Getting from Rijeka Airport (Krk Island) to the City and Coast

Rijeka Airport is not in Rijeka. It sits on Krk island, connected to the mainland by the Krk Bridge, about 30 km from Rijeka city center. The drive to Rijeka takes 30-40 minutes. Public transport from the airport is very limited and largely impractical. A taxi to Rijeka costs 35-50 EUR. Pre-booked transfers to Rijeka run 30-50 EUR. If you are staying on Krk island itself, Krk Town is only about 20 km away and costs 20-35 EUR by transfer. Opatija is 45-65 EUR. For most travelers, a taxi or pre-booked transfer is the only realistic option from this airport.

Rijeka Airport (IATA: RJK) is a small regional airport on the northern part of Krk island. It is not a major hub — it serves primarily seasonal charter and low-cost flights during the warmer months, with reduced operations in winter.

The terminal is small and basic. Immigration and baggage claim are handled quickly. There is a small cafe and car rental counter, but the facilities are minimal compared to larger Croatian airports.

The airport's island location defines your transport situation. The only road connection is via the Krk Bridge back to the mainland, and from there you drive north to Rijeka or south to Opatija and the Kvarner coast. Krk island itself is accessible by road in all directions from the airport.

Taxis are available outside the terminal and can be arranged through the airport. To Rijeka city center: 35-50 EUR. To Krk Town: 15-25 EUR. To Opatija: 50-70 EUR. The cars are metered. During quiet periods outside summer, fewer taxis are waiting — it is advisable to have the number of a local taxi company saved in case none are at the rank.

Pre-booked private transfers are the most reliable option at this airport. A driver meets you in arrivals at the confirmed time, regardless of whether any taxis happen to be queuing outside. Pricing: Rijeka 30-50 EUR, Krk Town 20-35 EUR, Opatija 45-65 EUR, Pula 80-110 EUR.

Rental cars are available at the terminal. Krk island has excellent roads and driving around the Kvarner Gulf region is straightforward. If you plan to explore the area — the island's beaches, Opatija's promenade, or the Učka mountain road — a rental car is a very practical choice from this airport.

Note for Krk island travelers: if you are staying anywhere on Krk island, you are already on the island when you land. The airport is in the north of the island, and most destinations (Krk Town, Baška, Punat, Malinska) are a short drive away.

To Rijeka city center (30 km): 35-50 EUR by taxi, 30-50 EUR by transfer.

To Opatija (40 km from airport): 50-70 EUR by taxi, 45-65 EUR by transfer.

To Krk Town (20 km): 15-25 EUR by taxi, 20-35 EUR by transfer.

To Baška / south Krk (35 km): 30-45 EUR by transfer.

To Malinska (10 km): 15-20 EUR by transfer. One of the closest towns to the airport.

To Punat (20 km): 20-30 EUR by transfer.

To Cres island: You would need to get to the ferry port in Valbiska on Krk island (about 12 km from the airport, around 20 EUR by transfer), then take the ferry to Merag on Cres.

To Pula (130 km): 80-110 EUR by transfer. A long drive but sometimes the only option if Pula Airport is not serving your destination.

To Zagreb (170 km): 130-180 EUR by transfer or take a bus from Rijeka.

This question comes up often for Rijeka Airport. The answer is nuanced.

There is no regular, scheduled airport shuttle bus that meets flights and runs to Rijeka or Krk Town. Unlike Split or Dubrovnik, there is no equivalent of bus line 37.

There are public bus routes on Krk island and connections from the mainland via the bridge, but these are not coordinated with flight schedules. You might be able to walk to a nearby bus stop and catch a public bus to Krk Town, but this requires local knowledge, luck with timing, and a willingness to walk with luggage along a road without guaranteed footpaths.

For the vast majority of travelers, a taxi or pre-booked transfer is the practical and sensible choice at Rijeka Airport.

Rijeka Airport has limited nighttime operations compared to the major Dalmatian airports. Summer charter flights do sometimes arrive in the evening.

Taxis at the airport late at night may be very scarce. During quieter periods, you could exit arrivals to find no taxis waiting at all. Pre-booking a transfer is especially important at this airport for evening or late-night arrivals. Do not assume transport will be available outside of peak daytime hours without making arrangements in advance.

With no practical bus option, families are looking at taxis or pre-booked transfers. Request a minivan if traveling with a large family, multiple suitcases, or a stroller. Car seats are not standard in Croatian taxis — specify your needs at booking time when using a transfer service.

Krk island itself is family-friendly with calm beaches and clear water. The short transfer distances to most island destinations make arrivals straightforward for families.

For pre-booked transfers, drivers wait in the arrivals area at this small terminal. With limited passenger volume, finding your driver with a name sign is straightforward.

The taxi area is directly outside the terminal exit. During peak season, several taxis may be waiting. During the shoulder season or for early morning arrivals, there may be none — which is why pre-booking is recommended.

Choose a taxi if: you are arriving during a busy summer afternoon when taxis are likely to be at the rank, you are flexible on price, and you do not need a child seat.

Choose a rental car if: you plan to spend time exploring Krk island, the Kvarner Gulf, or the wider region. The roads are good and having your own vehicle unlocks a great deal.

Choose the bus if: you have considerable flexibility, some local knowledge, and are happy to wait and potentially walk. For most travelers, this option is not practical.