Ferry Services in Zadar

Upon arrival at Zadar Airport (ZAD), passengers can choose from several ground transportation services, including rental cars, taxis, rideshares, hotel shuttle services, and buses.

The distance between the airport and the city is about 8 kilometers so getting to Zadar is possible with multiple methods of transport.

The main ferry port in Zadar is Gaženica and is the most modern ferry terminal in the country. It is 3.5 kilometers south of the old town. Domestic car ferries from the city of Zadar also depart from here.

When traveling by foot, you can reach Gaženica port with city Bus Line No. 9 from the old town or the bus station.

Technically, the other ports in Zadar is not a port, but a docking location in the harbor, east of the old town, where you will find all passenger-only catamarans and motor ships to the islands in the Zadar archipelago as well as to Pula and Rijeka.

A bit further north on the east side of the old town peninsula, you will find the docking location for the Zadar Ancona Ferry.

Please note the fast ferries from the old town are operated by different ferry companies, which all have separate ticket sales locations.

The taxi fare to the city center is approximately 150 HRK (€ 20), you should never pay more than 200 HRK.

Note: Being officially part of the EU might still make you wonder what is the currency in Croatia. The Euro is widely used, but the Croatian Kuna (HRK) is still its official currency until the beginning of 2023.

Zadar Ferry Port Gaženice (Zadar Main Ferry Port)

Zadar Ferry Port in Gaženice is about 5 kilometers from the town center, only a 35-minute drive.

Zadar is a historical town in central Dalmatia which is very popular among tourists.

That is why it is perfectly connected to almost all the islands in the Zadar archipelago and there is a connection with Ancona in Italy.

Most of the ferry connections are now operated from the ferry terminal in Gaženica, located southeast of the old town of Zadar and its main ferry port. There is a port authority building in the port, but not a lot of facilities.

The old port of Zadar is now left with a few catamaran connections and a ferry line for Italy.

The main bus station is between the Gaženica ferry terminal and the old town (3.5 kilometers from Gaženica and 2 kilometers from the old town).

Getting to and from the Ports in Zadar

• If you’re staying in Zadar and if you want to reach the islands of Ugljan, Dugi Otok, Iž, Molat, and so on, here is how you get to the ferry terminal and the other port near the city center from different parts of the town:
• If you’re staying in the center of Zadar, the catamaran port is a few minutes away from most of the historical sights, so you can easily walk there. To reach the ferry terminal in Gaženica, you have to first take Bus No. 2 or 4 to the main bus station in Zadar, and from there take Bus No. 9 to Gaženica Ferry Terminal.
• If you’re staying in Diklo or Borik, you can board Bus No. 8 to the main bus station, and from there take Bus No. 2 or 4 to reach the Catamaran Port in the center or Bus No. 9 to reach the Ferry Terminal in Gaženica.

The bus ticket is around 10 HRK, and the buses run from early morning to late evening.

From all the three parts of the city mentioned above you can also take a taxi which won’t cost you a lot since it’s quite a short distance.

If you’re staying outside of Zadar, for example, in Petrčane (12 kilometers from Zadar), there are regular bus lines between the main bus station in Zadar and Petrčane.

The ticket is only a few euros.

From Zadar Airport to the Ports

• The airport of Zadar – Zemunik is around 10 kilometers from the Gaženica ferry terminal and 12 kilometers from the Catamaran Port. Once you land, you can take a taxi for approximately 150 HRK.
• There are also shuttle buses running from the airport towards Zadar – the main bus station.
• From there, take Bus No. 2 or 4 to reach the catamaran port in the center or bus number 9 to reach the ferry terminal in Gaženica.
• The ticket for the shuttle bus is around 25 HRK, and the trip to the main bus station in Zadar takes 15 – 20 minutes.

Other Destinations in Croatia and Europe to the Zadar Ferry Terminal

• Zadar is connected by regular or seasonal bus lines to many Croatian and even some European destinations.
• The main bus station is between the Catamaran Port (2 kilometers) and the Gaženica Ferry Terminal, about 3.5 kilometers.
• You might also want to travel by car, and you can choose both the highway or the coastal road. When you enter the city of Zadar, depending on where you want to go – Gaženica Ferry Terminal or the Catamaran Port (located right in the center), follow the signs for them, and you’ll find it without a problem.

Zadar Ports Facilities

The port near the center of Zadar is on a peninsula where the old city core is, so most of the historical sights are nearby, just as the other facilities such as bars, restaurants, shops, a post office, a ticket office, and ATMs.

Ferry and Catamaran Routes from Zadar

Car ferries from Zadar

• Zadar (Gaženica) – Ist – Olib – Silba – Premuda – Mali Lošinj
• Zadar (Gaženica) – Preko (Ugljan)
• Zadar (Gaženica) – Rivanj – Sestrunj – Zverinac – Molat
• Zadar (Gaženica) – Brbinj (Dugi otok)
• Zadar (Gaženica) – Bršanj (Iž) – Rava – Mala Rava
• Zadar – Ancona

Catamarans from Zadar

• Zadar – Molat – Brgulje – Zapuntel – Ist
• Zadar – Rivanj – Sestrunj – Zverinac – Božava – Brbinj
• Zadar – Sali (Dugi Otok) – Zaglav (Dugi Otok)
• Zadar – Iž – Rava
• Zadar – Silba – Ilovik – Mali Lošinj – Susak – Unije – Pula
• Zadar – Premuda – Silba – Olib

Ships from Zadar

• Zadar – Mali Iž- Veli Iž – Mala Rava- Rava (catamaran)
• Zadar– Preko (Ugljan)