to change this.
• You cannot bring your spouse or children to live with you for the first two years.
• Time spent on this permit only counts half towards qualifying for permanent residence.

Here are instructions  on how to apply for a student residence permit.

Brits can get residence permits with the option to work  in Croatia.

• You must have a signed work contract or a valid offer of employment before the employer can apply for a work permit on your behalf.
• Work and residence permits can only be issued for the term of your work contract, up to 1 year at maximum. If the company wants you to continue in your role after your contract is up, they will need to provide a new work contract. Once you have the new work contract, you can apply for a new work and residence permit. Work permits cannot be “renewed”.
• If you get a residence permit with the option to work and decide to leave your job, your residence permit will be canceled. All work and residence permits are tied to work contracts. Without a contract, you cannot have a work permit.
• For the first year, your spouse or children cannot come to live with you in Croatia.
• Before a company can offer you a work contract, they must first confirm with the office of unemployment that a Croatian is not seeking that same role.

If you want to seek a work permit to live in Croatia, then start by looking for a job.  Our guide on how to find a job in Croatia  will prove useful.

If you have received higher education or qualifications such as ISCED 1997 levels 5a or higher, or an associate’s degree or higher, you may qualify for an EU Blue Card.

Once you have been hired or given a binding work offer for a highly qualified position within Croatia, the company that intends to hire you may apply for a temporary residence that will allow you to work based on a Blue Card.

Things to know:

• You must be in a managerial position.
• You must be paid an elevated salary.
• The EU Blue Card will be issued for a term of 2 years.
• Your family can join you immediately.
• The hiring company does not have to perform a labor market test.

Our detailed guide on how How to apply for a Blue Card in Croatia is available here .

[Read: How to apply for a work and stay permit in Croatia ]

If you’d rather start your own company, you can issue yourself a work contract as the company owner and therefore qualify for a work permit.

This option involves entangling yourself in an endless tax bureaucracy capable of strangling the life right out of you, so it is not recommended if you don’t intend to use the company for business. This option should only be used by those who really want to open and run a company in Croatia.

If you plan to go this route, make sure you educate yourself thoroughly, so you know what you are getting yourself into. We have written a heap of posts about opening and running businesses in Croatia, which you can view  here .

Read more about the option of getting a work permit by opening your own company  in this guide .

If you only want to live in Croatia for one year, then this option could be the right fit. It’s a great option for retired people and frequent travelers who have the flexibility to move to a new country for a limited amount of time.

Another benefit is that it is not “merit” based or tied to work contracts. There are some financial hoops, yes, but they are reasonable hoops if you have cash on hand. Of course, there are catches…

• It is only for 1 year and it is not renewable. You can only apply again after 6 months have passed since the expiration of your last permit.
• You must prove that you’ve paid for rent 1 year in advance.
• You must sign up for state health insurance upon approval of residence, then pay for 1 year of premiums for the previous year plus the monthly premiums going forward. You can read more about health insurance here .
• You are not allowed to work for a Croatian company.
• Your spouse cannot apply for residence based on you. Your spouse must apply separately.

You can read more about  how to apply for this permit here .

A residence permit can also be granted if you study the Croatian language at certain language schools. To get this permit, you must enroll in a Croatian language study program (like Croaticum). [Read: Biggest Croatian language schools in Croatia ]

This permit falls under “other purposes” under the law.

• You can get a residence permit for up to one year.
• You cannot work for a Croatian company.
• If you wish to apply again for this purpose, you must leave for 90 days at the end of the permit period.
• You can apply again 6 months and 1 day from the expiry date of your previous permit.

Our detailed guide on how to apply for temporary residence based on language study is available here .

If you have a scientific research project that you wish to work on in Croatia, you can apply for a residence permit. You’ll definitely need to provide proof of the research, which will likely involve a detailed plan of what you hope to accomplish, why you need to be in Croatia, and the time frame in which you plan to accomplish it. Expect it to be scrutinized.

• You cannot work for a Croatian company

It is possible to gain residency on the grounds of humanitarian or volunteer work. To apply on this basis, you’ll need to provide a contract with a non-profit organization that shows the term of work and that you are not being paid for this work among other requirements.

In Croatia, a non-profit organization is called an “udruga”. [Read: How to open and close a non-profit udruga in Croatia ]

• The term is limited to a maximum of 1 year.
• There is no path to permanent residency or Croatian citizenship.
• Your spouse cannot apply for residence based on you. Your spouse must apply separately on a volunteer or some other basis.
• You cannot work in exchange for money.
• You can only work for the non-profit with whom you have your contract used as the basis for your permit.

You can read more about this permit here .

We have posts on non-profit organizations that consider offering long-term contracts to non-EU/EEA volunteers here:

• Non-profits in  Split
• Non-profits in  Zagreb

This program is called “family reunification”, which essentially means that spouses and children of Croatians and EU citizens can come to live in Croatia with their spouse or parent (if they are a minor).

If you are married to a Croatian or EU/EEA national, you are entitled to residency in Croatia as long as both you and your spouse live in Croatia together at the same address. This is by far the easiest and fastest permit to get since there is an automatic trust that is inherent when a Croatian or EU citizen is involved.

You will need to provide an original copy of your marriage certificate that is apostilled/legalized then officially translated (if married abroad). You’ll also need to show that you as a couple have the financial means to support yourself in certain cases. This will be explained in more detail below in the “Requirements” section.

If you are the spouse of a Croatian, you’ll be granted a 2-year permit. If you are the spouse of an EU/EEA national, you’ll receive a 10-year permit.

After 4 years of temporary residency, spouses of Croatian citizens qualify for permanent residency. Once you receive permanent residency, you can apply for citizenship.

Spouses of EU/EEA citizens can apply for permanent residence after 5 years of continuous temporary residence.

Learn how to apply for a temporary residence permit based on marriage here .

If you’ve got Croatian heritage, you’ve got the golden ticket. Seems like every day, the Croatian government is making it easier for the diaspora to gain citizenship in an effort to get them to come to live here.

To qualify for citizenship, you must have a parent, grandparent, great grandparent, etc. that is Croatian. Lineage must be in a straight line and you must be able to prove lineage, which is usually done with birth certificates. [Read: How to get a copy of a birth certificate ]

• As of January 1, 2020, you can only apply from an embassy or consulate abroad if you are a non-resident.
• If your ancestor left Croatia at any point and moved to an ex-Yugoslavia country, then your right to citizenship is negated.
• If your ancestor left Croatia after 1991, then your right to citizenship is negated (unless you’re the child of a Croatian that qualifies to register ).
• Applications for citizenship take time, months to years, so be patient.

You can see if you qualify for Croatian citizenship in 60 seconds  here .

You can see how to apply for citizenship  here .

Learn how to apply for citizenship specifically based on descent here .

You can read the most important things you need to know before applying for Croatian citizenship here .

Check out all of our citizenship resources here .

There you go, all of your options for applying for residence in Croatia. Next, we will go over all of the requirements for residency.

Requirements for British residents

There are common requirements that apply to all third-country citizens. Below is a list of the most common requirements. However, keep in mind that MUP may request additional items just to mix things up.

Every UK national must provide:

• The police will provide you with the application. You can view it here .
• Validity period must be 3 months longer than the validity period of the intended stay.
• People applying for temporary residence in Croatia for the very first time must now provide a criminal background check and certificate on the length of stay from their country of nationality. This requirement went into effect January 1, 2021. In the UK, it is called a “police certificate”. You can request it here . A certificate of the length of stay is required for people who lived the last 12 months in a country other than the country of their nationality.
• This is usually private health insurance unless you have state health insurance from another EU/EEA state.
• Proof of accommodation is sufficient for the purposes of applying for residence. After approval, you’ll need a notarised rental contract.
• There are several ways to show this, depending on your purpose for applying. The financial minimums you’ll need as well as how you can show the funds are available here . However, MUP will tell you exactly what they need.
• Those applying for family reunification with a Croatian spouse are exempt from this.
• Usually, there is a photo studio right by MUP where you can get these in the right size.
• This is due upon approval of your application. All possible administrative costs for this procedure are available here . In some cases, you must pay an administrative fee earlier in the process using  tax stamps .

Health insurance for Brits living in Croatia

You are required to have a valid health care policy through HZZO (Croatia’s state fund) during your residence in Croatia. If you are employed by a Croatian employer, then they will pay for your healthcare. If you are financially independent, or your income comes from abroad, then you will need to have your own insurance policy.

When applying for temporary residence in Croatia as a UK citizen, you are required to have proof of health insurance as part of your application. It will need to be some kind of private health insurance policy (or a state health insurance policy if coming from another country within the EU).

NHS health insurance no longer counts for the purpose of applying for residence nor can it be used for urgent care in Croatia. There are exceptions to this, which you can read about in detail here .

Once you are approved for residence, then you must sign up for “obvezno” state health insurance with HZZO (unless you’re a digital nomad). Obvezno is the basic state health insurance mandatory for all residents. Dopunsko is an optional supplement health insurance that you can get from HZZO or a private insurer. You can read the specifics about what is included as well as the costs for obvezno here  and dopunsko  here .

Upon enrollment in HZZO, all third-country citizens are required to pay 12 months of health insurance premiums for the previous year plus the monthly premium going forward. This is for everybody, children and adults alike. Meaning that if you are a family of 4 with 2 children, you’ll need to pay these fees for all 4 members of your family.

The monthly premium changes year to year. The current amount is always updated in  this post .

Exchanging your UK driver’s licenses

UK driver’s licenses were valid for use within Croatia through the end of 2021 . To ensure you continue to have a valid driver’s license in Croatia, you will need to exchange your UK driver’s license for a Croatian one if you plan to live in Croatia beyond December 31, 2021.

The British government is recommending that you exchange your license as soon as possible. If you wait too long to exchange your license, you may be required to take driving school in Croatia. Here are instructions on how to exchange your driver’s license in Croatia.

You can read about the process to get a Croatian driver’s license from scratch here .

[Read: How to take driving school (autoškola) in Croatia ]

Buying property

British citizens are allowed to buy any purchase property zoned as “residential” in Croatia, depending on the state they are from. You can see the latest list of reciprocity agreements that Croatia holds, including the United Kingdom, here .

If you’re interested in purchasing a house or apartment in Croatia, we’ve got a step-by-step guide that explains the process. Check it out here .

We can also connect you to vetted real estate agents and solicitors to help you through the process. If you’d like an introduction, please complete this form and we’ll contact you.

UK citizens living more than 183 days in Croatia each year must report their worldwide income and pay taxes in Croatia.

Currently, the United Kingdom does have a double-taxation treaty in place with Croatia. As of now, it appears that this treaty will stay in place after Brexit. Due to the double taxation treaty, those in this situation will not have to pay taxes in the UK.

Taxes are complicated. This is a 50.000 foot view of the tax situation. If you ever want a detailed review of your tax liability when living in Croatia, contact us and we’ll connect you with a tax expert.

Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Zagreb

Contact:  Andrew Stuart Dalgleish Phone: +385 (0)1 60 09 100 Email: [email protected] ; [email protected] Address: Ivana Lučića 4, 10 000 Zagreb – view map

Skip the research! Save time and talk to EIC.

We crafted this post to be as detailed as possible, but sometimes questions still arise because everyone’s situation is different. If you’d like personalized guidance on your situation, we can help.

Save yourself the time and uncertainty of trying to navigate the ever-changing rules for living in Croatia by scheduling a private chat with us over video chat.

How does it work?

All first-time clients get 30 minutes with an Expat in Croatia coach PLUS 30 minutes with a vetted English-speaking lawyer from our network that you can use at any time.

Your session will be completely tailored to you and your needs whether it’s bureaucracy, culture, or daily life. All legal advice will be handled by our vetted lawyer network. We can help you with everything else.

In addition, you’ll receive a follow up with additional resources based on your situation, our Croatia Restaurant Guide as well as introductions to vetted professionals like insurance, law, real estate, translation and tax.

We have an extensive FAQ about this service  here .

Ready to get started? Click here to jump to the form.

Who will I speak with?

Carol Anne Škorvaga , known to us as “CAM”, is a first-generation Croatian-Canadian living in Jastrebarsko with her family. She grew up entrenched in the Croatian community surrounded by culture and folklore, attended Croatian school in Canada and then returned to Zagreb to attend Filozofski Fakultet. CAM is fluent in Croatian and has firsthand knowledge of being both a Canadian expat and a Croatian returnee, building a home in Croatia and being a parent with children in local schools.

Meet CAM in this quick 2-minute video here .

What is the cost?

The below costs are per 30 minutes and include VAT (25% tax mandated by the Croatian government).

• First-time clients  |  150 euros (includes 30-min session with lawyer)
• Repeat clients  |  75 euros

If additional time is requested, it is billed in ¼ hour increments.

We offer a 100% money back guarantee.  If your session was not helpful, then you will be refunded – no questions asked.

We vet our information through hands-on, human work. This process includes extensive web research, phone calls to the government, collaboration with licensed Croatian professionals, and visits to government.

Reviews from our clients

“My husband and I are looking to obtain our Croatian citizenship through heritage. CAM was exceptional and was extremely informative about the process required, timelines, contact people, both in Croatia and at home, lawyers and services offered by Expat in Croatia. She was able to easy our anxiety and we felt that we will have solid support and direction going forward. She was professional and friendly. Thank you CAM for your support.” ~ Carol W., Canada, February 5, 2024

“After months of Dr Googling we were left with some ideas but had no confidence in which process to citizenship to follow and if any of it was right. Actually at the time of our consultation the laws had changed and CAM was already on top of them. We left the consultation with a clear path to citizenship and in-depth explanation of everything we needed to do in SA before leaving. On top of this when moving to a new country you don’t know how people may react or approach you. I was apprehensive about this and CAM melted all of that away. On the facts she was professional and serious but when welcoming us, making jokes and telling us about Croatia she was so warm, kind and lifted all my fears of moving. My heart now completely lies in Croatia and we have within 2 weeks a complete plan and working on all the documents we need to gather. Every country needs an expat Croatia with such high integrity.” ~ MaryAnn V., South Africa, January 17, 2024

You can view our latest reviews  here or all of our reviews here .

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Reviews from our happy clients

Ready to book? Request your personalized session here .

United States

We had many questions regarding bringing our pets from the USA to Croatia that were answered as well as our residency questions. The team we spoke with was very helpful and kind. They provided great information and resources.

April 19, 2024

Consulting, Introduced to a Professional, Research Assistance

My husband and I were overwhelmed by the requirements for Digital Nomad Visas in Croatia, but Expat in Croatia came to our rescue. CAM provided a thorough consultation, clarifying crucial details like the need for a “federal level” apostilled FBI background check (I did not even know what this was prior to our conversation). We are also bringing our dog to Croatia, so Tamara did some research to find answers to very important questions about her entry as well. It was an extra fee, but very minimal and well worth it. She also connected us with a vetted lawyer (Josip), who we hired to represent us in the visa process. We now feel very prepared and confident that we will be approved once we arrive in Croatia. I HIGHLY recommend their services and if I have questions about anything else, I will certainly be reaching out to CAM + team again!

