Travelling to Northern Dalmatian coast
Northern Dalmatian coast streches from Zadar to Split and it is very well connected to most European countries, especilally in summer season when numerous airlines have flights to Dalmatian airports.
Although getting to Northern Dalmatia is easier by air, it’s still favorable car destinaton for numerous visitors from Europe, travelling on a scenic and high quality motorway called Dalmatina to stunning towns and places in this region – Zadar, Šibenik, Primošten, Trogir or Krka Waterfalls National Park, or Kornati Archipelago.
For getting to Northern Dalmatian islands, you need to get to Zadar first and then take a ferry to your holiday destination.
Travelling by car to Northern Dalmatia is faster than you think
The high quality motorway on south A1 called Dalmatina makes Northern Dalmatia more reachable than it seems at the first sight. Moreover, geeting to Northern Dalmatia by car isn’t supposed to be a too long drive experience except for the travelleres from northernmost European countries.
Travelling to Northern Dalmatia by car
Getting to Northern Dalmatia by bus
Although getting to Northern Dalmatia by bus is very comfortable and you’ll be travelling within Croatia along high quality motorway called Dalmatina, there are not many direct international buses from some European countries to Northern Dalmatia. Still, don’t be discouraged – you’ll find numerous bus companies serving routes from European cities to Zadar via Croatian capital Zagreb (especially bus lines from Germany, Austria, Switzerland that drive all the way down to Southern Croatia).
If you are not convenient to travel to Northern Dalmatia by bus via Zagreb, you can take a bus to Pula or Rijeka and then switch to another one to Zadar.
You may check bus timetable and book tickets online for some lines to Zadar on the Autotrans website.
Moreover, if you travel to Zadar via Zagreb, check bus timetable and book your tickets on line at Zagreb Bus Terminal.
Getting to Northern Dalmatia by bus
Flights to Zadar
When you’ve decided to fly to Northern Dalmatia you’ll need to make a choice between two airports – the main airport in the region is Zadar Airport or, depending on your holiday destination, flying to Split could be more convenient if your accommodation is nearby Split.
If your accommodation is very close to Split, in towns like Trogir, Primošten or Rogoznica, flying to Split Airport might be better option.
However, to the majority of destinations in Northern Dalmatia – Zadar, Vodice, Šibenik, Skradin, Murter, Kornati Archipelago, Pag Island, Biograd – Zadar Airport is definitely a better choice. Since there’s no such a big difference in the distance from both airports to the Northern Dalmatia’s towns – you can let ticket price to make a choice for you.
Flying to Northern Dalmatia
However, when flying from Europe you have pretty good choice of airlines companies serving flights to Zadar:
The majority of these airline companies offer flights to Zadar during the summer only.
Idea of travelling to Northern Dalmatia by train
Try to avoid travelling by train to Northern Dalmatia since you’ll have to make a few switches along the way. Although Zadar has a train station, the railway network is poor – not even Zagreb has a direct train connection to Zadar.
Ferry from Ancona to Zadar
National company Jadrolinija operates ferry lines from Ancona to Zadar but only during the summer season. I you want to travel by ferry year-round, board a ferry from Ancona to Split, and then travel by bus to Zadar (less than two hours drive).
Ferry from Ancona to Zadar
Getting to Northern Dalmatia from South Dalmatia
For getting to Northern Dalmatia from Southern Dalmatia, from towns Dubrovnik, Makarska or Split, you have numerous bus options to reach Zadar and other Northern Dalmatian coastal towns.
If consider to reach Zadar from Southern Dalmatian islands (Brač, Hvar, Korčula, Vis) you need to reach mainland by ferry first and there switch to bus.
You can see timetables for buses to and from Zadar at the Zadar Bus Station website.