When planning a trip from Poland to Croatia by car, there are several routes to choose from, which vary in length, landscape and tourist attractions. Depending on your starting point in Poland and your preference for landscapes, you can choose one of four main routes. In this article we will take a closer look at each of them, providing a detailed description of the route, the countries you need to pass through, and important information on road conditions and tourist attractions.
Route 1: Warsaw – Zagreb via Czech Republic and Austria
Route length: approx.
900 km
Countries: Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Croatia
Expected transit time: approx.
10-12 hours
Route Description:
- Warsaw – Brno (Czech Republic): From Warsaw, head south on the S8 expressway and then on the A1 highway toward Katowice. After crossing the Czech border, we continue along the D1 highway towards Brno.
- Brno – Vienna (Austria): From Brno, we continue on the D2 highway, which leads directly to the Austrian border. After entering Austria, we continue along the A5 highway and then the A22 towards Vienna.
- Vienna – Graz – Zagreb (Croatia): From Vienna, head south on the A2 highway, passing through Graz all the way to the Croatian border. After crossing the border, we travel along the A4 highway towards Zagreb.
What to look out for:
- Vignettes: Highway vignettes are mandatory in the Czech Republic and Austria. They can be purchased at gas stations or online.
- Traffic jams: Especially during the holiday season, there can be traffic jams on the route from Vienna to Graz.
- Tourist Attractions: Along the way, stop for a while in Brno, which offers many historical sights, and Vienna, where you can see, among other things. St. Stephen’s Cathedral. St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Schönbrunn Palace.
Route 2: Krakow – Split via Slovakia and Hungary
Route length: approx.
1000 km
Countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia
Expected transit time: approx.
12-14 hours
Route Description:
- Krakow – Zylina (Slovakia): From Krakow, head south on the A4 highway and then on national road 7, crossing the border with Slovakia in Chyzne. We continue on the E75 road in the direction of Zylina.
- Zylina – Budapest (Hungary): From Zylina, take the E50 road toward Bratislava and then take the M1 highway to Budapest.
- Budapest – Split (Croatia): From Budapest, take the M7 highway towards Lake Balaton and then to the Croatian border. After crossing the border, we travel along the A4 highway and then the A1 until we reach Split.
What to look out for:
- Vignettes: Vignettes are valid in both Slovakia and Hungary.
- Borders: Border controls can increase transit times, especially during busy tourist periods.
- Tourist Attractions: It’s worth stopping for a while in Budapest, where you can visit, among other things. Buda Castle, the Parliament and the thermal baths.
Route 3: Wroclaw – Rijeka via Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia
Route length: approx.
900 km
Countries: Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia
Expected transit time: approx.
10-12 hours
Route Description:
- Wroclaw – Prague (Czech Republic): From Wroclaw, head south on the A4 highway, then take national road 8 to the Czech border in Kudowa-Zdroj. We continue on the D11 highway towards Prague.
- Prague – Vienna (Austria): From Prague, take the D1 highway toward Brno, then continue the route as for Route 1.
- Vienna – Rijeka (Croatia): From Vienna, we take the A2 highway, passing through Graz to the border with Slovenia. After crossing the border, we travel along the A1 highway and then through Slovenia to Rijeka.
What to look out for:
- Vignettes: Valid in the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia.
- Mountains: When passing through the Alps, it’s a good idea to be prepared for changing weather conditions.
- Tourist Attractions: Things to see in Prague include. Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and the Old Town.
Route 4: Poznan – Dubrovnik via Germany, Austria and Slovenia
Route length: approx.
1300 km
Countries: Poland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia
Expected transit time: approx.
14-16 hours
Route Description:
- Poznan – Dresden (Germany): From Poznan, we head west on the A2 highway to the German border in Swiecko. We then continue on the A12 highway toward Berlin and then the A13 to Dresden.
- Dresden – Munich (Germany): From Dresden, take the A4 highway toward Erfurt, then take the A9 highway through Nuremberg to Munich.
- Munich – Dubrovnik (Croatia): From Munich, take the A8 highway toward Salzburg, then take the A10 highway through the Alps to the Austrian border. After crossing the border, we travel on the A11 highway through Slovenia to the Croatian border, and then on the A1 highway all the way to Dubrovnik.
What to look out for:
- Vignettes: Valid in Austria and Slovenia.
- Traffic jams: Traffic jams may occur along the route, especially on the A8 highway in Germany and around Salzburg.
