Useful info when traveling to Croatia
VISAS
A passport or some other identification document recognized by international agreements is needed.
Information: Diplomatic missions of the Republic of Croatia abroad or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Croatia: www.mvpei.hr
It is your responsibility to check if you need a visa for entering Croatia. Please check for details at the Croatian Embassy or Consulate in your country. No visa is required for nationals of the USA and EC.
GSM OPERATORS
Currently, there are five GSM operators offering the GSM service in Croatia.
T-Mobile operating under +385 98 xxxxxx and +385 99 xxxxxx.
A1 operating under +385 91 xxxxxx.
TELE2 operating under +385 95 xxxxxx.
Tomato operating under +385 92 xxxxxx.
Bonbon operating under +385 97 xxxxxx.
Please contact your local GSM operator to check the availability and the costs of roaming services.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Country code: (+/00) 385
Area code (Dubrovnik): (0)20
Police: 192
Fire-fighting center: 193
Emergency: 194
Time check: 18095
Information local calls: 18981
General information service: 18981
Information national and international calls: 11802
Wake-up calls: 18100
Roadside vehicle assistance: 1987
Weather forecast: 18166
OPENING HOURS
Banks and post offices are normally open from 7:00 or 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 or 8:00 p.m.
Non-Governmental offices work from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Most grocery stores and department stores are open non-stop, from 6:00 or 7:30 a.m. to 7.30 or 8:00 p.m.
CURRENCY & EXCHANGE
The basic Croatian currency unit is the Euro. Foreign currency can be exchanged for local money at banks, post offices, and exchange offices, according to the valid rates of exchange. Visit the exchange office on the Web for valid exchange rates.
CREDIT CARDS
All major credit cards are normally accepted throughout Croatia, as advertised at points of sale, such as Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Diners Club.
TAX FREE
Foreigners can claim a sales tax refund within one year for purchased goods. Don't forget to ask the salesman to fill out the tax refund form when purchasing goods.
ELECTRICITY
220 V, 50 Hz
TIME ZONE
Central European Time (CET).
TELEPHONE
Public telephone boxes accept only phone cards available from newspaper stands and post offices.
SMOKING POLICY
Non-smoking event.
WATER
Tap water is drinkable in all parts of Croatia.
CUSTOMS
Customs Administration of the Republic of Croatia: www.carina.hr
How to reach the city of Dubrovnik?
By Air
Croatia's national air company is Croatia Airlines. Via direct flights, it connects Croatia with a great number of European destinations like Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna, Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Munich, New York, Rome, Sarajevo, Skopje, Zürich, Düsseldorf, Copenhagen, Podgorica, and Priština. In cooperation with other air companies, it connects Croatia with the whole world.
Major airports in Croatia are: Zagreb (Croatia's biggest international airport), Split, Split, Osijek, Zadar, Pula, Brač, Lošinj, and Rijeka/Krk.
From the Airport, Split flights connect the city with Zagreb several times a day, as well as with nearly all European capitals during the summer, directly or via Zagreb. Ruđer Bošković Airport is 22.5 kilometers from Dubrovnik. On average, the drive takes 30-35 minutes, but you should plan for up to an hour in the summer months. You can take a bus from the airport to Dubrovnik, which is available after every arrival and drives you to the Bus Station, and taxi services are available. You may also sign up for a rent-a-car at the airport.
Croatia Airlines:
Croatia Airlines Ltd. is the flag carrier of Croatia. Its headquarters are in the Zagreb neighborhood of Buzin and it operates domestic and international services mainly to European destinations. Its main hub is Zagreb International Airport, with focus cities being Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar. Since November 2004, the airline has been a member of Star Alliance.
Tel: +385 1 66 76 555
Web: www.croatiaairlines.com
Airport Zagreb:
Franjo Tuđman Airport
Ulica Rudolfa Fizira 21
10410 Velika Gorica
Croatia
Web: https://www.zagreb-airport.hr/en
Tel: 060 320-320 for calls within the national network
Tel: 0800 1234 for calls in Croatia
Tel: +385 1 4562 170 for calls outside Croatia
Airport Split:
Sveti Jeronim Airport Cesta dr. Franje Tuđmana 1270
21217 Kaštel Štafilić
CROATIA
Tel: +385 21 203 589.
Web: https://www.split-airport.hr/index.php?lang=hr
Airport Dubrovnik:
Dobrota 24 20213, Močići CROATIA
Tel: +385 20 773 222
Web: https://www.dbv.hr/en/getting-to-dbv/54
By Car
Croatia is well connected with its inland as well as with the rest of Europe. It is recommended to respect the laws that regulate traffic. They do not differ significantly from the traffic regulations in other European countries. However, it is important to mention the major ones: driving with the lights on during day and night is compulsory as well as the use of the safety belt. The use of a mobile phone while driving is strongly forbidden except for a hands-free device. The maximum allowed quantity of alcohol is 0,5‰ except in cases of an offense. In that case, it is treated as a separate criminal offense.
To enter Croatia, a driver’s license, an automobile registration card, and vehicle insurance documents are required. An international driving license is required for the use of rent-a-car services.
The permit is issued by the parent motor club.
Dubrovnik can be reached by the Adriatic Coastal Road, winding by the sea or by the hinterland roads. It will take you 7 hours to get to Zagreb and 4 hours to get to Split in your car.
Speed limits:
Towns and cities – max. 50 km/h
Local roads out of town max. 90 km/h
Motorways max. 130 km/h for motors and cars
Motorways max. 80 km/h for vehicles pulling trailers and for coaches with or without a smaller trailer
During the whole year, petrol stations are open from 7:00 to 20:00. However, during the tourist season, they are open 24h a day in all the major cities. Every petrol station offers Eurosuper 95, Super 95, Super 98, Super plus 98, Euro Diesel, and Diesel, and in better-equipped petrol stations, consumers can buy liquid gas and Bio Diesel.
Pay-toll is paid according to the number of kilometers passed and according to the vehicle's category. At the toll, you can pay cash or by credit card like , DINERS, MASTER CARD, MAESTRO and VISA.
More information:
Traffic and road conditions: www.hak.hr
Maps and route planner, travel guides: www.viamichelin.com
Croatian Motorways: www.hac.hr
By Train
Croatia has direct train connections with Slovenia, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, as well as transfer links to most other European countries.
The main railway line runs between Zagreb and Split, with onward connections to the north of the country and further into Europe. Car transport by train is also available. The Split railway station is conveniently located in the city center, right next to the bus station and the ferry port.
Croatian Railways
Website: https://www.hzpp.hr/en
By Ferry & Boat
Jadrolinija is Croatia’s main passenger shipping company, operating most of the regular international and domestic car-ferry, ship, and high-speed routes.
Split can be reached by coastal ferry from the central Dalmatian islands, as well as by excellent, fast, and regular ferry connections from Ancona and Pescara in Italy.
More information: https://www.jadrolinija.hr/en
From Split, travelers can continue their journey to Dubrovnik by bus or rental car.
