How Do You Get to Ugljan Island, Croatia?

How do I get to Ugljan if there's no airport on the island?

Fly into Zadar Airport (ZAD), located in Zemunik Donji about 8 km from Zadar city, then travel to Zadar's ferry port and cross to Ugljan by boat. Zadar Airport has been a Ryanair base since 2013 and added new Wizz Air routes for the 2026 season, with most routes operating seasonally rather than year-round (Source: Zadar Airport, official site; Wikipedia, 2026 access). From the airport, a taxi or transfer to Zadar's Gaženica ferry port takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes by road; from there, Jadrolinija's passenger ferry line 409 crosses directly to Preko on Ugljan.

• Fly into Zadar Airport (ZAD / Zemunik)
• Transfer to Zadar's ferry port (Gaženica or the city harbour, depending on the line)
• Cross to Preko on Ugljan by Jadrolinija ferry
• Most Zadar Airport routes are seasonal; confirm current flights directly with the airline

How does the ferry between Zadar and Preko work?

Jadrolinija operates two separate lines on this crossing. Line 409 is a passenger-only ferry running directly between Zadar's city port and Preko, with a crossing time of about 20 to 25 minutes and numerous departures throughout the day (Source: Jadrolinija, official site, 2026 access). Line 431 is a passenger-and-vehicle car ferry running Zadar-Ošljak-Preko for travelers bringing a car (Source: Putovnica.net, Croatian ferry timetable aggregator; direct confirmation from Jadrolinija's own schedule page was not obtained for this specific line, so treat exact car-ferry frequency as needing verification). Reported daily departure counts vary seasonally, with more sailings in July and August and fewer outside summer, but exact current-year frequency should be checked on Jadrolinija's own timetable rather than assumed from a fixed number.

• Line 409: passenger-only, Zadar city port to Preko, about 20-25 minutes
• Line 431: passenger and vehicle (car) ferry, Zadar-Ošljak-Preko
• Departures run more frequently in July and August than in the off-season
• Always check the current Jadrolinija timetable before planning a specific crossing

How do I get around Ugljan once I'm there?

Ugljan is a small island without a mainland-style public bus network connecting every village at high frequency, so most visitors get around by rental car, scooter, bicycle, or on foot for shorter distances between nearby villages such as Preko, Poljana and Ugljan village. The island's terrain and village spacing make a car or bike useful for reaching villages further from the ferry landing, such as Kali or Kukljica, while Preko itself is walkable. Confirm current local bus options, if any, with the ferry operator or local tourist office, since small-island transport services can change from season to season.

When is the best time to visit Ugljan?

Ugljan has a Mediterranean climate with hot, sunny summers and mild, wetter winters. Comfortable travel weather runs from May through October, with average daytime highs around 20 to 28°C in that window, and July and August as the warmest, busiest months with air temperatures regularly above 26°C and sea temperatures between 21 and 26°C (Source: Weather and Climate, 2026 access; Where and When, Croatian islands climate guide, 2026 access). Winters are mild by Northern European standards but wetter, with November typically the rainiest month and average daytime highs dropping to around 11°C in February.

Do I need a visa to visit Ugljan, and what currency is used?

Croatia joined the European Union in 2013, and since 1 January 2023 it has also been a full member of both the Eurozone and the Schengen area (Source: Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, official source). This means Croatia uses the euro as its currency, and entry rules for international visitors follow the standard Schengen framework: EU/Schengen citizens do not need a visa, and non-EU nationals should check the current Schengen visa-exemption status for their nationality, since exemption lists are updated periodically. Note that air border checks specifically were only lifted from 26 March 2023, slightly after the January 2023 date for land and sea borders (Source: Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia).