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Dolomites to Istria in October: Train? Flixbus? Ferry?

Posted by (East Lansing, Michigan, USA) on

Has anyone travelled from the Dolomites to Istria in mid October? We will have had several days in Venice before heading to Ortisei for four nights, then are headed to Rovinj (or Pula) before heading down the coast to Dubrovnik.

We're happy to rent a car for our time in the Dolomites (would that be easier from Venice or Padua?). But then will need to return our Italian car (in Trieste? or Venice?) and rent again in Croatia, probably from Pula.

Ideally we'd take the ferry from Venice to Istria, but it may not be in service on October 12, when we would need it. Our second choice would be to drop the car in Trieste and take a bus to Rovinj. Has anyone done this recently? Any advice or opinions is welcome!

If the ferry isn't running, is Flixbus a safe option? The reviews are sketchy, but the only bus running from the Dolomites to Istria (via Venice) is Flixbus, and it takes 12 hours if all runs smoothly. I do see other bus options in getbybus.com for the trip from Triese to Rovinj.

Again, thanks in advance for any advice!

Posted by
1638 posts

Flixbus does not have a good reputation. It's probably safe but not reliable and not the cleanest. I would break up the trip.

Posted by
8 posts

I think we'll drive from Ortisei in the Dolomites to Trieste, drop off the car, and then grab a local bus into Rovinj. It seems we will have better bus options from there:)

Posted by
221 posts

I’ve used Flix bus several times in Europe, and never had any problems. I believe they are the biggest bus company in Western Europe, so I’m sure they are not complaint free, but I don’t think you’d be any better (or worse) off with another carrier. In particular, I took a Flix bus from Trieste to Rovinj in September 2018, as the ferries between Venice and Croatia had ceased after the first week of September. As I recall, it was about ten minutes late departing, but the trip was comfortable and took about 2:45, with a few stops along the way. At that time, we had to stop for passport control between Slovenia and Croatia, but with Croatia now in the Schengen I assume that’s no longer necessary. That should shave at least 15 minutes from the trip. I also rented a car in Rovinj and returned it in Zagreb.

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