Transport in Croatia

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[edit] Airports

There are international airports in Zagreb, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik and Rijeka (on the island of Krk). Recently, Osijek airport in Slavonia has been renovated for regional traffic. It is also being considered to revitalize Pula airport (Istria) as a destination for low cost airlines.

Currently, the following low cost airlines are flying to Croatia: SkyEurope,EasyJet, Flyglobespan, Germanwings, Hapag-Lloyd Express (HLX), SkyEurope]] and Wizz Air. and [[Major established companies that fly to Croatia are the domestic Croatia Airlines (now a regional member of the Star Alliance), Lufthansa and British Airways. In the near future, an intercontinental link between Zagreb and North America will be reintroduced.

Statistics:

Overall: 68 airports (2004 est.)

Airports with paved runways (2004 est.):

  • total: 23
  • 10,000 ft (3,047 m) or more: 2
  • 8,000 to 9,999 ft (2,438 to 3,047 m): 6
  • 5,000 to 7,999 ft (1,524 to 2,437 m): 2
  • 3,000 to 4,999 ft (914 to 1,523 m): 4
  • under 3,000 ft (914 m): 9

Airports with unpaved runways (2004 est.):

  • total: 45
  • 5,000 to 7,999 ft (1,524 to 2,437 m): 1
  • 3,000 to 4,999 ft (914 to 1,523 m): 7
  • under 3,000 ft (914 m): 37

Heliports: 1 (2002)

Airports:

[edit] Rail transport

Main article: Croatian Railways

There are several major railway routes in the country:

There are also other routes to Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

The railways urgently need to be modernized, since after communism there have been hardly any investments into the railway infrastructure. Many important routes are still not electrified and allow only single track traffic along series of bends. The aforementioned routes have been in constant renovation for the last ten years, with the result of increased maximum speed: on the Zagreb-Novska-Vinkovci line, there are sections where the limit was raised from 80 km/h to 120 km/h, and there are plans to go to 160 km/h on certain sections with the same rail tracks.

Recently, the Croatian railways introduced an initial series of modern tilting trains ordered from the German branch of Bombardier Transportation. They are normally deployed on the mountainous route between the two largest Croatian cities, route Zagreb - Split, but are also sometimes on the InterCity routes in the continental part of the country. In the case of the Zagreb-Split route, this offers passengers a much more comfortable and time-saving journey with regard to previous trains whose journey took 9 hours, whereas the tilting trains take no more than 5.5 h, and are more quiet and better equipped as well.

The Croatian railways hope to revitalize rail traffic through further improvements and to establish the rail as serious competitor to rising car traffic, particularly during the summer months.

Statistics:

Railway length (as of 2004):

  • total: 2,726 km
  • standard gauge, 1.435 m: 2,726 km (984 km electrified)

Rail links with adjacent countries:

[edit] Road transport

According to recent statements of European traffic experts, Croatian highways belong to the most modern and safest in Europe. This is also due to the fact that the largest part of the Croatian motorway system has recently been constructed, and construction works are rapidly continuing.

A major reason for the current highway construction mania is that in the last 20 years under Communist rule, when Croatia formed part of the former Yugoslavia, no major projects had been realized (in 1991 when Croatia declared independence, the only highways were Zagreb-Karlovac and Zagreb-Slavonski Brod, the latter being part of the highway "Bratstvo i jedinstvo"). It was long ago (back to the times of the Croatian Spring) when the dream was born to connect the two largest Croatian cities, Zagreb and Split, with a highway. The construction of this enormously important project, however, has always been blocked by the ruling Communist Party.

Nowadays, in Croatia highway construction is considered as a symbol of unity, economic prosperity and cohesion and it is being systematically pursued. The initial setup was made under the first HDZ government which contracted Bechtel Corporation; this was later replaced by the effort of the SDP-led government effort led by Radimir Čačić; and then continued by the HDZ government under Ivo Sanader. While the pace of development accelerates, so do environmental concerns, and concerns relating to the use and abuse of eminent domain by institutions involved in them. Corruption and lack of transparent planning are a serious issue and were documented in several cases including one for the proposed Zagreb-Sisak highway.[1]

Tourism is of major importance for the Croatian economy, and most tourists come to vacation in Croatia in their own cars. Without adequate roads, the traffic would get rather jammed during the summer months. For this reason, and as a means for stimulating urgently needed economic growth, highways have become indispensable for the sustainable development of this country. Croatia already has a considerable highway density for a country that still has to cope with the consequences of Communism and the recent war.

