Flights to Rovinj: nearest airport and how to get there

Rovinj doesn’t have its own airport. For most travellers, the easiest way to fly to Rovinj is to book flights to Pula Airport (PUY) in Istria and continue to town by road.

Quick answer: Pula Airport (PUY) is roughly 37–40 km from Rovinj and the drive typically takes around 35–45 minutes, depending on traffic and your exact drop-off point.

If flights to PUY don’t fit your dates or budget (especially outside summer), the most common alternatives are Trieste (TRS) and Venice (VCE/TSF), both with longer onward travel times. An alternative nearby airport is also Zagreb airport - Rovinj is about 250 km away and the drive typically takes around 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours, depending on traffic and toll queues.

Which airport should you fly to for Rovinj?

If you are searching for “flights to Rovinj”, you are really choosing the best airport for Rovinj. Rovinj has no airport, so the right choice depends on your priorities - the shortest transfer, the most flight options, or an easy combo with Italy or Slovenia.

• Pula (PUY) - best overall and the closest airport to Rovinj, with the simplest onward travel.
• Trieste (TRS) - a smart alternative if flights to PUY are limited for your dates, especially if you are coming from or connecting via Italy.
• Venice (VCE) or Treviso (TSF) - best if you want to combine Venice and Istria in one trip, but plan for a longer transfer.
• Ljubljana (LJU) - useful if you find better connections through Slovenia, with a longer road transfer to Istria.
• Zagreb (ZAG) - often the most reliable option outside peak summer, with frequent connections but the longest onward journey.

Many travellers choose to rent a car at the airport for the simplest door-to-door transfer and for exploring Istria on day trips.

Should you be considering a rental car upon your arrival let us help you find the most budget-friendly car rental rates.

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Best airports for Rovinj (comparison table)

Rovinj has no airport, so you will fly into a nearby airport and continue by road (or, in summer, sometimes by sea from Italy). Use the table below to pick the best airport for your dates and travel style - especially if you are travelling outside peak summer when direct flights into Istria can be limited.

Fly to Pula Airport (PUY): the closest airport to Rovinj

Pula Airport (PUY) is the closest airport to Rovinj and usually the simplest choice for transfers. If you can find flights that match your dates, flying into PUY keeps onward travel short and straightforward.

Direct flights to Pula: seasonality and what to check

Most international routes to Pula are seasonal, so availability can change a lot between summer and the rest of the year. Before booking, check the official Pula Airport flight and destination list and confirm your travel day on the live flight timetable.

Pula Airport to Rovinj: transfer options

• Taxi or private transfer - the fastest door-to-door option and the easiest choice for late arrivals, families, or heavy luggage.
• Rental car - best if you plan to explore Istria (Poreč, Motovun, Grožnjan, beaches and wineries) and want full flexibility.
• Public transport - cheapest in most cases, using the airport shuttle to Pula bus station and then an intercity bus to Rovinj.

Step-by-step: Pula Airport to Rovinj by public transport

1. Take the Pula Airport shuttle to Pula main bus station. The airport shuttle runs between Pula Airport and the main bus station (Trg I istarske brigade 1) and departs about 30 minutes after your flight lands. The ticket price is 6 EUR and the bus uses platform 16 at the Pula bus station. Check the shuttle bus page and the day-specific timetable before you travel.
2. Continue by bus from Pula to Rovinj. Buses run between Pula bus station and Rovinj bus station multiple times per day. The route distance is about 37 km and the journey is commonly around 30 minutes (traffic dependent). You can check departures and buy tickets via Arriva’s Pula - Rovinj timetable.
3. Arrive at Rovinj bus station and continue to your accommodation. From the bus station you can walk, take a local taxi, or use a short ride to reach the Old Town area depending on where you are staying.

Fly to Trieste (TRS) for Rovinj

Trieste Airport (TRS) in northeast Italy can be a good alternative when flights to Pula are limited (especially outside peak summer) or when you are connecting through Italy. The road transfer to Rovinj is longer than from Pula, but still manageable - the drive is about 131 km and usually takes around 2 hours, depending on border traffic and your route.

