Transport in Croatia

Highway network in Croatia

Transport in Croatia relies on several main modes, including transport by road, rail, water and air. Road transport incorporates a comprehensive network of state, county and local routes augmented by a network of highways for long-distance travelling. Water transport can be divided into sea, based on the ports of Rijeka, Ploče, Split and Zadar, and river transport, based on Sava, Danube and, to a lesser extent, Drava. Croatia has 68 airports, five of which are international. The country also has several airlines, of which the most notable is Croatia Airlines. Rail transport is fairly developed, with dual track and electrification not very common, although high-speed tilting trains are used on some routes. However, bus still tends to be more common than rail as a mode of inter-city transport.

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 the Pula Airport (Istria) as a destination for low cost airlines.

Currently, the following low cost airlines are flying to Croatia: EasyJet, Flyglobespan, Germanwings, TUIfly, Ryanair, Thomson and Wizz Air. Major established companies that fly to Croatia include the domestic Croatia Airlines (member of the Star Alliance), Lufthansa and British Airways. There only seasonal intercontinental flights from and to Croatia.

In September 2008, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Croatia's Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Croatia's air carrier operations.^[1] This means that the country has a IASA Category 2 rating and that Croatian air carriers are not authorized to establish direct flights from Croatia to the US.^[2]

Statistics:

Overall: 68 airports (2004 estimate)

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: 3 (2008)

Airports:

• Zagreb Airport
• Split Airport
• Rijeka Airport
• Osijek Airport
• Zadar Airport
• Dubrovnik Airport
• Pula Airport
• Bol Airport

Rail transport

There are several major railway routes in the country:

• from Zagreb to Vinkovci (and on to Belgrade, Serbia)
• from Zagreb to Osijek via Koprivnica (but still faster via the southern line, changing at Strizivojna–Vrpolje)
• from Zagreb to Rijeka
• from Zagreb to Split

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

The railways need to be modernized because since the disintegration of Yugoslavia there have been hardly any investment in railway infrastructure. Many important routes are not electrified and are only single track traffic around 'bends'. Some improvements have been made in the last ten years. A result of this has been an increase in the maximum speed on the railway line on the Pan-European Corridor X, from the Slovenian border via Zagreb, Novska, Vinkovci to the Serbian border. In places the line's speed limit has been raised from 80 km/h (50 mph) to 120 km/h (75 mph), and plans have been made to raise this further to 160 km/h (100 mph) on certain sections. The railway line of the Pan-European Corridor Vb, from the Hungarian border via Koprivnica, Zagreb, Karlovac to the seaport of Rijeka has a slow section through Gorski Kotar, which is planned to undergo a major overhaul. The railway line of the Pan-European Corridor Vc, from the Hungarian border via Beli Manastir, Osijek, Đakovo or Vinkovci, Slavonski Šamac, to the Bosnian border, is also being modernised, the aim is to allow speeds of up to 160 km/h along the entire length.

The official rail speed record in Croatia is 181 km/h (112 mph). This is just below the official 200 km/h high speed rail definition. This speed is never reached in regular service. Croatia does have a locomotive class capable of this speed, and during the Yugoslav era there were plans for 'high speed' rail. The increasingly elderly high-speed rolling stock has had its speed limited to 120 km/h for safety reasons.

Recently Croatian Railways introduced a series of modern tilting trains produced by the German branch of Bombardier Transportation. They usually deployed on the mountainous route between the two largest Croatian cities, Zagreb and Split. Although they can sometimes be found on InterCity routes in the continental part of the country. The trains on the Zagreb-Split route offer passengers a more comfortable and quicker journey. The previous service used to take 9 hours, whereas the tilting trains take no more than 5.5 hours. There are plans to expand the tilting train service since they turned out to be very profitable on longer routes.

Croatian Railways aims to revitalize rail traffic through further improvements. Thus, establishing rail as serious competitor to the car, particularly during the busy the summer months.

