Does anyone know the best (cheapest, quickest) way into Croatia? So far I've only found fly to Rome, train to Ancona, ferry to Split - it takes days! Is it better to fly into a neighboring Eastern European country?

We are flying in to Frankfurt, renting a car and driving to Stuttgart, staying with relatives overnight and then taking a puddle jumper (Germanwings) to Zagreb. Leaving from Dubrovnik via puddle jumper (Tuifly) to Stuttgart, same routine, staying overnight with relatives and driving to Frankfurt to fly to Chicago. The small flights were very cheap. This seemed to be the easiest way. We have also seen that getting there via Switzerland is also an option. If we wouldn't have had family we would have had to rent rooms (there are 4 of us going) but we should be quite rested when we finally arrive in Croatia. Obviously the car rental adds to the cost... Good luck. When are you traveling to Croatia? We leave the US on September 3rd-can't wait! Shirley

We flew Lufhansa to Frankfurt, then switched to croatian air to Zagreb.

I fly Seattle to Amsterdam to Zagreb to Dubrovnik - long day!

We flew Air France from Atlanta to Paris to Zagreb....easy!

NYC-Frankfurt-Split

NYC-London- Dubrovnik

If you're going during the summer months expect to pay $$$$$.

We flew Chicago - London (airport change)- Dubrovnik, but I have seen flights that lay over in Paris or Vienna as well. Another option would be to fly into a base city (Munich, London, Paris, even Dublin) and taking a budget flight to Croatia. Check out www.whichbudget.com for options.

Best wishes,
Tracy

Barb, how was your recent trip? Are you still considering a move?

tcreath,

It was a great trip, even if the weather was not so great. Unseasonably cold April with wind and lots of rain. I am still debating about tackling a trip report.

I'm completely in love with Croatia and a certain handsome, sweet Hrvat! I just made plane reservations for a return trip Oct. 2nd. Talk about feeling like 16 again!! A trip report would not be like any I've done in the past. The Divas are speechless if you can imagine that I'm starting to feel like I know Dubrovnik inside and out.

Barb, that sounds lovely and so romantic! Dubrovnik is certainly a place I wouldn't mind spending the rest of eternity in.

Best of wishes,
Tracy

Last year we flew Chicago to Brussells to Split. Long layover in Brussells, but it sure beats what you have with plane/train/ferry. Depending where you're flying out of, you might not have that long layover. Even if you do, you can make the most of it: store your baggage at the airport, hop a bus, & see some of Brussells. That's what we did. Good luck!

We just got back last Wednesday.
On the way there, we flew Atlanta-London-Dubrovnik

On the return, it Zagreb-Vienna-Chicago

I'm still planning to write a trip report. Croatia was wonderful!

There are a lot of flights to Croatia in the summer; the easiest for Americans is usually to connect in either London or Frankfurt, but most Croatia flights from London leave from Gatwick or Stansted and require an overnight in London at least one way. Do check www.whichbudget.com and get a sense of where the cheap flights are coming from. That will help. You can get there the same day from the U.S. if you arrive in your major connecting city early enough in the morning, but it's not always easy. But it is always expensive and exhausting.

thanks everyone. when i did it last time it was after staying in italy for a month... sounds like these flight ideas are much better! i don't know when i'm going back, i just know i can't wait and so am constantly thinking of how and when to do it. it's my mother's homeland, and i'm in love with it!

I am heading back to Croatia this August and wanted to know how much train tickets were from Vienna to Zagreb or Zadar if they go there? I couldnt find single tickets for the train only rail passes.

We are planning on flying from Toronto to Frankfurt or Munich to Vienna then either catch a cheap flight or train to Croatia.
Thank you!

there are non stop flights from barcelona, madrid and valencia on www.clickair.com to dubrovnik.

Are you booking online or through a travel agent? I have been looking online and am also seeking a good travel agent for charter flights. THere is Croatian airlines too you can book directly with on their website and they do not appear on the general search engines. Just search for croatian air.

I had the same dilemma when I planned our trip to Croatia. We took the ferry from Venice to Rovinj. We really enjoyed the ferry (Venezia Lines). The ride only takes 4 hours and the price in reasonable (around 60 euros). And you have the option to add a night or two in Venice to your itinerary.