April 16, 2024

United Kingdom

Consulting, Introduced to a Professional

We were a little nervous about buying a property in Croatia but Carol Anne (CAM) was a calming influence on our Zoom call and via email, laying out the whole process for us. We were then connected with a lawyer in Zadar, who was fabulous and completed the sale. It was pretty much stress free thanks to Karlo and his team. I can highly recommend Expat in Croatia. Make sure you have a lawyer, despite what the property agent tells you!

April 8, 2024

My husband and I are looking to obtain our Croatian citizenship through heritage. CAM was exceptional and was extremely informative about the process required, timelines, contact people, both in Croatia and at home, lawyers and services offered by Expat in Croatia. She was able to easy our anxiety and we felt that we will have solid support and direction going forward. She was professional and friendly. Thank you CAM for your support.

February 5, 2024

South Africa

We needed to know the ins and outs about moving to Croatia. Our first contact we made was with CAM, then had the consult with Sara, then had Steven be our case manager. We had superb service from all three individuals, they really know the meaning of customer service, with great continued follow up after our first consult, prior planning to our meeting and immediately providing us with follow up docs after our consult based on our relevant questions, and connection made with external professionals who form part of the EIC team to further support us on our journey. Great team, can definitely recommend them.

January 24, 2024

After months of Dr Googling we were left with some ideas but had no confidence in which process to citizenship to follow and if any of it was right. Actually at the time of our consultation the laws had changed and CAM was already on top of them. We left the consultation with a clear path to citizenship and in-depth explanation of everything we needed to do in SA before leaving. On top of this when moving to a new country you don’t know how people may react or approach you. I was apprehensive about this and CAM melted all of that away. On the facts she was professional and serious but when welcoming us, making jokes and telling us about Croatia she was so warm, kind and lifted all my fears of moving. My heart now completely lies in Croatia and we have within 2 weeks a complete plan and working on all the documents we need to gather. Every country needs an expat Croatia with such high integrity.

January 17, 2024

Research Assistance

I worked with Carol Anne Skorvaga and Tamara Ilic regarding some questions involving purchasing agricultural land/real estate. Carol was very clear about what EIC could do to provide assistance and what would require further research. She was very prompt in seeking out the information and providing it to me in written form. The information was very helpful to me and helped me better understand the real estate process in Croatia. I would highly recommend Carol and EIC. A pleasure with which to work. Thank you!

January 4, 2024

For my consulting session with Sara, I had questions about establishing residency, and also some questions about Healthcare. I sent in questions to her ahead of time so that my session was customized for my needs. Sara had all of those questions noted and was very prepared to elaborate on each one of them and more. I felt confident on the information that was provided and when I had a follow-up questions she was able to easily answer those for me as well. Sara is very personable and approachable in her demeanor which made the meeting enjoyable. I have been following EIC for a few years now and I am always so impressed by the wealth of information that is out there for all of us “seekers”. In addition, the pre-session communication by CAM was very efficient and much appreciated. I have already recommended Expat in Croatia to friends and family members in need of information. Thank you!

December 6, 2023

Thank you so much to these wonderful ladies for the fantastic service. I needed help with some Croatian business issues, terms & processes. They connected me with an appropriate professional – another lovely lady who I immediately connected with and felt she really understood my issue, & she was able to answer all my queries in English – bonus! I would highly recommend these fabulous, friendly ladies and service to anyone who needs some assistance. Again, many thanks.

November 16, 2023

Introduced to a Professional, Professional Assistance

On short notice I accepted a work trip to Europe and decided to stop in Zagreb prior to my job in Paris. Having obtained citizenship approval the purpose of this trip was to file birth records and my marriage record as well as obtaining domovnicas for my family and to apply for my passport. Filip coordinated everything on very short notice, including vetting our documents and coordinating a new translation due to a copy and pasting error within 3 hours. Ines met me and obtained the domovnicas for my family on my behalf. The registrar wished to have another document to complete registering my marriage and my wife and my birth certificates but Filip has told me exactly what to get. Finally Filip accompanied me to the MUP to file for my first passport. He guided me through the process and, unbelievably, I had my first Croatian Passport in my hands three hours later (not exaggerating)! These are the second group of professionals Expat in Croatia has referred me to, and again my expectations were exceeded. Thank you so much Filip and Ines for your attention to detail, guidance, timeliness, and professionalism all on short notice. The remainder of my family will be using your services once they receive their decisions as well. Thank you!

November 6, 2023

Barbara (Richard) H.

The Expat in Croatia newsletter has been an indispensable guide for us while waiting to acquire Croatian citizenship. Since receiving citizenship this month, we decided to book a consultation to address more specific questions as we move closer to actually moving to Croatia. We chose CAM (Carol Anne) to be our consultant and found her to be the perfect “fit” for us. She has experienced everything that we will be dealing with as she moved from Canada to Croatia. Whether it is information about shipping items, registering a car, health insurance, or getting a tax consultant to navigate important financial details, she provided everything and more. We found her to be thorough, professional, personable, and smart. She is also funny and charming. We love CAM! We will continue to use this resource, consulting with CAM as needed or as more questions arise.

October 2, 2023

I had first consultation with Carol Anne (CAM). She did a great job, very informative and willing to help . I would recommend Expat to my friends. Steve was very responsive to my emails and he connected me to Filip who we hired to help my son and his girlfriend. So far great experience but I know it is a process. We needed help with temp residence for my son’s girlfriend who was looking for looking to stay longer the 90 day . My son has USA /Croatian Citizenship.

September 27, 2023

We needed assistance with purchasing property and moving forward with applying for Croatian citizenship. We had a great conversation with Sara and CAM, they explained both processes clearly and provides us with numerous resources. They have also facilitated contact with a Croatian lawyer to work with us on both processes. It has been helpful to understand timelines and requirements, and they have provided contact with professionals that can be responsible for the aspects that we cannot do on our own.

September 23, 2023

Bernadette B.

My experience to date with Expat in Croatia has been terrific. The website contains a wealth of information which is vetted and updated regularly. After reviewing the website, I scheduled a consultation with Sara Dyson to discuss the process of obtaining citizenship by descent for myself and my siblings. In less than an hour Sara provided a comprehensive, detailed explanation of the process. She answered all my questions about housing, healthcare, and life in Croatia; and the references provided in a follow-up email were extremely helpful. I am especially impressed with the service they offer matching people applying for citizenship with Croatian lawyers who can assist them. It’s not a simple handoff; an Expat in Croatia representative remains engaged through the entire process and acts as a liaison between the client and the attorney. We will definitely be taking advantage of that service as we pursue our dream of obtaining Croatian citizenship. I look forward to working with Sara, Carol Anne and the entire Expat in Croatia team.

August 9, 2023

View our other residency by nationality guides

• How EU/EEA permanent residents can get temporary residence in Croatia
• How EU/EEA citizens can get temporary residence in Croatia
• How EU/EEA citizens can apply for permanent residency in Croatia
• How American citizens can visit and live in Croatia
• How Australian citizens can visit and live in Croatia
• How Canadian citizens can visit and live in Croatia
• How New Zealand citizens can visit and live in Croatia
• How non-EU/EEA family members of EU/EEA nationals can get temporary residence in Croatia
• How South African citizens can visit and live in Croatia
• How third-country (non-EU/EEA) citizens can apply for temporary residency in Croatia

Please note:  Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice,  contact us  to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice,  contact us  to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.

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Latest posts by Sara Dyson ( see all )

• Expat in Croatia in Glas Hrvatske (with English transcription) - February 9 2024
• Oh, the places we went: EIC in 2023 - December 12 2023
• How to act like a local in Croatia: Part 1 - October 30 2023

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Croatia travel restrictions: the rules for travelling to Croatia this year

By Sarah James

As of Friday 18 March 2022, the UK has dropped all Covid travel rules, but can we travel from the UK to Croatia and its islands? Here’s what we know.

Can I travel to Croatia?

Croatia is not on the UK's red list , which means that travel to the country is permitted. However, the rules vary depending on your vaccination status. 

What are the entry requirements for Croatia? 

On Tuesday 1 May, 2022, the Croatian National Tourist Office announced that all Covid entry requirements have been dropped, meaning travellers to the country will no longer have to show a negative Covid test result or proof of vaccination in order to enter the country. 

What do I have to do when returning from Croatia?

Since 18 March 2022, all Covid travel rules in the UK have been lifted. This means that travellers don't need to test, quarantine or fill in a passenger locator form , regardless of their vaccination status. 

Like this? Now read:

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Check out this year's Best in Travel winners

If your Mediterranean fantasies feature balmy days by sapphire waters in the shade of ancient walled towns, Croatia is the place to turn them into reality.

Best Time to Visit

Best places to visit, leave the planning to a local expert.

Experience the real Croatia. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

City Walls & Forts

No visit to Dubrovnik is complete without a walk around the spectacular city walls that encircle its historic core. They're among the finest in the world…

Diocletian’s Palace

Taking up a prime harborside position, the extraordinary complex of Diocletian's Palace is one of the most imposing ancient Roman structures in existence…

Plitvice Lakes National Park

By far Croatia's top natural attraction and the absolute highlight of Croatia's Adriatic hinterland, the Plitvice Lakes National Park is a glorious…

Klis Fortress

Controlling the valley leading into Split, the imposing Klis Fortress spreads along a limestone bluff, reaching 1260ft (385m) at its highest point. Its…

Zlatni Rat, Croatia's most photographed beach, extends like a tongue into the sea for about a quarter of a mile (400m). Despite the hype and constant…

Cathedral of St Domnius

Split’s octagonal cathedral is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings still standing. It was built as a mausoleum for Diocletian, the last…

Euphrasian Basilica

Top billing in Poreč goes to the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica, a World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s finest intact examples of Byzantine art. Built…

Roman Amphitheatre

Pula’s most famous and imposing sight is this 1st-century oval amphitheatre, overlooking the harbour northeast of the old town. It's a huge and truly…

Top picks from our travel experts

15 top things to do in croatia in 2024.

Mljet National Park

Mljet Island

Covering 5400 hectares of land and sea at the western end of the island of Mljet, this national park offers shady walking and cycling tracks, a ruggedly…

Lush Lokrum is a beautiful, forested island full of holm oaks, black ash, pines and olive trees, only a 10-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik's Old Harbour…

Trg Bana Jelačića

Zagreb’s main orientation point and its geographic heart is Trg Bana Jelačića – it's where most people arrange to meet up. If you enjoy people-watching,…

Biokovo Nature Park

Central Dalmatia

The limestone Biokovo massif offers wonderful hiking opportunities. If you’re hiking independently, you have to enter the park at the beginning of…

Skradinski Buk

Krka National Park

The highlight of Krka National Park, an hour-long loop follows boardwalks, connects little islands in the emerald-green, fish-filled river and terminates…

Kopački Rit Nature Park

Only 12km northeast of Osijek, Kopački Rit Nature Park is one of the largest wetlands in Europe: 293 bird species have been recorded here. Formed by the…

Looming high above the town and lit with a golden glow at night, this medieval castle occupies the site of an ancient Illyrian settlement dating from…

Mother of Mercy Franciscan Monastery

Upstream of Skradinski Buk waterfall the Krka River broadens into Lake Viskovac, a habitat for marsh birds. At its centre is a tree-fringed island, the…

Zadar’s incredible Sea Organ, designed by local architect Nikola Bašić, is unique. Set within the perforated stone stairs that descend into the sea is a…

Sun Salutation

Another wacky and wonderful creation by Nikola Bašić (the local architect who designed the nearby Sea Organ), this 22m-wide circle set into the pavement…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Best Things to Do

Walking along medieval walls, white-water rafting, and hiking through national parks – all these and more are our favorite things to do in Croatia.

Things to Know

Plan the perfect trip to Croatia with these insider tips on health, safety and etiquette.

Transportation

Croatia's public transport allows you to ditch the car and relax as a ferry gets you from A to B. Here's all you need to know about getting around Croatia.

Visa Requirements

Travel to Croatia is easy. Even if you don't need a visa, you may need to a waiver to visit. Read on for information on visiting or working in Croatia.

Money and Costs

Take the bus. Visit off season. Eat up at local bakeries. We’ve rounded up these and more tips for making your euro go further on your next Croatia trip.

Traveling with Kids

From the tiniest tots to the tallest teens, Croatia has lots of attractions that delight the whole family. Here's how to plan your trip with the kids in tow.

Best Road Trips

With its stunning Adriatic coastline that reveals one beauty spot after another, Croatia was made for road-tripping. Here are seven of the best drives.

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Croatia and beyond

The Man in Seat 61

How to travel by train from

London to zagreb & croatia.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, uk to croatia by train in 24 hours.

Take a morning Eurostar to Paris, a 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV train to Stuttgart, then the excellent Croatian sleeper train overnight to Zagreb, arriving next morning.  Or take Eurostar & TGV Duplex to Munich, stay overnight, then take a scenic ride through the Austrian mountains to Slovenia and along the pretty River Sava to Zagreb.  It's safe, civilised, comfortable & affordable and unlike a flight, a memorable travel experience.  This page explains how to travel to Croatia by train, with times, fares & how to buy tickets.

Train travel information

Useful country information, london to zagreb by train.

Croatia's capital, Zagreb, is a wonderful city and the hub for trains to Split, the starting point for buses to Dubrovnik & ferries to Hvar and other Adriatic islands.  It's straightforward, safe & comfortable to reach Zagreb by train from the UK.  Here are several good options, using Eurostar or the Harwich-Hoek ferry:

Option 1 , morning Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Stuttgart, sleeper to Zagreb :  The fastest and most time-effective option.  Take a morning Eurostar to Paris, an afternoon high-speed train to Stuttgart, then the comfortable Croatian sleeper train Lisinski overnight to Zagreb arriving late morning after a scenic run along the river Sava.  In summer there's also a direct sleeping-car from Stuttgart to Rijeka.

Option 2 , morning Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Zurich, sleeper to Zagreb :   Similar to option 1, but via Zurich instead of Stuttgart.  Take a morning Eurostar to Paris, an afternoon high-speed train to Zurich, then a comfortable Croatian sleeper train from Zurich to Zagreb arriving late morning after a scenic run along the river Sava.

Option 3 , afternoon Eurostar, Nightjet sleeper train to Vienna, day train to Zagreb, 5 times a week :  Take a mid-afternoon Eurostar from London to Paris or Brussels and an excellent Nightjet sleeper train to Vienna.  The Nightjet runs Paris-Vienna 3 times a week and Brussels-Vienna 3 times a week, both due to become daily in late 2024.  Spend the morning in Vienna, then take an afternoon EuroCity train to Zagreb with great scenery along the UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway south of Vienna.

Option 4 , morning Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Munich, overnight stop, daytime train to Zagreb :  If you prefer daytime trains and a hotel to sleepers, this is the option for you.  Take a morning Eurostar to Paris and the afternoon high-speed train to Munich.  Stay overnight in Munich and continue next day through the mountains of Austria into Slovenia and along the pretty river Sava to Zagreb.

