The summer season has officially begun in Croatia, marking the start of a period when both domestic and international tourists will flock to the Adriatic islands. With its extensive archipelago, which includes islands, islets, ridges, and promontories, Croatia ranks second in the Mediterranean after Greece. According to data from the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds, Croatia’s island territory comprises 78 islands, 524 islets, and 642 ridges and promontories. As per the population census from 2021, 52 islands and the peninsula of Pelješac are permanently inhabited.
Accessing some islands is straightforward, quick, and relatively inexpensive, while others require significant time and money to reach. Five islands—Krk, Pag, Vir, Murter, and Čiovo—are connected to the mainland via bridges, eliminating the need for ferry travel. These islands are among the most visited tourist destinations along the coast due to this accessibility. Until 2020, tolls were charged only for the Krk Bridge, but now none of these bridges charge tolls.
For those seeking quicker access to other popular islands, ferries offer efficient routes. The fastest ferry rides are available to Pag, Cres, and Rab. A ferry ride from Prizna to Žigljen on Pag takes about fifteen minutes, while the journey from Brestova on the mainland to Porozina on Cres and from Stinica to Mišnjak on Rab each take around twenty minutes. Similarly, traveling from Orebić on the Pelješac Peninsula to Dominča on Korčula also takes approximately twenty minutes.
Ferry prices vary depending on the route. For example, the fare from Brestova to Porozina on Cres costs 4.40 euros for adults and 2.20 euros for children, with vehicle transport priced at 20.70 euros. This results in a total cost of 33.90 euros for a typical four-person family in one direction, or 67.80 euros round trip. Residents of the island pay lower fares compared to tourists.
Another option for reaching Cres involves a ferry service from Valbiska on Krk to Merag on Cres, which also serves as an alternative route to Mali Lošinj. The pricing remains consistent with the Brestova-Porozina route. A third option to reach Mali Lošinj is via a ferry from Zadar, stopping at Ist, Olib, Silba, and Premuda. However, this journey lasts nearly six hours, with ticket prices during the summer season amounting to 6.60 euros for adults, 2.20 euros for children, and 29.90 euros for personal vehicles.
Traveling from Stinica to Mišnjak on the island of Rab takes about twenty minutes. Seasonal ticket prices are 4.20 euros for adults and 1.60 euros for children aged three to twelve, with vehicle transport costing 18.20 euros. For a four-member family, this totals 29.80 euros in one direction, or 59.60 euros round trip.
Reaching the island of Pag can be done either via the bridge or the ferry from Prizna to Žigljen, which suits those vacationing in Novalja and heading to Zrće. The ferry ride takes fifteen minutes, with seasonal ticket prices set at 4.30 euros for adults, 2.10 euros for children, and 18.10 euros for cars. A return trip for a young four-person family would cost approximately 61.80 euros.
From the ferry terminal in Gazenica, Zadar, to Prek on the island of Ugljan, the journey takes twenty-five minutes. Ticket prices are 3.80 euros for adults, 1.60 euros for children, and 17.30 euros for car transport. A four-person family's round-trip journey to Ugljan and back would cost around 56.20 euros this summer.
To reach Brbinja on the island of Dugi Otok, the ferry from Zadar's Gazenica takes one hour and thirty-five minutes. Seasonal ticket prices are 6.40 euros for adults and 2.10 euros for children, with car transport costing 28.50 euros. A four-person family's round-trip journey would cost 91 euros.
Traveling from Split to Supetar on Brač takes fifty minutes. Adults pay 6.50 euros for a single trip, children 3.20 euros, and car transport costs 26.10 euros. A four-person family's round-trip journey to Brač and back would cost around 91 euros this summer.
Reaching the island of Hvar can be accomplished via two routes: from Split to Starigrad and from Drvenik to Sućuraj. The journey from Split to Starigrad takes one hour and fifty minutes. During the high season, from June 19 to August 23, adult tickets cost 8.40 euros, children's tickets 4.20 euros, and car transport 47.60 euros. A four-person family's round-trip journey to Starigrad and back would cost 145.60 euros.
The journey from Drvenik to Sućuraj on Hvar takes half an hour, with adult tickets priced at 4.10 euros, children's tickets at 2.10 euros, and car transport at 19.70 euros. A four-person family's round-trip journey would cost 64.20 euros.
Traveling to Vis from Split's port takes two hours and twenty minutes. From July 3 to September 20, adult tickets cost 9.10 euros, children's tickets 3.60 euros, and car transport 52 euros. A four-person family's round-trip journey to Vis and back during the peak tourist season would cost 129.40 euros.
Finally, reaching the most remote inhabited Croatian island, Lastovo, involves a five-hour and ten-minute ferry ride from Split via Hvar and Vela Luka on Korčula to Ubli. Adult tickets cost 11.50 euros, children's tickets 4.50 euros, and car transport 73.70 euros. A four-person family's round-trip journey to Lastovo and back would cost 191.40 euros.
Similarly, traveling from Split to Vela Luka on Korčula and back takes three hours and ten minutes. Adult tickets cost 10.80 euros, children's tickets 3.90 euros, and car transport 73.70 euros, mirroring the cost structure for reaching Lastovo.
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