Croatian Railways' plan to build their first high-speed railway service is progressing. Construction of an entirely new line from Karlovac to Rijeka, and reconstruction of the line from the Hungarian border to Karlovac should have originally begun in the Fall of 2007. The line is going to be entirely electrified and in order to speed up the journey even more shall be 269 km (167 mi) long from end to end, 61 km (38 mi) shorter than the existing line. The journey from Zagreb to Rijeka will be cut to one hour compared to 4 hours with the existing track. The line is intended to carry the increasing amount of goods that enter Europe, at the Croatian port of Rijeka and are then transported to desinations across central and eastern Europe. The plans have originally foreseen 2008-2010 as the date for completion. Due to the world economic crisis, building start date is prolonged to an yet undefined date. The project plans have been drawn, however.

Pan-European Corridor X is going to be upgraded to higher speed sometime in the future. Possibly by building a new high capacity connection line from Sisak via Kutina to Lipovljani. The line should allow for speeds of up to 250 km/h.

Statistics:

Railway length (as of 2006):

• total: 2,726 km (1,694 mi)
• standard gauge, 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in): 2,726 km (1,694 mi) (1,199 km/745 mi electrified)

Rail links with adjacent countries:

• Slovenia
• Hungary
• Serbia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina

Road transport

A gas station in Zagreb

From the time of Napoleon and building Lujzijana, the road transport in Croatia has significantly improved, topping most European countries. Croatian highways are widely regarded as being one of the most modern and safest in Europe.^[3][4] This is also due to the fact that the largest part of the Croatian motorway and expressway system (autoceste and brze ceste, resp.) has been recently constructed, and further construction is continuing.

A major reason for the motorway construction "mania" of the 2000s is that in the last 20 years of Yugoslav Communist rule, during which Croatia formed part of the former Yugoslavia, no major projects had been realized. When Croatia declared independence in 1991, the only true motorways in the country were Zagreb–Karlovac (A1) and Zagreb-Slavonski Brod (A3), the latter being part of the highway "Bratstvo i jedinstvo". This highway was later extended, and today it connects Zagreb to Croatian borders with both Serbia (near Lipovac) and Slovenia (near Bregana). The dream to connect the two largest Croatian cities Zagreb and Split with a motorway (autocesta) went back to the times of the Croatian Spring. However, the construction of this project has always been blocked by the ruling Communist Party. Recently, after so many years of waiting, this long awaited dream has been realized, and now the Zagreb-Split motorway is a reality. There is also a motorway from Zagreb to Rijeka, as well as a motorway from Zagreb to the northeast (Hungarian border) as well as a motorway from Zagreb to the northwest (Slovenian border).

As of 2007, the construction of eleven different motorways is planned of which two: A3 (Bregana-Zagreb-Slavonski Brod-Serbian border) and A2 (Zagreb-Krapina-Macelj) are completed, one (A4: Zagreb-Varaždin-Hungarian border) only lacks a connection to state borders, three A6 (Zagreb-Rijeka) B8 and B9 (Istrian Y) are completed but have to be upgraded from semi-highway status, one, the A1. The long awaited "Dalmatina" between Zagreb and Split is planned to extend until Dubrovnik, three are in initial stages of development, and construction of one A11 has yet to start.

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. Especially criticized was the A11 Zagreb-Sisak, suspected of being politically motivated and inefficiently built. At the contrary, Zagreb-Split trait construction enjoyed a constant support from Croatian public and its on-schedule completion was marked with enormous joy and pride all through the country.

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.

As of 2006, Croatia has 28,344 kilometers (17,612 mi) of roads. Out of these, there are 23,979 km (14,900 mi) of paved and 4,365 km (2,712 mi) of unpaved roadways

Road rules

The traffic signs adhere to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals.

The general speed limits are:

• in inhabited areas 50 km/h
• outside of inhabited areas 90 km/h
• on marked expressways 110 km/h
• on marked motorways 130 km/h

In 2004, a controversial new traffic law was introduced, which provides for drastic safety measures for drunken or dangerous driving: it reduced the blood alcohol limit to 0‰ of alcohol in blood. In 2008 this law was reversed to 0.05‰ of alcohol in blood.

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.

