When planning a trip from Poland to Croatia by car, we have several routes to choose from, which differ in length, landscape and tourist attractions. Depending on the starting point in Poland and preferences for landscapes, you can choose one of the four main routes. In this article, we will take a closer look at each of them, presenting a detailed description of the road course, countries through which you need to travel, and important information on road conditions and tourist attractions.
Route 1: Warsaw - Zagreb through the Czech Republic and Austria
Route length: approx. 900 km
countries: Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Croatia
Estimated travel time: approx. 10-12 hours
Route description:
- Warsaw - Brno (Czech Republic): from Warsaw we follow the S8 expressway south, and then along the A1 highway towards Katowice. After crossing the border with the Czech Republic, we continue traveling on the D1 highway towards Brno.
- Brno - Vienna (Austria): From Brno, we follow the D2 highway, which leads directly to the border with Austria. After entering Austria, we continue the journey on the A5 motorway, and then A22 towards Vienna.
- Vienna - Graz - Zagreb (Croatia): From Vienna, we head to the south along the A2 highway, passing through Graz to the border with Croatia. After crossing the border, we travel the A4 highway towards Zagreb.
What to look for:
- Vignettes: in the Czech Republic and Austria vignettes for highways apply. They can be purchased at gas stations or online.
- Traffic jams: especially during the holiday season there may be traffic jams on the route from Vienna to Graz.
- Tourist attractions: on the way it is worth stopping for a moment in Brno, which offers many monuments and in Vienna, where you can see, among others Cathedral of St. Szczepan and Schönbrunn Palace.
Route 2: Kraków - Split through Slovakia and Hungary
Route length: approx. 1000 km
countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia
Estimated travel time: approx. 12-14 hours
Route description:
- Kraków - Żylina (Slovakia): from Krakow we follow the south along the A4 highway, and then by national road 7, passing through the border with Slovakia in Chyżne. We continue traveling along the E75 road towards Żylina.
- Żylina - Budapest (Hungary): from the Żylina we go along the E50 road towards Bratislava, and then on the M1 highway to Budapest.
- Budapest - Split (Croatia): from Budapest we follow the M7 highway towards Balaton, and then to the border with Croatia. After crossing the border, we travel the A4 highway, and then A1 to Split.
What to look for:
- Vignettes: vignettes apply both in Slovakia and Hungary.
- Borders: Border controls can extend the travel time, especially during periods of increased tourist traffic.
- Tourist attractions: It is worth stopping for a moment in Budapest, where you can visit, among others Buda, parliament and thermal castle.
Route 3: Wrocław - Rijeka through the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia
Route length: approx. 900 km
countries: Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia
Estimated travel time: approx. 10-12 hours
Route description:
- Wrocław-Prague (Czech Republic): from Wrocław we follow the south along the A4 motorway, and then by national road 8 to the border with the Czech Republic in Kudowa-Zdrój. We continue the journey on the D11 motorway towards Prague.
- Prague - Vienna (Austria): from Prague we are traveling along the D1 highway towards Brno, and then we continue the route as in the case of route 1.
- Vienna - Rijeka (Croatia): From Vienna, we follow the A2 motorway, passing through Graz to the border with Slovenia. After crossing the border, we travel on the A1 highway, and then through Slovenia to Rijeka.
What to look for:
- Vignettes: they apply in the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia.
- Mountains: When passing through the Alps, it is worth being prepared for changing weather conditions.
- Tourist attractions: in Prague it is worth visiting, among others Karol Bridge, Prague Castle and the Old Town.
Route 4: Poznań - Dubrovnik through Germany, Austria and Slovenia
Route length: approx. 1300 km
countries: Poland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia
Estimated travel time: approx. 14-16 hours
Route description:
- Poznań - Dresden (Germany): From Poznań we are heading to the west of the A2 motorway to the border with Germany in Świecko. Then we continue the journey along the A12 motorway towards Berlin, and then A13 to Dresden.
- Dresden - Munich (Germany): From Dresden, we ride the A4 highway towards Erfurt, and then on the A9 highway through Nuremberg to Munich.
- Munich - Dubrovnik (Croatia): from Munich we follow the A8 motorway towards Salzburg, and then on the A10 highway through the Alps to the border with Austria. After crossing the border, we travel on the A11 motorway through Slovenia to the border with Croatia, and then along the A1 motorway to Dubrovnik.
What to look for:
- Vignettes: they apply in Austria and Slovenia.
- Traffic jams: traffic jams may occur on the route, especially on the A8 motorway in Germany and near Salzburg.
