Croatia's Main Airports: All You Need To Know

what is the airport for croatia

Croatia has a total of 24 airports, including 9 for commercial travel, 12 for sports and training, and 3 reserved for the military. The busiest airport in Croatia is Zagreb Airport, located in the country's capital, which is directly connected to 46 destinations. The second busiest airport in Croatia is Dubrovnik Airport, located 20 kilometres southeast of Dubrovnik. The third busiest airport is Split Airport, located 20 kilometres west of Split, which is the most important airport on the Croatian coast. Other notable airports in Croatia include Zadar Airport, Osijek Airport, and Brač Airport.

Characteristics Values
Number of airports in Croatia 24
Number of airports for commercial travel 9
Number of airports for sports and training 12
Number of airports reserved for the military 3
Main airport Zagreb Airport
Second busiest airport Dubrovnik Airport
Third busiest airport Split Airport
Airport with the most connections Zagreb Airport
International airport in Zadar Zadar Airport
Airport in Rijeka Rijeka Airport
Airport in Osijek Osijek Airport
Airport in Brač Brač Airport
Airport in Pula Pula Airport
Airport in Rijeka Rijeka Airport

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Zagreb Airport: Croatia's biggest airport with the most international connections

Zagreb Airport is Croatia's biggest airport and the major airport of the country. It is located in Pleso, in the southeast of Lučko, and is the best airport to fly in and out of when travelling to Croatia. The airport has good access to public transport and rental car options, and is small and easy to navigate, with a quick and efficient bag pickup.

Zagreb Airport has the most international connections out of all the airports in Croatia, with daily flights to numerous big-name destinations. These include Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Belgrade, Brussels, Bucharest, Cologne, Copenhagen, Doha, Dubai, Dublin, Istanbul, Kiev, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Prague, Sarajevo, Skopje, Sofia, Stuttgart, Vienna, Warsaw, and Zurich. The airport also offers direct flights to other cities in Croatia, such as Dubrovnik, Pula, and Zadar.

The airport's history dates back to 1927, with the creation of the first Yugoslav flag carrier, Aeroput, which connected Zagreb to major European destinations. In 1928, the airport was relocated to the Borongaj airfield to accommodate the growing number of passengers. After World War II, commercial services were moved to a former military airbase near Lučko, and the airport became a hub for JAT Yugoslav Airlines. Zagreb Airport continued to expand, with a new passenger terminal built in 1966 and an extended runway in 1974.

In 2012, the ZAIC consortium received a 30-year concession for the airport and began constructing a new 70,000 square metre terminal, which was completed in 2016. The new terminal increased the airport's capacity to 5.5 million passengers annually. In 2020, the runway was redesignated due to a change in magnetic declination, and in 2021, Ryanair announced a new base in Zagreb, adding 26 new destinations.

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Split Airport: The third busiest airport in Croatia, located on the Dalmatian coast

Croatia has several airports that serve as gateways to this thriving tourist destination. Golden beaches, mesmerizing history, and lower price tags than most of Western Europe make Croatia one of the most attractive places to visit.

The Franjo Tuđman Airport in Zagreb, the country's capital, is the biggest and busiest airport in Croatia. It is a convenient entry point for those who plan to visit Zagreb and the continental regions. Zagreb Airport has numerous connections to other big-name destinations, offering daily flights to Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Belgrade, Brussels, Bucharest, Cologne, Copenhagen, Doha, and more.

However, for those planning to visit the coastal towns, Split Airport, also known as Resnik Airport, is a more convenient option. Located around 20km from Split on the Dalmatian coast, it is the third busiest airport in Croatia, after Zagreb and Dubrovnik. Split Airport is the main gateway for those travelling to the popular island resorts of Hvar, Brac, and Korcula, with regular ferries during the summer months. It is also the closest airport for those visiting Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Split Airport is small, with just one runway and a new terminal building that opened in 2019. While it offers fewer flights compared to Zagreb, it is still a good alternative, with international flights to other major European cities.

When planning a trip to Croatia, it is important to remember that airlines and flights are subject to change, especially following the pandemic.

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Dubrovnik Airport: The second busiest airport in Croatia, located in Čilipi

Dubrovnik Airport, also known as Čilipi Airport, is located in Čilipi, around 12 miles (20 kilometres) from Dubrovnik's Old Town. It is the second or third busiest airport in Croatia, with the capacity to handle two million passengers per year. The airport is served by more than 30 European and international carriers, including Croatia Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and American Airlines.

