The peak season timetable ends on 30 August 2026, a month before the winter one starts on 28 September. Anyone travelling to an island in September is on a schedule that has already been cut once.
Checked: 18 August 2026
Most people planning a September island trip assume the ferries run as they did in August until autumn arrives. They do not. Croatian ferry lines are priced and scheduled in seasons, and the busiest one ends with August, which means the first cut to the timetable lands while the beaches are still full.
The four periods, on one line
Take Prizna to Žigljen, the mainland link to the island of Pag and one of the busiest short crossings in the country. Its published 2026 schedule splits the year into four blocks, and the pattern repeats across the network even though the exact dates differ per line.
| Period | Season |
|---|---|
| 01.01.-28.05. | Off season |
| 29.05.-02.07. | Low season |
| 03.07.-30.08. | High season |
| 31.08.-27.09. | Low season |
| 28.09.-31.12. | Off season |
The number that matters is 31 August. From that Monday the crossing drops out of high season and onto the reduced list, four weeks before the winter schedule proper. On a short shuttle route that means waiting longer in the car queue. On a long island line it can mean the difference between an afternoon departure and no departure at all.
One line has left the pattern
Split to Supetar on Brač moved to a two season model for 2026, high and low only, with no intermediate step. That is good news for Brač in September, since the drop is a single one rather than a staircase, but it is also the clearest sign that the seasons are not standardised. Five lines now run without a mid season timetable at all.
What to do about it
- Check your specific line for the week you travel, not the network in general. The season dates differ per route.
- With a car, book the crossing rather than queueing. Fewer sailings means the same cars compete for less deck space.
- Plan the return leg first. The last sailing of the day moves earlier in low season, and missing it on a small island means staying the night.
Frequently asked questions
- When does the Croatian ferry winter timetable start in 2026?
- On the Prizna to Žigljen line it starts on 28 September 2026 and runs to the end of the year. Other lines change on their own dates, so check the route you need.
- Do ferries still run to the islands in winter?
- Yes. The inhabited islands are served all year because people live and work there, just with fewer daily departures and an earlier last sailing.
- Is it cheaper to take the ferry outside high season?
- Vehicle fares are seasonal on most lines, so yes for a car. Foot passenger tickets change less. The bigger saving is time, since the queue at the ramp disappears with the crowds.
Official sources
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