One advantage of TRS is that the airport is built around an intermodal hub, with an on-site railway station and bus connections, making it easier to continue your trip without renting a car.

Trieste Airport to Rovinj: best transfer options

• Rental car - the simplest door-to-door option. It is also the most flexible if you plan to explore Istria beyond Rovinj.
• Train to Trieste + bus to Rovinj - a practical public-transport route if you prefer not to drive. Trieste Airport has its own rail station with frequent daily services, including high-speed and interregional trains. From Trieste, continue by coach to Rovinj.
• Private transfer or shared shuttle - useful for late arrivals or groups, but usually costs more than public transport.

How to do it by public transport (simple route)

1. Train from Trieste Airport station to Trieste Centrale. Trieste Airport has a dedicated rail station served daily by multiple train services, making the airport-to-city transfer straightforward.
2. Bus from Trieste to Rovinj. Coaches operate between Trieste and Rovinj and the fastest services are around 2 hours (availability varies by season and day). Check and book in advance during summer.

Summer-only option: Trieste to Rovinj by ferry

In high season, there can be fast ferry or hydrofoil connections between Trieste and Rovinj. These sailings are typically seasonal and schedules can change, so always verify dates and times before you plan your itinerary.

Fly to Venice (VCE/TSF) for Rovinj

Flying to Venice can be a good option if you want to add Venice to your itinerary or if you find better flight prices than coastal Croatia airports. The trade-off is a longer transfer to Istria compared to Pula - plan roughly 3 hours of driving time, plus extra buffer in summer for border traffic.

For Venice-area flights, you will usually be choosing between Venice Marco Polo (VCE) and Venice Treviso (TSF). Marco Polo is the main international airport, while Treviso often has more low-cost airline routes.

Venice Airport to Rovinj by car or private transfer

• From Venice Marco Polo (VCE) - the drive to Rovinj is about 244 km and typically takes around 2 hours 55 minutes, depending on traffic and your route.
• From Venice Treviso (TSF) - the drive to Rovinj is about 241 km and typically takes around 2 hours 55 minutes.

If you are driving, remember this is an international trip (Italy to Croatia), so carry your travel documents and allow extra time on busy Saturdays and peak summer weekends.

Venice to Rovinj by bus

Coach travel is possible from the Venice area to Rovinj (usually with a change depending on your exact departure point). This can be a good alternative if you do not want to drive, but it is slower than a private transfer and timetables vary by season. If you are considering this option, also see our Rovinj bus guide for arrival and local station tips.

Seasonal fast boat: Venice to Rovinj

In summer, there can be direct catamaran services between Venice and Rovinj. These crossings are seasonal (typically running from May to late September or October, depending on the operator and year), and days and departure times can change, so always confirm the timetable before you book flights around it.

To check current sailings, start with operator and timetable resources such Venice to Rovinj ferry schedules.

Flying to Rovinj in the off-season

If you are travelling outside peak summer (roughly late autumn through early spring), planning flights to Rovinj usually requires a bit more flexibility. The biggest difference is that Pula Airport (PUY) has fewer direct international flights in winter, so you may need to connect via a hub or consider a different airport for better schedules and prices.

• Expect fewer direct flights into PUY - many routes are seasonal, so always double-check your exact travel day on the official Pula Airport flight timetable.
• Zagreb (ZAG) can be the most reliable fallback - it operates as Croatia’s main year-round gateway with a much broader network of destinations and airlines, but you will have a longer road transfer to Rovinj.
• Italy-by-sea options usually pause in winter - if you were hoping to connect from Venice by fast boat, note that Venice - Rovinj services are generally seasonal and typically suspended during winter months.

Off-season tip: if you land late in the day, prioritise an airport with predictable evening arrivals and straightforward onward transport (rental car or prebooked transfer). This avoids getting stuck when limited winter timetables mean fewer same-day connections.

