Getting to Istria: By Car or Plane to Pula and Pomer

For many Germans, Austrians and Swiss, Istria is the nearest slice of the Mediterranean – and that is exactly what makes getting there so pleasant. Whether you drive your own car or fly to Pula, Pomer on the southern tip of the peninsula is easy to reach. Here you will find the main routes, the tolls and vignette costs involved, and tips for a relaxed start to your holiday.

By car: the route from Munich

The standard route via Austria and Slovenia

Most holidaymakers from southern Germany choose the route via Salzburg and Slovenia. According to kroati.de it looks like this:

1. Munich – Salzburg: on the A8 to the Walserberg border crossing
2. Salzburg – Villach: on the Tauern motorway through the Tauern and Katschberg tunnels
3. Villach – Slovenia: through the Karawanks Tunnel
4. Through Slovenia: towards Koper as far as the Dragonja/Kaštel border crossing
5. Istria: on the Istrian Y towards Pula and on to Medulin/Pomer

According to kroati.de, the distance from Munich to Pula or Medulin is around 609 kilometres, with a pure driving time of about 6.5 hours. In peak season, especially on Saturdays in July and August, expect traffic jams at the tunnels and borders.

Tolls and vignettes

For the standard route, kroati.de puts the costs at roughly the following (check current prices – they change regularly):

• Austria: motorway vignette, plus the special toll for the Tauern and Katschberg tunnels (together approx. €15)
• Karawanks Tunnel: approx. €9
• Slovenia: vignette, approx. €16 for 7 days
• Croatia: distance-based toll on the Istrian Y, approx. €6.30 to Pula/Medulin

In Croatia you can pay at the toll booths in cash or by card. According to ADAC, expressways are currently toll-free. The Mirna bridge on the A9 in Istria is toll-free. For the future, Croatia is planning a digital toll system with number-plate recognition: according to ADAC, the official nationwide launch is scheduled for 1 March 2027.

Alternative via Italy and Trieste

If you would rather avoid Slovenia, you can travel via Italy and Trieste. According to kroati.de this route is barely longer, but Italian motorway tolls apply. For some starting points, for example from Switzerland, this option can make more sense. It is best to compare both routes in a route planner before you set off.

The Učka Tunnel – only on the eastern route

You only pass through the tolled Učka Tunnel if you drive to Istria via Rijeka, for example coming from Zagreb or Ljubljana–Rijeka. According to ADAC it costs €4.10 for cars in the low season, more in summer. On the standard route via Slovenia and Dragonja you do not need it.

Tips for the drive

• Set off early: starting at night or very early lets you avoid the worst queues.
• Buy vignettes in advance: Austria and Slovenia sell digital vignettes online.
• Cash and card: have both with you for toll booths and breaks.
• Avoid Saturdays: the typical changeover days are the busiest.
• Update your navigation: check roadworks and border waiting times.

By plane to Pula

Pula Airport

Pula Airport is the nearest airport to Pomer and Medulin. According to kroati.de it is about 11 kilometres from Pomer. Which airlines fly from German-speaking countries depends on the season – the choice is much bigger in summer than in winter.

From the airport to Pomer and Medulin

• Taxi: according to rome2rio, a taxi from the airport to Medulin costs around €30–45 and takes about 15 minutes (as of 2026, please check locally).
• Pre-booked transfer: several companies offer private transfers that meet you on arrival.
• Shuttle bus: according to istriensonne.de, a shuttle bus also runs from the airport directly to Medulin and other towns.
• Hire car: a hire car is handy for trips to Rovinj, Motovun or Cape Kamenjak. You will find the car hire desks right at the airport.

By bus or train

According to kroati.de, Pomer is connected to the public transport network. Long-distance coaches from Germany to Pula are also available – check timetables and changes with the bus companies beforehand. From Pula bus station, which according to kroati.de is around 8.5 kilometres from Pomer, you continue by regional bus or taxi. Getting to Istria by train, on the other hand, is rather cumbersome.

Getting around locally

For a holiday in Pomer, a car or bike is very practical. The beaches of Medulin, Premantura and Banjole are close together, and Pula is quickly reached. Many places around the bay can also be explored by bike – you will find ideas in our guide to cycling and hiking in Medulin.

Travel checklist

So that nothing is missing on the way, here is a short list for the journey to Istria:

• ID card or passport for everyone travelling, including children
• Driving licence and vehicle registration document, plus the rental papers for a hire car
• Vignettes for Austria and Slovenia – bought digitally or as a sticker
• High-visibility vest, warning triangle and first-aid kit in the car
• Cash in euros for toll booths, parking meters and small purchases; Croatia uses the euro
• Snacks and drinks for possible queues at tunnels and borders
• Offline maps on your phone in case reception drops in tunnels or mountains

When is it quietest?

Travelling midweek is usually much more relaxed than at the weekend. If you travel in the shoulder season, for example in June or September, you will often find clear roads and shorter waits at the borders. Tips on choosing the right month can be found in our guide to the best time to visit Istria.

From Little Dream

Little Dream is in Pomer, a small former fishing village between Medulin and Banjole on the southern tip of Istria. By car, follow the signs from the Istrian Y towards Pula and then towards Medulin; according to kroati.de, Pomer is about 5 kilometres from Medulin. From Pula Airport it is around 11 kilometres.

Route sorted, excitement growing? Send an enquiry for Little Dream and lock in your holiday in Pomer.

Frequently asked questions

How do I drive from Munich to Pula?

The classic route takes the A8 to Salzburg, through the Tauern and Katschberg tunnels to Villach, through the Karawanks Tunnel into Slovenia and over the Dragonja/Kaštel border crossing onto the Istrian Y motorway to Pula. That is around 609 km and roughly 6.5 hours of pure driving time.

How many vignettes do I need from Germany to Croatia?

On the route via Austria and Slovenia you need an Austrian and a Slovenian vignette. Croatia itself has no vignette; there you pay distance-based tolls. The Tauern, Katschberg and Karawanks tunnels charge an additional special toll.

What tolls are there to Istria?

On the Istrian Y you pay distance-based tolls – according to kroati.de around €6.30 to Pula/Medulin (please check current prices). You pay in cash or by card at the toll booth. According to ADAC, Croatia plans to introduce a nationwide digital toll system on 1 March 2027.

How far is Pula from Medulin?

Medulin is only around 10 km south-east of Pula. Pomer lies between Medulin and Banjole; according to kroati.de it is about 8.5 km to Pula bus station.