3 adults in Croatia at the end of May 2007. What is the best way to get to Venice from Istria - Ferry, Train or rent a car and drop off in Venice? Is the car thing even possible?

Thanks bunches

There are boats from some Istrian towns to Venezia. These are generally run as day excursions, leaving in the morning, but you can buy one-way tickets.
Many places also have buses to Trieste which has hourly trains to Venezia.
It depends very much on where you're starting from. Arriving in Venezia by sea is the best way, provided the vessel has open decks so that you can see the sights.

Thanks for the info

We will be traveling from Venice down south slowly to Bari and crossing over to Drubronik and traveling slowly north to Istria.

Some ferries only start their full schedule of service in June, but run a limited schedule in May. The faster hydrofoil Prince of Venice, leaves from Porec or Umag in Croatian Istria, or from Isola and Piran in Slovenian Istria.
Driving through the Cro/Slo border will not yet be a total nightmare, as it will be in July/August.
I have a house near that border, and I often drive to Venice in 1.5 - 2 hours.
One can also take a bus to Trieste, and the train from there.
When my friends come to visit, I usually have them travel between Venice and Istria by sea - it is more relaxing, faster in summer, and it is simply to most romantic and beautiful way to arrive.

I've made the Adriatic tour several times, complete with ferry to/from Bari. Unless you are planning a trip to the other side of Italy for Rome and the Amalfi coast - there is little reason to go farther than Ancona. The ferries are much cleaner and nicer from there, as well as the city.
Bar is also a daily destination for ferries from Italy, just south of Dubrovnik.
Try not to miss the Bay of Kotor - one of the most beautiful spots on the entire planet.
See my other replies regarding Istria - I've enjoyed it so much that I bought a house there.

Hi SG - There's also a morning bus service between Pula and Venice, (arr. Venice 10.45)

http://www.fils.hr/home.php/-3-0-0-2-Lines

Hope this helps ...

Steve

we are also interested in taking a bus from Istria to Venice May 11, 2007. my question is that we will be renting a car in Dubrovnik and dropping off ?? so that we can take a bus, train or ferry to Venice.. It looks like the ferry is sold out or not running, how easy is the public bus to take, or would we be better off taking a bus and then the train from Trieste to Venice. Thanks for your help

wlbox, We are starting a cruise out of Venice on May 12th and want to spend the preceding week in Croatia, so I'm very interested in your question. I think we may end up in Ljubljiana, Slovenia on Friday and take a train back. I think we can do that, but I'm not positive, and even if we can, I don't know if that is the smartest option, and I'm having a hell of a time trying to get info about Cro & Slo on Fodors lately! Please post on here if you get a definitive answer. Good luck.