Ryanair has announced a record expansion of its flight program to Croatia for the summer of 2026, adding new destinations and increasing flight frequency. For tourists, this means more convenient routes, a wider choice of airports, and potentially more favorable prices at the start of sales. Learn more about the new routes, key program figures, and how to plan your trip to Croatia this summer

Ryanair has announced its biggest ever summer expansion of flights to Croatia, with new destinations, increased flight frequency and wider coverage of the country's airports. The company is betting on the consistently high demand for the Adriatic during the summer season and aims to strengthen its presence in the region following the strong recovery in tourism in Europe. For travelers, this means more direct routes, more convenient connections, and more chances to catch favorable fares at the start of sales.

In the previous article, we talked about 7 new wonders of the world that tourists should see in 2026.

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What exactly did Ryanair announce and what will change for tourists?

Ryanair has unveiled its largest-ever summer flight program to Croatia, relying on a dramatic expansion of its network and an increase in flight frequency during the peak season.

The updated schedule covers seven Croatian airports, with Dubrovnik, Zadar, and Zagreb remaining the airline's key bases, with new destinations and the largest increase in the number of flights coming from these cities. For travelers, this means more direct connections to European cities and more convenient options for short trips to the Adriatic.

Key changes to Ryanair's summer program to Croatia:

1. Record traffic for the season with millions of seats on sale;

2. Significant increase in the frequency of flights to popular resorts;

3. Expansion of the route network, including the launch of new destinations from Dubrovnik;

4. Strengthening the role of the bases in Zagreb, Zadar and Dubrovnik as the main hubs for summer travel;

5. Focus on affordable fares to encourage early bookings.

It will become easier for tourists to find a convenient flight without transfers or with minimal connections, and competition in Croatia increases the chances of catching favorable prices at the start of the season.

In our previous article, we told you that the Croatian city of Split is introducing a complete ban on the sale of alcohol in stores after 8pm this summer.

Key figures for Ryanair's summer program to Croatia

Ryanair's summer schedule to Croatia in 2026 was a record-breaking year not only in terms of the number of destinations but also in terms of its scale. The airline has significantly increased its seat supply, increased the number of flights per week, and expanded its presence at Croatian airports to cover peak tourist demand on the Adriatic coast. This directly affects the availability of tickets: the more flights and seats on sale, the higher the chances of finding a convenient flight option for the desired dates.

Main indicators of Ryanair's summer program to Croatia:

- 7 airports in Croatia in the route network;

- 3 base airports - Dubrovnik, Zadar and Zagreb;

- 2 new international destinations from Dubrovnik;

- More than 100 routes in total within the summer schedule;

- Hundreds of weekly flights during the peak months of the season.

In the previous article, we talked about the TOP-10 tourist destinations according to Time Out, which are definitely worth visiting in 2026.

Why is Ryanair focusing on Croatia?

Ryanair explains the expansion of its route network to Croatia by a combination of two factors: consistently high tourist demand for the country during the summer season and more attractive conditions for airlines at local airports. Following the active recovery of European tourism, Croatia remains one of the destinations where the flow of travelers is growing faster than in many other resort countries in the region. For the low-cost airline, this means the ability to quickly fill aircraft and scale the flight program without the risk of massive empty flights.

Ryanair also draws attention to the policy of airport taxes in Croatia. Compared to some large EU markets, local tariffs for carriers are more competitive. The company even cites examples of countries where high aviation fees and taxes hinder traffic recovery and the development of new routes. Against this background, Croatian airports look more attractive for investment in new flights, which is directly felt by tourists - due to a wider choice of destinations and potentially more affordable fares.

You can learn more about the TOP 10 little-known destinations for crowd-free travel in 2026 here.

Ryanair discounts and sales: how to catch a bargain flight to Croatia

With the launch of a record-breaking summer program to Croatia, Ryanair traditionally stimulates demand with short-term ticket promotions. After announcing the schedule, the airline launched a limited-time sale with minimum fares aimed at early bookings. Such offers are usually valid for only a few days and have a limited number of seats, so the favorable prices are quickly “scattered”.

An important caveat: Ryanair promotional fares are often available only through the airline's official app. That is, if you plan to catch the lowest prices on flights to Croatia, you should check not only the website but also the mobile app - this is where the lowest offers appear during short sales. This is especially true for traveling during the peak season: the earlier you buy tickets, the higher your chances of getting a lower price.

Earlier we talked about the 13 best places for a spring trip in Europe in 2026.

Will airfares rise in price in 2026: what Ryanair predicts

Ryanair warns that airfares in Europe are growing faster than in the previous season, and this trend will continue in 2026. According to the airline, the demand for flights remains consistently high, while the scope for further fare cuts in the low-cost segment is already limited. For tourists, this means that it is becoming increasingly risky to postpone bookings until the last minute, as there may be fewer favorable offers closer to summer.

Ryanair's financial report notes that at the end of 2025, the average ticket price has already increased compared to the previous year, and in 2026, the company expects a further increase in average fares on European destinations.

Prices are influenced by several factors at once: high tourist demand for popular resorts, a limited number of seats during peak periods, and a general rise in airline operating costs. Therefore, planning a trip to Croatia in advance is one of the few possible ways to reduce the cost of a flight during the season.

No matter how well thought out your itinerary is, there is always room for force majeure when traveling. Unexpected medical expenses, transportation delays, or problems with luggage can ruin your plans and budget. Travel insurance helps you avoid unnecessary worries in such situations. You can apply for a travel insurance policy for a specific trip online at Visit World - quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy!

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We remind you! Europe remains one of the best continents for those traveling on their own, thanks to its safe infrastructure, diverse cultures, and friendly local communities. From sunny Mediterranean islands to remote archipelagos in the North Atlantic, Lonely Planet experts have compiled seven destinations where solo travelers will feel most comfortable. Read more about the best places in Europe for solo travel in our article.

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