English How to get from Ljubljana Airport to Rijeka
The journey is around 135 km and takes roughly one hour and 45 minutes: from Brnik Airport, the route follows the motorway via Ljubljana and Postojna before crossing into Croatia at the Rupa border crossing and descending towards the Kvarner coast. It is a Schengen crossing without systematic border checks and, since Croatia adopted the euro, there is no need to exchange currency. You are dropped off at the exact address in Rijeka.
The final section descends from the plateau to the sea and enters a city with busy streets and pedestrianised areas, where the drop-off point depends on whether your destination is the port, a hotel or the ferry terminal.
Rijeka, port and gateway to the Kvarner islands
What sets Rijeka apart from the neighbouring coastal towns is its port: it is the largest in Croatia and a departure point for ferries to the Kvarner archipelago. Many of these journeys do not end in the city itself but connect with a ferry, so the ferry departure time determines the transfer schedule. Request a quote with or without the ferry fare included.
Krk
Connected by road via a bridge as well as by sea. Your transfer can continue directly by road.
Cres and Rab
Kvarner islands with ferry connections from the Rijeka area. It is worth coordinating your arrival with the ferry timetable.
Maritime terminal
The port also welcomes cruise ships. For embarkation and disembarkation, the pick-up is arranged around the vessel's actual schedule.
If your actual destination is an island or a cruise ship, mention it when booking: this affects the drop-off point and journey time calculation.
Arriving in the city centre and the pedestrianised Korzo
A well-chosen drop-off point near the Korzo
The heart of Rijeka revolves around the Korzo, its main promenade, which is closed to motor traffic. If your accommodation is on this street or in the surrounding pedestrianised streets, the vehicle stops at the nearest point accessible to traffic and you walk the final stretch. Providing the exact address, rather than simply saying "Rijeka city centre", makes it possible to get as close as possible with your luggage.
Opatija is just a few kilometres west of Rijeka along the same stretch of coast, and many routes combine both destinations.
Vehicle, luggage and ferry connections
A journey of less than two hours involving a border crossing and a possible ferry connection means luggage matters more than on a city transfer: if your journey continues by boat to an island, loading and unloading happens twice. The number of passengers and pieces of luggage determines the vehicle assigned.
You can see the options in the Zonetransfers fleet. If you would rather have a driver at your disposal to travel around the Kvarner region and neighbouring Istria at your own pace, there is also the chauffeur service in Ljubljana. Stops and waiting times are subject to the service terms.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Ljubljana Airport to Rijeka?
It takes around one hour and 45 minutes for the approximately 135 km journey, crossing into Croatia at the Rupa border crossing. The final descent to the coast and urban traffic may add a few minutes.
Do I need to change currency or go through a border check?
There is no need to change currency: Slovenia and Croatia have both used the euro since 2023. The Rupa border crossing is within the Schengen Area and has no systematic border checks, although it is advisable to keep your identity document to hand.
Can you drop me at the Rijeka ferry terminal?
Yes. The terminal is in the city centre; if you are connecting with a ferry to Krk, Cres or Rab, it is advisable to provide the ferry departure time so the arrival at the port can be coordinated.
What if I am boarding a cruise ship?
Rijeka port also receives cruise ships. For a cruise departure, the airport pick-up is planned around the ship's required arrival time, rather than its sailing time.
Are the motorway vignette and tolls included?
Yes. The Slovenian section requires an electronic vignette and the Croatian motorway section has tolls; with a fixed-fare transfer, both are included in the price.
Can the car reach my hotel if it is on the Korzo?
The Korzo is pedestrianised. The drop-off point is arranged on the nearest street open to traffic, so it is advisable to provide the exact address of your accommodation.
Can I combine Rijeka with Opatija or an island?
Yes. Opatija is just a few kilometres away and the Kvarner islands are connected from the port. Any additional stops or the final destination can be specified when booking.
How do I arrange the return journey to Ljubljana Airport?
Book with the exact pick-up point and your flight time, allowing around one hour and 45 minutes for the journey plus enough time for check-in.
Request a quote for your transfer to Rijeka
Provide the date, flight number, number of passengers and pieces of luggage, plus the exact destination in Rijeka: the city centre, a hotel, the ferry terminal or the cruise ship quay. With these details, we can prepare a fixed fare including the vignette and motorway tolls.
Available from 09:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00.