Motorways and expressways

In Croatia, the term autocesta (usually translated as motorway or just highway) describes a divided road with two lanes in each direction and a shoulder on the right side reserved for vehicle breakdowns. The road signs for autocesta are green with white inscriptions similar to the Swiss Autobahn.

The term brza cesta or expressway refers to a road with two lanes in each direction, without a shoulder for emergencies. Polu-autocesta or semi-highway refers to a two-lane, undivided road running on one roadway of a motorway while the other is in construction.

The designations of motorways are "A" and the motorway's number. The "E" numbers are designations of European routes.

The list of completed highways is as follows (see individual articles for further construction plans and status):

• A1, Zagreb - Bosiljevo - Split - Ravča (E71, E65)
• A2, Zagreb - Krapina - Macelj (E59)
• A3, Bregana - Zagreb - Lipovac (E70)
  • Toll-free Zagreb bypass is included in A3
• A4, Goričan - Varaždin/Čakovec - Zagreb (E71)
  • Toll charged only north of Sveta Helena (end of Zagreb bypass)
• A5, Osijek - Đakovo - Sredanci (E73)
• A6, Bosiljevo - Rijeka (E65)
• A7, Rupa - Rijeka bypass (E61)
• A11, Velika Gorica - Buševec

A full list of current and future motorways and expressways can be found at Highways in Croatia.

Toll is charged on most Croatian motorways, the only notable exception being the Zagreb bypass. Payment in kuna, all major credit cards and euros are accepted at all toll gates. Most motorways are covered by the closed toll collection system, where a driver receives a ticket at the entrance gates and pays at the exit gates according to the number of sections travelled. Open toll collection is used on some bridges and tunnels and short stretches of tolled highway, where drivers immediately pay the toll upon arriving. It is possible to obtain various forms of subscription which allows for faster collection and often also discounts.

Main motorways

All heavily traveled routes towards Slovenia, Hungary and Serbia are motorway connections, and almost all parts of Croatia are now easy to reach using motorways.

The 380 km long motorway A1 Zagreb - Split connects the continental part of Croatia with Mediterranean Dalmatia. It is complete with two lanes in both directions in its full length. The highway winds itself as a panoramic road through the Croatian hills. The highway currently ends near the Ploče sea port, but is planned to continue further on to Dubrovnik.

The most important edifice on the A1 is the Sveti Rok Tunnel (5.687 m), which goes through the famous Velebit mountain range barrier. The most modern, and at the same time the longest Croatian tunnel, is also along the A1: the Mala Kapela Tunnel (length 5,780 m), which passes through the Mala Kapela mountain range.

Since June 2005 the Istrian Y extends from the Slovenian border in Istria and the A7 connects Slovenia to Rijeka. The A2 connection between Zagreb via Hrvatsko Zagorje to Maribor was completed in May 2007.

Motorway A3 extends from Slovenia via the Zagreb bypass through the length of Slavonia to the Serbian border. In Slavonia there is now another motorway, A5, along the European route E73 (European north-south corridor Vc) between the Hungarian border at Beli Manastir, Osijek and the Bosnian border. This route will eventually continue as a modern motorway towards Sarajevo and further on to the Croatian sea port of Ploče.

The A4 connection from Zagreb to Varaždin and Čakovec exists since 2003, which was extended to the Hungarian border in October 2008 to complete the upgrade of the European route E71. The A6 route between Rijeka and Zagreb was constructed as an expressway in spring 2004, and upgraded to a full motorway in October 2008, thus upgrading the Croatian section of the European route E65. Together these two upgrades completed the European north-south corridor Vb.

A motorway connection of Zagreb to the important industrial city of Sisak is planned to be constructed as A11.

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 2,374 m (7,789 ft) long Pelješac bridge, connecting the Pelješac peninsula to the Croatian mainland.

By 2008, numerous service areas and petrol stations had been constructed along all Croatian motorways. All Croatian motorways are equipped with enclosed service areas with gas stations and parking. Many areas have restaurants and children's playgrounds.