Option 5 , London or Cambridge to Amsterdam overnight by ferry. high-speed ICE trains to Munich & sleeper train to Zagreb .  This is the ferry alternative!   Travel overnight from London or Cambridge to Amsterdam with a cosy private cabin on the overnight Harwich-Hoek ferry, take superb ICE trains across Germany to Munich, have dinner in Munich then take the overnight sleeper to Zagreb.

Option 1 :  Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Stuttgart, sleeper to Zagreb

This is the fastest & most time-effective option, London to Zagreb in comfort in less than 24 hours.  You'll experience two of Europe's best high-speed trains, Eurostar and France's famous TGV, then an excellent Croatian sleeper train either in an economical couchette or a private sleeper.

London ► Zagreb

Zagreb ► london, how much does it cost.

Each train is ticketed separately, so add up the price for each leg of the journey.

Berths are sold individually, so one ticket means one bed.  The other beds in your compartment will be sold to other passengers.  For sole occupancy, simply book 1 ticket in a 1-berth sleeper or 2 tickets in a 2-berth sleeper or 4 tickets in a 4-berth couchette & so on.

How to buy tickets

Step 1, book from London to Stuttgart at www.thetrainline.com .  Who are Thetrainline.com?

Using www.thetrainline.com allows you to book all your tickets in one place, in €, £ or $, international cards no problem, small booking fee.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for Eurostar, up to 4 months ahead for Paris-Stuttgart, but usually 90 days ahead for Stuttgart-Zagreb, see more about when train bookings open .  I recommend waiting until onward trains have opened for booking and times are confirmed before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket, unless you're prepared to take a calculated risk.

Tip:   Click via/avoid and enter Paris as a via station to limit the search to routes via Paris. 

Tip:   You can book from London to Stuttgart all in one go if you like, but for more control over the connection in Paris, I'd book London-Paris first, add to basket, then book Paris-Stuttgart and add to basket, ensuring at least an hour between trains.  That way you can allow a more robust connection than the system would give you, and you can see if earlier Eurostars have cheaper prices.

Tip:   If you are making a round trip, London-Paris return fares are significantly cheaper than two one-ways so it's cheaper to book this as a return.  All other trains are one-way ticketed so it makes no difference how you book, and it can be easier to book one way at a time!

Tip:   After booking you can use the Manage booking facility at www.eurostar.com to choose an exact seat from a seating plan, see tips on choosing a seat on Eurostar .

Alternatively, you can book London to Paris at www.eurostar.com , then Paris to Stuttgart at the German Railways website int.bahn.de , then Stuttgart to Zagreb by sleeper at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at .  This is more work on multiple websites, the prices should be the same, but no booking fees.

How to buy tickets by phone

• Click here for a list of agencies & more information on how to buy tickets by phone.

Or use an Interrail pass

Pass or point to point?

Let's be clear, a pass will not save money over the cheapest point-to-point advance-purchase fares you might see if you book a few months ahead.  But when point-to-point fares are expensive (for example, at short notice) OR you want flexibility, for example the ability to change your mind, re-route or reschedule as necessary, a pass might be what you need.

If flexibility is what you want, buy the pass.  If it's about saving money, you'll have to check point-to-point prices and do the maths.

It's worth doing the maths if you are under 28, if you have kids (kids get a free pass when accompanying an adult but still need to pay reservation fees) or if you live a long way from London (as a pass covers you from your home station to London).  Passes are available in 1st & 2nd class.

How to use a pass for a trip to Croatia

Step 1, buy a 4-days in 1-month Interrail pass from www.raileurope.com (click Rail passes and select Europe ) or www.interrail.eu for €283 adult, €212 youth or €255 senior.  You load the pass into the Railplanner app on your phone.  See pass prices on the Interrail page .

A 4-day pass is enough to get from the UK to Zagreb or even Split & back again.  You might need a longer pass if going from Inverness to Split!

A 4-day pass gives you unlimited train travel on any 4 dates you choose in an overall 1 month period.  The first travel day can be any date you select in the 11 months after buying the pass, the overall 1 month period starts from that date.  Learn about how Interrail passes work here .

Step 2, make a Eurostar passholder reservation from London to Paris & back, €30 each way.  See prices & how to make Eurostar passholder reservations online .  Tip:  Eurostar passholder availability is limited, so check availability before buying a pass .

Step 3, make a passholder reservation on the Paris-Stuttgart TGV for around €18 each way using the official Interrail reservation service .

Step 4, make a couchette or sleeper reservation on the Croatian sleeper at www.oebb.at following the instructions here, method 1 .  Prices can be found on the Interrail reservations page .

By all means go out one way, back another, with an Interrail pass you can use almost any of the trains & routes to/from Croatia shown on this page, find out how to reserve the relevant trains using the Interrail reservations guide .

Have your trip arranged as a package

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a UK-Croatia trip for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  You'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays on their website which can be varied or customised to your requirements.  As you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.

Byway ( Byway.travel ) is a UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, book a one-way or return UK-Croatia train trip through Byway as a package, including hotels and starting from any British station you like.  Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption and re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.  They can build a trip to your requirements if you email them or use this contact form .  When you book, please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Gare du Nord station guide .

2. Paris to Stuttgart by TGV Duplex   See the video guide

In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est for the TGV to Germany.  Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views.  The train is equipped with power sockets for laptops & mobiles at all seats in both classes, and a cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods & farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region.  An hour or two later, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg.  On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower.  Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide .

3. Stuttgart to Zagreb on the sleeper train Lisinski    Watch the video

This modern Croatian sleeper train is a pleasure to travel on, whether in the privacy of your own sleeper or in economical couchettes.  The air-conditioned sleeping-car has 10 compartments with washbasin, each of which can be used as 1, 2 or 3 berth, with toilets at the end of the corridor.  Compartments convert to a private sitting room for evening or morning use.  A light breakfast with tea or coffee is included in the sleeper fare.  The couchette car is also modern & air-conditioned with 4 & 6 bunk compartments, ideal for families.  Couchettes convert from bunks to seats for evening or morning use.  A similar sleeping-car operates from Stuttgart to Rijeka in April, May, June, July & August.  Zagreb station guide .

Watch the video: By sleeper to Zagreb

Back to top

Option 2 :  Eurostar to Paris, TGV-Lyria to Zurich, sleeper to Zagreb

This is very similar to option 1, but instead of TGV Paris-Stuttgart and Croatian sleeper train Stuttgart-Zagreb, you taka a TGV-Lyria to Zurich and Croatian sleeper train from Zurich to Zagreb.  There are two minor disadvantages compared to option 1:  First, departure from London is a little earlier in the morning with an identical arrival time in Zagreb.  Second, you need to cross Paris by taxi or metro from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon, whereas in option 1 it's just a 7 minute walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est next door.  As with option 1, there's lovely scenery in the morning on the way to Zagreb along the Sava river.

This train will revert to its traditional departure time, 20:40, from 25 October 2024.

Saver fare = Advance-purchase fare, price varies, no refunds, no changes to travel plans.

Step 1, book from London to Zurich at www.thetrainline.com .  Who are Thetrainline.com?

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for Eurostar, up to 4 months ahead for Paris-Zurich, and usually 90 days ahead for Zurich-Zagreb, see more about when bookings open .  I recommend waiting until onward trains have opened for booking and times are confirmed before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket, unless you're prepared to take a calculated risk.

Tip:   Click via/avoid and enter Paris as a via station to limit the search to routes via Paris.

Tip:   You can book from London to Zurich all in one go if you like, but for more control over the connection in Paris, I'd book London-Paris first, add to basket, then book Paris-Zurich and add to basket, ensuring at least an hour between trains.  That way you can allow a more robust connection than the system would give you, and you can see if earlier Eurostars have cheaper prices.

Alternatively, you can book London to Paris at www.eurostar.com , then Paris to Zurich at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com , then Zurich to Zagreb at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at .  This is more work on multiple websites and sometimes more fiddly, prices should be the same, but no booking fees.

• See the Interrail section above , this route is arranged in a similar way.

What are the trains like?

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Standard Premier & Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Paris Gare du Nord station guide .  How to cross Paris by metro or taxi .

2. Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria

All TGV-Lyria trains are now 320km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex like the one shown below.  TGV-Lyria trains have 3 classes:  Standard class (2nd), standard premiere (1st class) and business premiere (1st class with hot meal & drinks included in the fare).  There's a cafe-bar car selling drinks & snacks.  There are power points for mobiles & laptops at all seats in all classes.  Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways.  More about TGV-Lyria .  Paris Gare de Lyon station guide .  Zurich HB station guide .

3. Zurich to Zagreb by sleeper train    Watch the video

This modern sleeper train is a pleasure to travel on, whether in the privacy of your own sleeper or in economical couchettes.  There's time for dinner in Zurich before boarding at a local restaurant, try the Brasserie Federal inside Zurich HB.  Zagreb station guide .

Watch the video: Zurich to Zagreb by sleeper

Option 3 , afternoon eurostar, nightjet sleeper to vienna, eurocity train to zagreb.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

The train travels along the famous Rhine Valley between Koblenz (23:46) and Mainz (00:39), so if you're still awake and your compartment happens to be on the left-hand side of the train, switch off the lights and watch the Rhine pass by, mountains, vineyards, castles & the legendary Lorelei Rock lit by moonlight.  Wonderful!

In Vienna, you've the best part of a day to enjoy the city.  Left luggage lockers are available .

Tip:   If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf for an hour after arrival, with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & free WiFi.  If you have a 1st class ticket for the onward train, you can use it for an hour or two before departure, too.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

There's no restaurant car, but in sleepers or couchettes you can order drinks, snacks and hot dishes from a room service menu, served in your compartment.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee, served in your compartment.

In Vienna, you've time to enjoy the city.  Left luggage lockers are available .

Tip:   If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

There's no restaurant car, but in sleepers or couchettes you can order drinks, snacks and hot dishes from a room service menu, served in your compartment.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee.

Tip:   If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & WiFi.

On the sleeper train, berths are sold individually, so one ticket means one bed, the other beds in your compartment will be sold to other passengers.  For sole occupancy, simply book 1 ticket in a 1-berth sleeper, 2 tickets in a 2-berth sleeper, 4 tickets in a 4-berth couchette & so on.

Using www.thetrainline.com allows you to book all your tickets together in one place, in €, £ or $, international cards no problem, small booking fee.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, see more about when bookings open .

Tip:   If you are making a round trip, London-Brussels return fares are significantly cheaper than two one-ways so it's cheaper to book this as a return.  All the other trains are one-way ticketed so it makes no difference how you book, and it can be easier to book one way at a time!

Step 3, now use www.thetrainline.com again to book from Vienna to Zagreb, add to basket & check out.

Booking for this train may open only 90 days ahead, see more about when bookings open .

1. London to Paris or Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .   Paris Gare du Nord station guide .  Brussels Midi station guide .  In Brussels, I recommend using the Pullman Hotel bar as your VIP waiting room .

2. Paris or Brussels to Vienna by Nightjet   See the Nightjet guide

3. Vienna to Zagreb by EuroCity train

The EuroCity train Croatia has comfortable air-conditioned Austrian cars, some with classic 6-seat compartments, some with open-plan saloons, and an Austrian restaurant car serving snacks, meals, beer and wine.  Zagreb station guide .  U pdate:   From September 2023 until further notice, you'll need to make a quick cross-platform change in Graz.  The restaurant car only runs in the Austrian portion.

Option 4 :  By daytime trains, with overnight stop in Munich

This option takes longer than the others, but if you prefer daytime trains and a hotel to sleeper trains, this is the option for you.  You get to see rather than sleep through all that wonderful scenery through the mountains across Austria and along the pretty River Sava from Slovenia to Zagreb.

London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £168 return standard premier (1st class).

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead , sometimes longer, but I recommend waiting until onward trains are open for booking so their times can be confirmed, before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket.  More about when bookings open .

If you're returning, London to Paris should be booked as a round trip because Eurostar return fares are significantly less than two one-ways.  All onward trains beyond Paris are one-way ticketed so a return is simply two one ways and you might find it easier to book one way at a time. 

It's better to book online, as you avoid phone booking fees and can see for yourself which departures have the cheapest fares.  But if you want to book by phone, call Deutsche Bahn's English-speaking telesales line on 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04 (lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings).  Other agencies selling European tickets by phone .

• See the Interrail section above .  On this route, you'll need the pass, a Eurostar passholder reservation from London to Paris and a Paris-Munich TGV reservation both of which can be made using the official Interrail reservations service .  A seat reservation from Munich to Zagreb is usually optional, but can be made for around €4.90 at int.bahn.de , run the enquiry by clicking the Book seat only link under the red search button.

Let Railbookers arrange it as a package

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or holiday as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  Their website shows a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your requirements.  As you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.

2. Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex   See the video guide

In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est for the TGV to Germany.  Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views.  The train is equipped with power sockets for laptops & mobiles at all seats in both classes, and a cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods & farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region.  An hour or two later, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg.  On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower.  Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart & Munich.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide .  Munich Hbf station guide .

3. Munich to Zagreb by train

Option 5 :  Via the Harwich-Hoek van Holland ferry

This is the ferry alternative!  It's a great option if you live in East Anglia, if Eurostar is too expensive or if you want to avoid the Channel Tunnel, for example if you suffer from claustrophobia.  I don't recommend the Dover-Calais route because of poor train/ferry connections, the Stena Line rail & sail service via Harwich & Hoek van Holland is the one to use as it has co-ordinated timetables and integrated ticketing, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page & watch the video .

London, Cambridge & Harwich ► Zagreb

At Harwich, the station is right next to the ferry terminal and you walk off the train into the terminal, check in at the Stena Line desk and walk straight onto Stena Line's luxurious overnight superferry Stena Hollandica to Hoek van Holland.

All passengers travel in cosy private cabins with en suite toilet & shower & satellite TV.  Deluxe Comfort class & Captains class cabins are also available, and there's free WiFi in the lounges, restaurants & bars on 9 deck.  You can get on board the ferry around 9pm, have a late dinner in the restaurant and settle into your cabin.

The ferry sails at 23:00 and arrives at Hoek van Holland at 08:00 Dutch time next morning. 

Zagreb  ► Harwich, Cambridge & London

Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Amsterdam on ICE trains , leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 09:23, changing at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf , arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 15:29.  Times may vary.  The ICE trains have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to London overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail .

Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 18:35 by Dutch intercity train to Schiedam Centrum and change onto the frequent metro to Hoek van Holland Haven.  At Hoek, the metro station is next to the ferry terminal.  Check in at the Stena Line desk at least 45 minutes before sailing time, then walk up the gangway onto the luxurious Stena Line superferry Stena Britannica and sail overnight to Harwich in a cosy private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV.

The ferry sails from Hoek van Holland at 22:00 and arrives at Harwich International at 06:30 next morning (day 3), UK time.  Day 3, Take a train from Harwich to London Liverpool Street arriving around 08:56 or from Harwich to Cambridge, arriving 09:42 (10:39 Sundays).

See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details .

Step 1, buy a Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket from London to Hoek van Holland online as shown on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .

Buy the onward metro & train ticket to Amsterdam as shown on that page.

