Pula Airport: Flights, Car Hire and Transfers to Medulin

If you don’t want to drive, fly to Pula: the small, easy-to-navigate airport lies just a few kilometres from the city and the Medulin Riviera. Instead of hours on the motorway, you are by the sea shortly after landing. Here you will find everything about flights, car hire, the shuttle bus and transfers to Medulin and Pomer.

Pula Airport at a Glance

According to Wikipedia, Pula Airport (Croatian: Zračna luka Pula, IATA code PUY) lies about 6 km east of the city centre on state road 21. It opened in 1967 and has a runway almost 3 km long. According to Pula Airport, it handled around 554,000 passengers in 2025 – an increase on the previous year.

The airport is small and easy to find your way around: short distances, one terminal, a café-bar, duty-free and car hire desks. Most routes are only offered in the summer season, and it is very quiet in winter.

Flights to Pula

Direct Flights

In the summer season there are direct flights from German-speaking countries and other European cities, including with Eurowings – for example from Düsseldorf. According to Wikipedia, as early as 2019 a total of 35 airlines used the airport, flying to destinations in 21 countries. Which cities have direct flights during your travel dates changes every year. You will find current routes on the Pula Airport website (airport-pula.hr) and with the airlines.

Connecting Flights

All year round, but especially outside summer, you can reach Pula with a connection – for example with Croatia Airlines via Zagreb or with airlines of the Lufthansa Group. Comparison sites will show you the options from your home airport.

Alternative Airports

If flights to Pula are too expensive or fully booked, other airports in the region are an option, such as Rijeka, Trieste or Ljubljana. From there, though, it takes considerably longer to reach southern Istria, usually by hire car. If you would rather drive yourself, you will find the route in our guide to getting to Istria.

Booking Tips

• Book early: Summer flights for July and August often get expensive quickly.
• Shoulder seasons: In May, June and September there is a good choice of flights and the weather is already (or still) summery. More in our guide to the best time to visit Istria.
• Compare weekdays: Many direct routes only operate on certain days of the week.

Car Hire at Pula Airport

For a holiday at the southern tip of Istria, a hire car is very practical. Trips to Rovinj, Motovun or Cape Kamenjak are awkward by public transport. Several international rental companies have desks at the airport, including, according to their websites, Sixt, Avis and Alamo. There are also local providers and comparison sites.

What to look out for:

• Minimum age and licence: According to its website, at Sixt Pula Airport you must be at least 18 and hold a valid driving licence; higher minimum ages apply to some car categories. Conditions vary by provider.
• Insurance: Look for fully comprehensive cover with no or a low excess.
• Credit card: You usually need a credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
• Crossing borders: If you are planning a trip to Slovenia or Italy, ask beforehand whether this is permitted.
• Prices: They fluctuate widely. According to comparison sites, there are sometimes very cheap deals in the off-season, while in high season you pay many times as much. Booking early pays off (as of 2026, please compare).

From the Airport to Medulin and Pomer

By Hire Car

From the airport, drive towards Pula and then follow the signs to Medulin. Pomer lies between Medulin and Banjole. The route is short and straightforward.

By Taxi

Taxis wait outside the terminal. According to rome2rio, a ride from the airport to Medulin costs around €30 to €45 and takes about 15 minutes (as of 2026). Ask for the price before you set off or book a transfer in advance.

By Shuttle Bus

According to its website, the airport runs a shuttle bus to the main bus station in Pula (platform 16). The fare is €6, payable in cash or by card. The bus leaves about 30 minutes after a flight lands, and the timetable is based on flight times. From the bus station, continue to Medulin by city bus or taxi. It is a little more awkward with luggage, but cheap.

By Private Transfer

Various transfer companies drive from the airport directly to Medulin and other villages. This is especially convenient for families or late arrivals. Book in advance.

Departure: How Early Should You Be at the Airport?

The airport is small and the distances are short. Even so, in summer, when several flights depart in quick succession, check-in and security can get busy. Allow around two hours before departure and check with your airline. If you are returning a hire car, add a little extra time.

Your First Days After Arrival

If you land in the morning, you get a day by the sea straight away. Good first destinations: the sandy beach of Bijeca in Medulin, an evening stroll in Pula – you will find the highlights in our guide to things to do in Pula – or a quiet evening in the garden.

Luggage, Children and Special Baggage

If you are travelling with a pushchair, child seat, bicycle or diving equipment, register special baggage with your airline in good time. Child seats for the hire car can be added when you book – they are sometimes in short supply in high season, so reserve them in advance. If you want to travel with your dog, clarify the conditions for taking it on the plane directly with the airline; many dog owners prefer to drive their own car for an Istria holiday, though. Tips in our guide to Croatia with a dog.

From Little Dream

Little Dream in Pomer is only about 11 km from Pula Airport. By hire car or taxi, you arrive soon after landing. The house has a private parking space for your hire car, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning – ideal after a day of travelling. Our map shows exactly where the house and the airport are. Read more about the village in our guide to a Pomer holiday.

Land, put your cases in the car and be sitting in the garden a quarter of an hour later? Send an enquiry for Little Dream and plan your journey to Istria.

Frequently asked questions

Does Pula in Croatia have an airport?

Yes. According to Wikipedia, Pula Airport (IATA code PUY) lies about 6 km east of the city and is Istria's main airport. According to the airport, it handled around 554,000 passengers in 2025.

Which airports have direct flights to Pula?

Direct flights mainly operate in the summer season, including with Eurowings, for example from Düsseldorf. Which cities are served directly changes from season to season – it is best to check on the Pula Airport website or with the airlines.

Is there a shuttle service from Pula Airport?

Yes. The airport runs a shuttle bus to the main bus station in Pula. According to the airport, the fare is €6, payable in cash or by card. The bus leaves about 30 minutes after a flight lands.

How much is a taxi from Pula Airport to Medulin?

According to rome2rio, a taxi from the airport to Medulin costs around €30 to €45 and takes about 15 minutes. As of 2026, please ask for the price before setting off.

How much does car hire cost in Pula?

That depends heavily on the season, car category and when you book. In the off-season, comparison sites sometimes list small cars for just a few euros a day; in July and August prices are considerably higher. Booking early pays off.