Pula Airport to Rovinj: Bus, Taxi or Rental Car?
Updated October 20, 2026 · 5 min read
There is no direct public bus from Pula Airport to Rovinj. The airport shuttle goes only to the main bus station in Pula, and from there you change to a bus for Rovinj. By road, Rovinj is about 40 km from the airport and takes around 40 minutes, so a taxi, a private transfer or a rental car is the quick option. The cheap option is two buses, and the catch is the timetable.
The three ways compared
| Option | Cost | Time | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport shuttle plus bus via Pula | About €14 per person | Over an hour, plus waiting | Last Arriva bus from Pula is early evening |
| Taxi or private transfer | Roughly €80 to €110 per car on comparison sites | About 40 minutes | Fix the price before you go |
| Rental car | Depends on dates | About 40 minutes | Parking at Rovinj’s old town |
By public transport: two legs
Leg one: airport to Pula bus station. The official airport shuttle runs to Pula main bus station at Trg I. istarske brigade 1. A one-way ticket costs €6, payable in cash or by card, and the bus leaves 30 minutes after your aircraft lands. The timetable follows the flight schedule, so check the airport website before you fly. The ride to the station takes roughly 10 to 12 minutes, according to one travel guide.
Leg two: Pula to Rovinj. Arriva’s timetable shows more than a dozen departures a day, with the first at 5:45 am and the last at 6:15 pm. Comparison sites also list later departures by other operators on the route, up to about 10:45 pm. Tickets range from €6.30 to €10.10, depending on the operator and the time. The journey is about 30 minutes according to Arriva; the GetYourGuide listing for the direct Arriva bus between Pula and Rovinj says 45 minutes, so allow up to that. It costs €8 per person, has 4.0 stars from 285 reviews and lists air conditioning, extra legroom, free WiFi and charging points at every seat. The Rovinj bus station is a few minutes’ walk from the waterfront and the old town.
Add the two tickets and the total is around €14 per person. Allow for the time between legs, which depends on when you land and when the next bus leaves.
Check dates and prices for the Pula to Rovinj bus
The late-arrival problem
If your flight lands in the evening, the last Arriva departure at 6:15 pm is the problem: you could reach Pula bus station and find no bus to Rovinj. Later buses by other operators exist according to comparison sites, but not on every date. Check the current timetable on the operator’s website for your date, because it can change. If it leaves you stranded, book a taxi or a private transfer in advance rather than negotiating at the station.
Taxi and private transfer
The road distance is given as 39 to 41 km and the drive as about 35 to 40 minutes. Comparison sites quote a standard car at roughly €80 to €110, which is the fixed price you pay when you book. Taxis at the airport should have the price agreed before you leave the terminal, as one guide advises for the city centre run. Split four ways, €80 to €110 comes to €20 to €27.50 per person, which is more than the bus but door to door, with luggage in the boot.
By rental car
If you plan to leave Rovinj for day trips, a car makes sense from the first day. Compare rental cars for Rovinj and check the pick-up location, the excess and the fuel policy before you pay. The old town is pedestrianised, so you park outside it. Valdibora, a large car park just north of the old town, is about a five- to seven-minute walk away, and parking costs more in peak summer. If you stay in town and only take boat trips, you may not need a car at all; read our guide to the old town on foot.
Luggage and the last stretch
Whichever way you arrive, the final stretch is on foot or by taxi from the car park or station. The old town is cobbled, so a bag with proper wheels or a backpack is easier than a hard suitcase. Ask your accommodation where its nearest drop-off point is.
The verdict
If you land before the afternoon and travel light, the two-bus route at about €14 per person is the cheapest. If you land in the evening, arrive as a group of three or four, or have heavy bags, book a private transfer, and if you are taking day trips, rent a car. Browse things to do in Rovinj once you have arrived.
