UK Easyjet, Ryanair, WIzzair and Other Cheap Flights to Croatia

Jan 8, 2011
Paul Bradbury

Flights to Dubrovnik are Plentiful in Summer - Henri Bergius

A guide to confirmed 2011 flights to Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Pula and Zagreb from Belfast, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and London.

With the growing interest of Croatia as a holiday destination for tourists from the UK, Easyjet, Ryanair, Wizzair and several other budget carriers all operate services to various Croatian regional airports. Flights tend to be seasonal to meet the summer demand, and direct flights are hard to find in winter. With the uncertain economic climate, several routes have been scaled back. Here is a quick overview of the confirmed routes for 2011, according to airline websites.

Cheap Flights to Zagreb (ZAG)

The low-cost market to the Croatian capital has been dominated by Wizz Air, who have been offering a directed service to London Luton for several years, a connection that has proved popular with businessmen and tourists alike. It appears to be stopping the service, however, with the last bookable seat out of Zagreb scheduled for February 4, 2011.

No official explanation has been given, although it might be in response to the new competition from Easyjet, who will start operating flights five times a week to Zagreb from February 11, with departures scheduled around midday. Easyjet is further expanding its presence in Zagreb with flights to Dortmund starting soon after, in addition to its existing direct connection with Paris Charles de Gaulle

Cheap Flights to Split (SPU)

A stunning town in its own right, Split is also gateway to the islands of Hvar, Brac and Vis, and an excellent entry point to start exploring the Dalmatian coast. The British Airways year-round route is long gone, as has the route itself (BA now only flies to Dubrovnik), and various airlines have tried and failed to operate a longer service, while some low-cost airlines entered the market, withdrew and are now back again.

For 2011, Wizz Air will once again be flying from Luton to Split from June 26, with four flights a week until the first week of September, departing 1005 from Split after an 0600 start from the UK. Those close to Bristol will be able to take advantage of the weekly Easyjet service from May 21 (thrice weekly in peak season), Easyjet London flights start from Gatwick on April 27 and Stansted on April 28. Travellers from Manchester should keep an eye on Jet2.com's offerings - the timetable is not yet up.

Cheap Flights to Dubrovnik (DBV)

The jewel in the Adriatic crown, Dubrovnik is a draw in its own right, but flights to Dubrovnik are also popular for travellers to nearby Montenegro. Its popularity is reflected in the higher number of airlines flying in from different locations.

Jet2.com will fly from Belfast, Leeds-Bradford, Edinburgh and Manchester, while BMIbaby are currently the only advertised connection from East Midlands. Thomsonfly have connections scheduled from Manchester, Gatwick and Birmingham, while Wizz Air's link from Luton extends to Dubrovnik as well. Flybe's previous route from Birmingham has not yet been confirmed, but Easyjet will be carrying passengers from Stansted and Gatwick, while its Liverpool to Dubrovnik is still on the website database, but with no dates confirmed. While not technically a budget carrier, the BA route from Gatwick does offer competitive pricing.

Cheap Flights to Pula (PUY)

Famed for its amphitheatre, Pula is the gateway to Istria and can be reached by simultaneous early morning flights from Bristol, Gatwick and Birmingham on May 3, with Manchester joining the party two weeks later. Ryanair will also fly three times a week from March 29.

Cheap Flights to Zadar (ZAD)

Zadar Airport, 100km up the coast from Split, is dominated by Ryanair, which has been expanding its presence since it entered the market a few years ago, when a 12-month route to Stansted was a lifeline to many. Five flights a week to the London airport will commence at the end of March and run until the end of October, although the 2010 route from Edinburgh has yet to be confirmed. Click here for more information on all cheap flights to Zadar.

Flights to Other Croatian Airports – Rijeka (RJK) and Osijek (OSI)

Easyjet's service from Rijeka to Bristol and London is no longer operational, and there is currently no budget airline flying to the UK from Croatia's major port town. Croatia Airlines do operate a direct flight to Heathrow, however. Osijek in the north also has no low-cost connection, although this may change, as Ryanair has been flying from there to Frankfurt and has decided to continue the route for 2011.

It is recommended to check the airline websites closer to the time of travel, as changes do occur, while there are always ongoing special offers. More flights should be made available soon, with package holidays from regional airports such as Newcastle, Norwich, Bournemouth, Southampton and Glasgow. Of the low-cost carriers from the UK, Easyjet, Ryanair and Wizz Air are among the most popular, but there is plenty of choice.

Please leave a comment if you have any new route information and it can be incorporated into the article to give the best advice to travellers.