Croatia is very well organized in terms of tourist reception. Easily reachable by any means, it can count on a large number of airports and stations, as well as ports and bus networks. Here we will analyze the main arrival points, both by plane and by train, to reach Croatia. The advice is not to use trains for regional travels, as they are less rapid and reliable than long-distance buses. But the railway works well as far as international journeys are concerned.
AIRPORTS
The most important airports in Croatia serve the cities that are symbols of modern tourism. The capital, Zagreb, the very busy Split, but of course also the centers of cultural and naturalistic tourism such as Dubrovnik and Rijeka. In detail, here is the description of these main airports.
Zagreb Airport (ZAG)
An early 20th-century airport, developed after the Second World War and then further restored and modernized in the 2000s, Croatia’s main airport operates with a long runway and a single terminal. Despite the unique structure, all the fundamental services for travelers are concentrated here: restaurants, bars, meeting rooms, shops, security, banks, assistance and obviously free wi-fi. Zagreb airport is well served by public transport, car rentals and private transfers offered by companies such as Transfeero.
Split Airport (SPU)
Also built in the 1930s, between the 1990s and 2000 it became the second busiest airport in Croatia. Split Airport has only one runway which is still enough to handle the intense traffic of tourist flights throughout the year and a large modern terminal to which brand new extra areas have recently been added. The terminal includes all traveler services and the most modern technologies. The possibility of moving around easily, thanks to public transport and highly efficient private transfers (Transfeero is present and active on site) allows you to immediately start a worry-free holiday.
The third airport in the country by number of passengers and traffic, it was built in 1936 and modernized in 2023. The runway is unique, also the terminal consists of a single enormous structure including three macro-areas, A, B and C. The latest two areas function as one, sharing essential services such as catering, security, assistance, shops, banks and obviously all public and private transport and airport pickup systems. From this airport you enter directly into the enchanted world of the historic city of Dubrovnik, which is why it is one of the most popular stopovers, especially in summer.
Krk-Rijeka Airport (RJK)
Built in the 1970s precisely with the aim of encouraging coastal tourism, especially that directed to the beautiful Adriatic islands, Rijeka airport is itself located on an island: the island of Krk. In this regard, the main connections to the mainland are the ferries that depart and arrive from the town of Omishalj. The airport operates with a single runway, with few but efficient services for travellers. There are no boarding bridges and to get on the plane you go on foot along the runway or are accompanied by specific shuttles to the aircraft stairs!
Pula Airport (PUY)
Pula airport developed together with Croatian tourism from the 1960s onwards. With a runway and a terminal equipped with the main services (catering, shops, assistance, security, relaxation) it mainly welcomes tourist flights from Europe and Croatia itself. In terms of transport, it is well connected to the surrounding region thanks to public buses, car rentals and chauffeur and private shuttle services.
STATIONS
The stations of the most important cities are essential for welcoming those tourists who rely on rail transport to reach Croatia. Local railway lines also branch out from these stations, but they are less reliable than the national ones. A curiosity: the super tourist city Dubrovnik has no railway at all, and can only be reached by bus.
Zagreb Railway Station
Zagreb’s main station is called Zagreb Glavni and is located right on the most important square in the historic center of the capital. It boasts 7 platforms and 9 tracks and various services for the convenience of travelers who arrive here from all over Croatia but also from all over Europe. The station has existed since 1890 and since then it has been an important and well-connected landmark of the city
Split Railway Station
The train station in Split, also known as Željeznički Split is situated next to the main city’s bus station and next to the ferry departure too. It takes only a few minute walk to get to the city centre and before you leave you can enjoy the station’s services. There are not so many, but they are good enough for the tourist’s satisfaction: the ticket office and a small waiting room opening on the restaurants and café of the city center. The station shares the luggage storage with the nearby bus station.
Rijeka Railway Station
Small station with only 4 platforms, Rijeka is also one of the historic stations of Croatia (1896) and has since connected this coastal town with the other key points of the Adriatic. Restored in 2020-2021 period, it now offers more facilities for passengers: ticket counter, info center, luggage storage, banks, kiosks, information center. It is well connected to the territory thanks to buses and taxis.
The station’s lobby signs are mostly in Croatian, besides the informative display which is in both Croatian and English. The station is divided into Departure (Direction Zagreb) and Arrival (Direction Ljubljana) part