Ferries Zadar

Discounted fares are available on different routes from Zadar for several passenger categories:

• With Kapetan Luka-Krilo children up to 2 years old travel for free.
• Jadrolinija offers a 50% discount for children aged 3 to 12, while children up to 2 years old travel for free.
• TP Line offers a 50% discount for children aged 3 to 11, while children up to 2 years old travel for free.

Note: discount conditions and percentages may vary. On Ferryhopper, you can easily check which discounts are available for each route.

Zadar is connected by sea to many Croatian Islands and to the city of Ancona, in Italy. Some routes operate year-round, with several crossings during the week, while other crossings are seasonal.

Routes from Zadar to Italy

Zadar - Ancona

The Zadar - Ancona ferry route is operated seasonally, usually during the summer months, by Jadrolinija. The route is typically served with up to 4-5 weekly crossings. The journey takes approximately 4 hr on high-speed ferries, while tickets usually start from around €100.

Routes from Zadar to the Croatian Islands

Zadar – Mali Lošinj

The Zadar – Mali Lošinj ferry route operates throughout the year and is mainly served by Kapetan Luka - Krilo. Depending on the season, there are usually between 2 and 6 weekly crossings. The trip takes approximately 2 hr 15 min and ferry tickets normally start from around €11.

Zadar - Sali

The Zadar - Sali ferry route connects the mainland with the southeastern part of Dugi Otok.The route operates year-round and is served by TP Line by high-speed catamarans. There are typically up to 3-4 daily departures (depending on the season). The journey takes between 45 min and 1 hr, while ferry tickets generally start from €4.

Zadar - Zaglav

The Zadar - Zaglav ferry route also serves Dugi Otok and operates throughout the year. The connection is usually available with 3-4 daily departures. Travel time ranges from 40 min to 1 hr 25 min, while tickets generally start from €4. The route is operated by TP Line with high speed catamarans.

Zadar - Silba

The Zadar - Silba route is available year-round. Ferries are operated by Kapetan Luka-Krilo and TP Line with additional seasonal high-speed departures during the summer. The crossing typically takes between 1 and 2 hr and fares generally start from €5.70.

Zadar - Pula

The Zadar - Pula ferry route is available year-round and is served by high-speed catamarans. The crossing takes approximately 4 to 5 hr, making it one of the most convenient sea connections between Dalmatia and Istria. Ferry tickets usually start from around €21. The route is served by Kapetan Luka-Krilo.

Zadar - Olib

The Zadar - Olib ferry route is served throughout the year by TP Line. Depending on the season, several weekly departures are available. The journey usually takes between 1 h 10 min to 2 h 10 min and tickets start from approximately €5.70.

Zadar - Premuda

The Zadar - Premuda route operates all year round and is mainly served by TP Line. The crossing duration ranges from 1 h 15 min to 1 h 20 min depending on the vessel and any intermediate stops. Ferry tickets generally start from about €5.70.

Zadar – Ilovik

The Zadar - Ilovik ferry connection is available all year, but frequencies and departures may change according to the season. The trip takes between 1 h 30 min, while ticket prices start from approximately €10. The route is served by Kapetan Luka - Krilo with high-speed catamarans.

Zadar – Susak

The Zadar - Susak route is seasonal, generally served from June to October by Kapetan Luka - Krilo with high-speed catamarans. Travel time is usually between 2 hr 40 min to 2 hr 55 min. depending on the itinerary. Ferry tickets typically start from around €10.

Zadar - Unije

The Zadar - Unije ferry route is available year-round and is usually operated by Kapetan Luka - Krilo. There are several weekly departures, and the crossing normally takes between 3 hr 15 min to 3 hr 30 min. Ticket prices generally start from approximately €11.

The main ferry companies operating routes from Zadar are:

• Kapetan Luka - Krilo, with ferry connections to Mali Lošinj, Pula, Silba, Ilovik, Susak, and Unije
• TP Line, operating routes to Sali, Zaglav, Olib, Premuda, and Silba
• Jadrolinija, with the seasonal international route to Ancona in Italy

How much luggage can you take on the ferry from Zadar?

The ferry companies operating from Zadar have the following luggage policies:

• On Kapetan Luka - Krilo ferries passengers can bring up to 23 kg of luggage free of charge.
• With Jadrolinija you can bring 1 piece of luggage weighing up to 20 kg, free of charge.
• On TP Line ferries you can bring up to 20 kg of luggage for free.