Alternatively, stay in Munich & take a daytime train next day

1. London to Amsterdam by train & ferry

A train takes you from London's Liverpool Street station directly to the ferry terminal at Harwich.  You walk off the train, into the terminal, get your boarding card & cabin key at the Stena Line check-in desk and walk straight onto the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland.  The superferry Stena Britannica is the largest ferry of its kind in the world.  All passengers travel in private cabins with shower, toilet & satellite TV.  There's free WiFi in the public areas on 9 deck.  The journey from London to Holland is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .  See the video .

The Stena Britannica at boarding at Harwich, a floating hotel with private cabins, restaurant, bar, lounges, shop & kennels.

Above left, a standard outside cabin.  Larger photo .   360º photo .  Above right, the Stena Plus lounge with complimentary red & white wine, tea, coffee & snacks.

Above left, the bar on 9 deck. Above right, a Captain's Class cabin with complimentary minibar, toilet & shower.

2. Amsterdam to Stuttgart by ICE

ICEs are German Railways' premier trains, with 1st & 2nd class, a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

3. Stuttgart to Zagreb by sleeper train Lisinski   Watch the video

This modern sleeper train is a pleasure to travel on, whether in the privacy of your own sleeper or in economical couchettes.  The sleeper used to run Munich-Zagreb, but is extended to run Stuttgart-Munich-Zagreb from 11 December 2022.  Zagreb station guide .

London to Split & Dubrovnik

Option 1 , london to split & dubrovnik by train, london ► split, dubrovnik.

Step 1, travel from London to Zagreb as shown in the London to Zagreb section , using whichever option suits you best.

Step 2, travel from Zagreb to Split by train, either ICN daytime train through great scenery or (on some days) by sleeper.

Leave Zagreb 07:03, arriving Split 13:45.  Runs 27-30 March, 1 April, 7 June to 29 September, 28-31October 2024.

Leave Zagreb 15:18, arriving Split 21:53.  Runs daily all year round.

Leave Zagreb 22:30 by sleeper, arriving Split 07:01.  Runs on Friday nights all year round, daily 29 June to 30 August 2024.

The ICN trains are comfortable and air-conditioned with 1st & 2nd class seats.  The sleeper train has a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments and two couchette cars with 6 berth compartments.  You can check train times using www.hzpp.hr .

Zagreb to Split is a scenic train ride, with mountains, lakes, rivers, and even vineyards.  The trains are modern and air-conditioned, see the photos below.  ICN trains tilt round the bends on this mountainous route, cutting the journey time to 5½-6 hours from a previous best of around 8 hours.  There's no catering so bring your own food & drink.  Seat reservation is compulsory on ICN trains.

Dubrovnik, Split ► London

Step 2, travel from Split to Zagreb by train, either ICN daytime train through great scenery or (on some days) by sleeper.

Leave Split 08:23, arriving Zagreb 15:09.  Runs Monday-Saturday all year round, daily 3 June to 29 September 2024.

Leave Split 14:09, arriving Zagreb 20:57.  Runs Sundays all year round, daily 7 June to 29 September plus a few other dates.

Leave Split at 21:11 by sleeper train, arrive Zagreb 05:49.  Runs Sunday nights all year round, daily 30 June to 31 August 2024.

Use www.hzpp.hr to check train times.  Seat reservation is compulsory on ICN trains.  It's a lovely scenic ride, bring your own food & drink as there's no catering.  The sleeper train has a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments and two couchette cars with 6 berth compartments.

Step 3, travel from Zagreb to London by train using any of the options shown in the London to Zagreb section above .  The afternoon ICN from Split connects nicely with the Lisinski sleeper train to Munich for onward TGV to Paris and London, see above .

For fares from London to Zagreb, see the London-Zagreb section above .

Zagreb to Split costs from at €15.10 in 2nd class or €22.65 in 1st class, each way, bought online at www.hzpp.hr .

Step 1, buy tickets from London to Zagreb online as shown above .

Step 2, buy a ticket from Zagreb to Split & back at Croatian Railways website www.hzpp.hr and print your own ticket.

Zagreb to Split by ICN train

Traveller Francis Meylan reports:  "The journey to Split was fascinating and very scenic.  It was a modern diesel train with a free cup of coffee (though no food).  Single track but recently re-engineered and was very smooth despite climbing and very many bends, tunnels, and so forth.  The track went across high embankments and on ledges on valley sides.  It wasn't particularly fast and I can see why.  Every country station had a uniformed station master standing to attention as the train went past!  Many of the country stations were in ruins and there were obvious signs of war damage, walls pock marked with bullet holes.  We could see several minefields marked off.  In Knin the front of the large Austro-Hungarian-style town hall was riddled with bullet holes. Towards Split the landscape is very dry, limestone I think, and very rocky.  If you took the Sleeper would miss all this!

Option 2 , using the Vienna - Split sleeper (May to October)

This is an excellent option if you're travelling between May & October.  The Brussels-Vienna & Paris-Vienna sleeper trains currently run 3 days per week and their days of running don't match up well with the 3-days-a-week Vienna-Split sleeper.  However, the Brussels-Vienna & Paris-Vienna sleepers should become daily in early 2024, so by summer 2024 you'll be able to leave London in the afternoon on day 1, spend day 2 at leisure in Vienna, and arrive in Split on the morning of day 3.  No flight necessary!

Step 1, travel from London to Vienna using any of the options shown on the UK to Austria page .

For example, you could take the 13:01 Eurostar from London to Brussels then the Nightjet sleeper train from Brussels to Vienna.

This sleeper train runs 3 times a week, but should be increased to run every day in autumn 2024.  Or take an afternoon Eurostar to Paris and the similar Paris-Vienna sleeper, see the UK to Austria page .

You'd then have a day at leisure in Vienna.  Left luggage is available at Vienna Hbf .

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Split by direct sleeper train, 3 times a week May-October.

It runs on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays from 3 May to 2 October 2024.

It leaves Vienna Hbf at 18:05 and arrives in Split at 08:10 next morning.

The train starts its journey in Bratislava.  It has three comfortable air-conditioned Slovakian sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a Slovakian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth couchettes and ordinary seats.  You can see details of train formation & carriages if you go to www.vagonweb.cz switch it to English, click train formations and search for train number EN 1153.

Step 3, take a bus from Split to Dubrovnik.  There are buses every hour or even every half hour, run by several companies.  Journey time between 3h45 and 4h35, fare around €13-€17.  Buy a ticket at the bus station in Split.

Step 2, travel from Split to Vienna by EuroNight sleeper train, 3 times a week May-October.

The sleeper train runs on Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays from 4 May to 3 October 2024.

It leaves Split at 17:20 and arrives Vienna Hbf at 08:54.

The train has three comfortable air-conditioned Slovakian sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, a Slovakian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats.  The train continues to Bratislava.  You can see details of train formation & carriages if you go to www.vagonweb.cz switch it to English, click train formations and search for train number EN 1152.

Step 1, travel from Vienna to London using any of the options shown on the UK to Austria page .

For example, you can take the 3-times-a-week Nightjet sleeper train from Vienna to Brussels, then a Eurostar to London.

This sleeper train should be increased to daily by the summer of 2024, so you can leave Split in late afternoon on day 1, spend day 2 at leisure in Vienna, and arrive in London at 14:00 on day 3. 

Or take the Vienna-Paris sleeper then a lunchtime Eurostar to London, see the UK to Austria page .

For fares from London to Vienna see the London-Vienna section on the Austria page .

Fares from Vienna to Split start at €29.90 in a seat, €49 in a couchette, €79.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 in a 2-bed sleeper, €149.90 in a single-bed sleeper.

A bus from Split to Dubrovnik costs €13-€17.

Step 1, buy tickets from London to Vienna as shown on the London-Vienna section on the Austria page .

Step 2, buy a ticket from Vienna to Split at either www.thetrainline.com (easy, in €, £ or $, small booking fee, international credit cards no problem) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead , you print your own ticket.

Step 3, buy a bus ticket at the bus station when you get to Split, there are lots of buses.

Option 3 , London to Italy by train, ferry to Dubrovnik, Split or Zadar

Step 1, travel from London to Ancona or Bari by train.

You take a morning Eurostar to Paris, the afternoon TGV or Frecciarossa from Paris to Milan, stay overnight then take a fast train from Milan to Ancona or Bari.  For train times, fares & how to buy tickets between London and Ancona, see the London to Italy page .

In Ancona, take a taxi to the port, or it's a 30-minute 2.3km walk.

In Bari, take a taxi to the ferry terminal or it's a 25 minute walk.

Step 2, sail from Italy to Croatia by ferry.  Allow plenty of time for the connection & check-in at Ancona or Bari.

Several ferry operators sail from Ancona to Split overnight on various days of the week including www.jadrolinija.hr .  Book the Jadrolinija ferry at the Direct Ferries website or call Jadrolinija's UK agents, Viamare Travel on 020 8343 5810. 

Between June & September, there's also a daily fast ferry, taking 4 hours, leaving Ancona at around 11:00 and returning from Split at 17:00, see www.snav.it .  There are also some sailings to Zadar.

www.jadrolinija.hr also sail from Bari to Dubrovnik several times a week in summer (no service in winter), typically sailing at 21:00 and arriving 08:00.  Book the Jadrolinija ferry at the Direct Ferries website or call Jadrolinija's UK agents, Viamare Travel on 020 8343 5810.

If you can't find a ferry to Dubrovnik, then take a ferry to Split then bus to Dubrovnik.  Buses run from Split to Dubrovnik every hour or two, taking about 4-5 hours.  Bus information can be found at www.ak-split.hr (Split bus station arrivals & departures), www.dubrovnik-online.net or www.libertasdubrovnik.hr (Dubrovnik bus station departures). 

London to Hvar, Korčula, Vis , Brač

Take a train from the UK to Split, then a ferry.  Departures are daily, all year round.

London to Rijeka

Option 1, by direct stuttgart-rijeka sleeper.

Take Eurostar to Paris and a TGV to Stuttgart to connect with it, see the London-Zagreb section for details .

Option 2, changing at Ljubljana, all year

London ► rijeka.

Step 1, travel from London to Ljubljana as shown on the Slovenia page , using any of the options shown.

Step 2, travel from Ljubljana to Rijeka by train, leaving Ljubljana at 08:30 (arriving Rijeka 11:12) or at 15:20 (arriving 18:11).

Trains run from Ljubljana to Rijeka twice a day at these times, you can check train times at int.bahn.de .  The morning train should connect out of the sleeper from Stuttgart/Munich & Zurich.  The afternoon train should connect out of the morning train from Munich & Salzburg.

Rijeka ► London

Trains leave Rijeka at 11:50 (arriving Ljubljana 14:38) and at 18:57 (arriving Ljubljana 21:42).

Allow plenty of time (an hour or two) to make connections in Ljubljana, and/or stay overnight if necessary.  You can check train times at int.bahn.de .

Travel from Ljubljana to London as shown on the Slovenia page , using any of the options shown.

Fares & how to buy tickets

See the fares in the London-Ljubljana section , and buy tickets from London to Ljubljana as shown there.

Bought at the station in Ljubljana, the Ljubljana-Rijeka fare is around €17 one-way, €27 return.  Advance reservation isn't necessary for Ljubljana-Rijeka trains, so you can buy a ticket at Ljubljana on the day & hop on, this will be much cheaper than buying a ticket from outside Slovenia.  The ticket office at Ljubljana is easy to find and English is widely spoken.

London to Porec, Rovinj, Pula & Istria

Istria, land of olive oil, wineries and truffles, was once part of the Venetian empire, and after a spell with the Austro-Hungarians it was again part of Italy between the wars.  Even today, the dual-language place names and road signs reveal it's Italian heritage.  For Istrian tourist information, see www.istra.hr .  Now part of Croatia, Istria can be reached overland from the UK in a couple of ways.

Option 1:  By train from London to Ljubljana, then train to Pula

Take any option you like from London to Ljubljana, as shown on the London to Slovenia page .  Stay overnight in Ljubljana if necessary.

Ljubljana to Pula

In summer, a direct train runs at weekends early April to late August, leaving Ljubljana around 06:12 and arriving Pula at 10:43.

All year, a local train service leaves Ljubljana at 08:15 every day, there's an easy change of train at Divaca & at the Croatian border at Buzet, arriving  change at Pula at 13:03.

All year, a local train service leaves Ljubljana at 13:35 every day, there's an easy change of train at Divaca & at the Croatian border at Buzet, arriving  change at Pula at 19:10.

A Pula Special ticket costs €19 one-way or €29 return.  All these trains are 2nd class only, no online booking, just buy at the station.

See potniski.sz.si/en/pula

Pula to Ljubljana

In summer, a direct train runs at weekends early April to late August, leaving Pula 17:57 and arriving Ljubljana at 22:34.

All year, a local train leaves Pula at 09:05 every day, with an easy change at the border at Buzet and at Divaca, arriving Ljubljana at 17:05.

All year, a local train leaves Pula at 14:36 every day, with an easy change at the border at Buzet and at Divaca, arriving Ljubljana at 19:42.

No reservation is necessary, just buy a Ljubljana to Pula ticket at the station, fare €25 one-way or €30 return.

Option 2:  By train from London to Rijeka, then bus to Porec, Rovinj, Buje, Motovun, Pula

This is another reliable all-year-round way to reach Istria, as mainline trains run to Rijeka which is a hub for buses serving destinations all over Istria.  First, travel from London to Rijeka as shown above .  On arrival in Rijeka, walk out of the station and turn right.  The bus station is 2 minutes walk straight down this main road, you can't miss it.  Every couple of hours, buses link Rijeka with the historic coastal town of Porec, delightful picturesque Rovinj, and the wonderful roman remains in Pula.  The main bus company is www.autotrans.hr , you can easily buy bus tickets when you get to Rijeka.

Option 3:  By train to Venice, then fast ferry to Porec, Rovinj or Pula

This option operates from April to October, and is a great option as it combines Venice with Istria. 

First, travel from London to Venice as shown on the London to Italy page .  For example, travel by Eurostar & TGV to Switzerland, stay the night there, then travel through the Alps to Milan and Venice next day.  The choice is yours. 

Venezia Lines ( www.venezialines.com ) operate ferries from Venice April-October on various days of the week to Porec, Rovinj (Rovigno in Italian) Umag and Pula (Pola in Italian).  The Venice-Porec ferry crossing takes 2½ hours.  Start by checking the days the ferries operate at www.venezialines.com .  On days when a 17:00 ferry sails from Venice you can leave London in the afternoon on day 1, spend most of day 2 in Venice, and arrive in Porec or Rovinj in the evening of day 2!

Holidays to Croatia by train

Railbookers can custom-make a flight-free holiday to Croatia with train travel, transfers & hotels all arranged for you, for however long you like, leaving on any date you like.  If you tell them what you want, they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you.  They get a lot of repeat business and a lot of recommendation by word of mouth!

European Rail Timetable & maps

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Click the images to buy at Amazon

My own book, an essential handbook for train travel to Europe based on this website called " The Man in Seat 61 ", was published in June 2008, and is available from Amazon.co.uk with shipping worldwide.

Hotels in Zagreb & Croatia

In zagreb: the esplanade hotel.

