Jadrolinija is the main and largest ferry operator in Croatia, operating the vast majority of the car ferry and catamaran routes in the country. Jadrolinija also operates a number of international ferries to Croatia (although these only exist from Italy to Croatia!). If you’re planning on travelling down the coast or visiting any of the islands in Croatia, you will very likely be utilising Jadrolinija’s services!
History of Jadrolinija
Jadrolinija was founded on 20th January 1947 in Rijeka, the northern Croatian coastal city, which is still its base today. However, the company can trace its origins to as far back as 1872 to a shipping company that started operating sailings from Rijeka to Senj (about 65km south along the coast), stopping at smaller towns such as Crikvenica in between.
The establishment of other shipping companies and various mergers over the subsequent decades (not to mention the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire) eventually led to a company named Jadranska plovidba being formed in 1922. This company had some 70 ships on passenger and goods lines, and sailed as far as Albania, Greece and further afield in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Following World War II, in 1947, the new company Jadranska linijska plovidba was formed. At that time, however, it inherited many of the older ships from the previous company, some of which were built in the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
From the 1950s onwards, the company acquired new ships and it started operating its first ferry in 1963.
The Simplon Postcards website has a fascinating gallery of Jadrolinija’s boats, including those operating today going all the way back to their fleet built pre-1911!
Jadrolinija’s Boats and Passengers
The company operates 3 large car ferries (with cabins) on international routes, 37 smaller car ferries, 10 catamarans and 4 more traditional ships.
It transports over 12 million people and 3 million cars annually.
Jadrolinija’s International Routes
Italy to Croatia
The company runs three routes connecting Italy and Croatia – Ancona to Zadar, Ancona to Split, Bari to Split and Bari to Dubrovnik. The most frequent of these three routes is Ancona to Split, which is also the only Italy-Croatia route to operate year-round. In peak season – usually July and August – this route also stops at Stari Grad on the island of Hvar.
Italy to Montenegro
Jadrolinija has previously run a route connecting Bari to Bar in Montenegro, but this is not running at present.
Jadrolinija’s Domestic Routes
Their routes are separated into several ‘districts’ of the Croatian coastline – sailings running in the Rijeka District, Zadar District, Sibenik District, Split District and Dubrovnik District.
Rijeka District
Lines in this region are:
- Mali Lošinj – Srakane Vele – Unije – Susak – Mali Lošinj – passenger ship
- Valbiska (Krk) – Merag (Cres) – car ferry
- Brestova – Porozina (Cres) – car ferry
- Prizna – Zigljen (Pag) – car ferry
- Valbiska (Krk) – Lopar (Rab) – car ferry
- Rijeka – Rab – Novalja (Pag) – catamaran
- Mali Losinj – Ilovik – Susak – Unije – Martinscica – Cres – Rijeka – catamaran
Zadar District
Lines in this region are:
- Zadar Gazenica – Ist – Olib – Silba – Premuda – Mali Losinj – car ferry
- Zadar – Preko – passenger ship
- Zadar Gazenica – Osljak – Preko (Ugljan) – car ferry
- Biograd – Tkon (Pasman) – car ferry
- Zadar Gazenica – Rivanj – Sestrunj – Zverinac – Molat – Ist – car ferry
- Zadar Gazenica – Brbinj (Dugi otok) – car ferry
- Zadar Gazenica – Brsanj (Iz) – Rava – Mala Rava – car ferry
- Zadar – Molat – Brgulje – Zapuntel – Ist – catamaran
- Zadar – Rivanj – Sestrunj – Zverinac – Bozava – Brbinj – catamaran
- Zadar – Mali Iz- Veli Iz – Mala Rava- Rava – catamaran
Sibenik District
Lines in this region are:
- Sibenik – Zlarin – Prvic Luka – Sepurine – Vodice – catamaran
- Sibenik – Zlarin – Obonjan – Kaprije – Žirje – car ferry
Split District
Lines in this region are:
- Split – Vis – car ferry
- Split – Supetar (Brac) – car ferry
- Split – Stari Grad (Hvar) – car ferry
- Drvenik – Sucuraj (Hvar) – car ferry
- Ploce – Trpanj (Peljesac) – car ferry
- Split – Rogac (Solta) – car ferry
- Sumartin (Brac) – Makarska – car ferry
- Orebic – Domince (Korcula) – car ferry
- Split – Vela Luka (Korcula) – Ubli (Lastovo) – car ferry
- Trogir (Soline) – Drvenik Mali – Drvenik Veli – car ferry
- Split – Bol (Brac) – Jelsa (Hvar) – catamaran
- Split – Hvar – Vela Luka (Korcula) – Ubli (Lastovo) – catamaran
- Split – Milna (Brac) – Hvar – Vis – catamaran
- Split – Hvar – catamaran
Dubrovnik District
Lines in this region are:
- Dubrovnik – Kolocep – Lopud – Sudjuradj (Sipan) – passenger ship
- Dubrovnik – Lopud – Sudjuradj (Sipan) – car ferry
- Prapratno (Peljesac) – Sobra (Mljet) – car ferry
- Dubrovnik – Korcula – Hvar – Bol – Split – catamaran
Jadrolinija Tickets
Jadrolinija does now offer online booking for their catamarans and ferries on their website. You can also buy tickets, in person, at one of the numerous sales points at ports in Croatia.
Almost all of Jadrolinija’s routes have different prices for low season (1st January to end of May and early October to 31st December) and high season (June to September inclusive).
More info
All details on Jadrolinija’s routes and ticket prices can be found on the Jadrolinija website.
Additional information on travelling by ferry in Croatia can be found on our Ferries in Croatia, Ferry and catamaran prices in Croatia and Croatia Ferries Map pages. Or if you’re travelling to Croatia, take a look at our Getting to Croatia by Ferry and Ferries to Croatia pages.