From the airport to the city centre Istria
Air connections to Croatia are constantly on the increase, but the winter season remains relatively deserted, with the exception of Zagreb and Dubrovnik. To reach Istria by plane during this time of year, you'll need to make a stopover in Zagreb to find a connection, with Croatia Airlines, the national airline, offering domestic flights to Rijeka or Pula.
From spring to autumn, European low-cost airlines (Ryanair, Volotea, EasyJet) add to the European air traffic and increase the number of rotations between France (Paris, Marseille, Lyon) and Istria (Pula, Rijeka). You can also land in Italy (Venice-Marco-Polo airport) and finish your trip by road or boat, heading for Croatian Istria (north), via Friuli-Venezia Giulia and southern Slovenia.
At Pula airport, all travel services are available (cabs, car rental, bank counters, ATMs, tourist information, bars, fast-food outlets, newsagents, stores). Rijeka airport, based on the island of Krk, is less important. Shuttle buses run from both airports to the bus stations in both towns. Tickets cost from €3.50 to €4.
Arrival by train Istria
Compared with bus and boat traffic, regional rail services in Istria are limited: only one line operates between Pula and Buzet. It's still an interesting option for inland villages. To Rijeka, take the bus to Lupoglav. In Rijeka, there are fast trains to neighboring countries (Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Serbia) and direct lines to Zagreb. Information: www.hzpp.hr.
Arrival by boat Istria
www.aci-marinas.com Ferries and catamarans. To reach Istria by sea, the French can contact the Centrale des Ferries (www.lacentraledesferries.com), which represents the shipping companies operating on the Adriatic (Jadrolinija, Snav, Blue Line) and offers crossings between Venice and Pula or Labin, with discounts for advance bookings.
Venezia Line, the Italian shipping company, operates crossings between Venice and Piran, Umag, Rovinj and Pula. Free quotations, brochures and tickets available at www.venezialines.com.
Along the entire coastline, it's almost easier to get around by boat than by car, especially in summer. Tickets are cheaper than regional bus fares. With its large fleet of ferries, the national ferry company operates a large number of routes on the Croatian Adriatic from Rijeka. You can take your vehicle with you on many ferries. A ferry runs between Brestova (shortly after Labin) and Porozina, northwest of Cres. The trip takes 20 minutes and runs approximately every two hours in low season and almost every hour in summer. www.jadrolinija.hr.
Boating. You can easily rent a boat locally in Istria's seaside resorts and marinas. Alternatively, you can make arrangements in advance with a tour operator specializing in tourist boating. Filovent (www.filovent.com), for example, offers mainly sailing yachts and catamarans, with or without crew. Of the 22 major Croatian marinas in the international ACI network, 4 are located in Istria (Pomer, Pula, Umag, Rovinj), plus Opatija. Anchorage and departure are also possible in numerous small marinas and other well-equipped nautical bases, most of which meet today's requirements in terms of comfort and safety (modern harbor master's offices, services, shops, itineraries, safety, comfort, relaxation). Depending on the season and the length of the boat, the daily rate for these berths may vary. For a berth in a marina, from mid-June to the end of August, count €60 to €90 per day for a 10-12m (32-38 ft) sailboat. For a complete list and description of marinas, up-to-date marine information, weather, itineraries and a computerized berth reservation system, visit the official ACI Marinas website (www.aci-marinas.com).
Public transport Istria
Belgian pioneers Eurolines(www.eurolines.fr) and German competitors Flixbus(www.flixbus.fr) offer comfortable coach journeys day and night, with fares more or less in line. All year round, they leave from Paris, Ljubljana, Marseille, Nice, Venice and Trieste and drop you off at the Pula bus station, via Italy and Slovenia.
Croatian coaches and buses. While Čazmatrans and Brioni coaches still operate in Istria, the national company Arriva-Autotrans(www.arriva.com.hr) covers the entire country, with prices varying according to the distance of the journey. Tickets can be purchased at bus stations or online. A city bus ticket costs between €1.50 and €2, depending on the distance traveled. Tickets can be purchased from the driver.
Bike, scooters & co Istria
The local cycling culture is well established. Two-wheelers are available for hire in major towns and seaside resorts. The EuroVelo 8 network of cycle routes and paths (www.eurovelo.org) passes through eleven Mediterranean countries, and makes a fine route through Istria, coming from France, Italy and Slovenia. The Parenzana cycle path is legendary! A former railroad line built between 1902 and 1935, it linked Trieste to Poreč, passing through the interior of Istria to Savudrija, Buje, Grožnjan, Livade, Motovun and Vižinada. It operated for only thirty years and was then abandoned. In 2002, the local authority decided to rehabilitate the route as a greenway for hikers and cyclists. With signposts, railings on bridges and viaducts, and lighting in the tunnels, it attracts cycle-touring enthusiasts. It's a sporty journey, between sea and mountains, with superb scenery and... big changes in altitude, sometimes windy and very hot in summer. Information: www.istria-bike.com
With a driver Istria
Cab fares are calculated on a metered or flat-rate basis, depending on the destination. Each locality has its own network of drivers, who are easy to find (airport, train station, tourist office). Metered price per kilometer: €1.
By car Istria
From France, two possible road routes:
Northeast route. From Paris, the shortest route is via the Autoroute de l'Est (A4), towards Reims, Metz and Strasbourg. Before entering Germany, take the A35 towards Stuttgart, Munich and Austria via Innsbruck and Salzburg. Then take the A10 down to Slovenia via Ljubljana. To reach the Slovenian coast, drive down to Piran via Koper, a few dozen kilometers from the border with Croatian Istria. Allow around 2,000 km on the freeway, with numerous tolls.
South-eastern route. Using the Autoroute du Sud, drive along the Mediterranean coast via Marseille and Nice to Italy. At Genoa, you have two options: either take the Livorno, Florence, Bologna, Venice and Trieste route to enter Slovenia (Piran) and finally Umag (Istria), or, once in Genoa, head up towards Milan, Bergamo, Verona and then catch up with the Venice-Trieste route. Alternatively, cross the Alps via a toll tunnel (Mont-Blanc or Fréjus) to Turin. As a rough guide, the Paris-Turin route takes around 8 hours for 800 km, while Paris-Venice takes 11 hours. These routes through northern Italy take time, but offer the most beautiful scenery.
You can estimate your itinerary on French websites and on the official Croatian freeway website. Tolls vary according to vehicle and distance travelled. For administrative formalities, see the website of the French Embassy in Zagreb (hr.ambafrance.org).
Car rental. Lower prices from local agencies, but different treatment for insurance. From €37 per day (including insurance), fuel around €1.50 per liter.
Accessibility Istria
For a safe journey, it's best to plan ahead with transport providers. Croatian airlines are required to provide assistance services for people with reduced mobility.
When traveling by train, Eurowings, InterCity or EuroCity offer a service adapted to disabled passengers. Main railway stations are equipped with ramps, accessible toilets and reserved spaces.
Bus transport options vary from city to city. The national companies Arriva and Čazmatrans have special facilities, but most regional buses are not accessible for PRMs. As for cabs, some drivers have vehicles with ramps for wheelchair passengers. You can also rent a well-equipped vehicle on site, but to park, you need to be able to show a European parking card.
Tourist traps Istria
Car vignette mandatory in Slovenia! A vignette is required to drive on Slovenia's freeways and expressways, including the Ljubljana ring road. The cost varies according to the size of the motor vehicle and the length of stay in Slovenia (from €8 to €32 per week). It can be purchased online or at freeway service stations. Anyone driving without a valid sticker may be fined between €300 and €800.