- Tourist Attractions: In Munich, sights worth visiting include. Marienplatz, the English Garden and the Allianz Arena.
Route 5: Rzeszow – Zadar via Slovakia and Hungary
Route length: approx.
1000 km
Countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia
Expected transit time: approx.
12-14 hours
Route Description:
- Rzeszow – Kosice (Slovakia): From Rzeszow, head south on National Road 19, then switch to the E371 after crossing the border with Slovakia. We continue our journey in the direction of Košice.
- Košice – Budapest (Hungary): From Košice, take the E71 road toward Miskolc, then take the M3 and M30 highways to Budapest.
- Budapest – Zadar (Croatia): From Budapest, take the M7 highway towards Lake Balaton and then to the Croatian border. After crossing the border, travel along the A4 highway and then the A1 until Zadar.
What to look out for:
- Vignettes: Vignettes are mandatory in Slovakia and Hungary.
- Borders: Border controls can increase transit times, especially during busy tourist periods.
- Tourist Attractions: It’s worth stopping for a while in Budapest, where you can visit, among other things. Buda Castle, the Parliament and the thermal baths.
Route 6: Katowice – Pula via the Czech Republic and Slovenia
Route length: approx.
800 km
Countries: Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia
Expected transit time: approx.
10-12 hours
Route Description:
- Katowice – Brno (Czech Republic): From Katowice, take the A1 highway to the Czech border, then continue on the D1 highway toward Brno.
- Brno – Graz (Austria): From Brno we continue along the D2 highway, which leads to the Austrian border. After entering Austria, we continue on the A2 highway towards Graz.
- Graz – Pula (Croatia): From Graz, we take the A9 highway to the Slovenian border, then continue on the A1 highway through Slovenia to the Croatian border. After crossing the border, we travel on the A9 highway to Pula.
What to look out for:
- Vignettes: Valid in the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia.
- Borders: Border controls can increase transit times, especially during holiday periods.
- Tourist Attractions: It’s worth stopping for a while in Graz, where you can visit, among other things. Eggenberg Castle and the cathedral.
Route 7: Gdansk – Rovinj via Germany and Austria
Route length: approx.
1300 km
Countries: Poland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia
Expected transit time: approx.
14-16 hours
Route Description:
- Gdansk – Berlin (Germany): From Gdansk, head west on the A1 highway and then on the S5 expressway towards Poznan. We continue on the A2 highway to the German border and then on the A12 highway to Berlin.
- Berlin – Munich (Germany): From Berlin, take the A9 highway toward Nuremberg and Munich.
- Munich – Rovinj (Croatia): From Munich, take the A8 highway toward Salzburg, then take the A10 highway through the Alps to the Austrian border. After crossing the border, we travel on the A11 highway through Slovenia to the Croatian border and then on the A9 highway to Rovinj.
What to look out for:
- Vignettes: Valid in Austria and Slovenia.
- Traffic jams: Traffic jams may occur along the route, especially on the A8 highway in Germany and around Salzburg.
- Tourist Attractions: Make sure to stop in Berlin, where you can visit, among other things. Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and Museum Island.
Route 8: Lodz – Makarska via Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia
Route length: approx.
1100 km
Countries: Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia
Expected transit time: approx.
12-14 hours
Route Description:
- Lodz – Brno (Czech Republic): From Lodz, take the A1 highway in the direction of Katowice, and then continue as you would from Katowice (Route 6).
- Brno – Graz (Austria): From Brno we continue along the D2 highway, which leads to the Austrian border. After entering Austria, we continue on the A2 highway towards Graz.
- Graz – Makarska (Croatia): From Graz, we take the A9 highway to the Slovenian border and then continue on the A1 highway through Slovenia to the Croatian border. After crossing the border, we travel along the A1 highway all the way to Makarska.
What to look out for:
- Vignettes: Valid in the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia.
- Borders: Border controls can increase transit times, especially during busy tourist periods.
- Tourist Attractions: It’s worth stopping for a while in Graz, where you can visit, among other things. Eggenberg Castle and the cathedral.
Summary
Traveling by car from Poland to Croatia offers many route choices, each with its own unique attractions and challenges. Whether you start your journey in Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Poznan, Rzeszow, Katowice, Gdansk or Lodz, it is important to prepare well for the road, taking into account the need to purchase vignettes, possible traffic jams and changing weather conditions. Regardless of the route you choose, a trip to Croatia is sure to provide unforgettable impressions and beautiful sights.