Statistics:

Roads and highways (as of 2006):

  • total: 28,344 km
  • paved: 23,979 km (including 1050 km of expressways)
  • unpaved: 4,365 km

[edit] Road rules

In 2004, a controversial new traffic law has been introduced, which provides for drastic safety measures for drunken or dangerous driving: it reduced the blood alcohol limit to 0.

Some of the more technical safety measures include that all new Croatian tunnels have modern safety equipment and there are several control centers, which monitor highway traffic.

[edit] Constructed highways and expressways

Legend:

  • "Highway" means what is called autocesta in Croatia: a road with two lanes in each direction, plus a side-lane for emergencies.
  • "Expressway" means what is called polu-autocesta in Croatia: a road with two lanes in each direction, without any side-lane for emergencies.
  • A1 and other A*: designations of national routes
  • E70 and other E*: designations of European routes
  1. ^ In Karlovac, E71 turns to Bihać and Knin, a road that is not a highway. E65 turns to Rijeka on an old road that is not a highway (and is instead replaced by highway A6).

[edit] Toll

Toll is charged on all highways, except on the motorway surrounding the city of Zagreb. The toll is collected upon leaving the highway system, at all exit toll gates. Normally paid in kuna, all major credit cards and euros are accepted at all toll gates. Drivers receive a receipt at appropriate machines upon entering the motorway system. This receipt states the point of entry. The receipt must be presented upon leaving the motorway when toll is collected. Toll is being paid according to kilometers. It is not possible to evade this procedure since there are separate service areas in each direction and there is no possibility of return. Additionally, every vehicle is being monitored by video cameras at the toll gates.

Frequent travelers also have the possibility of buying a special SmartCard with certain included discounts (currently, one SmartCard for vehicle class 1 is 1200 kuna). However, it is not recommendable for less than 10 longer journeys along Croatian motorways per year. It is possible to charge this card with certain desirable amounts.

There are also reduced rates for transport companies, which should prevent heavy traffic along regional roads. The government has introduced discounted tariffs for all classes of vehicles during the 2005-2006 winter months (December 24 until March 1). These discounts, however, apply only to SmartCard users.

[edit] Highway A1

The 380 km long highway A1 Zagreb - Split is the showpiece project of all previous Croatian governments. The A1 connects the continental part of Croatia with Mediterranean Dalmatia. Its construction finished on June 26, 2005. The highway consists of two lanes in both directions in its full length (except of two tunnels, at Mala Kapela and at Sveti Rok, the second tubes will be opened for traffic when the car traffic frequency reaches adequate levels).

The most important edifice is Sveti Rok Tunnel (5.687 m), which goes through the famous Velebit mountain range barrier. This tunnel actually connects two climatic zones (the mountaineous climate of central Croatia and the Mediterranean climate of Dalmatia). The most modern, and at the same time the longest Croatian tunnel, is also along the A1. It is the Mala Kapela Tunnel (length 5,780 m) which passes through the Mala Kapela mountain range.

The highway winds itself as a panoramic road through the Croatian hills, goes along the Dalmatian coast and passes the world-famous Krka National Park. There is a service area right beside a beautiful vantage point near to this National Park. The construction of this highway will continue rapidly in direction to the important Ploče sea port (and further on to Dubrovnik). The scheduled deadline for constructions up to Ploče is 2008. During this and the following year, numerous service areas and petrol stations will gradually be constructed along all Croatian highways.

[edit] Other highways

Within the following years, all major routes towards the north (to Slovenia) will be highway connections. Since June 2005 there are highways from the Slovenian border at Umag in direction to Rovinj and from the Rupa border crossing to Rijeka.

Scheduled for May 2007, the connection Zagreb–Krapina/Macelj border crossing, south of Maribor will be completed.

The eastern and western "wing" of the so-called "Istrian Y" (expressway connection in Istria) has been opened for traffic since June 2005. About 2006, the last remaining part in direction to Pula in the south will be constructed. It is also being considered to transform these sections into a highway when a certain traffic limit will be reached.

The last remaining part of the highway connection A6 between Rijeka and Zagreb was constructed in spring 2004. An extension of the two-way traffic sections is planned for 2008. Within the following years, a second highway bypass around Rijeka and the highway connection Rijeka–Senj/Žuta Lokva to the existing A1 will be built.

A highway connection of Zagreb and the important industrial city of Sisak should be constructed until 2008.

