Getting from Rijeka Airport with Kids and Family

Rijeka Airport is a small, manageable terminal that families pass through quickly. The main considerations for arriving with children are transport capacity, car seats, and the fact that the airport's own shuttle bus only covers the Rijeka corridor — for anywhere else on Krk or along the coast, you need a car.

The airport with children

The terminal at Rijeka Airport is compact. The walk from the gate to the exit is short. Restrooms are available in the arrivals area. The airport does not have extensive family facilities — it is a small regional airport — but it is clean and the process from landing to exit is fast.

In summer, the outside temperature can be hot. Have water and sun protection ready, particularly for the walk between the terminal and your vehicle.

The bus only helps if you are going to Rijeka

Contrary to a lot of advice about this airport, there is a bus: Rijeka Airport runs its own shuttle to central Rijeka (Jelačić Square), calling at Omišalj and Kraljevica. The published fare is 15.00 EUR one way to Rijeka, 8.00 EUR to the intermediate stops, VAT included (Rijeka Airport price list, effective 1 May 2025), and the timetable follows the scheduled flights.

For families, though, it comes with real limits. It does not serve Krk Town, Malinska, Punat, Baška or Opatija — where most families staying in this region are actually headed. Some departures run only if booked by email 24 hours ahead. It has no car seats. And it drops you at a bus station, not your accommodation, which with tired children and a stroller is a second journey you have to solve.

So for most families the practical choice is still a taxi or a pre-booked transfer. A pre-booked transfer is the better of the two: you can specify the vehicle size, request a car seat, confirm the destination in detail, and have everything arranged before you land. Arriving with tired children to find no taxis at the rank is the scenario you want to avoid.

Car seats

Croatian law requires appropriate restraints for children under 150 cm. Croatian taxi drivers do not routinely carry car seats and you should not assume one will be available.

When pre-booking a transfer, specify your child's age and weight and request an appropriate car seat. Most professional transfer services can accommodate this with advance notice. Alternatively, bring a travel car seat for your trip — it ensures you have one for rental cars and local taxis throughout your stay in Croatia, not just the airport journey.

Vehicle size

A standard taxi sedan fits four passengers with moderate luggage. A family of four with multiple large suitcases and a stroller will be crowded. Request a minivan at booking time if your group or luggage volume warrants it.

For larger families or groups, confirm the vehicle capacity in advance. A minivan transfer typically carries up to 7 passengers and has adequate luggage space.

Krk island — you are already there

If your destination is anywhere on Krk island, you have a significant advantage: you landed on the island. Krk is popular with families for its calm, shallow beaches, crystal-clear water, and relatively uncrowded feel compared to the Dalmatian islands in peak summer.

Krk Town is about 20 km from the airport — a straightforward 20-minute drive. Malinska is even closer at about 10 km. Baška, at the southern end of the island, is 35 km and about 35-40 minutes.

Getting to Opatija with a family

Opatija is a traditional resort town on the Kvarner Bay, about 40 km from the airport. It is known for elegant Belle Époque hotels, a seafront promenade (Lungomare), and calm water — all well-suited to family holidays. The drive from the airport crosses the Krk Bridge and follows the coast north.

The airport shuttle does not run to Opatija, so this is a taxi or transfer journey. The airport publishes no taxi tariff — agree the fare before you set off, or book a transfer, where the price is fixed and shown to you in advance. Hotels in Opatija generally have conventional vehicle access, making the arrival at your accommodation simple.

Getting to Rijeka city with a family

Rijeka is a working port city rather than a beach resort. It has its own attractions but is less commonly the primary family destination — more often a transit point. If you are staying in Rijeka or passing through, the 30 km drive from the airport takes 30-40 minutes. This is the one destination the airport shuttle serves, at 15.00 EUR one way — worth considering if your children are old enough to manage a short walk or onward hop at the Rijeka end, and if your flight matches the current monthly timetable.

Practical family tips

Pre-book your transfer and specify all requirements — vehicle size, car seat, destination — before you fly. Rijeka Airport is not the place to improvise with young children.

Krk island is an excellent family destination. The shallow Adriatic beaches, safe swimming conditions, and manageable scale make it one of the better family holiday spots in Croatia. The short airport-to-destination distance for island stays is a genuine advantage over airports further from the coast.