Traveling to Zadar, Croatia
Zadar, Croatia, is a well-connected destination, and tourists can reach it by various means of transportation, including plane, car, ferry, bus and train. Below is a detailed description of each traveling to Zadar option with links.Traveling to Zadar by Plane
Zadar Airport (Zadar Zemunik Airport, ZAD) is the main gateway for travelers flying into the city. Located about 14 kilometers (9 miles) from the city center, the airport serves both domestic and international flights. Airlines such as Ryanair, Croatia Airlines, and Eurowings operate regular flights to Zadar from major European cities.
During the summer, the number of flights increases significantly to accommodate the influx of tourists. Upon arrival, travelers can take a taxi, shuttle bus, or rent a car to reach the city center. The journey from the airport to Zadar takes approximately 20-30 minutes by car.
Zadar airport is located in Zemunik Donji in the near vicinity of the Zagreb-Split highway connection (Zadar 2). It is about 8 km far from the centre of Zadar and it represents a vital connection of northern Dalmatia and Lika to the rest of Croatia and the World.
As a part of this areas tourist infrastructure, Zadar airport is particularly important in the reception of tourists whose final destinations are the coast of northern Dalmatia, including Zadar Apartments and Biograd, the Zadar archipelago and the island of Pag, parts of the Šibenik – Knin County and Plitvice lakes. Zadar Airport has a distinctive importance for all tourist facilities in the area of Zadar, Biograd, Vodice, Šibenik, Primošten and the island of Pag.
Zadar airport is connected with following major airports:
- Zagreb ZAG
- PUY
- Munich MUC
- Frankfurt FRA
- Luxemburg LUX
- Barcelona BCN
- Rome FCO
- Berlin TXL
- Duesseldorf DUS
- Stuttgart STR
- Cologne CGN
- Hamburg HAM
- Manchester MAN
- Hahn HHN
- Stockholm NYO
- Marseille MRS
- Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden FKB
- Weeze NRN
- Charleroi CRL
- Gothenborg GOT
- Dublin DUB
- Beauvais BVA
- London STN
- London LTN
- London SEN
- Warsaw WAW
- Paris ORY
- Berlin SXF
- Bern BRN
- Vienna VIE
- Milan MXP
- Glasgow GLA
- Copenhagen CPH
- Bristol BRS
There are 16 different airlines at Zadar (ZAD) with direct flights to 69 destinations in 23 countries.
- Ryanair ( operating base ) – 53 destinations
- easyJet – 5 destinations
- Eurowings – 4 destinations
- Croatia Airlines – 3 destinations
- Trade Air – 2 destinations
- Norwegian Air Intl – 1 destination
- Scandinavian Airlines – 1 destination
- Edelweiss Air – 1 destination
- Austrian – 1 destination
- Brussels Airlines – 1 destination
- Transavia – 1 destination
- Air Serbia – 1 destination
- Lufthansa – 1 destination
- Ryanair UK – 1 destination
- Luxair – 1 destination
- Discover Airlines – 1 destination
General data
- Name of the airport: Zadar Airport ltd., Zemunik Donji, ulica I broj 2/A, Croatia
- City: Zadar
- Country: Republic of Croatia
- Telephone: 060 355 355
- Telefax: +385(0)23 205 831
- Identification code: ZAD
- ICAO CODE: LDZD
- SITA code: ZADAPXH
- AFTN code: LDZDYDYX
- Opening time: 06.00 – 22.00 every day, 24 hours on request
- Time zone: Summer UTC + 2, Winter UTC + 1
By public transport Zadar to/from Zadar airport:
Departure: Poluotok (Center) → Main bus station Zadar → Gaženica ferry port (bus station near CRODUX petrol station) → Zadar airport
Return: Zadar airport → Gaženica ferry port (bus station near the terminal) → Main bus station Zadar → Poluotok (Center)
One way bus ticket price is 5,00 €, baggage transportation included.
The travel time from the Airport to the Peninsula (Center) takes about 20 minutes.
Purchased ticket is valid for 90 minutes, further transportation in city traffic is enabled during that period.
