Page 279 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

TR A VEL INFORM A TION  277

Getting Around Croatia motorway (autocesta) network
is being extended, necessitating
The transport system within Croatia is reasonably efficient, the building of several
particularly if you are travelling by road or by sea. impressive viaducts and tunnels.
Connections between the mainland and the islands are Croatia’s motorways are now
excellent, and thanks to an extensive bus network, even regarded as among the most
modern and safest in Europe.
smaller, lesser known towns can be easily reached. Although The A1 motorway connecting
using air travel to get around the country is not that common, Zagreb and Ploče is the longest
domestic flights link the major towns. Travelling by train is in Croatia, spanning 480 km
fine only if you have plenty of time as the rail network is (300 miles). There are plans to
small due to the mountainous terrain, and is in need of extend the motorway further
down the coast to Dubrovnik.
modernization. Train travel takes much longer than the On certain stretches of
time it takes to cover the same distance by road. motorway drivers pay a toll
(by either cash or credit card):
Zagreb–Karlovac, Zaprešić,
Domestic Flights
Krapina, Varaždin–Goričan,
Croatia Airlines runs regular Zagreb–Oprisavci, Rijeka–
connections between the three Delnice, Zagreb–Split. There
major airports in the country – is also a toll to pay for the
Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik. There bridge to the island of Krk
are also connections between and the Učka Tunnel.
these airports and other secondary
airports, such as the airports at
Osijek, Zadar, Rijeka (on the island Parking
of Krk), Pula and Brač, which is As elsewhere in Europe, car
open only in the summer months. parking is an ever-increasing
problem in most cities. Some
hotels have parking spaces
Travelling by Car
Biking in the mountainous terrain reserved for guests. If you are
of Croatia Cars drive on the right in Croatia travelling by car it is worth
and safety belts should be worn checking this in advance.
Green Travel
in both the front and back seats. Likewise, in many smaller
In Croatia, when it comes to Children under 12 must sit in coastal towns, the seafront
green travel, the most positive the back. promenades are closed to
moves have been seen in The speed limits are 50 km/h traffic through the summer
Zagreb where, as of 2007, the (30 mph) in towns, 80 km/h (50 season, severely reducing
ZET (Zagreb Municipal Transit mph) outside built-up areas, and parking spaces.
System) started using bio-fuels 130 km/h (80 mph) on the motor- Where indicated, a parking
in public transport vehicles. ways. Cars towing caravans must ticket must be clearly dis played
Zagreb has a taxi company not exceed 80 km/h (50 mph). inside the windscreen. If you
called Eko Taxi that markets Road signs are generally more park in a no-parking area,
itself as “low-emissions”, and or less identical to those found your vehicle can be forcibly
there are now marked cycle in the rest of Europe. removed by officials.
lanes in parts of the city, making Note that it is illegal to drive
it a bicycle-friendly destination. when drunk over the 0.5 per
Cycling in rural areas is cent limit.
growing in popularity, and Service stations are open daily
cycling holidays are now from 7am to 7 or 8pm, but in
available in Istria and parts of summer they are open till
Dalmatia (mountain biking in 10pm. On the main roads in the
the latter case). Hiking is also larger towns and cities and on
popular, with both Croatians major international routes
and foreign visitors. The best service stations are open 24
seasons for hiking are spring hours a day. All the usual petrol
and autumn. Organized hiking types are available: Eurosuper
holidays are also available. 95, Eurosuper 98 and Eurodiesel.
Last but not least, sailing
is one of the most environ- Roads and Tolls
m entally friendly ways of
exploring the Croatian coast, As part of a vast programme of
using the power of wind as improvements to the country’s Town traffic in the charming city
opposed to that of a motor. infrastructure, the national of Osijek

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