Ferry journey times from Zadar vary depending on the destination, vessel type, and season. The fastest crossings are the year-round catamaran services to Zaglav and Sali on Dugi Otok, which take from 40-45 min. Other nearby islands, such as Premuda, Olib, and Silba, can be reached in approximately 1 to 2 hr.

For longer domestic routes, ferries from Zadar to Mali Lošinj take around 2 hr 15 min, while crossings to Susak, Unije, and Pula range from 2 hr 40 min to 5 hr. The longest route from Zadar is the seasonal international connection to Ancona in Italy, which takes approximately 4 hr on high-speed vessels.

Note: the durations listed may vary depending on weather conditions, time of year, and type of vessel. We recommend always checking the updated schedules when booking on Ferryhopper.

Several ferry routes are available from Zadar, so the best option depends on where you want to go, how fast you want to travel, ticket price, seasonality, and ferry company. Most domestic routes from Zadar are served by high-speed catamarans, while the international connection to Italy is seasonal.

What is the fastest route from Zadar?

The fastest ferry route from Zadar is Zadar - Zaglav, with crossings taking from 40 min. The Zadar - Sali route is also very quick, with trips lasting from 45 min to 1 hr.

Both routes are available year-round and connect Zadar with Dugi Otok, making them the most convenient options for short ferry trips from the port.

What is the cheapest route from Zadar?

The cheapest ferry routes from Zadar are usually Zadar - Sali and Zadar - Zaglav, with tickets starting at around €4.

Other affordable routes include Zadar - Silba, Zadar - Olib and Zadar - Premuda, with fares starting at approximately €5.70. Keep in mind that prices can vary depending on season, availability and vessel type.

Which route should I choose from Zadar?

Choose your route based on your destination and travel priorities:

• For the shortest crossings, choose Zaglav or Sali on Dugi Otok.
• For nearby island hopping, routes to Silba, Olib and Premuda are practical year-round options.
• For longer domestic trips, you can travel to Mali Lošinj, Ilovik, Susak, Unije, or Pula.
• For Italy, the seasonal Zadar - Ancona route is the main option, usually running during the summer months.

What other factors should I consider?

Seasonality is important when booking ferries from Zadar. Most island routes operate year-round, but schedules may change depending on the season. The Zadar - Susak route is generally seasonal, while Zadar - Ancona usually runs only in summer.

You should also consider travel time and frequency. Some routes, such as Zadar - Sali and Zadar - Zaglav, have multiple daily departures, while longer routes may have only a few weekly crossings. Before booking, check luggage limits and pet policies, as these vary by ferry company.

Can I bring my vehicle on ferries from Zadar?

Most ferry routes from Zadar are operated by high-speed catamarans, which are designed for passenger travel and do not have space for vehicles.

As a result, it is generally not possible to bring a car, motorbike, camper van, or other vehicle on these ferries.

On some conventional ferry routes, such as the connection between Zadar and Ancona, vehicle transport may be available depending on the vessel, travel date, and garage capacity. Since availability can vary, we recommend checking the latest vehicle options on Ferryhopper when booking your tickets.

Ferries from Zadar are mainly operated by high-speed catamarans, offering a fast and comfortable way to travel.

On board, you can expect modern air-conditioned lounges, comfortable seating, and panoramic windows to enjoy the Adriatic views during your journey.

Depending on the operator and vessel, you may also find:

• Outdoor deck areas
• Snack bars and vending machines on selected vessels
• Pet-friendly areas
• Wi-Fi connection on selected ferries
• Space for luggage storage

Are there cabins on the ferries from Zadar?

No, the ferries operating from Zadar are primarily high-speed catamarans and do not offer cabins. This applies to routes operated by Kapetan Luka - Krilo, TP Line and Jadrolinija.

If you are travelling on longer routes, such as Zadar - Ancona or Zadar - Pula, comfortable airline-style seating is provided instead.

What type of seat can I book?

Most ferries from Zadar offer standard airline-style seats in air-conditioned lounges.

Depending on the vessel, you may also have access to:

• Open seating areas on outdoor decks
• Reserved seating sections (reclining seats) on selected routes

Can I travel first class?

No, first-class cabins or premium lounge categories are generally not available on ferries from Zadar. Seating is usually unassigned and included in the ticket price.

Are the ferries accessible?

Yes, ferry operators serving Zadar strive to accommodate passengers with reduced mobility. Accessibility features vary depending on the vessel, but many ferries are equipped with facilities designed to make boarding and travelling easier.

Available amenities may include:

• Assisted boarding and disembarkation
• Accessible seating areas
• Wheelchair-friendly access points
• Dedicated assistance upon request

Can I take pets on the ferry from Zadar?

