If you are planning a trip to the amazing country of Croatia, you first have to figure out how to get there. Flying into the city of Venice, Italy and then traveling to Croatia is a great choice. Venice has more direct flights to the US than either Zagreb (the capital of Croatia) or Dubrovnik in the south. Because of this, you may be able to find cheaper flights or better scheduling.
Once in Venice, it is simple to get to Croatia. It is about a three hour drive to the town of Rovinj on the Istrian peninsula or a four hour drive to Zagreb. Another great option is to hop on a direct ferry line that takes you across the Adriatic Sea from Venice to the Istrian peninsula of Croatia. Many people spend the majority of their holiday in Italy and visit Croatia for a day or two. It could also be done the other way. If you are spending most of your vacation in Croatia, you can do a Venice day trip. Embarking on a ferry trip from the romantic canals of Venice to the stunning Adriatic coast of Croatia is not just a means of transportation—it's an adventure in itself. In this article I will guide you through the process, from planning your trip to arriving at your destination port in Croatia. We will cover everything including available routes, ferry companies, schedules, ticketing, what to expect onboard, and other useful information.
Ferry Lines
There are two main ferry operators with crossings between Venice and Croatia. They are Venezia Lines and Atlas Kompas (Adriatic Lines).
Venezia Lines has been in operation since 2003. They currently run two boats. San Frangisk and San Pawl, both with a capacity of 310 passengers. The ferries are high speed air cushioned catamarans equipped with the latest technology. An air cushioned catamaran is a mix between a catamaran and a hovercraft. This makes the ride more enjoyable for the passengers as it smooths out the bumps. These fast ferries are able to achieve high speeds of up to 40 nautical miles. The Venezia Lines ferries have an economy class and a VIP class. The economy class is on the lower deck and holds 280 passengers. The VIP lounge is located on the upper deck and holds only 36 people. The VIP lounge has rows of seats, tables surrounded by chairs as well as sofas. The VIP passengers also have the option of spending part of the journey on the outdoor deck. There is priority boarding and departure and a few other perks as well. The economy class looks more like the inside of an airplane, with rows of seats. The boats are air conditioned and have a snack bar.
Atlas Kompas, also known as Adriatic lines, has three ships in its fleet: The Prince of Venice, HSC Ship Andela and HSC Ship Antonija. The largest one is the Prince of Venice. It can hold 300 passengers. The other two have a capacity of around 250 people. The ships are air conditioned and have comfortable seating. They also have decks for you to enjoy the beautiful views. Once you hit the open water and the boat speeds up, however, all passengers must leave the deck. There is only one class on the Atlas Kompas boats with no VIP class.
All Croatia ferries from Venice accommodate foot passengers only. No cars are allowed. You may, however bring bicycles for an extra fee. Passengers are usually allowed one piece of hand luggage and a personal item. Bigger luggage is an extra cost.
Ferry services, routes and schedules
The ferries from Venice to the Croatian coast typically operate from May to the beginning of October. The summer season of July and August can be especially busy and the prices for tickets increase. The above map, from the Adriatic Lines website, shows the available routes from Venice to the Croatian towns of Poreč, Rovinj, Pula and Umag. The boats also run a route from Venice to the Slovenian town of Piran. There are no ferry crossings from Venice to the Dalmatian coast or any of the Croatian islands. July and August are considered high season and May, June, September and October are considered the low season.
The ferries departing from Venice leave in the late afternoon between 4:30PM and 5:30PM and arrive in Croatia around 8:00PM. Going the opposite way, the boats from Istria leave around 7:30 in the morning and arrive in Venice around 11:00am. This makes it possible to make Venice a day trip from Croatia without having to stay overnight. Both Venezia Lines and Atlas Kompas run what they call a 'day trip to Venice'. During the boat ride to Venice, there is a guide providing information about the history of Venice and sites to see. There are a variety of add-ons to choose from as well including transportation to St. Mark's square, lunch, a gondola ride and walking tours. Of course, you can just take the ferry to Venice and then do your own thing if you prefer. You can't do a day trip from Venice to Croatia because the boats don't arrive until the evening. You will need to stay over at least one night.
Croatian Ports and Journey Times
All of the Croatian ports are incredible destinations, each with their own flavor and personality. The Istrian peninsula as a whole is full of historic sites, charming towns and gorgeous scenery. Food lovers will appreciate the delicious sea food and the famous Istrian truffles. History buffs, photographers, adventurer seekers, and sun-bathers will all fall in love with this part of Croatia.
Porec
Porec is a beautiful coastal town known for the UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica. Its incredible Byzantine mosaics are some of the best preserved of its kind. The Baredine caves, just outside of town, are famous for their stalagmite and stalactite formations. Porec also has a delightful old town to explore. The Porec ferry takes about three hours. There are usually 4 crossings per week during the high season and 2-3 during the low season.
