What is the best way to travel around Croatia?

Bus + ferry. Buses run hourly along the coast and inland; the Jadrolinija and Krilo Jet catamarans connect all the major islands. Trains are slow and limited — skip them outside Zagreb.

Do I need a passport between Croatia and Slovenia?

No — Croatia joined Schengen in 2023. The land border is unmanned. Bring photo ID for random checks.

How many days do you need in Croatia?

Minimum 7. Two days Zagreb + Plitvice, three days Split + one island, two days Dubrovnik is the classic loop.

Croatia Travel Guide — Bus, Van & Ferry Routes

Croatia is the Balkans' easiest country to travel — coaches every hour, a dense catamaran network linking Split with Hvar, Brač, Korčula, Mljet and Dubrovnik, and signage in English everywhere. The two transport spines are the Zagreb–Split–Dubrovnik coastal axis (bus + ferry) and the Zagreb hub for inland trips to Plitvice, Ljubljana and Budapest.

If you only travel one Balkan country, make it Croatia in May–June or late September — the ferries still run, prices are half of August, and the swimming is excellent. Public transport works flawlessly. The Pelješac Bridge (opened 2022) finally connects Split and Dubrovnik without entering Bosnia, which means EU travellers no longer need a passport for the coach. Croatia joined the Euro and Schengen in 2023, so the Italian and Slovenian land borders are now unmanned.

Currency

Euro (€)

Language

Croatian; English fluent in tourist areas

Visa

Schengen rules apply. EU/UK/US/CA/AU passports: 90 days visa-free.