The airport consists of three terminal areas, A, B, and C. Terminal C, which opened in 2017, features check-in and commercial space, eight security lanes, a departure lounge, a premium lounge, restaurants, and sixteen gates. Dubrovnik Airport has the country's longest runway, allowing it to accommodate heavy long-haul aircraft. It is a major destination for leisure flights during the European summer holiday season.

The airport is easily accessible from Dubrovnik city centre by Highway D8. There are also several bus lines that connect the airport to the city centre, with common drop-off points including the bus terminal, the city gate, and the ferry terminal. Taxi services are also available at the airport. Ride-sharing apps such as Uber can also be used to get to and from the airport.

Dubrovnik Airport has a limited selection of food options, primarily consisting of coffee shops offering pre-made sandwiches, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. There is also a business lounge that can be accessed through membership programs such as Priority Pass. Wi-Fi is available at the airport, but it is not free in most areas. Charging stations are limited, so it is advisable to use a wall outlet if available.

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Zadar Airport: An international airport located near the historic town of Zadar

Croatia has several airports that offer international flights to and from other major cities in Europe. The country's biggest airport is located in Zagreb, its capital, and is considered the main airport. However, there are other airports in Croatia that also serve international flights, such as the Zadar Airport.

Zadar Airport (ZAD) is an international airport located in Zemunik Donji, about 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the centre of Zadar, a historic town in northern Dalmatia. It is one of the busiest airports in Croatia, handling over 800,000 passengers in 2019 and around 1.6 million in 2024. The airport offers flights to more than 70 destinations and is a base for the Croatian Air Force, as well as a former base for Lufthansa's InterCockpit flight school.

Zadar Airport provides a simple and efficient travel experience. Passengers can easily access the city centre by utilising the special buses that run between the airport and the Zadar bus station, with schedules synchronised to arrival and departure times. Additionally, the A1 highway offers a fast transfer to and from the airport. For those seeking a scenic journey, an express bus service connects Zadar to other Croatian destinations like Pula.

The airport terminal at Zadar Airport features various amenities to accommodate travellers' needs. It includes restaurants, cafes, snack bars, a duty-free store, a currency exchange office, and free Wi-Fi. There is also an information point where travellers can obtain valuable tips and insights for navigating Croatia. Furthermore, the airport offers a range of shopping options, including drinks, cigarettes, perfumes, souvenirs, and more.

Zadar Airport has two parallel runways and was once unique due to its taxiway crossing a public road. This road was closed in 2010 during Croatian accession negotiations with the European Union. However, in 2020, an underpass was constructed, allowing the road to reopen. The airport has continued to expand, with the construction of a new departure terminal building currently in progress.

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Osijek Airport: Eastern Croatia's only airport, located 20km from Osijek

Croatia has several airports, including Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Pula, Rijeka, Osijek, and Brač. Zagreb is the country's largest airport and the most likely destination for international travellers. However, Osijek Airport, located 20km south of Osijek in the village of Klisa, is the only airport in eastern Croatia. It is a small airport with limited amenities, including an ATM and a telephone. There is ample parking next to the terminal, and a Croatia Airlines bus shuttles passengers to and from Osijek. Currently, Croatia Airlines is the only airline offering regular flights to Osijek Airport.

Osijek Airport is an important gateway to the Slavonia region in eastern Croatia. It is also part of the complex traffic Corridor Vc, which includes road, railway, and river traffic and connects Northern, Central, and Southern Europe. This corridor is an opportunity for economic development and the integration of traffic movement into Central Europe, benefiting manufacturers, distributors, and the airport itself.

The airport has a secondary airfield called Čepin, located southwest of Osijek's city centre. Čepin is used exclusively for sports and private flying purposes and has also been used for exhibitions. When Pope John Paul II visited Croatia, a service was held at Čepin.

While Osijek Airport may not have the same international connections as Zagreb or Split, it serves a crucial role in eastern Croatia, providing access to the Slavonia region and contributing to the country's overall transport infrastructure. For travellers specifically interested in eastern Croatia and the Slavonia region, Osijek Airport could be a convenient option, offering a more direct route to their final destination.

Frequently asked questions

The main airport in Croatia is Zagreb Airport (ZAG).

Other international airports in Croatia include Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Pula, Rijeka, and Osijek.

Zagreb Airport is the busiest airport in Croatia, followed by Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar.

There are no direct flights from Croatia to Venice. However, you can get a ferry from northern Croatia (Istria) to Venice. Therefore, the best airport to fly into would be Pula.

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