Construction

In construction:

In planning stages:

Major roads

Major roads that aren't part of the motorway system are državne ceste (state routes). They are marked with the letter D and the road's number.

The most traveled state routes in Croatia are:

• D1, connects Zagreb and Split via Lika - passes through Karlovac, Slunj, Plitvice, Korenica, Knin, Sinj.
• D2, connects Varaždin and Osijek via Podravina - passes through Koprivnica, Virovitica, Slatina, Našice.
• D8, connects Rijeka and Dubrovnik, widely known as Jadranska magistrala and part of E65 - runs along the coastline and connects many cities on the coast, including Crikvenica, Senj, Zadar, Šibenik, Trogir, Split, Omiš, Makarska and Ploče.

Since the construction of A1 motorway beyond Gorski kotar started, D1 and D8 are much less used.

These routes are monitored by Croatian roadside assistance because they connect important locations. Like all state routes outside major cities, they are only two-lane arterials and do not support heavy traffic. All state routes are routinely maintained by Croatian road authorities. The road sign for a state route has a blue background and the route's designation in white. State routes have one, two or three-digit numbers.

Minor roads

Secondary routes are known as county roads. They are marked with signs with yellow background and road number. These roads' designations are rarely used, but usually marked on regional maps if these roads are shown. Formally, their designation is the letter Ž and the number. County roads have four-digit numbers.

The least known are the so-called local roads. Their designations are never marked on maps or by roadside signs and as such are virtually unknown to public. Their designations consist of the letter L and a five-digit number.

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. The Croatian parliament has passed a law that no bus should be older than 12 years - however, this decision is currently frozen because of the high cost for bus operators.

In practice, bus fares are 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) and sometimes a "ticket office fee".

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

Zagreb has the largest and most modern bus terminal in Croatia. It is located near the downtown in Trnje district on the Marin Držić Avenue. It sports specially designed waiting areas above the bus stopping and parking area. The Zagreb bus terminal is close to the central train station, Glavni kolodvor and it is easy to reach by tram lines and by car.

Water transport

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:

• major transport seaports: Omišalj, Ploče, Rijeka, Šibenik
• other seaports: Dubrovnik, Dugi Rat, Pula, Split, Zadar
• inland waterway ports: Vukovar (on Danube), Sisak (on Sava), Slavonski Brod (Sava river), Zupanja (Sava river), Osijek (Drava river)

Merchant marine (as of 2005):

• total: 73 ships (1,000 gross register tons (GRT) or over) totaling 750,579 GRT/1,178,786 metric tons deadweight (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
    • Denmark 1
  • registered in other countries: 31

An extensive system of ferries, operated by Jadrolinija, serves Croatia's many islands and links coastal cities. Ferry services to Italian cities of Venice, Ancona, Pescara and Bari from around a dozen of Croatian sea ports, most notably Rovinj, Rijeka, Zadar, Split, Korčula and Dubrovnik, is available on a daily or weekly basis. From April to September the schedule is more dense and can include several round trips within a day.

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 Rugvica until it exits Croatia near Gunja. The most upstream port is in Sisak.

Total waterway length (as of 2004): 785 km

Pipelines

As of 2004:

• gas: 1,340 km
• oil: 583 km

See also

• Croatian car number plates
• Transport in Zagreb
• Croatian Motorways Ltd
• Croatian Railways

References

1. ↑ "Croatia - Country Specific Information". Travel.State.Gov. Bureau of Consular Affairs. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1095.html. Retrieved 2010-09-02. 
2. ↑ "FAA Finds Croatia Does Not Meet ICAO Safety Standards". Federal Aviation Administration. 2008-09-25. http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=10293&print=go. Retrieved 2010-09-02. 
3. ↑ "Croatia, Events and Exhibitions". Open Europe Consulting. http://www.open-europe-consulting.de/?en=1210664140. Retrieved 2008-11-24. 
4. ↑ "15 years since the international recognition of Croatia". Европа 2001. 2007. http://www.euro2001.net/index.shtml?page=issuecontent&file=issues/2_2007/english_ver.html. Retrieved 2008-11-24. 

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