There are several ways to travel from Croatia to Greece, but the best option depends heavily on where in Croatia you start. From northern and central Croatia, flying or driving is usually the most practical choice, while ferry travel via Italy can be an interesting alternative. Rail travel is currently much more complicated because there is no through passenger-train route from Croatia to Greece. If you are starting in southern Dalmatia, see our separate guide to travelling from Dubrovnik to Greece.
By Car
Zagreb - Belgrade - Skopje - Greece
The most direct driving route from Zagreb to northern Greece follows the A3 motorway east from Zagreb to the Bajakovo-Batrovci border crossing and Belgrade. From Belgrade, continue south on the A1/E75 motorway through Niš towards Preševo and the border with North Macedonia.
The E75/A1 continues through North Macedonia towards Gevgelija and the Greek border, then on towards Thessaloniki. Unlike older versions of this route, there is no longer any need to leave the motorway near Leskovac and use local roads. The route is now predominantly motorway from Zagreb towards Thessaloniki.
Allow plenty of additional time for border crossings, rest stops and possible summer traffic. Serbia and North Macedonia are outside the Schengen Area, so this journey involves several international border controls. Motorway tolls apply in Croatia, Serbia and North Macedonia; because toll rates change, check the current rates shortly before travelling rather than relying on fixed figures.
Southern coastal route via Montenegro and Albania
Travelling south along the Adriatic through Montenegro and Albania can be a scenic alternative, particularly if you are already staying in Dubrovnik or southern Dalmatia. A typical route follows the Montenegrin coast towards Albania before continuing south through Albania to Greece.
Road infrastructure has improved considerably, but this remains a much slower choice than the main motorway route from Zagreb. Border crossings, coastal traffic and slower roads can add substantial travel time, so it makes most sense as part of a road trip through Montenegro and Albania rather than simply as the fastest way to reach Greece.
By Rail
Can you travel from Croatia to Greece by train?
There is currently no practical through passenger-train route from Croatia to Greece. The former Zagreb-Belgrade international passenger service is not part of the current Croatian Railways international timetable, and the former Belgrade-Skopje-Thessaloniki passenger connection is also not operating as a through route.
This means the old Zagreb-Belgrade-Thessaloniki rail journey is no longer possible in the way it once was. Travelling largely by train would now require a complicated combination of rail and bus connections through several countries and is rarely worthwhile compared with flying, driving or travelling by coach.
The famous Bar-Belgrade railway between Montenegro and Serbia still operates and remains one of the most scenic rail journeys in the Balkans, but it no longer provides a practical onward rail connection to Greece. More information about Croatian rail services is available through our guide to Zagreb Main Train Station.
By Ferry
There is no direct ferry from Croatia to Greece, but Italy provides several useful connections. The basic strategy is to cross the Adriatic from Croatia to Venice, Ancona or Bari and then continue by ferry from Italy to Greece.
Istria - Venice - Greece
Seasonal fast ferries operated by Adriatic Lines connect Venice with several ports in Istria, including Poreč, Rovinj, Pula and Umag. These services generally operate during the main tourist season rather than year-round.
From Venice, ferries continue across the Adriatic to Greece. Superfast Ferries operates Italy-Greece routes linking Venice, Ancona and Bari with ports including Igoumenitsa and Patras, with some sailings also serving Corfu.
Split - Ancona - Greece
For travellers starting in central Dalmatia, the Split to Ancona ferry is one of the most practical sea routes towards Greece. Jadrolinija operates Split-Ancona throughout the year in 2026, while additional seasonal sailings are also available.
After arriving in Ancona, you can continue with an Italy-Greece ferry towards Igoumenitsa or Patras. This option is particularly useful for travellers taking a car, motorcycle or camper between Croatia and Greece.
Zadar - Ancona - Greece
A new option for 2026 is the seasonal Zadar to Ancona ferry. Jadrolinija operates this route with a high-speed passenger catamaran during the summer season. The crossing takes about four hours, but the catamaran is for foot passengers and does not carry cars or motorcycles.
From Ancona, passengers can connect with ferries heading to Igoumenitsa, Patras and other Greek destinations.
Dubrovnik - Bari - Greece
During the main tourist season, one of the most straightforward ferry combinations from southern Croatia is the Dubrovnik to Bari ferry route. From Bari, onward ferries connect Italy with Greek destinations including Igoumenitsa and Patras, with additional Greek ports available depending on the operator and season.
International ferry schedules can change during the season, particularly because of weather, vessel changes or operational disruptions. Always check both the Croatia-Italy sailing and the onward Italy-Greece ferry before committing to a same-day connection.
Book your ferry tickets: See availability and prices
Flights from Croatia to Greece - The Most Convenient Way to Travel
Flying is usually the fastest and easiest way to travel between Croatia and Greece, particularly if your destination is Athens. Direct services are seasonal on many routes, so the choice is much better from spring to autumn than during winter.
Flights from Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik has seasonal direct flights to Athens. Croatia Airlines operates direct Dubrovnik-Athens services during its 2026 summer schedule, and Aegean Airlines also sells flights between Dubrovnik and Athens. Exact operating days and frequencies change by season, so check the airline timetable for your travel dates.
Read more about flights to and from Dubrovnik.
Flights from Split
Split also has seasonal direct connections with Athens. Croatia Airlines operates a direct Split-Athens service during the 2026 summer season, while Aegean Airlines also offers Split-Athens flights. These routes are particularly useful for travellers combining the Greek capital or Greek islands with a stay in central Dalmatia.
Read more about flights to and from Split.
Flights from Zagreb
Aegean Airlines sells Zagreb-Athens flights, while Croatia Airlines' 2026 Athens service from Zagreb operates via Dubrovnik rather than as a nonstop flight. Depending on your dates, connecting flights through other European hubs can also provide competitive alternatives.
Read more about flights to and from Zagreb.
Other flight options
Flight schedules between Croatia and Greece are highly seasonal, so compare direct and connecting services for your exact dates rather than relying on a fixed weekly timetable. Both Croatia and Greece are in the Schengen Area, so there is normally no routine border control on direct flights between the two countries, although passengers should still carry a valid travel document.
Traveling by Bus from Croatia to Greece - A Longer but More Affordable Option
Bus travel is possible between Croatia and Greece, although journeys are considerably longer than flying. FlixBus currently sells through journeys from Zagreb to both Thessaloniki and Athens, as well as connections from other Croatian cities. Depending on the selected departure, the itinerary may involve one or more changes, so check the complete journey details before booking.
From Zagreb, Thessaloniki is generally the more logical Greek destination by bus, while continuing all the way to Athens means spending considerably longer on the road. These long-distance journeys typically travel through Serbia and North Macedonia.
Bus itineraries are also available from the Croatian coast, but journey times can be very long and connections may vary significantly by date. From Dubrovnik, travelling south through Montenegro and Albania can also be an option, especially for travellers making several stops along the way rather than trying to reach Athens as quickly as possible.
Because international bus schedules and transfer points change, check whether your selected ticket represents a single vehicle or a journey involving transfers before booking.
Book your bus tickets: See availability and prices