English How to get from Ljubljana Airport to Rovinj
Ljubljana Airport is around 190 km from Rovinj, with a journey time of approximately two and a half hours. Prices start from €250. The route heads towards Koper, enters Istria through the Croatian coastal border crossing and then follows the Istrian Y motorway to the Rovinj turn-off. It is a Schengen crossing with no routine border checks and, as both countries use the euro, there is no currency exchange along the way.
Istria has its own border crossings, separate from those used to reach Rijeka or inland Croatia, making this a different coastal route even though the journey starts at the same airport.
Entering Istria and its Y-shaped motorway
The Istrian peninsula is crossed by a Y-shaped motorway, known as the Istrian Y, which branches towards Pula in one direction and northwards in the other. Rovinj lies off one of these branches, close to the west coast. Understanding this layout helps explain why the final stretch, once off the motorway, takes longer.
- Brnik Airport towards KoperLeave the airport and head south-west along the Slovenian motorway, with the motorway vignette included in the fare.
- Istrian border crossingCross into Croatia through one of the coastal Istrian border crossings. Schengen border, with no routine checks.
- Istrian Y motorway (A9)Join the Istrian Y heading south towards the Rovinj turn-off.
- Turn-off and edge of the old townLeave the motorway and continue to the closest point to Rovinj's old town accessible by car.
A car-free old town on the peninsula
Rovinj's historic centre is pedestrianised: its steep, winding lanes leading up to St Euphemia's Church are closed to motor traffic. The vehicle stops at the edge of the old town, close to the market square and harbour, and you continue on foot from there. It is the same principle found in other historic Adriatic towns, adapted to a narrow peninsula.
Give us your accommodation name and street
As vehicles cannot enter the old town, providing the name and street of your hotel or property allows us to choose the closest drop-off point on a road open to traffic and work out how far you will need to walk with your luggage along the cobbled slopes.
Rovinj as a base for exploring Istria
Many travellers use Rovinj as a base for exploring Istria, the peninsula of stone villages, vineyards and truffles. From here, Pula and its Roman amphitheatre, Poreč and its basilica, and the medieval hill towns inland are all within easy reach. If your plans include travelling around the region, it is worth deciding how you want to organise transport beyond your arrival.
For travelling around Istria over several days, a chauffeur service lets you move between towns without relying on public transport timetables.
Vehicle and luggage for the Istrian coast
A two-and-a-half-hour journey involving a border crossing and a final walk through the old town makes luggage a consideration: a spacious boot is useful, and getting as close as possible to your accommodation helps keep the uphill walk to a minimum. The number of passengers and pieces of luggage determines the vehicle assigned.
You can view the options in the Zonetransfers fleet, along with the conditions for stops and waiting times in the service conditions.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Ljubljana Airport to Rovinj?
Around two and a half hours for the approximately 190 km journey, entering Istria and following the Istrian Y motorway to the Rovinj turn-off. The final stretch by road is slower.
Can the car enter Rovinj's old town?
No. The old town, on the peninsula, is pedestrianised. Drop-off takes place at the edge of the historic area, close to the market and harbour, and the rest of the journey is on foot.
Where do you cross the border into Istria?
Through one of the border crossings on the Istrian coast, separate from those used to reach Rijeka or Zagreb. It is a Schengen border with no routine checks, but it is advisable to keep your identity document to hand.
Do I need to change currency when I arrive in Croatia?
No. Croatia has used the euro since 2023, as does Slovenia, so you can pay in euros throughout the journey.
Are the vignette and toll included?
Yes. The Slovenian section requires an electronic vignette and the Istrian motorway has tolls; with a fixed-fare transfer, both are included in the price.
How far will I have to walk to my hotel?
It depends on where your accommodation is within the old town. By providing the name and street of your accommodation, the drop-off point can be set at the closest point accessible by road, keeping the uphill walk as short as possible.
Can I use Rovinj as a base for visiting Istria?
Yes. Pula, Poreč and the inland villages are all within easy reach. For travelling around the region over several days, a chauffeur service means you do not have to rely on public transport.
How do I arrange the return journey to Ljubljana Airport?
The transfer is booked with the exact pick-up point near the old town and your flight time, allowing around two and a half hours for the journey plus time for check-in.
Get a quote for your transfer to Rovinj
Provide the date, flight number, number of passengers and pieces of luggage, plus the name and street of your accommodation in Rovinj. With these details, we can prepare a fixed fare including the vignette and toll, and arrange the closest possible drop-off point to the old town.
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