There are plenty of ferries leaving from Zadar to the nearby cities and towns (as well as farther away ones). Today, I am here to tell you everything you should know about all the ferry lines from Zadar, Croatia, including timetables and tips you should know.
The most important is one I’ve been through myself: I almost missed a boat to Ugljan because I was waiting at the wrong dock. So read on to ensure you won’t make the same mistake!
Today, Zadar is a major hub for Northern Dalmatia, serving 17 gorgeous islands of all sizes. I have compiled the latest schedules, booking tips, and port locations so you can skip the stress and focus on enjoying the Adriatic.
Zadar Ferry Network Connections and the Two Ports
As I said in the intro, you can mess up your departure by showing up at the wrong port. The city shifted its maritime operations years ago, splitting departures between two locations, so please make sure you know which one your ferry departs from.
Gaženica Port
If you are driving a car onto a ferry or taking the international route to Italy, you will most likely depart from Gaženica.
This modern port is located about 3.5 kilometers from the city center. I highly recommend arriving here at least an hour and a half early during the summer months, as the lines of cars waiting to board can stretch far down the access roads.
Zadar City Center Harbor
The old town peninsula harbor is reserved exclusively for foot passengers. If you are taking a high-speed catamaran for a day trip to an island, this is where you go.
Either way, double-check before leaving to be 100% sure you’re going to the right port and arrive early.
Local Island Routes: Ferries from Zadar District
The Zadar district includes some of the best islands in the Adriatic, starting from the largest, Dugi Otok (Long Island), to Ugljan, which sits opposite the mainland. Here is how you reach them.
Ship Line from Zadar to Preko (Ugljan Island)
This is the busiest high-season route and my personal favorite for a quick getaway.
Ugljan is the closest island to the mainland, so you can simply hop on a passenger catamaran from the city center or a car ferry from Gaženica to get there.
The crossing takes about 25 minutes. A foot passenger ticket costs around €10, and you can easily rent a bike in Preko and explore the coastline once you arrive.
Ferries to Dugi Otok (Sali, Brbinj, Božava & Zaglav)
Dugi Otok is spectacular, but further away and you must make sure you arrive at the right port in Zadar. Car ferries arrive in Brbinj, departing from the Gaženica port.
Fast catamarans head to Božava or Sali from the old town. The journey takes between an hour and 90 minutes, depending on your vessel.
G&V Line Iadera is a company that runs a nice, fast passenger ship (Line 406) from the Zadar city center harbor to Sali and Zaglav.
I love taking this route early in the morning; it drops you right in the heart of the action, and you have enough time to explore before the return trip.
The fast catamarans heading to Božava in the north are handled by Jadrolinija.
Ferries to Molat, Ist, Silba, Olib, Premuda & Mali Lošinj
These are the quieter, car-free gems of the archipelago. Because no cars are allowed on islands like Silba, you will rely mostly on passenger catamarans from the city center.
The ride to these outer islands takes up to two hours, but it’s totally worth it.
But if you have time and love being on the water, there is a hidden gem here: the Jadrolinija car ferry (Line 401) that leaves from Gaženica and hops between Ist, Olib, Silba, and Premuda before arriving in Mali Lošinj, a stunning and highly popular island in the Kvarner region.
It is a slow, 7-hour scenic route, but the views of the archipelago are simply breathtaking (and perfect for island hopping in Croatia).
Ferries to Iž and Rava
The connections to Mali Iž, Veli Iž, and Rava are handled by both slow car ferries and fast ships.
These are smaller communities with fewer rides, so I suggest double-checking the afternoon return times so you do not get stranded overnight.
Because, remember: there are plenty of great things to do in Zadar, and you don’t want to miss any!
Ferry from Biograd to Tkon (Pašman Island)
As you look at a map, you will see that Pašman is one of the largest Croatian islands. It is directly connected to Ugljan by a bridge crossing the Ždrelac canal.
If you are driving south of Zadar, you can catch a ferry from the coastal town of Biograd directly to Tkon on Pašman. This is a brilliant shortcut if you want to bypass Zadar traffic entirely.
International Ferries From Zadar to Ancona (Italy)
This remains a highly sought-after route linking Italy to Croatia, but it’s worth known that the Zadar to Ancona line is seasonal.
Jadrolinija runs this route primarily from mid-June to early September. Depending on the month, you will only see between one and five sailings a week. The overnight journey takes about nine hours. Expect ticket prices to start from 100 euros for a basic ticket with a car.
Always book this well in advance and double check prices as the current fuel situation can see prices skyrocket without prior notice.
Zadar Shipping Companies & How to Book Tickets
Several operators manage these waters. Buying tickets online is the smartest way to secure your spot and I recommend choosing a dedicated website like Bookaway. Here are the main operators:
Jadrolinija
Jadrolinija is the state-owned maritime giant handling most car ferries and large passenger ships.
You can check their official schedules and buy mobile tickets directly through their app, available on their official website.
Miatours
Miatours runs excellent fast ship services and organized excursions to the local islands. They handle the popular high-speed catamaran route connecting Zadar to Olib, Silba, and Premuda.
Remember that Miatours fast ships leave from the city center pier, not the Gaženica port. Their website lists exact seasonal prices.
Other Operators
The market has expanded recently, and there are plenty of smaller, but still reliable and high quality operators offering various routes leaving from Zadar.
Operators like TP Line and Krilo (Kapetan Luka) are highly active, offering great alternatives if the state lines are booked up.
For example, if you are heading to Silba, Krilo runs a lightning-fast catamaran that gets you there in just an hour, while TP Line does it in about an hour and 45 minutes.
Both companies also run seasonal coastal routes connecting Zadar to southern hubs like Split or northern ports like Pula, stopping at various islands along the way.
I always check their schedules when planning a trip because their modern catamarans are incredibly comfortable and often faster.
Final Thoughts Before You Set Sail
Now you know how Zadar operates as a maritime hub, and where you can get from there, as well as the ports you should know about.
Keep in mind to double-check your departure port the night before your trip, arrive early (one hour in advance for the car ferry, especially during the peak season) and get ready to be blown away – the trips are spectacular and will see you fall in love with Croatia if you haven’t done so already.
If you still have questions or additional details to add, please comment below and let us all know.