Booking tips that prevent headaches

• Plan around seasonality. Direct international flights into Pula (PUY) are often seasonal, so double-check your exact travel date before you commit to accommodation or onward connections.
• Avoid late-night arrivals if you are not driving. If you plan to use buses, arriving earlier gives you more options for same-day connections. If you land late, a prebooked transfer or rental car is usually the simplest solution.
• Old Town stays need a parking plan. Rovinj Old Town is largely pedestrian-only, so you typically cannot drive to your accommodation door. If you are staying inside the Old Town, park outside the center and walk in, or arrange luggage help with your hotel/apartment host.
• Use the right drop-off point for luggage. A common approach is to unload luggage near central parking such as Valdibora, then park properly and continue on foot with lighter bags.
• Know the local parking rules. Rovinj street parking is divided into zones, with the closest areas having tighter limits (for example, Zone 1 is time-limited). If you are renting a car, it is worth deciding in advance whether you will use a big lot or zone parking - our parking in Rovinj guide breaks down the main areas and what to expect.
• Cross-border transfers take longer in summer. If you fly to Trieste, Venice, or Ljubljana, build in extra time for border traffic and weekend congestion, especially on peak summer Saturdays.
• Sea routes from Italy are not year-round. If you are planning to combine flights to Venice with a Venice - Rovinj fast boat, confirm the sailing calendar first because these services are seasonal - our Rovinj ferry guide is the best place to check what typically runs and where to verify current timetables.
• Public transport tip for PUY arrivals. The Pula Airport shuttle to Pula bus station is timed to flights and typically departs about 30 minutes after landing, so it helps to move quickly through arrivals if you want to catch it.

Related Rovinj transport guides

Planning the rest of your arrival and getting around Rovinj is easier with these practical transport guides:

• Rovinj by bus - routes, stations, and tips for arriving without a car.
• Rovinj by train - what to expect, since Rovinj does not have a central passenger rail station.
• Ferries to and from Rovinj - seasonal connections, ports, and where to verify timetables.
• Parking in Rovinj - zones, lots, and the easiest approach for Old Town stays.

FAQ: Flights to Rovinj

Does Rovinj have an airport?

No - Rovinj does not have an airport. To reach Rovinj by plane, you fly into a nearby airport (most commonly Pula Airport (PUY)) and then continue by road, or in summer sometimes by fast boat from Italy.

What is the nearest airport to Rovinj?

The nearest airport to Rovinj is Pula Airport (PUY). It is the most convenient choice for the shortest transfer and the simplest onward travel.

How do you get from Pula Airport to Rovinj?

The easiest options are taxi/private transfer (fastest door-to-door) or a rental car (best flexibility for exploring Istria). For a budget option, you can go by public transport: take the Pula Airport shuttle bus to Pula main bus station, then an intercity bus from Pula to Rovinj. Always check the shuttle timetable on travel day, as it is aligned with flights.

Are there direct international flights to Pula?

Yes, but availability is highly seasonal. Pula (PUY) publishes an official destination list and a live arrivals/departures timetable - use those to confirm whether your route operates on your exact travel date.

Is it better to fly to Pula or Venice for Rovinj?

For most travellers, Pula (PUY) is better because it is the closest airport and keeps the transfer short. Venice (VCE/TSF) can be a good choice if you are combining Venice and Istria or if flights are much cheaper, but expect a longer transfer by road. In summer, there can be seasonal fast catamarans between Venice and Istria (including Rovinj), which can be convenient if the sailing dates match your trip.

Can you travel from Venice or Trieste to Rovinj by ferry?

Yes, in season. Venice to Rovinj fast catamaran services typically run from May through October (exact dates and days vary by operator and year). Trieste to Rovinj can also have seasonal hydrofoil/ferry connections, so always verify current schedules before booking flights around them.

What is the best airport for Rovinj in winter?

In winter, Pula (PUY) often has fewer direct international flights, so many travellers choose an airport with stronger year-round connectivity (such as Zagreb (ZAG)) and then continue to Rovinj by car or transfer. If you prefer public transport, prioritize earlier arrivals to keep same-day connection options open.