Within the next few years, all parts of Croatia should be easy to reach along modern highways. Highways will soon extend from Županja (eastern Slavonia) to Serbia. Construction works along the European North-South corridor 5C (route E73) between the Hungarian border at Beli Manastir, Osijek and the Bosnian border in direction to Sarajevo and further on to the sea port of Ploče will soon begin. (The connection from Zagreb to the Hungarian border at Varaždin and Čakovec has already been established.)

Significant tunnel and bridge construction projects in Southern Dalmatia are already being planned, such as the Biokovo tunnel near Makarska, which will connect the panoramic seashore road with the future A1, and a 2300m long Pelješac bridge, connecting the Pelješac peninsula to the Croatian mainland (bridging Bosnian territory).

[edit] Fixed construction deadlines

  • (A9) Vodnjan - Pula (Istria) (15 km): Expressway construction until the end of 2006
  • (A2) Slovenian border - Krapina (19 km): Completion in May 2007
  • (A1) Split - Ploče (96 km): Completion up to Šestanovac in June 2007 (36 km), up to Ploče 2008 (60 km)
  • (A5) Bosnian border - Osijek - Hungarian border (89 km): Completion of the part from the existing motorway at junction Sredanci up to Đakovo in fall 2007 (23 km), up to Osijek in 2008 (additional 32 km)
  • (A11) Zagreb - Velika Gorica - Sisak (46 km): Completion up to Velika Gorica (8 km) in fall 2007, up to Lekenik in 2008 (20 km), up to Sisak (Mošćenica) after 2008. It should be noted that this particular highway prompted significant public outcry related to the proposed route. [2]
  • Second motorway ring around Rijeka (28 km): Completion in 2008
  • (A6, A1) Rijeka - Zagreb: Completion of two-lanes in each direction from Kupjak to Vrbovsko (55 km) until 2008
  • (A7) Connection Rijeka - Senj/Žuta Lokva in direction to the A1 (87 km): deadline not set, but construction is planned
  • (A10) Ploče-border to Bosnia and Hercegovina (9 km): Start of constructions depends on motorway construction progress in Bosnia and Hercegovina (Croatian border - Tuzla - Sarajevo - Mostar - Ploče).

[edit] Other major roads

There are other notable national roads, with designations:

These roads are monitored by Croatian auto-club and the road authorities because they connect important locations, but are only two-way and don't support larger volumes of traffic.

[edit] Bus traffic

In contrast to the fairly underdeveloped rail traffic, buses represent the most-accepted, cheapest and widely-used means of public transport. National bus traffic is very well developed and it is very easy to reach even the remotest parts of Croatia by bus. Almost all buses on national routes are air-conditioned and offer pleasant traveling comfort.

In practice, bus fares are being collected on the bus while traveling, which is sometimes even cheaper than when paying at the ticket office (there is an additional fee for stored luggage).

From Croatia, there are many international bus routes to the neighboring countries (Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, etc.), as well as to Austria, Germany, Switzerland and to other European countries. International buses correspond to European standards.

Zagreb has the largest and most modern bus terminal in the country, with specially-designed waiting areas above the bus parking area. The Zagreb bus terminal is not far away from the main train station (Glavni kolodvor) and it is easy to reach by direct city tram lines.

[edit] Water transport

[edit] Sea transport

Croatia has several large seaports. The largest seaport with the deepest channel to a port in the Adriatic is Rijeka on the northern Croatian coast, followed by Ploče in southern Dalmatia. The port of Ploče is of strategic importance for the industries of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The largest Croatian passenger port is Split in Dalmatia, also called gateway to the islands, followed by Zadar. There are 66 inhabited islands along the Croatian coast which means there is a large number of local ferry connections.

Ports and harbors:

Merchant marine (as of 2005):

  • total: 73 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 750,579 GRT/1,178,786 DWT
  • ships by type:
    • bulk carrier 25
    • cargo 12
    • chemical tanker 2
    • passenger/cargo 25
    • petroleum tanker 4
    • refrigerated cargo 1
    • roll on/roll off 4
    • foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: 1
    • registered in other countries: 31

[edit] River transport

Croatia is also on the important Danube waterway, which connects Eastern and Central Europe. The major Danube port is Vukovar.

Perennially navigable rivers:

  • Danube (section from Batina to Ilok which is in Croatia)
  • Sava - from Sisak (until it exits Croatia near Gunja)

Total waterway length (as of 2004): 785 km

[edit] Pipelines

As of 2004:

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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1 Has significant territory in Asia.

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