Book a room at the venerable & historic Esplanade Hotel If you can possibly afford it - it's not even expensive by western standards.  Built in 1925 for Orient Express passengers stopping at Zagreb.  It's perfectly located, next to the station and an easy walk from Zagreb old town.  With art deco features, it's the top choice!

For something slightly cheaper, but still close to Zagreb's main station with good or great reviews, try the Palace Hotel , also a historic building with art nouveau features.  I can also recommend the more modern Central Hotel .

Suggested hotels in Split

For something special if your budget will stretch, try the Murum Heritage Hotel , set in part of Roman emperor Diocletian's palace, right in the centre near the port & city museum.  For something cheaper, but still in that same central historic area, try the Sleep Split Hotel or the ID Regal Residence , both with great reviews.

Backpacker hostels

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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The easiest way to get to Croatia is by air, and during the summer season most parts of the country are accessible by flights from the UK and Ireland. Though there are a few direct flights to Croatia from outside Europe fares can be expensive; a cheaper option may be to fly to a major Western European city and continue by air, train or bus from there.

Flights from the UK and Ireland

Flights from the us and canada, flights from australia and new zealand, flights from south africa, travel agents and tour operators, by car from the uk, by bus from the uk, by ferry from italy, sailing and yachting packages, tailor-made travel itineraries for croatia, created by local experts.

16 days  / from 5243 USD

Gorgeous gems of Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia

From the spas of Budapest to Lake Bled with its castle and further on to Croatia - this itinerary takes you across 3 countries, with a special focus on Slovenia's lake area and the Dalmatian coast in Croatia.

10 days  / from 2800 USD

Sailing Croatia

If you want to experience the Dalmatian coast from a whole different perspective, then this trip is for you! Hop aboard a beautiful cruiser and sail along some of Croatia's most stunning islands.

10 days  / from 2306 USD

Southern Pearls

This ten-day trip will take you around three adjacent countries, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Your tour starts in Split, Croatia, moving south (hence the name "Southern Pearls") over the island of Hvar and Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina to end up in Montenegro.

Airfares always depend on the season . Peak times for flights to Croatia are between May and September, and around the Easter and Christmas holidays; at these times be prepared to book well in advance. Fares drop during the “shoulder” seasons (April and October), and you’ll usually get the best prices during the low season (Nov–March, excluding Easter and Christmas). Many of Croatia’s cities are served by budget airlines , although flights may be limited to the summer tourist season (May–Sept). The best deals are usually to be found by booking through discount travel websites or the websites of the airlines themselves.

You may sometimes find it cheaper to pick up a bargain package deal from a tour operator. The main advantage of package holidays is that hotel accommodation is much cheaper than if you arrange things independently, bringing mid-range hotels well within reach and making stays in even quite snazzy establishments a fraction of the price paid by walk-in guests. The season for Adriatic packages runs from April to October; city breaks in Zagreb and Dubrovnik are available all the year round. Croatia is also the venue for an increasing number of maritime packages – ranging from sailing courses for beginners to boat charter for the experienced (see Travel agents and tour operators).

Flying from the UK to Croatia takes between two hours fifteen minutes and two hours 45 minutes. Direct scheduled flights are operated by Croatia Airlines, which flies from London Heathrow to Zagreb, and British Airways, who run year-round direct flights from London Gatwick to Dubrovnik and London Heathrow to Zagreb, and twice-weekly seasonal flights from London Heathrow to Split. EasyJet, Wizzair, Jet2 and Ryanair operate seasonal (usually May-Oct) services to Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Rijeka, Pula and Osijek from a wide range of UK airports. Travelling from Ireland , Aer Lingus fly from Dublin to Pula and Dubrovnik, while Jet2 and easyJet fly to Dubrovnik and Split respectively from Belfast.

Expect to pay around £170 return low season, £250–300 return high season if travelling with Croatia Airlines or British Airways, although bear in mind that prices rise drastically if you don’t book well in advance. Tickets with budget carriers can be significantly cheaper – again, you have to book well in advance to take advantage of the lowest fares.

Package deals

The widest range of package deals is offered by Croatia specialists, who can put together customized flight-plus-accommodation deals; in high season (June–Sept) expect to pay from around £670 for a week, and from £850 for two weeks. As for city breaks , a three-day stay in Zagreb or Dubrovnik will cost £450–550 per person depending on which grade of hotel you choose. A few specialist operators offer naturist holidays in the self-contained mega-resorts of Istria.

Motorsailer cruises in Dalmatia start at around £650 for seven days. To learn the rudiments of sailing , you can arrange a one-week beginner’s course – prices start at about £680 per person. The cheapest seven-day holiday in an eight-berth yacht is typically around £600–700 per person (rising to £800–900 in a two-berth yacht), depending on the season. Prices rise steeply for fancier yachts. You won’t be able to charter a smallish three- to four-berth bareboat yacht for much under £750 per week, while prices for larger craft can run into thousands; a skipper will cost upwards of £120 a day extra.

There are currently no direct flights from North America to Croatia, though most major airlines offer one- or two-stop flights via the bigger European cities, often in conjunction with Croatia Airlines, the national carrier. From the US , a midweek round-trip fare to Zagreb in low season starts at US$750 from New York (US$1200 from US West Coast cities), rising to US$1300 (US$1800 from the West Coast) during high season. From Canada , round-trip fares start at Can$1250 from Toronto and Can$1800 from Vancouver during the low season, rising to Can$1800 and Can$2300 respectively during high season. Note that the above prices are for tickets bought from airlines directly, and the pricing varies hugely depending on the route and the carrier combination; discount agencies usually have lower fares.

Specialist travel agents such as TravelTime offer air-inclusive independent packages . Expect to pay about US$1100 for eight days in Dubrovnik or Dalmatia in low season, $1650 in high season. There are also several North American tour operators offering escorted and independent tours and activity holidays to Croatia – a number of which also include Slovenia in their itinerary.

If you’re planning to visit Croatia as part of a wider trip across Europe, you may want to get the cheapest transatlantic flight you can find, and continue your journey overland – in which case it’s worth considering a Eurail pass for train travel.

Flying to Croatia from Australia and New Zealand with major airlines often involves two stops en route and can work out quite expensive – fares hover around the Aus$2750 mark from Australia, NZ$3450 from New Zealand. It probably makes far more sense to aim for a big European city such as London or Frankurt and then travel on to Croatia on a local budget airline. This can work out quite cheaply if booked well in advance. Another option is to fly to Doha or Dubai and pick up one of the regular flights to Zagreb operated by Qatar Airways and flydubai.

A small number of package-tour operators offer holidays in Croatia from Australia and New Zealand, including accommodation, cruises along the Dalmatian coast, sightseeing packages and rail passes.

There are no direct flights to Croatia from South Africa , but plenty of airlines offer one-stop flights via European hubs such as London, Frankfurt or Paris. Flying with an airline such as Lufthansa from Johannesburg to Zagreb via Frankfurt costs around ZAR9200 in low season, ZAR10,700 in high season, and takes around eighteen hours. Flying to Split or Dubrovnik usually involves one more stop and costs ZAR1500–2500 extra.

Adriatic Travel US t 1 310 548 1446. Croatian travel specialists offering escorted tours, pilgrimages and activity holidays.

Adventure World Australia t 1300 295 049. Accommodation, sailing, hiking tours and more.

Completely Croatia t 01323 832 538. Upmarket tour company specializing in charming villas and hotels in the less touristy parts of Croatia.

Concorde Ireland t 01 775 9300. Holidays in Dalmatia and charter flights from Dublin and Cork from an operator with long-time Croatian experience. They also deal with accommodation, flights and car rental.

Croatia for Travellers UK t 01825 766 896 20 7226 4460. Tailor-made packages and activity holidays using a wide range of hotel and apartment accommodation along the Adriatic coast and in Zagreb and the Plitvice Lakes.

Croatia Tours Ireland t 01 878 0800. Destinations in Istria, Dalmatia and the Dubrovnik region, plus tailor-made itineraries, from a specialist operator.

Croatia Travel Agency US t 1 800 662 7628. New York-based agency specializing in all things Croatian, including packages, airfare, cruises and car rental.

Croatian Villas UK t 020 8888 6655. Tasteful apartments and holiday houses throughout Dalmatia and the Kvarner region, with a particularly good choice of properties in Lovran and on the island of Veli Brijun.

Discover Croatia Holidays Australia t 1300 660 189. Dedicated specialists offering packages and tailor-made arrangements to pretty much everywhere in the country.

Eastern Eurotours Australia t 1800 242 353. Holidays in Dubrovnik, Split and Zagreb, plus multi-centre Adriatic tours and sea cruises.

Exodus UK t 0845 863 9600. Guided cultural tours, walking trips, mountain biking and cycling expeditions along the Croatian Adriatic.

Explore Worldwide UK t 01252 888 554, US t 1 800 715 1746, Canada t 1 888 216 3401. Cultural tours, cycling, hiking and Adriatic cruises.

Headwater Holidays UK t 01606 828 110. Light walking tours taking in nature and culture in Dalmatia.

Kompas US t 1 954 771 9200. Various packages including city breaks in Dubrovnik, Split and Zagreb, yachting trips and customized tours.

Ramblers Holidays UK t 01707 331133. Cultural tours with a bit of easy walking, centring on Split and Dubrovnik.

Road Scholar US t 1 800 454 5768. Specialists in educational and activity programmes, cruises and homestays for senior travellers, including Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia combo packages.

Skedaddle UK t 0191 265 1110. Biking tours in Istria, staying in rural accommodation.

TravelTime US t 1 800 354 8728. The main Croatian specialist operator in the US, with a wide range of packages including guided tours, city breaks, kayaking, wine-tasting and culinary tours, plus programmes for senior citizens.

Vintage Travel UK t 01954 261431. Apartment holidays with small-town Istria a speciality.

Travelling to Croatia by train from the UK is unlikely to save money compared with flying, but can be a leisurely way of getting to the country if you plan to stop off in other parts of Europe on the way. It’s certainly simpler and more cost-effective to buy a rail pass, invest in an international rail timetable and plan your own itinerary than to try and purchase a rail return ticket to Croatia: most ticket agents deal exclusively with premier express services, and fares often work out more expensive than flying – a London–Zagreb return will set you back something in the region of £210–300. The high cost is at least partly explained by the fact that almost all through-tickets from London to European destinations now use Eurostar trains, rather than the (traditionally cheaper) ferries. It’s still possible to travel by rail from London to the continent via ferry, but (unless you have a rail pass) you’ll probably have to buy individual tickets for each stage of the journey.

There are two main London–Zagreb rail itineraries : the first is via Paris, Lausanne, Milan, Venice and Ljubljana; the second via Brussels, Cologne, Salzburg and Ljubljana. The total journey time on either route is around thirty hours, depending on connections – considerably longer if you cross the Channel by ferry rather than taking the Eurostar. If you’re making a beeline for Dalmatia, consider heading for Ancona in Italy (16hr from Paris), the departure point for ferries to Zadar, Split and Stari Grad.

Rail passes

If you’re planning to visit Croatia as part of a more extensive trip around Europe, it may be worth buying a rail pass . Croatia is covered in the Inter-Rail pass scheme, which is available to European residents.

Inter-Rail passes can be bought through Rail Europe in the UK and come in over-26 and (cheaper) under-26 versions. They cover most European countries, including Croatia and all the countries you need to travel through in order to get there. A pass for five days’ travel in a ten-day period (£205 for adults, £149 for those under 26) will just about suffice to get you to Croatia and back; although a more leisurely approach would require a pass for ten days’ travel within a 22-day period (£291 and £219 respectively) or a pass for one month’s continuous travel (£488 and £359). Inter-Rail passes do not include travel between Britain and the continent, although pass-holders are eligible for discounts on rail travel in the UK and on cross-Channel ferries.

Non-European residents qualify for the Eurail Global pass , which must be purchased before arrival in Europe from selected agents in North America, Australia and New Zealand or from Rail Europe in London. The pass allows unlimited train travel in twenty European countries, including Belgium and Germany. Passes for those aged 26 and over are for first-class travel only. Passes for the under 26s come with a second-class option. There's an extensive choice of time periods: for example a pass for five days' travel in a ten-day period costs $522 for those over 26 (first class), $341 for those under 26 (second class); ten days' travel within a two-mont period costs $784 and $512 respectively; a pass for one month's continuos travel costs $1054 and $687. Further details of these passes can be found on w raileurope.com.

Driving to Croatia is straightforward. The most direct route from the UK is to follow motorways from the Belgian coast via Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich, Salzburg and Villach as far as the Slovene capital, Ljubljana, from where you can continue by ordinary road south to Rijeka on the Adriatic coast or southeast to Zagreb. An alternative approach is through France, Switzerland and Italy as far as Ancona on Italy’s Adriatic coast, from where there are ferries to various points on the Dalmatian coast. Farther down towards the heel of Italy there are ferries from Bari to Dubrovnik.

Note that if you’re driving on Austrian motorways you’ll have to buy a vignette (a windscreen sticker available at border crossings and petrol stations; €8 for ten days, €25.30 for two months). In Slovenia you’ll need to buy a vignette to drive on all but minor country roads (€15 for one week, €30 for one month).

The bus journey from London to Zagreb (changing in Frankfurt) takes 34–38 hours and is slightly cheaper than the train, with a return costing £200. Contact Eurolines (UK T 08717 818 187, Ireland T 01 836 6111).

Seasonal ferry services (usually spring to late autumn) run from Ancona to Split, Stari Grad and Zadar; and from Bari to Dubrovnik. Passengers can usually buy tickets on arrival at the relevant ferry port, but if you’re travelling with a vehicle it’s wise to book in advance, especially in July and August. Services to Split and Dubrovnik usually take eight to twelve hours; services to Zadar slightly less.

From northern Italy, passenger-only catamarans operated by Venezia Lines serve Poreč, Pula and Rovinj from Venice.

Simple deck passage from Ancona or Bari to Croatian ports costs about €65–70 in peak season, although booking early online can uncover some cheaper deals. Most crossings are overnight, so consider investing an additional €30 for a bed in a basic cabin. Pushbikes are free, motorcycles cost about €45, cars €85. Return tickets are usually twenty percent cheaper than two singles.

Croatia’s island-scattered littoral is the perfect place for sailing and yachting, the season usually lasting from early May to early October. The most basic form of sailing holiday, for which you need no nautical experience, is a cruise in a motorsailer – basically a large, engine-powered yacht with simple bunk accommodation and a crew to do the work. If you already know the ropes you might consider flotilla sailing, in which a group of yachts with an expertly crewed lead boat embarks on a set seven- or fourteen-day itinerary. Flotilla yachts usually range from two-berth to eight-berth, so per-person prices decrease according to the size of your group. At least one of your party will have to have sailing experience – exactly how much differs from one travel company to the next.

Sailing holidays and yacht charter contacts

Yacht charter can either be “bareboat” (meaning you have to sail it yourself) or “skippered” (which means you pay for the services of a local captain). Prices are subject to many variables, the most important being the model of yacht and the number of berths. For bareboat charter, at least one member of the party has to have about two years’ sailing experience – again, precise requirements differ from company to company. To find out more, you can contact a specialist agency in your home country.

