Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
trains head to Rome (6/day direct, 3.75-4.25 hours) and Florence (almost hourly,
4.5-5.25 hours, transfer in Bologna). From
Bari,
you can hop a train to Naples (6/
day, 3.75-6 hours, most transfer in Caserta), Rome (3/day direct, 4.75 hours), or
Florence (8/day, 6.75-8.5 hours, transfer in Rome or Bologna). For timetables, check
www.ferroviedellostato.it
or
www.bahn.com
(Germany's excellent all-Europe web-
site).
Northern Italy/Croatia:
Venice is connected by boat to several seaside towns in
Note that in Italian, Split is called “Spalato” (which is also the sound you hear if
seasickness gets the best of you).
Jadrolinija catamaran tickets are not sold until 6:00 in the morning on the day of depar-
ture. As these boats can sell out quickly in peak season, buy your tickets in the morning.
Catamaran tickets—even forafternoon departures—can sell outby8:30; toplay it safe, line
upby8:00.Off-season,youcanusuallywaituntil9:00formorningdepartures,oruntilnoon
(or later) for afternoon departures. If your trip hinges on a specific boat, ask at the ticket
deskthedaybefore what time youshouldshowup.ForJadrolinija catamarans, youcan buy
ticketsatthreelocations:thekioskontheparkingislandrightinfrontoftheOldTown;next
to the
Krilo
kiosk alongside the harbor; and in the main terminal (if the kiosk near the Old
Town has a long line, you could walk five minutes to the next one, where the wait is prob-
ably shorter).
Ifticketsdosellout,you'renotentirelyoutofluck.Eachrouteisalsooperatedbyslower
carferrieswithunlimitedroomforwalk-onpassengers.Thedownsideisthatcarferriestake
longer and drop you off at ports that are not convenient to the main town on each island
(Stari Grad on Hvar, Vela Luka on Kor
č
ula), requiring an additional bus trip to your final
destination. The ticket-seller can advise you on alternatives.
If you're a passenger walking onto a Jadrolinija
car ferry,
there's no need to buy tickets
in advance. (Tickets are sold at the same three locations noted above.) However, if you're
drivingontoacarferry,it'ssmarttobuyyourticketsfromoneoftheJadrolinijakiosksmen-
tioned above and line up early—ask locally for advice on your particular boat.
WhileIhaven'tlistedspecificfaresbelow,walk-onpassageforbothcatamaransandfer-
riesisquiteaffordable.ThepassengerfareonatripfromSplittoHvarorKor
č
ulacostsonly
around 35-60 kn, depending on the type of boat and season. For longer journeys (such as on
the slow car ferry from Split to Dubrovnik or Rijeka), figure 100-150 kn.
Weather Disruptions:
Catamarans are the quickest way to the islands, but they're also
the most susceptible to inclement weather. In very rough or windy weather, cancellations