By car – Highway A1, exit Zadar 2, Zadar Airport is located 8 km from the city of Zadar.Distance from other cities: Split 158 km, Zagreb 297 km, Dubrovnik 357 km, Trieste 372 km.
By taxi – At the Zadar Airport you can find Taxi service. Taxi stand is located opposite the exit of the Zadar Airport international arrival. Taxi is available every day around-the-clock (0 – 24 h).
By rent a car – After landing at Zadar Airport you have the possibility to rent a car for you personal use at one of the rent-a-car agencies.
Useful Links:
Zadar Airport Official Website
Flight Search and Booking (Skyscanner)
Traveling to Zadar by Car
You can reach Zadar, Croatia by car in several ways, by roads or by ferry. By motorway from the direction of Slovenia or Hungary via Zagreb or by Adriatic Highway from Italy and Slovenia via Rijeka, or by highway A1.
Traveling to Zadar by car is a popular option, especially for those exploring Croatia. Zadar is well-connected by a network of highways, including the A1 which links Zagreb to Split via Zadar. The journey from Zagreb to Zadar takes about 3-4 hours, while the drive from Split takes around 1.5-2 hours. The scenic coastal road, the Adriatic Highway (D8), offers breathtaking views of the sea and islands but is slower due to construction and winding nature.
The fastest road from the Slovenian border is the Croatian highway, (tool fees apply). When you approached Zadar on the highway A1 you should take exit at Zadar 1, from there you have about 15 km to the city centre.
Getting to Zadar from Slovenia: Zadar is about 260-270 km from the closest border crossings to Slovenia. If you are coming from Italy – Slovenia, the most obvious border crossing is Jelsane (Rupa), if you enter from direction Ljubljana, the border crossing would be Petrina / Brod na Kupi or Obrezje / Bregana. If you are entering from direction Graz / Maribor the border crossing would be Gruskovje (Macelj).
Alternative to the highway it is possible to use toll free local roads from Zagreb or Rijeka. In the main season you can have traffic on these roads, so we do not recommend it.
If you come from Split or Dubrovnik towards Zadar, you should exit at Zadar East (Zadar 2) and continue on the local road to Zadar (about 15 km). From Split / Dubrovnik to Zadar, you can also use the coastal highway.
For driving in Croatia you need valid driving license and a insurance green card. During summer months traffic at the border entrances is more densely, especially on weekends, what can cause short hold ups. Toll is charged on the highways and some bridges to islands.
Parking in Zadar Old Town can be challenging, but there are several paid parking lots and garages available.
Speed limits:
- 50 km/h – within built-up areas
- 90 km/h – outside built-up areas
- 110 km/h – on major motor routes
- 130 km/h – on motorways
- 80 km/h – for motor vehicles with a caravan trailer
- 80 km/h – for buses and buses with a light trailer
Useful phone numbers:
- Roadside Assistance: + 385 1987
- HAK Information Centre: + 385 62 777 777 (0-24 h, English, German, Italian)
- Emergency: + 385 112
- Police: + 385 192
- Fire Brigade: + 385 193
- Ambulance: + 385 194
Croatian Automobile Club – website provides information about: Traffic and Road Conditions, Digital map of Croatia with route planner with weather forecast, webcams, parking, petrol stations, medical assistance, campsites, banks, ATM, shopping, police, tourist boards, national parks… Info available in Croatian, English, German and Italian.
Croatian Motorways (HAC)
Google Maps for Route Planning
Traveling to Zadar by Ferry
In Zadar there are 2 ferry ports, one new is Gazenica the car ferry terminal, 3.5 km from the old town., and the other is the foot passenger old port for catamarans located on the north side of Zadar old town.
Zadar Gazenica Ferry Port
The Zadar Gazenica port address is at Gazenicka cesta, the southeastern suburb of Zadar. The ferry port is connected to the main bus terminal with city bus line Nr. 9. The ferry port has a great signing system, easy for travelers to navigate to the right boarding lane. The port has a new terminal building, with many facilities like a waiting room, WiFi, restrooms, Jadrolinija ticket office and several coffee bars.
Zadar Old Town Ferry Port
The port in Zadar Center is simply mooring berths along the northern shore of the old town. The address is Liburnska Obala Nr. 4, the GPS coordinates 44°07’00.8″N 15°13’38.0″E.