Activity Yachting UK t 01243 641304. Learn-to-sail packages, flotilla sailing and bareboat charter out of Murter in central Dalmatia.

Cosmos Yachting UK t 0800 376 9070. Individual yacht charter or skippered charter out of Zadar, Pula, Split, Dubrovnik and other ports.

Interpac Yachts US t 1 619 222 0327. Yacht-charter specialists offering customized Adriatic cruises.

Nautilus Yachting UK t 01732 867445. Learn-to-sail packages based in Murter, plus bareboat yacht and motor-yacht charter from various Dalmatian ports.

Sail Croatia Croatia t 00 385 21 494 888. Skippered and bareboat charter from a wide range of Dalmatian island bases.

Sail Croatia Adventures UK t 0845 257 8289. Motorcruiser tours of Dalmatia, sailing-plus-cycling combinations.

Seafarer UK t 020 8324 3117. Bareboat charters and flotilla sailing based in Dalmatia.

Setsail Holidays UK t 01787 310445. Bareboat charter, and two-week flotilla sailing in Dalmatia.

The Rough Guides to Croatia and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Travel advice for Croatia

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Croatia

• Eating and drinking in Croatia
• Getting around Croatia: Transportation Tips
• National Parks in Croatia
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Croatia
• Travel Tips Croatia for planning and on the go
• Best time to visit Croatia

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written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 26.04.2021

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Find cheap flights to Croatia from £32

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from the united kingdom to croatia departing on 2/9. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to croatia.

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Best Croatia Flight Deals

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Good to know - Cheap tickets to Croatia

Faqs - booking croatia flights, which airport offers the cheapest flights to croatia.

If you're trying to find cheap flights to Croatia from London, some of the most affordable options fly from London Stansted (STN) or London Gatwick (GW) airports. Ryanair works in conjunction with Croatia Airlines to offer flights to Zagreb in just over 2 hours or a flight to Split via Zagreb that takes about 3 hours longer. The cheapest option from London Gatwick has multiple stopovers and an airport change from Milan Malpensa (MXP) to Bergamo Orio Al Serio (BGY).

What routes are available from Liverpool to Dubrovnik?

If you're trying to find cheap flights to Croatia from Liverpool (LPL) that land in Dubrovnik, most of the cheap options have multiple layovers. One of the most affordable routes has stopovers in Dublin (DUB) and Zagreb along the way, operated by Ryanair and Croatia Airlines. If you can plan it properly, you might be able to save money by booking a flight to Zagreb and booking a later flight from Zagreb to Dubrovnik (DBV). Domestic flights are often much cheaper.

Are there direct flights to Croatia?

There are direct flights to Croatia from several UK airports, including flights to Split from London Gatwick (LGW) and London Luton (LTN), flights to Dubrovnik from Birmingham Airport (BHX) and Manchester Airport (MAN) and flights to Pula from London Heathrow (LHR) and London Stansted (STN).

Do I need a visa for Croatia?

British passport holders currently do not need a visa to enter Croatia and your passport will only need to be valid for as long as you intend to stay in the country.

Which Croatian airport is closest to Trogir?

If you want to visit Trogir and its Gothic cathedral, you should consider flying into Split Airport and then travelling the 18.6 mi via road to your final destination.

I would like to explore Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian coast in the south, which airport should I fly to?

One of the airports that serves the historical region of Dalmatia is Dubrovnik Airport. One option is to book a flight to Dubrovnik and then hire a car at the airport, which will allow you to explore the city of Dubrovnik and then venture further afield by road.

How long is the flight to Croatia?

An average direct flight from the United Kingdom to Croatia takes 3h 32m, covering a distance of 1001 miles. The most popular route is London - Split with an average flight time of 2h 30m.

What is the cheapest flight to Croatia?

The cheapest ticket to Croatia from the United Kingdom found in the last 72 hours was £14 one-way, and £27 round-trip. The most popular route is London Gatwick to Split and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was £74.

Which airlines fly to Croatia?

easyJet, Ryanair & Jet2 fly the most frequently from the United Kingdom to Croatia.

What are the most popular destinations in Croatia?

Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Split (51% of total searches to Croatia). The next most popular destinations are Dubrovnik (26%) and Zagreb (8%). Searches for flights to Pula (7%), to Zadar (6%) and to Rijeka (1%) are also popular.

How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Croatia

• Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Croatia flight deals.
• If you're flying from Edinburgh (EDI), you'll find cheap flights to Croatia operated by various airlines. One of the fastest and most affordable routes is operated by Lufthansa and has a single stopover at Frankfurt am Main (FRA) along the way to Split and takes around 6h 35min.
• Although you won't find cheap flights to Croatia from London without a stopover en route, one of the best options is a flight operated by Lufthansa and Croatia Airlines from London City Airport (LCY) that has a stopover in Frankfurt on the way and has a travel time of fewer than 5 hours.
• If you're trying to find cheap flights from Birmingham (BHX), have a look at a few of the affordable options with multiple self-transfer stopovers en route. Self-transfer can be a pain but it usually saves money. One of the best options is a flight operated by Ryanair and Croatia Airlines with two lengthy stopovers in Bergamo (BGY) and Zagreb (ZAG) en route to Split.
• Croatia has a number of airports that receive flights from the UK. Flying into Franjo Trudman Airport Zagreb (ZAG) will allow you to explore the capital city and some of the inland areas of Croatia. If you want to visit the southern tip of the country, consider flying into Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), while flights into Rijeka International Airport (RJK) will take you into the north of Croatia. If you are going to explore the islands off the coast of Croatia, think about flying into Split Airport (SPU).
• If you are looking at flights to Croatia so you can spend some time at the Plitvice Lakes National Park, you should consider flying into Zagreb Airport, where you can transfer to the local bus station to pick up a bus to take you the 80.7 mi to Plitvice Lakes. You could also consider flying into Zadar Airport (ZAD), which is 73 mi away from the national park.
• For visitors wanting to spend time exploring the Istrian Peninsula in the north of Croatia, the best airport to fly into is Pula Airport (PUY), which receives direct flights from a number of airports in the UK, including London Heathrow (LHR), London Stansted (STN), Manchester Airport (MAN) and Birmingham Airport (BHX).
• If you are travelling to the Krka National Park near Šibenik on the coast of Croatia and would like to drive along the coast, there are two main flight options. Šibenik lies halfway between Split and Zadar, so you could book a flight into Zadar Airport or Split Airport, hire a car at the airport and drive the rest of the way up or down the coast.
• In Croatia, if you are planning on driving with children under the age of 5, it is mandatory to have a child car seat. Children between the ages of 5 and 12 should sit on a booster seat in the back seat of the car. When taking taxis from the airport, is advisable to take your own car seat with you – some airlines will allow you to take this as part of your luggage allowance. Alternatively, check with the car hire company whether they will provide a seat when you hire a car.

Top 5 airlines flying to Croatia

The boarding at both ends good, the seats were a tad hard for any long flight, but okay for short haul, 2A and 2B had good leg room. On the return flight we landed at terminal 2 as opposed to where we should have land at terminal 1, so we had a bit of a wait for a bus, which delayed the onward journey. But all in all a good flight.

The flight was okay, seats slightly more comfortable than Easy jet, but wouldn’t want to fly much more than 3.5 hours in those seats, hard and uncomfortable for further journeys. Boarding was okay, never eat or drink on Eco airlines, food not good and expensive for what you get. But it is what it is, and for the price one can not really complain.

Excellent outbound flight to Arrecife on a new very clean Airbus with great flight crew. Flight was only delayed around 10-15 mins and boarding was very good. Comms from pilots and crew was very welcoming and excellent throughout flight.

Flight was ok with a great landing. What could have been better would have been sitting away from the lady behind me who was coughing and sneezing all through the flight. I have been ill with a very bad cold ever since and can only put it down to being sat in front of that lady!

I liked boarding the crew were excellent but the seats are too close together for such a long flight.

The seats could be better as they’re not very comfortable and the arms would be better padded. Only place we found to fill our water bottles was at the Castle Rock bar who had one small sticker on one pillar saying they would refill your bottles with tap water for free! Need some/more refill stations around the departure area.

Boarding went well, seats could have been a little more comfortable

Great flight from malta airport, all on time & no delays, Birmingham Airport a little confusing with the ongoing upgrades!

The plane was late in so we were late leaving. The plane had been cleaned and was tidy, the staff were welcoming. Our standard seat had good legroom but after an hour or so of sitting, the Seat started to feel uncomfortable. We didn’t have any food so can’t comment on that and there was no entertainment available. We did buy some duty-free goods and the prices are good. We made up the lost time and landed slightly early.

Nice seats with matching colour coded seat belts to make it easy to identify the correct two parts.

The trip itself was good. I have given only good as rating, because my first flight has been cancelled by a different airline and that caused disruption in my trip. I spent over ten hours in Luton airport and that caused me high tiredness, sickness, because of the very early initial trip. easyJet staff has been professional and friendly.

Very pleasant crew, working hard on a full plane. Delay by a broken seat. However crew made back 60% of the delay.

Delayed and then further delayed with no announcement made so that all the passengers (who were standing in the jetty) could hear. We stood there for well over 20 minutes. We were further delayed through weather but no one explained that to us until the pilot made an announcement when finally on board

easyJet need to ensure that whether pre-booking seats or not children aren’t split from their parents the crew spent the majority of boarding asking passengers to move to accommodate two families. Surely the system identifies minors on a booking !!!!! It was all very frustrating to watch and caused delays which I’m sure cost easyJet more in the long run rather that automatically allocating families with minors seats together automatically.

Not great! Rude staff in London and the worse baggage reclaim I’ve ever seen. Great staff in flight but doubt I’ll fly with them again

Staff had been really impolite at the boarding area and for both ways charged high extra fees without a reason. For the check-in luggage which was measured 3.5 kg and was confirmed by the stuff to cost 40 € , 60 Euros had been purchased from our credit card. When confronted staff did call us both liars and claimed to never have announced anything. Flight back , when not wanting to press a backpack in a measuring metal instead of hand measuring , staff got angry that one did not follow her order, which was than escalated by the team. Although carrying a baby anyways staff did not offer any help in the unreasonable process and than charged again extra money. Cabine crew has been friendly but this experience LL lead to not booking easy jet at all in the future. Check in process in Edinburgh anyways chaotic,to the family check-in and disabled check-in everybody else was guided for check in process, so people just getting in between each other, not possible to monitor your own stuff.

As you would expect from a budget airline Left and arrived on time, no frills, not even a glass of water offered But you get what you pay for

I had an emergency escape seat. The attendant gave the extrA briefing to my side of the aisle but didnt direct it at all to the other where my wife was sitting

Boarding great. Didn’t eat or drink so can not comment.

Total jobs worths over carry on bags, charged £96 extra for bags that were clearly hand luggage

What can you say Ryanair get you there,no frills Not so cheap anymore ..... but what is now days! Would use again as always. Good flight times for us.

It is standard with Ryanair, as FF with Ryanair you dont expect too much, and Ryanair never disappoints. At least it is reliable.

Very unpleasant staff, disgusting service, ignoring requests, refusal to help

Late again rude staff at gate bullying passengers made us stand in the cold 3degrees for 40 mins before they let us board

The usual average Ryanair flight, but we landed 20 min before due time, which was very good.

Enjoyed our flight with Ryanair to Arrecife. Flight boarded pretty much on time, crew were welcoming and very good. Generally good for a frequent low cost flight, Seats could however have been more comfortable.

I wouldn't like to fly with them anymore, I don't like their service, you can hardly take carry-on luggage because they charge you for everything, you can't ask for a glass of water, and the flight attendant tells you that they don't have any, that you have to Paying 3 euros for a bottle of water horrible, I don't recommend it, and they don't have anything low cost, because the plane ticket may not be expensive but what they charge you later for the rest, the flight becomes more expensive, it's the only airline that I don't like it so far, and I traveled a lot.

Staff were friendly and flight was on time. Free drink and snacks would have been appreciated.

The boarding process was fast and easy , but the airport sign was not up on the board, so it was hard to know the correct gate , on the airplane there was NO Snacks and NO water …. Everything needs to be purchase …. It’s not worthy for the price we paid !

Booked through you used Kiwi who did not complete checking in until 24 hrs before departure when the check in was available 48 hrs before hence we sat separately. I will not be using you again.

We paid to have overhead carry-on baggage. When we got to the gate we were told that our carry on bags would need to be checked and go below because the flight was full. Notably we were nowhere near the last people to board and about 30 other passengers also had to check their carry-on bags. Other than that the flight was fine.

Very bad plain although I paid A business class ticket I was stuck in a stiff fixed seat without any entertainment or Wi Fi for 5 hours I will never ever book a flight on British airline.

Self check in Kiosk did not recognize that I had prepaid for my luggage. This caused a 40 minute delay even though I had my British Airways email receipt for the prepaid luggage.

Crew were very friendly and helpful. They explained to us in detail the delay in our takeoff due to the storm that rolled in from Belfast and did their best to make up the time. Always great to fly BA!

Staff were very helpful. The free WiFi for messages was also very useful to keep in touch

Crew was more interested on looking at their phones than welcoming passengers during boarding.

The crew was very attentive and kept busy serving a variety of treats!

Terrible. Missed my flight to final destination because of delayed British Airways flight. Had to spend 12 hours in airport and $1500 for new plane tickets

The crew on board were all very pleasant and happy to help. The flight had the old business class seats. The departure board in the business lounge did not update and kept on saying ' gate open' but never said boarding. When I got nervous about the departure time and walked to the gate I was told off rudely for being late.

Offered vegetable curry when it was actually tofu which I don’t care for.

The flight was delayed 5 hours and I'm and invalid,I wan a refund for this

The cabin crew on that flight were super fantastic and super helpful. They were so polite and considerate that i felt i travelled with a 5star airline.

Delayed delayed delayed - always with Wizzair. Staff were friendly and well mannered but clearly the company is unorganized and the aircrafts are outdated.

It's a budget airline. Great for short flight. Smooth landing.

4 hr delay and only told less than 2hrs before. Only given water and nuts on the flight as complimentary service. Left to wait in rain before boarding.

To be honest I did not like anything. Communication to why my flight was cancelled mid air 2 and half hours into my flight. Customer service desk were not helpful with providing information or a solution on what can be done.

I have been treated unacceptably by WizzAir aircraft crew in a previous flight, they threatened me and abused me, and I received an OFFICIAL written apology, but only two (2) months later. This flight had no such unacceptable behaviour, but it's not nice to be left waiting in the walkway (from gate to aircraft) for a long time, just so that the 'boarding' appears to be early, even if actual departure is not.

What I liked new airplane Sitting was extremely uncomfortable! Crew not smiley at all Always chewing gum

The flight was cancelled just 4 hours before the take off...

No food on board. Not comfortable. Had to move seats was delayed more than 3 hours.

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Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

Croatia - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Croatia.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Croatia.

If you decide to travel to Croatia:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Croatia.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Three months after the planned date of departure

One page is required for an entry stamp

Up to 10,000 euros

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy zagreb.

Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2 10010 Zagreb, Croatia Telephone: +(385) (1) 661-2200 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(385) (1) 661-2200 Fax: +(385) (1) 665-8933 Email:   [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

You need a valid U.S. passport to enter Croatia. EU regulations require that U.S. passport holders have no less than three months’ validity when they depart Croatia. U.S. passport holders with less than three months may be denied entry. The U.S. Embassy strongly suggests that you have at least six months of validity to avoid problems when you travel.

Croatia is a member of the  Schengen area.  Land border controls between Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary and the sea border with Italy ceased in 2023. The land borders with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro continue to have police and customs checks in place, as these countries are outside of the Schengen area. Airport controls for flights between Croatia and other countries within the Schengen area ceased in 2023. Visit the  Embassy of Croatia website  for the most current visa information.

• U.S. passport holders do not need a visa if they are traveling to Croatia for tourism or business for less than 90 days within a 180-day period.
• For entry, residence, and work requirements in Croatia, please visit the Croatian Ministry of Interior’s website . The U.S. Embassy is not able to intervene in the issuance of a Croatian residence permit.
• You must register at a local police station within three days of arrival in Croatia. If you are staying at a hotel, hostel, or vacation rental, you will be registered by the property owner.
• Foreign documents submitted for residence in Croatia must be translated into Croatian and have an apostille stamp. The U.S. Embassy cannot authenticate documents. For information on applying for apostille and authentication services, please see the  Department of State’s Office of Authentications  website.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to, or foreign residents of, Croatia.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction , and  customs  regulations on our websites.

Military/Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Travelers : While active-duty U.S. military personnel may enter Croatia under the SOFA with proper Department of Defense (DOD) identification and travel orders, all SOFA family members, civilian employees, and contractors must have valid passports. Active-duty military personnel should obtain a tourist passport before leaving the United States to accommodate off-duty travel. DOD travelers should consult with their unit for clearance before leaving the United States

Safety and Security

Terrorism : Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking soft targets and are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, rudimentary IEDs and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)

For more information, see our  Terrorism  page.

Land Mines: Armed conflict ended in all parts of Croatia in 1995; however, de-mining of areas along former confrontation lines continues. Known mined areas are well marked with Croatian-language warning signs using the international symbol for mines: a skull and crossbones inside a red, upside-down triangle. Drivers in former conflict areas should stay on paved roads to reduce the risk of encountering unmarked mines and unexploded ordnance.

• For more information about mine-affected areas in Croatia, please visit the  Croatian Mine Action Center's website

Crime: Violent crime is rare but isolated attacks targeting specific persons or property can occur and may be racially motivated or prompted by lingering ethnic tensions from Croatia's war for independence.

• Safeguard your belongings , especially when using public transport. Report incidents of theft to the local police. File a police report if your passport is stolen.
• Don’t display outward signs of wealth . It may make you a target for thieves.
• Avoid "gentlemen's clubs." In the past, such establishments have presented foreign customers with inflated bills and threatened those who refuse to pay.

U.S. business entities are encouraged to read the most recent  Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Annual Crime and Safety Report for Croatia .

Demonstrations : While civil disorder is rare, U.S. citizens should monitor local media coverage, review their personal security practices, and be always aware of their surroundings. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent with little or no notice. Security messages about demonstrations can be found  here  on the U.S. Embassy in Croatia’s website. Some soccer matches result in violent clashes of fans from rival teams. These clashes often cause disruptions in traffic in the affected area. High profile matches are often accompanied by heavy police presence.

International Financial Scams: See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime : Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes. Report crimes to the local police by dialing 112. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault may contact the  U.S. Embassy  at +385 (1) 661-2200 and check the information on local resources for  victims of sexual assault  on the U.S. Embassy in Croatia’s website. See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States
• provide information about  local resources for victims of crime
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home if you are destitute
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence : U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the U.S. Embassy in Croatia for assistance. You can find additional local resources for  victims of domestic violence  on the U.S. Embassy’s website.

Tourism: The tourism industry in Croatia is regulated and rules generally enforced regarding safety inspections. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to reach a patient and provide assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties : You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be arrested, imprisoned, or deported.

Furthermore, some crimes are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification : If you are arrested or detained, ask police to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Recreational Drugs : Some recreational drugs may be illegal in Croatia. The Government of Croatia maintains a  List of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Plants Which Can Be Used for Preparation of Narcotic Drugs , which lists illegal substances.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods : Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the  U.S. Department of Justice website  for more information.

Real estate : U.S. citizens should exercise due diligence when considering purchasing real estate in Croatia. Consult with an attorney before undertaking a real estate purchase and be careful to fully understand the implications of all parts of a real estate contract. Working with a translator can help ensure your rights are protected. The U.S. Embassy cannot assist U.S. citizens with legal disputes. Be prepared to take your case to the local courts. Please review the U.S. Embassy’s website for  additional information on buying real estate in Croatia .

Travelers checks, or personal checks are no longer accepted in Croatia . ATMs are common, and credit cards are generally accepted. Facilities are available for wiring or transferring money.

Recreational Boating: The Croatian government requires all recreational captains chartering Croatian-flagged vessels to have a certificate of competence.

• Croatia recognizes certain certificates issued by the U.S. Sailing Association and licenses issued by the national authorities of other countries.
• Details on  classes of licenses recognized by country  can be found on the  Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure ’s webpage.
• Tourists in Croatia can be certified by passing a test at harbormasters' offices in Pula, Rijeka, Senj, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Ploce, Dubrovnik, or at the Ministry in Zagreb.
• Travelers arriving by private marine craft should refer to the  Ministry’s website  for information on nautical regulations.

Climbing and Hiking: If you intend to hike or climb in the mountains, seek local guides’ expert advice. For emergencies, call 112. Rock climbers in Paklenica National Park should consult a local guide or contact  Paklenica National Park  prior to their visit.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers: There are no legal restrictions regarding same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in Croatia. Although LGBTQI+ individuals are afforded full rights in Croatia, same-sex couples may face legal challenges in the areas of adoption and next-of-kin determinations. In 2014, Croatia enacted the Law on Life Partnership of Same Sex Couples allowing for formal registration of same sex unions. The LGBTQI+ community is protected by anti-discrimination laws, and there are no legal or governmental impediments to the organization of LGBTQI+ events. However, there have been incidents against LGBTQI+ groups, notably during annual pride events, both in Zagreb and Split. Individual cases of attacks on members of the LGBTQI+ community have also been reported.

See our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information  page and section six of our  Human Rights Report  for further information.

Travelers With Disabilities or Who May Require Accessibility . Accessibility and accommodation in Croatia are different from those in the United States. Croatian law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. It also mandates access to transportation, communication, and public buildings for persons with disabilities; however, there is a marked difference in new construction compared to old construction, where access can still be limited. Croatia’s geography is hilly and often steep, particularly along the coast, and it presents challenges to some persons with disabilities. Access to public transportation may not always be available. Outside urban areas, accessibility worsens significantly.

Many cities in Croatia are making access improvement for travelers with disabilities.

Students: See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Adequate medical care is readily available in Croatia, but facilities may not be comparable to U.S. standards. Travelers to Croatia may obtain  a list of English-speaking physicians  on the U.S. Embassy’s website. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic. You may need a prescription to get some medications that you can purchase over the counter in the United States.

For emergency services in Croatia, dial 194 or 112.

Ambulance services  are:

• not widely available, and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards.
• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.

Health facilities in general:

• Adequate health facilities are available in major cities but health care in rural areas may be below U.S. standards.
• Public medical clinics may lack advanced resources and specialized medical supplies.
• Credit card payment is not always available. Some hospitals and medical professionals require cash payment.
• Private hospitals may require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient.
• Travelers should make efforts to obtain complete information on billing, pricing, and proposed medical procedures before agreeing to any medical care.
• Medical staff may speak little or no English.
• Public hospitals are minimally staffed overnight in non-emergency wards.
• Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions.
• There are shortages of medical staff (nurses, doctors) throughout the country that may delay exams, imaging, surgeries, etc. at public healthcare centers. Occasionally shortages of special medications may occur.

We do not pay medical bills. U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers in Croatia accept cash or credit card payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage overseas.

We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

Pharmaceuticals

• Prescription medication: If traveling with prescription medication, please check with the government of Croatia and its  Customs Administration  to make sure the medication is legal in Croatia. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. Visit the U.S. Embassy’s website for information on  bringing medical drugs for personal use when traveling to Croatia . Note that Croatian law prohibits the importation of drugs via postal mail.
• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the  U.S. Customs and Border Protection  and the  Food and Drug Administration  websites for more information.

Vaccinations : Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations recommended  by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• If you will be in Croatia for more than three months, especially if you anticipate hiking, camping, or other outdoor activities in forested areas, you may wish to get a tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccine. According to the CDC, the TBE  vaccine is now available in the United States, but is carried only in larger travel clinics.

If you are in Croatia, it is available from local doctors. Use insect repellent and inspect your body for ticks after spending time outdoors.

• Influenza  is prevalent during the winter season.
• HIV/AIDS: There is a low prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Croatia. HIV/AIDS treatment and medication are available in Croatia.

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about  Resources for Travelers  regarding specific issues in Croatia.

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery

Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry. People seeking health care overseas should understand that medical systems operate differently from those in the United States and are not subject to the same rules and regulations. Anyone interested in traveling for medical purposes should consult with their local physician before traveling and visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  website for more information on medical tourism, the risks of medical tourism, and what you can do to prepare before traveling to Croatia.

• We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.
• Your legal options in case of malpractice are very limited in Croatia.
• Although Croatia has several elective/cosmetic surgery facilities that are on par with those found in the United States, the quality of care varies widely. If you plan to undergo surgery in Croatia, make sure that emergency medical facilities are available and that professionals are accredited and qualified.

Adventure Travel

Visit  Adventure Travel  and  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more information.

Air Quality : Cities in Croatia have air pollution levels slightly higher than those in major U.S. cities, with higher levels measured in winter. Visit  the European Environment Agency’s website  for information on air quality in Croatia.

Water Quality

• Croatia has an abundance of fresh water and the public drinking water systems cover around 87% of the population. Water quality is tested daily throughout the country. Tests are performed according to internationally accepted standards. Water in Croatia is of high quality with potable tap water being available in most places. Some rural areas rely on private wells that may not be subject to quality testing standards. Some older buildings in major cities may have led-laced piping leading to increased levels of lead in the drinking water. You can learn more by visiting the  Croatian Institute of Public Health website .

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety : Road conditions in Croatia may differ significantly from those in the United States. Current information about traffic and road conditions is available in English from the  Croatian Automobile Association  (HAK) or by calling +385 1 464-0800 (English-speaking operators available 24 hours) or +385 1 661-1999.

• Exercise caution when driving in Croatia. On the highways, be aware of aggressive drivers passing on curves or in oncoming lanes.
• Highway tolls are higher than in the United States and can be paid in cash or by credit card. 
• Croatian radio  broadcasts programs in foreign languages on several frequencies. From mid-June to mid-September, Channel 2 broadcasts foreign news, traffic information, and important information in English, German and Italian.
• Within Croatia, emergency roadside assistance is available by calling 1987 or, if calling internationally, +385 1 1987. Dial 112 or 192 to speak to the police and dial 194 for an ambulance. Dial 112 for emergency services and they will automatically forward your call to either the police, ambulance, fire department, the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service or all of the above.

Traffic Laws: Vehicles drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left. Speed limits range from 110 to 130 km/h (68 to 80 mph) on highways and motorways and 50 to 90 km/h (30 to 55 mph) on urban thoroughfares.

• A Croatian driver's license is required for drivers who stay longer than twelve months. 
• Don’t drink and drive . The maximum legal blood-alcohol limit for drivers is 0.05 percent (0.00 percent for drivers with less than two years’ experience, drivers under 24 years of age, and truck or bus drivers).
• Police routinely spot-check for drunk driving  and administer breath-analyzer tests at the scene of all accidents. Refusal to take a breath test is considered a de facto admission of driving while intoxicated. Penalties may include fines up to 2,500 euros and/or prison sentences.
• For traffic accidents involving a foreign-registered vehicle, the responding police officer must issue a vehicle damage certificate to the owner of the foreign-registered vehicle; this is necessary to cross the border out of Croatia. Upon written request, the police station in the area where the accident occurred will issue a traffic accident investigation record.
• Seat belts for drivers and passengers are mandatory . Infants must travel in child-safety seats. Children shorter than 150cm in height and younger than 3 years may not ride in the front seat.
• No right on red at traffic lights unless allowed  by an additional green arrow. 
• Pedestrians have the right of way when crossing in designated, white-striped crosswalks. You must stop.

Headlights must be used all winter (from the start of November until the end of March), as well as during fog and other inclement weather.

• It is illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving unless using a hands-free device.
• For specific information concerning Croatian driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please contact the  Croatian National Tourist Board .

Public Transportation : Pay attention to trams (streetcars) in Zagreb, which travel at high speeds through the narrow streets.

See our  Road Safety webpage  for more information. Visit the websites of the  Ministry of the Interior , the  Croatian National Tourist Board , and the Croatian  Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure , which are responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Croatia’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Croatia’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

For Coastal Countries:

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Croatia should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at  www.marad.dot.gov/msci . Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website  and the  NGA broadcast warnings  website (select “broadcast warnings”).

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Croatia .  For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.

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Getting to Croatia from the UK by Train

Whilst travel is still very much at the forefront of many people’s minds – it’s such an enjoyable experience after all, and a great way of expanding your knowledge – attempting to use fewer flights every year to lower your carbon footprint is increasingly becoming a concern. Given that Croatia and the UK are in the same continent – if not quite on the same landmass – and train services across Europe are expanding and improving all the time, travelling to Croatia by train should be very doable – right? Right! Here we take a look at the best ways of getting to Croatia from the UK by train.

Now, undoubtedly, travelling by train is not a quick way of getting from the UK to Croatia. Whilst a flight takes just two or three hours, a train takes considerably longer. Which is obviously something you need to factor into your travels. Having said that, travelling by train is very pleasant indeed. In fact, the journey to Croatia will play a big part of your holiday.

Croatia from the UK by Train – Where can I get to?

Firstly, let’s discuss where exactly in Croatia you can reach by train. Croatia does not have the most extensive train network , and Zagreb is the central hub in terms of train travel. You will – whether you want to or not – be reaching Zagreb on your European train travels from the UK.

Once you have arrived in Zagreb, you can then make it to some destinations on the coast by train. Split is absolutely achievable as an end destination by train, as is Rijeka . Having said that, there are now few train services from Zagreb to Rijeka (but there are many daily buses on this route) so if you wish to continue to Rijeka by train you may need to stay overnight in Croatia’s capital city.

Do also note that it is slower to travel by train from Zagreb to Split or Rijeka than it is by bus. For completeness’ sake, you may wish to make your whole journey from the UK to Croatia by train! But we understand if you make the switch to travelling by bus in Zagreb.

Similarly, once you have reached the coastal cities of Rijeka or Split, you will need to switch to travelling by bus anyway (or possibly ferry if you’re heading to an island resort) to get to your intended endpoint.

