How to get to Poreč: airports, driving and ferries

In short

The nearest airport to Poreč is Pula, about 55 km away. Trieste, Rijeka, Ljubljana and Venice are other options within roughly two to three hours by car. Most visitors hire a car, because a car makes the most of a villa holiday in Istria, and many drive all the way from Germany, Austria or northern Italy via Slovenia.

Poreč is on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula, close to the borders with Slovenia and Italy. That makes it easy to reach by car from much of Central Europe, and there are several airports within a few hours’ drive. Here is how our guests usually arrive.

By air

Airport	Approximate distance	Approximate drive
Pula (PUY)	55 km	45 minutes
Trieste (TRS), Italy	120 km	1 h 30 to 2 h
Rijeka (RJK), on the island of Krk	130 km	about 1 h 45
Ljubljana (LJU), Slovenia	200 km	about 2 h 30
Venice Marco Polo (VCE), Italy	230 km	about 3 h
Zagreb (ZAG)	270 km	about 3 h

Times are rough and depend on traffic, especially on summer Saturdays and at the Slovenian border crossings.

Pula is the closest and has the most direct flights in summer, many of them seasonal. Trieste and Venice have more year-round connections and are worth comparing on price. From all of them you will want a hire car.

By car

Many guests drive. From Germany and Austria the usual route runs through Slovenia (via Ljubljana) to the coast at Koper, then into Croatia and down to Poreč. From Italy, drive via Trieste.

A few things to know:

Slovenian motorways require an e-vignette, bought online before you travel.
Croatia and Slovenia are both in the Schengen area since 2023, so there are no routine passport checks on that border, but expect queues at peak times.
In Istria, the Istrian Y motorway links the Slovenian border near Umag with Poreč, Pula and the Učka tunnel towards Rijeka. It is tolled; see our driving guide.

On summer Saturdays, when most holiday rentals change over, roads to the coast are at their busiest. Leave early or late if you can.

By bus

Poreč bus station has connections to Pula, Rijeka and Zagreb, and international coaches to Trieste and beyond. Buses are fine for reaching Poreč itself, but villages such as Labinci are not well served, so you will still need a car or taxi for the last part.

By sea

From spring to early autumn, a catamaran connects Venice with Poreč, with a crossing of about three hours. In peak season there is also a service from Trieste. Timetables change every year, so check with the operators before you plan. It is a lovely way to arrive, but you will still need transport from the harbour.

Arriving at the villa

Check-in at our villas is from 15:00 and check-out by 10:00. In summer (June to August) stays run Saturday to Saturday; read why in our changeover guide. Ask us for directions when you book, and let us know your arrival time.

Villa Duga is in Špadići, just north of Poreč, 55 km from Pula Airport.
Villa Bina and Villa Cvita Domenica are side by side in Labinci, 11 km inland from Poreč and 57 km from Pula Airport.

All three have free private parking.

Opening times, timetables and prices change from year to year, so check them with the venue before you go.

Questions and answers

Which airport is closest to Poreč?

Pula Airport (PUY), about 55 km south of Poreč, roughly 45 minutes by car on the Istrian Y motorway.

Do I need a car in Poreč?

For a villa holiday, yes, in practice. Public transport between villages is limited, and the beaches, hilltop towns and day trips are spread out. Cars can be hired at all the airports.

Is there a ferry from Venice to Poreč?

Yes, a seasonal catamaran runs between Venice and Poreč, usually from late April or May to late September or early October. The crossing takes about three hours.

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