Zadar lies at the heart of the Dalmatian coast, halfway between Rijeka to the north and Split to the south. An ancient Roman city, Zadar can be visited for its historical heritage, its beaches and its original contemporary facilities. It’s an ideal base for exploring North Dalmatia, for both short breaks and longer vacations.
Here we’ve put together all the practical options for getting to Zadar, whether you’re arriving by plane, car, ferry or bus from another Croatian city.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Summary: How to get to Zadar
If you don’t want to read the whole article:
- On the central Dalmatian coast, halfway between Rijeka and Split
- ~20min from Zadar – Zemunik Airport – direct flights from Europe in season
- ~2h drive from Split, ~3h30 from Zagreb, ~4h20 from Dubrovnik
- Ferry connections from Ancona (Italy) and the Dalmatian islands (Jadrolinija)
- Long-distance bus from Zagreb and Split via Flixbus (official website here) or local bus
Zadar location and map
Zadar occupies a narrow peninsula on the Dalmatian coast of the Adriatic Sea, in northern Dalmatia. The town overlooks the Zadar archipelago, a group of islands whose nearest islands, Ugljan and Pašman, can be seen from the waterfront. The hinterland opens onto the Velebit mountains and Paklenica National Park, less than an hour’s drive away.
Croatia stretches some 600km from north to south along the coast. Zadar is located in the central part of Dalmatia. Here are a few distance markers to help you understand travel times:
- Zagreb – Zadar: approx. 290km, ~3h30 drive
- Split – Zadar: approx. 155km, ~2h drive
- Dubrovnik – Zadar: approx. 370km, ~4h30 drive
- Rijeka – Zadar: approx. 250km, ~3h drive
Good to know: the A1 freeway links Zagreb to Split, following the inland route, with a direct exit to Zadar. The E65 coastal road is longer but more scenic.
WHERE TO STAY IN Zadar
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Historical center
Bastion Heritage Hotel – Check photos and availability
Marina de Borik
Hyatt Regency Zadar Hotel – Check photos and availability
On the coast
Hotel Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera – Check photos and availability
By plane Zadar airport (ZAD)
Zadar by plane
Zadar – Zemunik Airport is about 10km northeast of the city center, about 15 minutes by car. It’s a modest-sized, well-organized airport, which mainly handles seasonal flights from major European cities from April to October. Outside this period, the number of flights is significantly reduced, and it may be necessary to fly via Zagreb or Split.
We like this airport for its proximity to the city center: access is quick, without the long drive that characterizes other Dalmatian airports. In high season, arrivals are numerous and car rental counters are sometimes fully booked. It’s best to book in advance.
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Main flight connections to ZAD
- From France: seasonal flights from Paris (Beauvais, CDG), Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux and Marseille (Ryanair, Transavia, easyJet).
- From Switzerland: Geneva and Zurich (easyJet, Swiss)
- From Belgium: Brussels-Charleroi (Ryanair), Brussels-Zaventem (TUI fly)
- From Germany: Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf (Ryanair, Eurowings)
- From the UK: London (Stansted, Gatwick), Manchester, Bristol (Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2)
- From Croatia: Zagreb (Croatia Airlines) – flights available all year round, approx. 50min flight time
In low season (November to March), the Zagreb-Zadar route remains the most reliable. It can also be advantageous to transit via Split, whose airport boasts a more extensive network of year-round connections.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Croatia
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
See our tips (coming soon)
Access options from Zadar Airport (ZAD)
The airport is about 10km from the center. There are several ways to reach the city, depending on your budget and preferences.
By rental car
The main rental agencies have counters in the arrivals hall. The journey to the city center takes about 20 minutes. We recommend booking in advance, especially in July and August, as available vehicles are scarce and rates increase significantly.
A car is particularly useful for exploring the region: the Paklenica National Park, the Plitvice Lakes and the Island of Pag are not easily accessible without one. To visit the old town itself, on the other hand, it’s less essential. The historic center is entirely pedestrianized, and parking lots in the vicinity are not free.
Compare available rental cars.
Private transfer
Private transfer is an option we gladly recommend for families or groups. A driver awaits you at the terminal exit and takes you directly to your accommodation, with no need to navigate on arrival. The price is fixed per vehicle, making it competitive for two or three passengers.
See available airport transfers.
