This guide details the best route to take the ferry from Greece to Croatia. It also has Croatia to Greece ferry info to help you island-hop like a pro.
If you’re in Greece and you fancy heading over to check out the wonders of Croatia, it’s a fantastic idea. Or, maybe you are wondering how to catch the ferry from Croatia to Greece.
Of course, you could fly between Greece and Croatia. Several airlines fly this international route, including low-fare carrier Ryanair and Croatia Airlines year-round in high season and Aegean Airlines. They all fly on different a day of the week, so you’ll have to check them all to see what day suits your schedule best.
That would make it the best option as it is easier, faster, and possibly cheaper if you could find a low-cost fare at the last minute. But if you prefer to travel along the water and check out the passing scenery, why not take the ferry?
Now, this is where it gets a little complicated.
There are no direct ferries between Greece and Croatia, BUT you can take the ferry from Greece to Italy and then to Croatia. It sounds long-winded, but it’s a very smooth process, and you’ll be able to chill out en route.
The journey time depends upon the service you choose and the time of year, but you’re looking at somewhere between 10-16 hours travel time, with a waiting time of around 2 hours in some cases.
However, remember the time differences – Greece is one hour in front of Croatia, so be sure to factor this in when planning.
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Ferries From Greece To Italy
There are several options for ferries you can take from Greece to Italy, depending on where you want to travel from. To make things easier, if you’re on the mainland, you will typically travel from the port of Patras and over to either Ancona or Bari in Italy.
From there, you can take your connection ferry over to Croatia.
- Minoan Ferry Line
- Grimaldi Lines
- Anek Superfast
- Ventouris Ferries
Services usually run all year round, although you will usually find that there are far fewer crossings in winter than in summer. Poor weather can also cause services to be canceled at short notice.
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Ferries From Italy To Croatia
Once you arrive in Italy, you can take a further ferry to Croatia. The most popular option here is from Ancona to Zadar or Split, or you can travel from Bari to either Dubrovnik or Split, which is a new service for 2023.
Services take between 9-12 hours, and many sail overnight. You can book a cabin of either 2 or 4 berths for extra comfort, but if you don’t want the added expense, you can book a reclining seat in the public area. Many amenities, such as restaurants, shops, and a children’s play area, are also on board.
Jadrolinija offers an all-year-round service between Ancona and Split, and SNAV offers sailings during the summer months.
A few other options include:
- Venice to Pula, Umag, Porec, and Rovinj
- Trieste to Rovinj, Porec, and Mali Losinj
- Cesenatico to Mali Losinj, Rovink
- Pesaro to Mali Losinj
What companies offer ferries between Greece and Croatia?
Between Greece and Italy, you can use Minoan Lines, Grimaldi Lines, Anek Superfast, and Ventouris Ferries from Greece to Italy. Between Italy and Croatia, you can use Jadrolinija and SNAV.
How long does the crossing take?
Between 10-16 hours, plus waiting time between ferries.
How much does a ferry between Greece and Croatia cost?
The combined cost of both ferries costs an average of 245 euros; you may be able to find cheaper deals if you book ahead of time – always recommended. You can book tickets online or from the port.
If you book a cabin, your cost will be higher.
What is the ferry distance between Greece and Croatia?
Depending upon where you travel to and from, you’re looking at an average of 676 nautical miles.
Are there direct ferries between Croatia and Greece?
The answer is no; NO direct ferries are operating between these two countries. The only possible travel by ferry is via Italy.
How can I travel from Croatia to Greece?
You have a couple of options:
- Take one of the direct flights available during the summer between Athens and the cities of Dubrovnik, Split, or Zagreb. You can check timetable ticket prices and book your tickets easily online
- For ferry travel, if you are in Dubrovnik, you can take JADROLINIJA’s overnight ferry (operated from April until the end of October) to the port of Bari in Italy (crossing time is around 11 hours). Catch one of the ferries from Bari sailing to Greek ports or Corfu, Igoumenitsa, Patras, or Sami. If your final destination is the Greek islands, take a ferry to the port of Patras, and from there, take a bus or a train to Athens
- If ferry schedules are not convenient, you can travel from Bari to Brindisi, which is located around 130 km further to the south. From there, Grimaldi Lines operates ferries to Corfu (only during summer), Igoumenitsa, and Patras (all year round)
How can I book ferries from Dubrovnik to Italy or Italy to Greece?
You can easily book ferries online through the respective ferry service providers’ websites. Make sure to check the availability and schedule in advance.
How can I travel from Split to Greece?
If you are in Split and want to travel to Greece, you have the following options:
- Take one of the international ferry routes from Split to the Italian port of Ancona. Jadrolinija’s ferry operates all year round, while SNAV sails seasonally (April – October). Jadrolinija also operates a ferry from Split to Bari ferry during the summer months (once a week).
- From Ancona, there are two ferries to the Greek ports of Igoumenitsa and Patras, operated by ANEK Lines and Superfast Ferries. The service is available daily all year round, with extra sailings in the summer months.
- Minoan Lines, a Greek ferry company, also runs car/passenger ferries from Ancona to Greece. This daily service is available all year round.
Are there direct ferry crossings from Split to Greece?
No, there is no direct ferry from Split to Greece. You must take a ferry to an Italian port like Ancona or Bari and then transfer to a Greek ferry to reach Greece.
What are some popular Greek destinations I can reach from Italy?
You can reach popular Greek destinations such as Igoumenitsa, Patras, Corfu, and others from Italian ports like Bari and Ancona. If your final destination is a Greek island, you can take a ferry to the nearest mainland ferry port and then connect to the islands.
Can I book my ferry connections online?
Yes, you can book ferry tickets online through the official websites of ferry operators. Booking your tickets in advance is recommended, especially during the busy summer season.
What is the best way to travel between Croatia and Greece?
The best way to travel between Croatia and Greece depends on your preferences. If you prefer a direct option, consider taking a flight during the summer months. If you enjoy a scenic journey and have time, ferries through Italy can be a unique experience.
Can I reach Greece from other Balkan countries?
Yes, there are plenty of options to reach Greece from Balkan countries. The main routes are:
- By Road: you can travel to Greece by Road from neighboring Balkan countries such as Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. There are well-established road networks and border crossings that allow for easy travel by car or bus.
- By Air: many Balkan countries have international airports with direct flights to Greece. For example, you can take a direct flight from cities like Sofia (Bulgaria), Skopje (North Macedonia), Tirana (Albania), and Istanbul (Turkey) to major Greek cities like Athens or Thessaloniki
- By Train: while there are no direct international train connections between Balkan countries and Greece, you can take a train to the Greek border and then continue your journey by bus or other means
- By Ferry: Greece has an extensive network of ferry connections to its islands and neighboring countries, including Italy. You can take a ferry from cities in Albania, North Macedonia, and Turkey to various Greek islands and coastal cities
I had no idea that was posisble thank you we thought we had to fly.