Hi all

I'm trying to figure out the "best" way to get to Croatia from Dulles airport. We are planning to only visit the coast - so far that means Rovinj/Pula, Dubrovnik and Split and what is in between, along the coast. I think we will likely only have 9 nights total, maybe 10 nights.

At first glance it looks like flying to Venice (consider using one night to stay over in Venice and get a good night's sleep) and then taking a ferry to Rovinj may be the best way. Is that your experience?

Given our short amount of time I'd like to minimize the logistics part if possible (without spending 2 grand on a plane ticket).

Once in the country - is a car the best option? There would be three of us most likely.

Many thanks!

I think the ferry from Venice to Rovinj is a perfect plan, IF it's running when you go -- it's seasonal, so that's your first concern. Then I would rent a car and drive down the coast, staying in Trogir rather than Split, and ending up in Dubrovnik. The bus system is an alternative, or a combo of bus and ferry, but a car gives you the most flexibility. I would try to fly out of Dubrovnik (perhaps to Frankfurt) to maximize your time in Croatia, a spectacularly beautiful place. BTW, I think September is the perfect month to go, if that's possible for you -- the August crowds have gone, and yet the water is still warm enough for swimmming. We'll be glad to answer more questions as you firm up your plans.

If you can fly through London (Stanstead maybe...)
I think that Ryan Air flies into Croatia - not sure where but they do have regularly scheduled flights. Check it out...see if you could make a good connection.

Here's what I did last month: flew to Venice, stayed a few days, took the ferry to Rovinj and stayed there for a while, went down the coast and to a couple of islands by a combination of bus and ferry, and then flew home from Dubrovnik (via Frankfurt, as Ann suggests, with the first leg being on Croatian Airlines, a Star Alliance partner). I had a longer time in Croatia than you, though--three weeks.

If you just want to go between the coastal cities and don't want to rent a car, the bus is quite frequent and reliable. For example, it runs hourly from Split all the way down to Dubrovnik. It worked out fine for me, since I was travelling solo and didn't want to drive. But I'll bet you could make better time by car. The longest haul I did by bus was Rovinj-Zadar, changing at Rijeka--it took about 7 hours, altogether. Split to Dubrovnik by bus takes about 4 1/2 hours.

By the way, I know I'm in the minority on this, but I liked Split quite a bit. I'm not sorry that I based myself there and day-tripped to Trogir. So if Split is more convenient for you, and if you don't mind a relatively big-city vibe, I don't think you need to shy away from it.

Also, if you do take the bus, be warned that you can't pay by credit card; at least, not at the stations where I bought tickets. Bus fares are pretty reasonable, though. There are different companies, but here's the main one along the coast.

The Croatian coast is gorgeous. Enjoy your trip.

many many thanks to everyone. KT, that sounds like what we want to do - only compressed (alas).

Next question, and this may scuttle the trip now:

It's looking like our mutual free dates are in November now. (ugh - we are all busy folks). Is it still a good idea to go in November - both weather wise and infrastructure wise (ferries, other tourist things may be closed...)?

The main ferry will still be running from Rijeka down the coast but a car is best if you are a group of 3 persons. Weather is similar to UK for that time of year,no ferry from Venice to Istria either.