Cheap flights to Croatia

Croatia is a member of the European Union (EU), and most travelers can visit for up to 90 days without a visa. If you’re one of them, you’re in for a treat, as it’s a sun-drenched country steeped in history, and it also has some interesting connections to a recent pop cultural phenomenon.

Popular Airlines / Companies for Croatian Flights

There is only one airline offering scheduled flights in Croatia, and that’s the national flag carrier Croatia Airlines. We’ve discussed this airline elsewhere on this page and you will also encounter it when you search for a cheap flight ticket to Croatia.

The airline has a relatively small fleet of just over a dozen planes, but it flies to more than 30 destinations and offers very cheap prices on Croatian flights into the country, out of the country, and domestically.

Croatia Airlines is headquartered near Zagreb and the government of Croatia owns a majority share.

In addition to this Croatian-based company, there are many major international airlines that also offer cheap Croatian flights:

• Aeroflot
• Aegean Airlines
• Air France
• Air Transat
• Austrian Airlines
• British Airways
• Brussels Airlines
• Czech Airlines
• easyJet
• Emirates
• Eurowings
• Fly Dubai
• Iberia
• Jet2
• KLM
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Norwegian Air
• Qatar Airways
• SWISS
• Turkish Airlines
• Vueling

Book cheap Croatian plane tickets with all of these airlines and more using Omio.

Croatia. Credit: Pixabay

Main Airports in Croatia

There are several airports with scheduled flights in Croatia, but many of these are small and only offer regional flights. The country’s biggest airports are Zagreb Airport, Dubrovnik Airport, and Split Airport.

Zagreb Airport handles the most passengers of these Croatia airports. It handled over 3 million passengers in 2022, and in the same year, it won the Airport Service Quality award for being the best airport in its size category. It also picked up awards for having the most dedicated staff.

The airport’s full name is Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport after the first president of the country. It currently serves as a hub for the national flag carrier airline, Croatia Airlines, and it offers passengers many amenities, including toilets, waiting areas, shops, cafes, restaurants, and an information center.

There are several bus routes connecting to the airport, including a scheduled coach service run by Pleso Prijevoz, a subsidiary of Croatia Airlines.

Dubrovnik Airport is around 15.5 km (9.5 mi) from the center of Dubrovnik. It has the longest runway in the country but is the third-busiest airport overall. Croatia Airlines is the main airline here and it runs flights internationally and domestically, with basic amenities to keep passengers busy while they wait for their flights.

If you need to get from the airport to the old town or vice versa, look out for the shuttle bus service run by Platanus, as it makes regular connections using this route.

The other major airport in Croatia is Split Airport, located about 19 km (12 mi) from the city that bears its name. It’s the second busiest and runs domestic and international routes. You can access the airport via the number 2 and number 37 bus lines. It’s also linked via the city’s railway and a catamaran service that runs into Split Harbor every 1.5 hours during the tourist season.

Before your Croatian flight—Preparation for Departure

You should be able to check in online at most airports, so if it’s possible, do it. You will save yourself a lot of time and trouble and can go straight through security when you get to the airport.

Buses will take you to most airports in Croatia, and some are connected by rail services. Remove bladed objects, explosives, and other dangerous objects from your hand luggage and place liquids (in bottles of 100ml or less) in clear bags. Remove keys, coins, and electronics from your pockets and place them in the trays provided.

If you have any medication with you, place it in your hand luggage along with a prescription. Check the local rules on prohibited drugs if you’re carrying anything that is strictly controlled. In such cases, even a prescription won’t help you. For medical equipment like syringes, take a note from your doctor stating that the syringes are needed; for oxygen tanks and other heavy-duty goods, contact the airline in advance and request assistance.

After your Croatian flight—after landing

Croatia uses the Euro. If you don’t already have some in your wallet, change some at the airport. The country’s shops and services accept debit cards and credit cards, but it doesn’t hurt to have some cash on you in case of an emergency.

If you have booked a hotel nearby, check to see if it offers a shuttle bus service. If not, you can take a similar service from Dubrovnik Airport to the old town. Bus routes are also available from other airports in Croatia, and you’ll find taxis outside of the airport as well.

Need to book tickets for long-distance bus services, trains, and ferries while in Croatia? You can book tickets for all of these services and more on Omio.

Dubrovnik, Croatia. Credit: Pixabay

Flight Travel Tips for Croatia

• Use public transport where possible, including buses. It’s cheap, efficient, and everywhere!
• Eat like a local. You won’t find Croatian food on a list of the world’s best cuisines, but it really should be, as there are some delicious meals and fantastic produce!
• Explore the country. Dubrovnik is great, but there’s a lot more to this country than those famous walls and winding streets.
• You can drink the tap water—it is perfectly clean and safe.
• Keep some cash on you, as not everywhere accepts cards.
• Tipping is not expected in Croatia, but it will be appreciated. 10 to 15% is usually sufficient.
• Wear walking shoes! There are a lot of long and twisting streets to walk and it’s one of the best ways to see the country.

Finally, to start your vacation with a bang, book your cheap plane ticket to Croatia with Omio!

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