Getting from Pula Airport into Istria
Pula Airport (PUY) has a shuttle bus to the main bus station in Pula, and car hire desks in the terminal. From Pula you can continue by bus or car to the rest of the peninsula. If you land elsewhere, Trieste, Venice, Ljubljana and Rijeka are the airports to compare.
Timetables and prices change by season. The figures below are the ones published for October 2026, so look at the airport's current timetable before you travel.
Airports for Istria compared
What each airport offers for the onward trip. Check the provider's current timetable and price.
| Airport | Onward options listed by the airport | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Pula (PUY) | Shuttle bus to Pula bus station, €6 one way; car hire desks | Current timetable; shuttle plan follows flight changes |
| Trieste | Bus links in the region, including Trieste; long-distance buses to Rijeka, Ljubljana and Zagreb | A direct bus to Rovinj or Pula is not listed, so plan a change |
| Venice Marco Polo | ACTV and ATVO buses to Venice and Mestre; GoOpti shared or private transfers to Italy, Slovenia and Croatia | Price and route for your Istrian town, booked with the provider |
| Ljubljana | GoOpti transfers; tickets from the provider or a sales point at Terminal B | Timetable and price with the provider |
| Rijeka | Shuttle timetables published month by month | Use the timetable for your month; a direct Istria shuttle is not listed |
For most visitors Pula is the simplest option. The shuttle takes you to the bus station in town, and the Pula page covers the arena, the temple and the Arch of the Sergii. The where to stay page helps you choose a base before you book transport.
Day trips and transfers in Istria
Boat trips, truffle hunts and day tours you can add once you have arrived, with live prices and availability.
From the airport to your hotel
Three ways to leave the terminal.
Airport shuttle bus
The shuttle runs from the airport to Pula main bus station at Trg I. istarske brigade 1, platform 16. A one-way ticket costs €6, and you can pay in cash in euros or by credit card. The airport says the bus leaves 30 minutes after landing. As a sample, the timetable for 20 October 2026 lists airport departures at 3:15 pm, 9:15 pm, 9:30 pm and 11:15 pm, and bus station departures at 5:00 am, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. That is one day, not a fixed daily pattern. Look at the timetable for your date.
Car hire
Car hire desks are in the arrivals area and the main terminal. The airport lists Enterprise, Hertz, Sixt and Europcar, among others. You can reserve before you travel or rent at the desk. Compare the final price, including insurance, before you sign.
Bus onward from Pula
The shuttle drops you at Pula main bus station. Check the current timetable for connections to your destination before you go. For Rovinj, Poreč and Motovun, see the town pages.
Compare rental car prices at Pula Airport (PUY) for your travel dates on Economybookings.com.
Roads, tolls and trains
Current notes as of October 2026. Conditions change, so check again before you travel.
Istrian Y motorway
The operator Bina-Istra offers a toll calculator by route and vehicle class. Normal two-axle cars up to 1.90 m in height are in class I. Taller vehicles up to 3.5 t are in class II, and trailers change the class. There is no single toll price for Istria, so use the calculator for your route.
Electronic toll devices
An HAC device only works for the Istrian Y after it has been registered with Bina-Istra under your own account. The operator's sales points at Učka, Pula and Umag are open Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm and closed on Sundays and holidays.
Road closure near Fažana
A section of Fažanska cesta is closed from 14 October 2026 to 13 January 2027, between the Paganorska junction and the rebuilt section before the Štinjan junction. The detour toward Štinjan and Fažana goes via Vallelunga. If you take the boat to Brijuni, allow extra time.
Brijuni →Trains
Direct trains between Zagreb, Ljubljana and Pula were reintroduced on 20 June 2025. According to the railway, they run on Fridays toward Pula and on Sundays back, so they are not a daily service. In October 2026, parts of the Buzet to Pazin line have replacement buses: the line between Buzet, Lupoglav and Pazin is closed from 19 October (4 am) to 23 October (6:30 pm), and again from 26 October (4 am) to 30 October (6:30 pm). Delays are possible. The Nugla stop cannot be reached by minibus, and the railway recommends boarding or leaving at Roč.
Euro and borders
Croatia has used the euro since 1 January 2023 and joined the Schengen area the same year. For air travel the change applied from 26 March 2023. Bring your passport or ID card anyway.
Plan the rest of your trip
After you land, choose a base and a first stop.
Pula Airport: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Pula Airport to the town?
Take the airport shuttle to Pula main bus station. A one-way ticket costs €6, payable in cash in euros or by card. The airport says the shuttle leaves 30 minutes after landing, and the plan follows flight changes.
Where does the shuttle stop in Pula?
At the main bus station, Trg I. istarske brigade 1, platform 16.
Can I hire a car at Pula Airport?
Yes. There are desks in the arrivals area and the main terminal, and you can book ahead or rent at the desk. The airport lists Enterprise, Hertz, Sixt and Europcar, among others.
Which other airports can I use for Istria?
Trieste, Venice Marco Polo, Ljubljana and Rijeka. Each has bus or transfer options, but a direct connection to every Istrian town is not listed, so plan a change and check the provider's timetable.
Is there a direct train to Pula?
Yes, on certain days. Direct trains from Zagreb and Ljubljana run on Fridays toward Pula and on Sundays back. They are not daily.