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Croatia trip: car or plane? The best choice for your vacation!
Find out whether you should travel by car or plane for your Croatia vacation. Advantages and disadvantages at a glance.
Croatia trip: car or plane? The best choice for your vacation!
Every year Croatia attracts around 21.3 million tourists, who recorded a total of 108.7 million overnight stays in 2024. The beauty of the coast, coupled with the cultural wealth, makes the country a preferred holiday destination. However, when arriving, vacationers may be faced with the decision of whether they want to travel by car or by plane. This often causes discussions on social media, such as recently in a Facebook group where a woman asked for experiences about traveling to Pula.
Users shared different perspectives: Flying, for example, has the disadvantage that local travelers do not have access to a car, which makes exploring the surrounding area more difficult. Some recommended that men drive and women with children fly to minimize the stress of travel. Especially in Pula, holidaymakers have to be prepared for the fact that their accommodation is often not within walking distance of the beach, which makes it advisable to use a car. Another interesting option was the suggestion of traveling by car train to shorten travel times and reduce stress.
Advantages and disadvantages of arrival
Choosing between a car and a plane comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Anyone traveling by car benefits from:
- Flexibilität und Mobilität vor Ort
- Kosteneffizienz für Gruppen
- Einfacher Beförderung von Haustieren
On the other hand, drivers have to accept longer travel times, fatigue, tolls and the possibility of traffic jams.
Traveling by plane, on the other hand, offers the following advantages:
- Zeitersparnis und Komfort
- Umweltfreundlichkeit
- Stressfreier Start
However, flying limits local mobility, luggage limits apply, and travelers often face higher costs, especially when traveling alone.
Practical information about arriving by car
A popular route is via the Austrian Tauernautobahn (A10) and Ljubljana, while the alternative route can be used via the Pyhrnautobahn (A9) and Maribor. The ADAC route planner is also recommended for planning toll costs and routes.
Entering Croatia is uncomplicated: There is no travel warning and no entry form, corona test or quarantine requirement is required. A valid ID card or identification document from an EU country is required upon entry, and pets must present an EU pet passport and microchip.
Traffic regulations and tolls
In Croatia, tolls apply on motorways, with fees calculated based on the number of kilometers driven. Payments are possible at toll stations in cash, credit card or debit card, also in euros. For example, a route from Zagreb via Split to Dubrovnik (600 km) costs around 30 euros.
When using the vehicle, the traffic regulations must be observed: In built-up areas the maximum speed is 50 km/h, outside of 90 km/h, on expressways 110 km/h and on motorways 130 km/h. In addition, excess cargo must be marked.
Cycling in Croatia has its own rules, especially for children under 16 who must always wear a helmet. Driving with headphones is prohibited and can result in a fine.
In the event of an emergency, the emergency numbers 112 for the police, fire brigade and rescue service as well as the ADAC emergency number +49 89 22 22 22 are important. After an accident, drivers must contact the police and it is advisable to carry a high-visibility vest in the car.
Overall, the decision to travel to Croatia depends heavily on personal preferences, the duration of the trip, the destination and the number of people traveling with you. Whether by car or plane, Croatia remains a fascinating destination that delights every traveler.
Further information about the advantages and disadvantages of the journey can be found at Mercury and for current travel regulations ADAC.