Croatia from the UK by Train – What’s the fastest route?

Much like driving from the UK to Croatia, this route involves Paris and a German city!

Overall the fastest route takes about 23 hours from departing London St Pancras International to arriving at Zagreb’s Glavni Kolodvor (the main train station), with two changes of train (and one transfer of train station in Paris) and minimal wait time between trains. However, although this is the fastest train route, you may want to pad it out a bit more to include longer stopovers for a break or a meal in Paris and Stuttgart.

There’s no way of getting around it – you will need to get to London first (if you’re not already in London) to start your journey to Croatia. Whether you choose to travel by train from your home location to London is up to you. (But go on, why not?)

From London, there’s only one way of getting to Europe by train – by Eurostar – and you’d need to take this to Paris Nord station. There are numerous daily connections on this leg of the journey. Journey time: 2 hours and 20 minutes

In Paris, you’ll need to transfer – via Metro – Paris Est station for it is from here that you will be making your onward journey to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof. Again, there are a number of direct connections from Paris Est to Stuttgart Hbf, but the onward journey to Croatia is in the evening, after 8pm so you need to make it to Stuttgart before then. Journey time: 3 hours and 10 minutes

From Stuttgart Hbf, it’s an overnight sleeper service to Zagreb Glavni Kolodvor which gets you in at 10.39am. Journey time: 14 hours and 10 minutes

Overall, the journey looks like this: London St Pancras – Paris – Stuttgart – Zagreb Glavni Kolodvor for a total journey time of 23 hours and 8 minutes .

The following is how you can make this journey in just over 23 hours:

As you can see, we’ve also added an option to continue to Split the same day, but this would involve quite a lengthy stop in Zagreb. Perhaps that’s a good thing – some time to stretch your legs after all that time on trains, and a bit of time to explore the city.

Buying tickets

When it comes to purchasing tickets for train travel to Croatia, the fastest route will not likely be the cheapest! This is something to consider when making your decision about which trains to take to get to the country, and your overall itinerary. (After all, attempting to take an earlier train for one leg to save money on a train ticket may just result in you spending more money on your layover!)

Let’s take a look at some example prices for travelling to Croatia from the UK by train with two weeks’ notice in summer – so, travelling on Wednesday 2nd August 2023 for the above-mentioned route that takes 23 hours and 8 minutes.

Let’s take a look at prices if booking two months in advance – so for travel on 19th September 2023:

As well as your travels to Croatia from the UK by train, if you are considering doing a fair amount of other train travel within Europe in the near future you may want to look into getting an Interrail pass. For example, the Interrail Global Pass has a variety of different options ranging from 4 days in 1 month (which would just about get you there and back from the UK to Croatia) for €194 to a 3 months pass for €711.

Take a look at our page on Interrailing in Croatia for more advice on interrail passes and how to make use of them in getting to and travelling around the country.

Croatia from the UK by Train and Ferry

An alternative route to the above is to travel to Italy from the UK by train and then make your way to Croatia by ferry or catamaran. This route isn’t particularly direct and is quite a long journey that would necessitate an overnight stay somewhere in Europe.

The best port to reach in Italy to travel to Croatia by sea depends on your destination – it’s Venice for locations in Istria ; Ancona for Zadar or Split and Bari for Dubrovnik .

Let’s take the example of travelling to Split via Ancona. Here’s a possible route:

All in all, not quick at all! But you can choose to split – no pun intended – the journey somewhere along the way, such as in Paris or Milan.

Our absolute top tip for online research on train travel across Europe (and further afield) would be the fabulous The Man in Seat Sixty-One . As well as discussing routes from the UK to Croatia by train , the website also has plenty of useful information and photos regarding train travel within Croatia . We can’t sing the praises of this website highly enough!

The next excellent website that you need to look at the Die Bahn website. As well as looking up timetable

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This overlooked Croatian city is the perfect relaxed weekend break

For aimless exploring with minimal planning, italianate rovinj has it all —  fairytale medieval town, characterful atmosphere, and plenty of local wine and seafood.

A wish-list landmark. An international exhibition. Maybe a sceney restaurant launch. City breaks so often start with an aim but end in joyful aimlessness — casual pottering, mapless exploring, soaking up rather than seeking out. But what happens when you make aimlessness the end game?

Last summer, faced with a rare opportunity to escape for a few nights, my husband and I decided to game it, as the young people might say. We considered destinations served by one favourite tour operator and applied our preferences (coastal, sunny, relatively unknown to us). Rovinj, a city on Croatia’s Istrian peninsula — part medieval port, part chichi tourist resort — emerged as an early winner. It’s one of the best-preserved cities on the Istrian coast in the north Adriatic yet even in high season tends to be quieter than its Dalmatian counterpart, Dubrovnik. Importantly, last June it appeared to have absolutely nothing else to entice us. No high-profile landmarks, no high-energy launches. Perfection.

As it quickly transpired, however, our hotel of choice, the Grand Park, could have lured us in by itself. We booked for availability but would return for the wow factor. This modernist masterpiece sits unobtrusively in tune with its surroundings, almost hewn from the hillside in which it sits, descending tier by naturally planted tier into the sea; its double-height spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows reflect the storybook scenery outside. (Side note: the lobby has Europe’s biggest single-pane window, which has its own specially trained window cleaner.)

From inside, the 180-degree views are straight out of a Ladybird fairytale: Rovinj’s terracotta and ochre rooftops, the elegant bell tower of the Church of St Euphemia, the cornflower-blue sea and the green of the fragrant forest pines in Golden Cape Forest Park.

The coffee table book-filled lobby, spacious bar and main inside-outside buffet restaurant Laurel & Berry set the relaxed tone for the rest of the hotel. Even the fine-dining restaurant Cap Aureo Signature gave off welcoming vibes.

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During a hotel tour, we were almost further seduced by the possibilities of the surrounding area that emerged from the concierge’s enthusiastic chatter: the retro glamour and Roman imperial sites of the Brijuni National Park, a 15-minute boat ride over the Adriatic, and where the Yugoslav president Tito had his glitzy hideaway. Truffle-hunting in the forested havens of Motovun and Buzet, where we could try to break the (supposed) “truffle record” of £49,000 — the price once fetched at Sotheby’s. Hum, the smallest town in the world, whose 17 inhabitants were charged with keeping the secret medieval recipe for mistletoe grappa.

But we remained firm. Not even vineyard tours and the associated tastings could distract us. We were here to explore at an amble.

Our stylish duplex suite was open-plan (including the wardrobes although, in a welcome nod to modesty, they had knicker drawers, and, thank goodness, dividing screens between bed, bath and ablutions), with a shady deck area and private hot tub and retro touches such as a Polaroid camera. But after our early flight it was a struggle to drag ourselves off the super-sized bed, despite having had a glimpse of the magnificent rooftop infinity pool.

But that view was calling — as were sunset cocktails in the hotel bar Primi Terreni. Down by the buzzy promenade, it had a view over the harbour’s superyachts and the ancient city beyond — and came with some prime people-watching: tourists, Croatian families and yacht folk meandered along the seafront.

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We strolled around the harbour to Wine Vault, the restaurant at a neighbouring hotel. The seagull-covered swimming pool meant we didn’t have quite the promised infinity sunset sea view but the food, matched with the first of many flights of proudly presented local wines, did deliver. I was delighted the “truffles with everything” were delicately flavoured with none of their trademark bully-boy dominance. Olive oil also played a starring role, from a dip with the bread to the drizzle on the beetroot risotto (mains from £9; maistra.com).

The next morning, our wandering took us in the other direction, into the old town. In 1283 Rovinj was one of the first towns in Istria to fall to Venice and today the Italian influence is omnipresent (Venice airport is a three-hour drive away; Trieste is even closer). Signs are bilingual and spacious Venetian-style houses proliferate, as do bustling piazzas. Besides those sleek yachts, the charming harbour also offers shelter to traditional flat-bottomed batana fishing boats and small ferries.

Wandering winding streets with wonky cobbles, we caught glimpses of a glittering Adriatic through arched doorways leading to waterside art galleries or shady bars with waves lapping just below the tables. Some drinkers succumbed to the temptation to jump straight in, but not knowing what was around each corner was all the thrill we needed.

It did turn out, however, you need to work a bit harder for Rovinj’s best view. There are 192 steps inside St Euphemia’s bell tower — at 61m high, the highest church tower in Istria — and that’s after you’ve walked uphill to the entrance. The church is a copy of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and it sits as naturally here as it might in the city that inspired it.

This, and every afternoon, led back to the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool — I mean, why wouldn’t it? Those views of the light changing across the seascape, the table service, the welcome “use it or lose it” rule for sunbeds. There was even a trained hawk making sure those pesky seagulls weren’t an issue.

We had more adventure than we bargained for in grabbing hotel bikes to explore the national park one day — frustrating lift systems and lack of signage meant we first had to explore much of the underbelly of the hotel. But the bike paths and stony coves made up for this and we spent a dozy hour in our chosen nook listening to waves lap the pebbles.

Every day, we saw the hotel’s slick speedboat ferry guests across the water to Rovinj’s “beach” on St Catherine Island. Interest piqued, we went too. And stayed until we could get the next ferry back. Unless concrete walls around stony beaches in searing sunshine is your idea of fun, my advice is to save yourself the trip and instead take the plunge from the harbour wall — although do check those crystal-clear waters for jellyfish. A shoal curtailed my first dip.

Evenings were framed by a gently recurring routine — starting with our aperitivo perch of choice at the hotel’s elevated Viva Eufemia bar, with views not only over Rovinj but over the wildflowers and grasses of the hotel’s tiers below. The sun poured in under the parapet, we had gift-wrapped “snacks” with every drink … the only thing that could have improved it were slightly more generous measures.

Generosity was not in short supply anywhere else we ate, though, such as at the former wine cellar Kantinon, with its simple and delicious harbourside meal of octopus salad and risotto with cuttlefish and lavender (mains from £14; maistra.com). As we sat in the archway surrounded by the ancient barrels, live music from the town square drifted across the water, people flitted back and forth and the sun set over St Euphemia church, as the Breton-topped proprietors plied us with anonymous but delicious digestifs.

Agli Amici, part of our hotel but on the marina, is the Italian chef Emanuele Scarello’s Michelin-starred place, where we could perfect the art of yacht-spotting while admiring the old town and St Catherine Island too. One waiter wheeled over an ornate trolley to make us bloody maggies — like a bloody mary but with gin and the same shade of cherry red as the fiery sunset — while another served us exquisite canapés that tasted of the sea. A designated bread waiter (of course) highlighted the craftsmanship in the bread basket, which rivalled the delicate and artistically constructed amuse-bouches and creations such as miso and olive ice cream. I still dream of the spaghetti with sea herbs (three courses from £102; agliamici.it).

We saved the hotel’s other fine-dining restaurant, Cap Aureo Signature, for last. Talk about ending on a high (not that we could properly enjoy our elevated location — taller chairs would allow diners to feast on the view as well as the dishes). With a wine pairing for each of the ten courses, and extra delicacies in between, our focus quickly became simply getting through the meal (ten courses from £154; maistra.com). But it was clear nothing would be as we knew it, from the “snacks” — chef Jeffrey Vella’s take on a pizza ai funghi was served with a glass (and several top-ups) of Billecart Salmon brut rosé — to my standout dish, a minute bowl of squid cacio e pepe and crispy red mullet. My husband’s favourite was the barbecued and dusted pork loin with fermented truffle jus and confit garlic bulb. We did manage all ten courses, but only just. And in doing so broke our resolution. With bellies full to bursting, there was absolutely nothing aimless in our short stroll (more of a roll) back to our room. Bed called. Claire Irvin was a guest of Sovereign, which has four nights’ B&B at Grand Park Hotel Rovinj from £1,399pp, including flights and transfers ( sovereign.com ) and Maistra Hospitality Group ( maistra.com )

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Support for Ukraine at stake as Croatia votes in parliamentary election

Polls suggest Croatian Democratic Union could lose majority to Social Democrat-led coalition headed by populist president

Croatian voters are going to the polls in a high-stakes parliamentary election that could significantly change the country’s pro-western stance on issues including European support for Ukraine in its battle against Russia.

Polls suggest the conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) of the prime minister, Andrej Plenković, could lose its majority to a Social Democrat-led coalition headed by the populist president, Zoran Milanović, who is not officially a candidate.

Despite a welter of corruption scandals, the pro-European Plenković, who has been prime minister since 2016, appeared comfortably assured of a third consecutive term in office until Milanović announced his surprise challenge last month.

The outspoken president’s decision shocked the country, sparked a bitter war of words between the two longstanding rivals, and turned a predictable race into a far more close-run affair, even though Croatia’s top court barred Milanović from running.

The constitutional court ruled on 18 March that the president must first resign since party-political activities were incompatible with the mainly ceremonial office, prompting him to call the judges “peasants” and their judgment “illiterate”.

Milanović has refused to stop campaigning against HDZ, however, promising that his Rivers of Justice coalition, if it emerges victorious from the ballot, will wage an “uncompromising fight against corruption” and raise wages and pensions.

The president, who has said he will step down to become head of government if the Social Democratic party (SDP) wins, also opposes further aid for Ukraine, prompting fears that Croatia could align itself with more Moscow-friendly EU members such as Hungary and Slovakia.

HDZ has largely dominated Croatia’s politics since the country’s independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, overseeing its accession to the EU and the eurozone. Croatia posted economic growth of 2.8% last year, well above the EU average.

But opposition to what many critics see as a pattern of corruption and nepotism has grown, with Plenković’s recent appointment to state attorney general of a high-ranking HDZ-affiliated judge, Ivan Turudić, sparking street protests.

Ivan Rimac, a law professor at Zagreb University, said that during Plenković’s two terms in office, about 30 ministers had left government over corruption allegations in cases including serial misuse of EU funds and losses by public companies.

The president of the SDP, Peđa Grbin, said: “When, after 17 April, we get the chance to form a government, Croatia won’t be the same – not only because there won’t be state theft, but because we will take care of the real problems facing our citizens.”

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Polls suggest HDZ is likely to lose six of its MPs for a total of 60 in the 151-seat parliament. That would not be enough to hold its slim majority with minority ethnic and diaspora MPs who are guaranteed a role in government under Croatian law.

The SDP is projected to win about 44 seats, three more than in 2020, with the rightwing anti-immigration Homeland Movement on track to come third with 14 and the ecological Mozemo party on nine, making the right and the greens kingmakers.

Plenković, 54, said recently that a vote for HDZ meant “stability, security and development”, adding: “Even if there have been mistakes, we are fixing them … What we have is energy, enthusiasm, devotion and love for our homeland.”

The country’s longest-serving prime minister, who studied law and was posted as a diplomat to Brussels and Paris, has repeatedly accused Milanović of violating the constitution, using inappropriate language and harbouring “pro-Russian views”.

Milanović, who was prime minister from 2011 to 2016, has called Plenković a “liar”, a “political fake” and an “errand boy” for the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. “My character is not easy, but I will not remain silent,” he wrote in a recent Facebook post, pledging to “form a national salvation government”.

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