Transportation between Venice and Croatia, Greece

Maria, I can't offer insight into Greece or Turkey, but I have done a lot of research into getting from Italy to Croatia. First off, it seems that direct flights from Venice (or anywhere in Italy, for that matter) to Croatia are very expensive. Flying domestically in Croatia, is, however, inexpensive. The best way that I have found to get from Italy to Croatia is by ferry. Last year I took the fast ferry from Ancona to Split, and this year I will be taking a fast ferry from Venice to somewhere in Istria-likely Rovinj. I also took the ferry last year from Split to Dubrovnik, but it was the slow route (something like 10 hours!). I probably could have flown for a decent price, but I got to see a lot of the coast by boat. I plan to go again next summer, but from Rjeka to Korcula. The ferries that I took were efficient, timely, and provided food services. There are no ferries that go directly from Venice to Split. The only ferries that go from Italy to Split are from Ancona or Bari. Venice Ferries go to Istria in northern Croatia only (although you could then transfer overland to Split by bus, or alternatively, go by rail from Venice to Split-note that there is no rail line south of Split. If you want to go to Dubrovnik you either have to bus or ferry it). As for hopping from Croatia to Greece, although almost neighbors, it is either very expensive and quickly done (by flying, and often not direct), or inexpensive and slow (by rail). As far as I could figure out there seem to be no ferries from Croatia direct to Athens. It does take a bit to figure out an itinerary, but once all the hard work is done it becomes worth it. Croatia is beautiful. Keep in mind that often a lot of information regarding ferry travel isn't posted until the spring for the summer. Keep persevering. Enjoy!

Sarah, Thanks for your detailed information. I am planning a trip to southern Italy on business and my husband has never been to Croatia, so I thought we might consider it as an extension of my business trip. Your information is extremely helpful in that planning.

Hi Maria and JER, Just wanted to put in a plug for the overnight ferry options between Italy and Croatia. We sailed overnight from Bari to Dubrovnik (for Venice, try the Ancona-Split route as mentioned above) in a double sleeping compartment that was quite comfortable. ompared to the price of a hotel night plus a discount flight, it was a wash. And we loved the scene in the ferry cafe/bar: backpackers eating nutella sandwiches, Europeans watching the soccer game on the bar's TV... I believe you can now book tickets directly from Jadrolinija, the ferry company, and they might have discounts for early, non-refundable bookings. When we did the trip, we booked through a British outfit, Viamare, which has an easily searchable website but charges a markup on the tickets. Enjoy the Adriatic! Emma

I am also looking in to taking a ferry from Italy to Croatia during the first week of May. From what I can see online most of the ferries do not seem to be running until summer. Is that right?

Actually some reasonably inexpensive ferry travel is available from Venice thru to either Igoumanitsa in Greece or Patra. Try Minoan ferries Venice as a search for their ferry rates.
And they are handy as the ferry disembarks from the same location as you come into to catch the vaporetta's to San Mark Square, they will be just west of there. Split isn't the greatest tourist destination but Dubrovnik will have everything the traveller would want. ANd some of the ferries will go thru the islands to get there, a pretty route. We took Bari (Italy) to Dubrovnik, an overnight ferry and slept the whole way only waking with enough time to have breakfast (free) and get re=packed.