The old town ferry port has no facilities, but as it is located on the old town peninsula you have plenty of facilities nearby such as bars, a ticket office, restaurants, shops, a post office, ATM-s etc.
Few tips:
If more passenger ferries are lined up at the port, some from the same company, make sure to check which one is the right one (ask the ferry staff).
During hot summer days watch out for the sun, there is no much shade nearby.
Zadar has an international ferry connection from Ancona in Italy, which runs in the main season. Jadrolinija the national ferry / catamaran company connects Zadar with islands Ugljan, Pasman, Dugi Otok, Silba and a few others, as well as to cities like Split and Ancona (Italy).
Zadar is one of main ferry ports in Croatia, with regular connections to the islands of the Zadar Archipelago and other coastal cities. Ferries are a great way to combine travel with sightseeing, as they offer stunning views of the Adriatic Sea. During the summer, it’s advisable to book tickets in advance due to high demand.
Ferry routes to/from Zadar are currently served by 6 companies: Jadrolinija, Miatrade, Kapetan Luka, G&V Iadera, ENVIRA and Gomo Viaggi, going to 34 destinations, 73 to 85 journeys per day in the high season, 56 to 68 journeys per day in the low season. Journey times are from 25 minutes to 9 hours depending on the route. 18 ferry routes passing through the port of Zadar: 6 accept cars, 12 accept bicycles and 13 accept pets on board.
Useful Links:
Jadrolinija Ferry Schedules and Tickets – the Croatian National ferry company operates among the coastal cities and islands of Croatia, and several routes between Italy and Croatia. Schedules vary by season and by day.
Direct Ferries (Booking Platform)
Traveling to Zadar by Bus
Traveling to Zadar by bus is a cost-effective and convenient option, the city is well-connected to other destinations in Croatia and neighboring countries. The main bus station in Zadar is close to the city center, at walking distance so it is easy for travelers to reach their accommodations.
Companies like FlixBus, Arriva and Autotrans operate regular routes to Zadar from Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and international destinations like Munich and Vienna. The journey from Zagreb to Zadar is about 4-5 hours, the trip from Split is around 2-3 hours. Buses are comfortable, air-conditioned and often with WiFi.
Zadar has very good bus connections to larger cities in Croatia and also very good international links, particularly to Germany and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Zadar main bus station is located near the railway station at the intersection of Ante Starcevica and Kralja Tvrtka streets, GPS coordinates: 44.106372, 15.2408206.
Useful Links:
Zadar Bus Station Official Website
Zadar Bus Station Information
FlixBus (Booking Platform)
Arriva Croatia
Traveling to Zadar by Train
Zadar currently does not have a direct train station but there are regular trains from Zagreb to Split via Knin where you can take a bus to Zadar, during the summer there are regular rail lines from Vienna, Belgrade, Prague and Budapest to Split, trains stop in Knin where you can change to a bus for Zadar.
Croatia’s train network is operated by HZPP (Croatian Railways) and trains connect major cities like Zagreb, Split and Rijeka. Split, the nearest major train station, is about 160 km (100 m) away. From Split, travelers can take a bus or rent a car to reach Zadar.
The train journey from Zagreb to Split takes about 6-7 hours and offers beautiful scenic views of the countryside. Once in Split, the bus ride to Zadar takes around 2-3 hours. Train travel is a comfortable and affordable option, but it requires additional planning to reach Zadar.
Useful Links:
Croatian Railways (HZPP)
Trainline (Booking Platform)
Summary of Travel Options to Zadar, Croatia:
By Plane: Fast and convenient, Zadar Airport is serving international and domestic flights.
By Car: Ideal for exploring Croatia at your own pace, good highway connections.
By Ferry: Perfect for island-hopping or arriving from coastal cities, regular ferry services.
By Bus: Affordable and well-connected, frequent routes from major cities.
By Train: A scenic but indirect option, requiring a bus transfer from Split or Knin.
Each travel option offers its own advantages, depending on your preferences, budget and starting location. For more detailed information, you can visit the provided links above to plan your journey to Zadar, Croatia.