We are spending a week in Crotia before traveling to Prague. We are trying to determine the best way to travel, from Crotia to Prague. We haven't yet made any plans for Crotia yet since we haven't answered the transportation question yet. However we were thinking about traveling in Croatia between Split and Dubrovnik. Our transportation question is causing us to wonder if we should stay in north Crotia. One couple is arriving from the U.S., one from Budapest.
Posted by
Washington DC
27047 posts
Gosh, that looks messy. Either bus or train seems to take 10 or 11 hours from Zagreb, the northernmost important city in Croatia (and a very worthwhile destination in its own right). Places farther south would require even longer.
Since your time is rather limited, you may want to fly, in which case you may as well consider flying back from the coast. A quick check on skyscanner.com turned up non-stops from Split and Dubrovnik as well as Zagreb, but there don't seem to be very many flights to Prague, so this is something you probably need to pin down soon, if you want to fly.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thanks. Has anyone flown with Smartwings or Vueling Airlines? We don't mind budget but do want safety and reliability.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
You're going to see passenger ratings all over the board. Millions of people have flown these airlines (this forum will have just a fraction of them). For such a short flight and as a trade-off to the budget price, it's worth putting reliability in proper context (unless it's atrociously late most of the time). All airlines are regulated for safety - any reason to have safety fears regarding these particular ones?
For what its worth, Smartwings is rated as a 2-star airline whereas Vueling is rated as a 3-star, if that helps you with your decision. Best of luck! Croatia isn't particularly easy to get (relative to other, better linked places) to since train service stops and doesn't continue all the way down to Dubrovnik.
http://www.airlinequality.com/airline-reviews/vueling-airlines/
http://www.airlinequality.com/airline-reviews/smartwings/
Posted by
Hickory, NC USA
436 posts
I was able to buy really cheap tickets from Dubrovnik to Vienna, one way, on Niki. I think it's just little over one hour flight. I think you should really look at flying. I figure even if the plane is cramped or whatever, I can stand anything for that short time period.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Croatia is a great country and Split to Dubrovnik or vice versa is about the right amount to cover in a week. Istria really needs a car to get around and to the inland villages. The weather will be better in the south.
Most Czech people holidaying in Croatia drive, hence the thousands of CZ car plates around. Therefore, there aren't many flights. Check such as Skyscanner for options.
I am surprised by how often the question of flight safety of European airlines is questioned on this forum. We are highly regulated here in Europe and unsafe airlines wouldn't be allowed to fly. I was in New York 9/11 and airline flight there didn't feel very safe. If your safety comments related to the terrorism threat, then anything can happen, but Croatia and Prague are probably lesser targets than say London, Paris, Belgium and Germany.
Smartwings is Czech owned and Vueling is BA/ lberian owned.