Yes, pets are welcome on board on ferries operated by Kapetan Luka - Krilo, TP Line and Jadrolinija, subject to each company's travel regulations.

Depending on the ferry operator, pets may only be allowed on the outdoor decks of the ship, or they may have free access to common areas.

If you're traveling with a small pet, keep in mind that it must be kept in its carrier for the entire duration of the crossing. Bigger dogs can move around on board as long as they are always wearing a leash and a muzzle.

Before you set off, make sure you have all the required travel documents and everything you need for your pet.

Note: pet policies may vary depending on the route and vessel, so it is advisable to check the specific conditions before travelling.

What documents do I need?

When traveling by ferry from Zadar, you will need to bring along:

• A valid ID document, such as a passport or national ID card
• Your ferry ticket or booking confirmation (electronic or printed)

How to book ferry tickets

You can easily book your ferry tickets from Zadar on Ferryhopper in just a few clicks:

• Select Zadar as your departure, along with your port of destination and travel dates
• Add passengers, pets and vehicles
• Compare ferry operators, travel times, and ticket prices
• Complete your booking securely online

Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive your ferry tickets by email. Ferryhopper allows you to manage your booking, check updates, and access customer support all in one place.

Check-in and boarding procedures

We recommend arriving at the port at least 1 hour and a half before departure, especially during the summer months.

Most ferry operators allow you to check in online and board with an electronic ticket (e-ticket). In some cases, however, you may need to pick up a paper ticket before departure by presenting your online booking confirmation.

Boarding usually begins 30 min. before departure, as directed by port staff.

After the ID and ticket checks, the crew will guide you onboard and, if you are traveling with a vehicle, direct you to the car deck area.

Zadar is one of Croatia’s most captivating coastal cities, known for its rich history, beautiful waterfront, and unique attractions. In the historic Old Town, you can explore ancient Roman ruins, the iconic Church of St. Donatus, and the Cathedral of St. Anastasia. Along the seafront, don't miss the famous Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation, two modern installations that have become symbols of the city. Zadar is also an excellent gateway to the Croatian islands and the rest of the Dalmatian coast.

Check out our travel guide and start planning your perfect trip!

Best time to book

For the seasonal Zadar - Ancona route and popular summer island routes, it is advisable to book 1-2 months in advance, especially if you are travelling in the peak season.

For year-round domestic routes such as Sali, Zaglav, Silba, Olib, and Premuda, booking a few weeks in advance is usually sufficient outside the peak season.

If you plan to travel during public holidays or long weekends, booking early is recommended, as ferry tickets can sell out quickly. The widest choice of departure times is typically available when booking well ahead of your travel date.

Other ferry-related tip

1. When to reach the port: the port of Zadar can get quite busy, especially in the summer months, so we recommend you arrive at least 1.5 hr before your departure.
2. Most routes from Zadar are operated by high-speed catamarans, which can be affected by weather and sea conditions. Check for schedule updates before travelling, especially during winter.
3. If you are prone to seasickness, consider bringing appropriate medication, as sea conditions in the Adriatic can occasionally be rough.
4. Book your return trip too: If you're traveling during peak season, don't forget to also purchase your ticket back to Zadar. Planning ahead will help you enjoy your holiday with greater peace of mind!

How many ports does Zadar have?

Zadar has 2 main ferry ports:

• Zadar Gaženica ferry port, the main passenger and car-ferry terminal
• Zadar Old Town port, mainly used by passenger-only ferries and catamarans

Always check your ticket before departure, as the exact terminal can vary depending on the route, vessel and operator.

Where are the ports of Zadar?

• Zadar Gaženica port: located southeast of the city center, between Zadar and Bibinje. It is the main terminal for car ferries, larger passenger ferries and many domestic routes.
• Zadar Old Town port: located by the historic peninsula, close to the city center. It is mainly used for passenger-only catamarans and fast boats to nearby islands and coastal destinations.

How to get to Zadar ports

You can reach Zadar’s ferry ports by bus, taxi, car, or on foot, depending on where your ferry departs from.

• By bus: city bus line 9 connects Zadar with Gaženica ferry port.
• By taxi: the ride from Zadar bus station to Gaženica takes around 7 min and costs from about €4.80.
• On foot: the Old Town port is within walking distance from central Zadar.
• By car: Gaženica is the best option if you are boarding a car ferry, as it is outside the city center and easier to access by road.

Ferry route map

Below, you can see all active ferry connections to Zadar, as well as starting prices for each route. Use our interactive Map of ferries to visualize your trip and easily plan an island-hopping adventure.