Zadar - Ancona
Ferry to Italy
Zadar - Ancona
Ferry to Italy
Fares for the Zadar to Ancona crossing usually range somewhere between $194* and $1015*. Most travellers pay around $391* for a Zadar Ancona ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $194*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $391* on average.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked August 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Zadar Ancona sailings generally depart at around 08:00.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Zadar and Ancona is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
Yes, Jadrolinija carries vehicles on the Zadar to Ancona route. Check our Deal Finder for up-to-date car ferry pricing on this crossing.
Whether a caravan or campervan is welcome on board the Zadar to Ancona ferry comes down to the ship and operator running the sailing. Pop your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll check the operators on this route for you.
Yes, Jadrolinija takes bicycles on the Zadar to Ancona crossing. Most operators are happy to carry bikes, but it's always worth confirming their exact policy before you turn up at the terminal.
Yes, Jadrolinija carries foot passengers between Zadar and Ancona.
Pet owners are in luck — Jadrolinija allows pets on board between Zadar and Ancona. Travelling with a pet on this crossing costs an average of $807.
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked August 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Zadar to Ancona route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Zadar to Ancona crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Zadar to Ancona on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Zadar to Ancona ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Zadar - Ancona Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $391 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $339 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $844 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $688 | |
| Zadar - Ancona Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Croatia |
| Destination | Italy |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Jadrolinija |
| Average Price | $391 |
| Average Pet Price | $807 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 3 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 4 h |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 4 h |
| First Ferry | 08:00 |
| Last Ferry | 08:00 |
| Distance | 108 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 August 2026.
The city of Zadar in Croatia lies on the Adriatic Sea coast, in the Dalmatia region of the country, and faces the islands of Ugljan and Pasman which are separated from Zadar by the Zadar Strait. The deep moat that used to separate the old city from the mainland has since been filled in. The city's structure was laid out in Roman times, during the time of Julius Caesar and the Emperor Augustus, who fortified the town with walls, towers and gates. There was a forum, basilica and temple in the west of the town while outside there was an amphitheatre and cemeteries.
Still visible today, and partially preserved, is the aqueduct that was built to supply the town with water and inside the ancient town, a medieval town had developed which prompted the building of churches and monasteries. The Roman Forum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Zadar and is the largest on the eastern side of the Adriatic. It was built by Augustus, as shown by two stone inscriptions about its completion dating from the 3rd century.
Ferry services from the town's port depart 7 times a week to Ancona in Italy. The crossing time for this service is around 6 hours.
The Italian port city of Ancona is located in the Le Marche region of central Italy and has been gaining in popularity as a tourist destination over recent years thanks to its natural beauty and lovely gastronomy. The city lies on the Adriatic Sea coast, some 200 km from the city of Bologna and 280 km from the city of Rome, the Italian capital. The city's natural defences, located between the slopes of Monte Conero and Monte Astagno, made it a good location for the original settlers from Syracuse to defend. Greek merchants established a Tyrian purple factory in the city and their influence on the area is widespread. During Roman times the city had its own coin system and Greek was spoken throughout the area.
Ancona is a very important sea port and is well connected by its port to many other locations. The best and easiest way to reach Ancona is by ferry, which operate to destinations including Split, Rijeka, Zadar, Hvar, Korcula, Dubrovnik, Patras, Igoumenitsa, and Dugi Otok.