- Tourist attractions: in Munich it is worth visiting, among others Marienplatz, English garden and Allianz Arena.
Route 5: Rzeszów - Zadar through Slovakia and Hungary
Route length: approx. 1000 km
countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia
Estimated travel time: approx. 12-14 hours
Route description:
- Rzeszów - Koszyce (Slovakia): from Rzeszów we head south by national road 19, and then we go to the road E371 after crossing the border with Slovakia. We continue the journey towards Koszyce.
- Koszyce - Budapest (Hungary): from Koszyce we go along the E71 road towards Miskolc, and then on the M3 and M30 highway to Budapest.
- Budapest - Zadar (Croatia): from Budapest we follow the M7 highway towards Balaton, and then to the border with Croatia. After crossing the border, we travel the A4 highway, and then A1 to Zadar.
What to look for:
- Vignettes: vignettes apply in Slovakia and Hungary.
- Borders: Border controls can extend the travel time, especially during periods of increased tourist traffic.
- Tourist attractions: It is worth stopping for a moment in Budapest, where you can visit, among others Buda, parliament and thermal castle.
Route 6: Katowice - Pula through the Czech Republic and Slovenia
Route length: approx. 800 km
countries: Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia
Estimated travel time: approx. 10-12 hours
Route description:
- Katowice - Brno (Czech Republic): From Katowice we are heading the A1 motorway to the Czech border, and then continue the journey on the D1 highway towards Brno.
- Brno - Graz (Austria): We follow the D2 highway, which leads to the border with Austria. After entering Austria, we continue the journey along the A2 motorway towards Graz.
- Graz - pool (Croatia): from Graz we ride the A9 highway to the border with Slovenia, and then continue the A1 highway through Slovenia to the border with Croatia. After crossing the border, we travel the A9 highway to the pool.
What to look for:
- Vignettes: they apply in the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia.
- Borders: Border controls can extend the travel time, especially during the holiday periods.
- Tourist attractions: It is worth staying in Graz for a moment, where you can visit, among others Egggenberg castle and cathedral.
Route 7: Gdańsk - Rovinj through Germany and Austria
Route length: approx. 1300 km
countries: Poland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia
Estimated travel time: approx. 14-16 hours
Route description:
- Gdańsk - Berlin (Germany): from Gdańsk we follow the west of the A1 motorway, and then the S5 expressway towards Poznań. We continue the A2 motorway to the border with Germany and then along the A12 motorway to Berlin.
- Berlin - Munich (Germany): From Berlin we are traveling along the A9 highway towards Nuremberg and Munich.
- Munich - Rovinj (Croatia): from Munich we follow the A8 motorway towards Salzburg, and then on the A10 highway through the Alps to the border with Austria. After crossing the border, we travel the A11 highway through Slovenia to the border with Croatia, and then on the A9 highway to Rovinj.
What to look for:
- Vignettes: they apply in Austria and Slovenia.
- Traffic jams: traffic jams may occur on the route, especially on the A8 motorway in Germany and near Salzburg.
- Tourist attractions: It is worth stopping in Berlin, where you can visit, among others Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag and the island of museums.
Route 8: Łódź - Makarska through the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia
Route length: approx. 1100 km
countries: Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia
Estimated travel time: approx. 12-14 hours
Route description:
- Łódź - Brno (Czech Republic): From Łódź we follow the A1 motorway towards Katowice, and then continue the journey as in the case of the route from Katowice (route 6).
- Brno - Graz (Austria): We follow the D2 highway, which leads to the border with Austria. After entering Austria, we continue the journey along the A2 motorway towards Graz.
- Graz - Makarska (Croatia): from Graz we go along the A9 highway to the border with Slovenia, and then continue the A1 highway through Slovenia to the border with Croatia. After crossing the border, we travel the A1 highway to Makarska.
What to look for:
- Vignettes: they apply in the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia.
- Borders: Border controls can extend the travel time, especially during periods of increased tourist traffic.
- Tourist attractions: It is worth staying in Graz for a moment, where you can visit, among others Egggenberg castle and cathedral.
Summary
Traveling by car from Poland to Croatia offers many route options, each of them has its own unique attractions and challenges. Regardless of whether you start a journey in Warsaw, Krakow, Wrocław, Poznań, Rzeszów, Katowice, Gdańsk or Łódź, it is important to prepare well for the road, taking into account the need to buy vignettes, possible traffic jams and variable weather conditions. Regardless of the selected route, the trip to Croatia will certainly provide unforgettable impressions and beautiful views.