Travellers with suitcases at the numbered departure gates of Zadar bus station

Getting here

Zadar to Novalja, the cheap way.

From Zadar's bus station it's one bus and about €13. Land at the airport and it's two buses, closer to €18, because you need the shuttle into town first. No car, nothing to book ahead. Below is where to catch each one and where to buy the tickets so you don't overpay.

What does it cost?

About €13 per person one way if you're starting at Zadar bus station, and roughly €18 if you're coming off a flight and need the airport shuttle first. Either way the bus is the cheapest way to cover this route, and in summer it's often the least stressful one too, because you're not hunting for parking at the other end.

Leg	Price
Zadar Airport to Zadar bus station	about €5
Zadar bus station to Novalja	from €13
Airport to Novalja, one person, one way	about €18

Fares checked August 2026. Bus prices move with the season, so treat these as the shape of the cost rather than a quote.

Leg one

Zadar Airport to Zadar bus station

A shuttle bus links the airport with Zadar's main bus station for about €5, leaving roughly every 45 minutes. You don't need to book it in advance.

Worth checking the timetable before you fly rather than after you land, because the last departure of the evening is the one that decides whether a late arrival still works. The airport publishes the current times on its own site.

Airport shuttle timetable

Leg two

Zadar bus station to Novalja

Antonio Tours runs this route with more than ten departures a day in season, and a ticket costs around €13. Book it directly with them. The resale apps list the same seats with a booking fee stacked on top.

Prefer paper and a human? Their kiosk inside Zadar bus station sits right in front of gate 10, and you can buy there on the day. That's the better option if your flight lands late and you'd rather see the remaining departures with your own eyes before committing.

Check departures

From

Zadar

Novalja

Date

See departures

Opens Antonio Tours' own timetable in a new tab, with your date already filled in.

Save a few euro

Don't pay extra for your suitcase

Some third-party booking apps add €5 to €6 per piece of luggage at checkout. Skip it. Bring the bag to the bus, hand it to the driver, and it goes into the cargo bay underneath at no charge.

On a family of four that fee is most of a second ticket, which is the whole reason we mention it.

The last few kilometres

Novalja is not quite Stara Novalja

The bus drops you in Novalja, and we're up the coast in Stara Novalja, a short hop north. Local buses, Bolt and street taxis all cover it, with costs and quirks laid out on our getting-around page.

Message us before you book if the connection looks tight. We'd much rather help you work out the timings in advance than have you standing at a bus station wondering.

Getting around Novalja Coming by car instead

Guests

Quiet praise from people who stayed.

4.7

average rating

11 languages verified

Verified Airbnb reviews, 2017–2026.About these reviews →

Apt. Romana

From the very beginning, the hosts were always helpful and very kind. The house was perfect for a summer vacation. Perhaps the spaces were a bit small (compared to the photos), but it was still tidy, equipped, and in a great location. Near the sea. Quiet area, suitable for people with small children. The outdoor space is not huge but good for summer dinners outdoors. Indoor parking space. A note of merit goes to the hosts, who were really great. We were sad to leave because it was like home. In short, I highly recommend it.

Simon

Monza, Italy · August 2026

Apt. Teja

Everything was as the host listed, we found the apartment teja to be very clean and cozy. The host is an amazing person which helped us a lot throughout our stay. 10/10 would recommend to book!

Christian

Italy · August 2026

Apt. Romana

Super nice hosts. They always took great care of our requests and were very helpful. Thank you for the good hospitality!

Erich

Germany · July 2026

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And this is where you’d stay.

Bobinac Garden is two family-run apartments sharing one Dalmatian garden in Stara Novalja, 50 metres from the sea. Have a look at both, then decide.

See both apartments