By public bus
A shuttle bus also connects the airport with downtown Zadar. We recommend you check the timetable here.
Duration: ~20-25min
Cost: approximately €5 per person
By cab
Cabs are parked outside the arrivals terminal. Check that the meter is on when you leave. A surcharge applies at night and on Sundays. VTC applications also allow you to estimate the fare before the journey.
Duration: ~15-20min
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By ferry
The ferry is a pleasant way to reach Zadar, particularly from Italy or the Dalmatian islands. The town has a well-equipped harbor right on the edge of the old town.
From Italy – Ancona
The most frequent connection from Italy is from Ancona to Zadar, operated by Jadrolinija and SNAV. The crossing takes around 9-11 hours, depending on the company. You arrive in the morning, ready to start the day.
This option is particularly interesting if you’re traveling by car from France or Switzerland: you embark in Ancona and drive straight across, without having to cross the entire Balkan peninsula. We particularly recommend it for longer stays or for travelers who don’t wish to fly.
From the Dalmatian Islands
Jadrolinija provides connections between Zadar and the islands of the local archipelago: Ugljan, Pašman, Dugi Otok, Ist and Silba. These connections operate all year round, with higher frequency in summer. In addition, seasonal connections link Zadar to Split and some of the islands of southern Dalmatia (Hvar, Korčula), making it possible to combine several stages in a single trip.
Good to know: ferries sell out quickly in July and August, especially on routes from Italy. We recommend booking several weeks in advance.
See ferry schedules and availability.
By car
From Zagreb, Split and other Croatian cities
From Zagreb, the quickest route is along the A1 freeway to the Zadar Nord or Zadar Est exit. From Split, the same A1 heads north; the journey is short and the road well signposted. Outside high season, traffic conditions are smooth all the way.
For those with time on their hands, we recommend the E65 coastal road: it runs alongside the Adriatic and offers remarkable views of the islands and bays. It is, however, slower, with many villages and winding stretches.
- Zagreb – Zadar: approx. 290km, ~3h30 drive
- Split – Zadar: approx. 155km, ~2h drive
- Dubrovnik – Zadar: approx. 370km, ~4h30 drive
- Rijeka – Zadar: approx. 250km, ~3h drive
Good to know: the A1 freeway is tolled. Bring cash (euros have been used since 2023) or a credit card to pay at the barriers. In summer, allow a little extra time on the stretches near Split and Zadar, where traffic can be heavy at the end of the day.
Compare available rental cars.
Parking in Zadar
The old town is entirely pedestrianized. Public pay parking lots are located in the immediate vicinity. We recommend Parking Liburnska Obala, near the harbor, or Parking Relja on the edge of the historic center. Blue zones allow 1h parking, green zones up to 3h. In high season, parking spaces become scarce in the morning. It’s best to arrive early or check with your accommodation to find out what options are available nearby.
By bus
From Zagreb, Split and other Croatian cities
The bus is an economical and practical alternative for reaching Zadar from the main Croatian cities. The Zadar bus station is around 1km from the historic center, which can be reached on foot in around 15 minutes. Flixbus or a local network connects Zadar with Zagreb and Split with several daily departures.
We recommend booking online in advance in high season, especially on the busy Zagreb-Zadar route. Buses are air-conditioned and have luggage compartments. Journey times vary according to the number of intermediate stops.
- Zagreb – Zadar: ~4h by bus
- Split – Zadar: ~2h30 by bus
- Rijeka – Zadar: ~3h by bus
View Flixbus to Zadar timetables and availability.
See timetables and availability for local bus to Zadar.
Day trip from Split
If you’re staying in Split and want to discover Zadar without worrying about logistics, guided day trips allow you to combine the two cities. The distance is reasonable, around 2 hours’ drive, and the formula is suitable for travellers who want to enjoy the sites without driving.
See excursions from Split to Zadar.
And once in Zadar…
Once you’ve arrived, the city has a lot to offer. In our opinion, here are a few must-sees:
- The Roman Forum and the old town on foot
- L’Orgue des Mers and Salut au Soleil, on the waterfront
- St Anastasia Cathedral and St Donatus Church
- The Archaeological Museum
- Excursions to the Plitvice Lakes National Park and surrounding islands such as the Kornati Islands
Read our article on what to do in Zadar here.
Here’s our article on where to stay in Zadar.