Pula
Pula is the largest city out of the Istrian ports. It is a wonderful destination if you love ancient roman architecture. The Pula arena is one of the best preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world and another UNESCO world heritage site. Pula also has the Roman Arch of Sergeii and the Temple of Augustus to enjoy. The Pula ferry lasts about 3.5 hours. This route runs three to four times during the high season. It doesn't run at all in May and October.
Rovinj
One of the most popular destinations in the area, Rovinj is a charming fishing town with a blend of Venetian and Croatian culture. It is known for its colorful old town and vibrant arts scene. Located on a small peninsula, it is often described as one of the most picturesque Mediterranean towns. Rovinj is a quaint jumble of buildings, all leading up to the Church of St. Euphemia. You can climb the bell tower of the church for stunning views. The Rovinj route takes around 3 hours. You can catch this ferry three times a week during July and August. It runs once or twice a week for May, June and September. It does not run in October.
Umag
Umag is a small coastal town located on the northwestern tip of Croatia's Istrian peninsula. It has beautiful pebble beaches and a historic old town. It is probably most well known as a popular destination for tennis enthusiasts due to its annual ATP tournament. The boat to Umag runs less often with only once weekly departures. It usually crosses on Wednesday and only runs during July and August.
It's important to note that all of these services are seasonal and schedules can vary from year to year. Always check the current schedules when planning your trip. Detailed ferry schedules are available on the ferry line websites. You can also use the ferryhopper website or you can download the ferryhopper app.
When booking your ferry tickets it's highly recommended to book in advance, especially during peak season (July and August). You can book directly through the ferry websites or through various travel agencies.
Ticket Prices
Overall Atlas Kompas is slightly cheaper than Venezia Lines. Ferry prices vary depending on the route, time of the year and the type of ticket. During the low season, the average price is around €75 one way, and €85 during the high season. Round trip tickets are around €130 during the low season and €150 during the high season. There are reduced price tickets for children. Current prices are listed on the websites.
Departure from Venice
Ferries to Croatia typically depart from the San Basilio terminal in Venice. You can reach the terminal either by walking (about 30 min. from St. Mark's Square) or by a Vaporetto (water bus). Just take the Vaporetto line 2 to the San Basilio stop. Be sure to arrive at least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure to allow enough time for check-in and boarding procedures. At check-in you will need your booking confirmation or ticket, a valid passport or EU ID card and any visa documentation if that is required depending on your citizenship. After check-in, you'll go through a security check before boarding the ferry.
What to Expect on the Journey
The journey across the Adriatic can be smooth or choppy depending on weather conditions. If you're prone to seasickness, consider taking medication before departure. As stated earlier, there is usually a snack bar to purchase food but consider bringing your own food as well. There is not much to do on the ship so you may want to bring a book, download a movie or other entertainment. The internet usually works for most of the journey, but it can be spotty. The views leaving Venice and arriving in Croatia are amazing. If you can, go to the deck to enjoy the beauty and snap a few pics.
Arriving in Croatia
Once you land at the ferry port in Croatia, you will need to get to your final destination. The ports are all close to old towns. This means you may be able to walk to your hotel. Hotels may also have a shuttle. Ask your hotel if they provide a shuttle or what their recommendation is for reaching your accommodations. If your hotel is farther away, or if you are going to a car rental office or a bus/train station, the most convenient option will be to get a taxi, uber or to hire a car. Busses will also be an option. Most of the ports are within walking distance of a bus stop. You will just need to check the routes and schedules of the busses.
If island hopping is what you are interested in, there are also ferry connections to other islands once you reach Croatia. Pula is going to have the most connections with ferries to Losinj island, Unije, Susak and Ilovik. Because you will be arriving in the evening, you will probably need to stay overnight before connecting to an island.
Recap of Tips for a Smooth Journey
1. Book in advance, especially during summer months
2. Arrive early at the departure port
3. Bring entertainment for the journey (books, tablets, etc.)
4. Pack some snacks, although some food is available on board
5. Don't forget to have a valid travel document or ID and any required visas
6. Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly
7. Make sure to check ferry schedules BEFORE booking hotels as there might not be a ferry to your preferred destination every day of the week
Taking the ferry between Venice and the Istrian peninsula in Croatia is a great way to travel between the two. The ferries are fast, comfortable and reasonably priced. You also get to see the natural beauty of both Venice and the Croatian coast.
Ready to travel to Croatia? Contact me at stefanie@eurotravelsbydesign.com and let me custom create the perfect itinerary for you.
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