Ferries to Croatia from Italy
Select Italy as departure to compare every ferry route to Croatia
Ferries from Italy to Croatia
The Adriatic is narrow enough to cross overnight and wide enough to make the ferry worth it. Three Italian ports serve Croatia: Ancona for Split and the Dalmatian coast, Bari for Dubrovnik, and Venice for the fast passenger boats to Istria. With a car or camper the choice is really Ancona or Bari; on foot or with a bike, Venice joins the list.
In short: Italy to Croatia by ferry
- Main departure ports: Ancona, Bari and Venice on the Italian coast.
- Popular destinations: Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar (summer catamaran only) and the Istrian ports of Poreč, Rovinj and Pula.
- Travelling with a car? Choose the Ancona-Split or Bari-Dubrovnik routes. These ferries carry vehicles. Jadrolinija normally sails Ancona – Split all year (suspended until 5 January 2027); SNAV and Bari – Dubrovnik are seasonal.
- Foot passengers: Fast catamarans from Venice to Istria are ideal for day trips or short crossings – note they don’t take cars.
- Crossing times: From about 2-4 hours on fast ferries to overnight sailings of 10 to 12 hours on longer routes.
- Tip: Sailings are most frequent in summer, when extra departures and high-speed options are added.
Ferry map: Italy to Croatia routes and crossings
The map shows every crossing between Italy and Croatia with its ports and operators. Zoom in to compare them against your own route.
About the crossings between Italy and Croatia
Ancona: the port for cars and campers
Ancona to Split is the busiest route across the Adriatic. Jadrolinija normally sails it all year (suspended until 5 January 2027) and SNAV adds sailings from April to early October. In summer 2026 Jadrolinija also ran a new fast passenger catamaran between Ancona and Zadar (about 4 hours, no cars); its 2026 season ended on 6 September.
Bari: direct to Dubrovnik
From Bari the ferry sails overnight to Dubrovnik and lands you a short drive from the old town. Right for southern Croatia, or for a road trip north along the coast.
Venice to Rovinj, Poreč and Pula: fast, scenic, foot passengers only
Catamarans from Venice reach Istria in a few hours and carry passengers and bicycles, not cars. They work as a day trip from Croatia to Venice, or as the crossing for anyone touring Istria without a vehicle.
Tickets
Enter your departure port, destination and dates below to compare crossings, operators, sailing times and fares between Italy and Croatia. If your dates are flexible, move them a day or two: fares change with the season and the day of the week.
| Departure Port (Italy) | Arrival Port (Croatia) | Operator(s) | Vehicle transport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ancona | Split | Jadrolinija (suspended until 5 Jan 2027), SNAV (April – October) | Yes | Overnight, about 11 hours; the main route for car travellers |
| Ancona | Zadar (Gaženica) | Jadrolinija (catamaran Jelena) | No | New in summer 2026: about 4 hours, up to 5 sailings a week; the 2026 season ended on 6 September |
| Bari | Dubrovnik | Jadrolinija | Yes | Seasonal (2026: 31 March – 21 October); Jadrolinija has suspended its Italy routes until 5 January 2027 |
| Venice | Poreč / Rovinj / Pula / Umag | Adriatic Lines (Kompas) | No | Seasonal passenger catamarans, about 3 hours; bicycles for a fee |
About the Adriatic
The Adriatic, the northern arm of the Mediterranean, separates Italy and Croatia by roughly 200 km (125 miles) at its widest. Crossings range from two hours on the fast catamarans to overnight sailings of 10 to 12 hours on the big ferries.
Travel tips for ferries between Italy and Croatia
- Book early in summer: July and August sell out, Ancona to Split first.
- Vehicle documents: with a car or camper the operator will ask for the registration details.
- Cabins: on the long routes a cabin is how you arrive rested; they go early.
- Round trips: every route sails both ways. For a bigger loop, combine Croatia, Greece and Italy; see our guide to the ferries between Italy and Greece.
On board, route maps and the trip in pictures
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- Ferries italy to croatia
What matters for UK travellers
There is no ferry from the UK to Croatia, so you reach Italy first: through France and northern Italy by road, or by ferry to France or Spain and then overland.
Standard route: Dover to Calais or Newhaven to Dieppe, then via Milan or Bologna to Ancona or Venice.
The slower, nicer alternative: Portsmouth to Bilbao or Santander, then east across northern Spain and Italy. Longer, but a proper road trip.
Best crossings once in Italy
- Ancona to Split: the practical choice for UK drivers. Cars and campers, normally year-round with Jadrolinija, suspended until 5 January 2027 (SNAV from April to October), overnight.
- Bari to Dubrovnik: for the south of Croatia.
- Venice to Istria (Poreč, Rovinj, Pula): passenger-only catamarans, for foot passengers and cyclists.
Travel rules after Brexit
- Passport: issued less than 10 years before you arrive and valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave the Schengen area. See the GOV.UK entry requirements.
- Visa: none needed for up to 90 days in any 180, shared across all Schengen countries.
- Border checks: Italy and Croatia are both Schengen, so there is no routine immigration check on the crossing; the operator still checks your passport at boarding, and temporary controls are possible.
Driving
- Check that your UK insurance covers Italy and Croatia.
- An International Driving Permit may be needed depending on your licence and any hire terms.
- Book a cabin on the overnight crossing; it turns the ferry into part of the holiday.
Recommended routes for UK visitors
- Quickest: Dover to Calais, drive to Ancona, overnight ferry to Split.
- Scenic: Portsmouth to Bilbao, drive across northern Spain and Italy to Ancona, then the Adriatic leg.
If your dates are flexible, shift them a day or two in the booking engine; it often finds a better fare and more cabin choice.
Good to know
Since Croatia joined the Schengen area in 2023 there are no routine immigration checks between Italy and Croatia, but you still show a valid ID card or passport at boarding; the rules for British passports are above. Ancona to Split is the most used crossing, normally year-round with Jadrolinija (suspended until 5 January 2027) and April to early October with SNAV, overnight in around 11 hours, and the right one with a car, motorhome or camper. Bari to Dubrovnik is the overnight for the south; the Venice catamarans to Poreč, Rovinj and Pula are for foot passengers and cyclists.
Before you sail
- Arrive early: check in at least two hours before an international sailing.
- Be flexible: fares and availability move with the season.
- Book a cabin on overnight routes; they sell out in summer.
- Pets and assistance: most ferries take pets with the right documents and offer assistance if requested in advance.
- Check the season: the Venice to Istria catamarans run from spring to autumn only.
Useful for travellers to Croatia
Tips for ferry travellers
