Dubrovnik to Hvar, Split, Zagreb, Mljet, Kotor, Mostar, Airport

There is a daily Jadrolinija catamaran to Split, via Korcula, Hvar Town and Bol in the season – see the timetable above. Check the Jadrolinija for the latest timetable.

Krilo was the first to introduce an island-hopping catamaran between Split and Dubrovnik, with a stop in Hvar Town as part of the itinerary. The schedule runs from May 15 to October 25. You can check the latest directly on the Krilo website.

From Dubrovnik to Hvar by road and ferry

If you are with car, then you have two options to get from Dubrovnik to Hvar. The shortest option is to drive two hours along the coastal road to Drvenik. From here, there is a small car ferry (capacity 32 cars) for the short 30-minute crossing to Sucuraj on the eastern tip of Hvar. Your onward journey to Hvar Town will take about 90 minutes.

Alternatively, you can drive all the way to Split with a combination of coastal road and motorway (3.5 hours), and then take the main ferry from Split to Stari Grad. More in the TC How to get from Split to Dubrovnik.

If you are taking the bus, there is a stop at Drvenik, but the onward transport options from Sucuraj (unless you are a patient hitchhiker) are limited, and you will do better going all the way to Split and then choosing between the Stari Grad car ferry and catamarans to either Jelsa or Hvar Town.

Day trips from Dubrovnik to Hvar

With all these transportation options listed, it is easy to see Hvar and Dubrovnik are not that close to each other. The trip, whether by car or boat, is not too long, but the distance is significant. This is why you are not likely to find any regular group tours from Dubrovnik to Hvar. The number of kilometres or nautical miles make the cost of these tours quite high. So, majority of larger tour companies will avoid putting together a regular program. However, this doesn’t mean you have no options.

If you are looking to do a day tour from Dubrovnik to Hvar, your best bet is going for a private tour. Most common ways of organising these trips is by speedboat. Chartered boats can get you to Hvar in a few hours. Once on the island, you can either visit a few places with the boat, or have your tour company organise additional services on Hvar. These can include local guides, local land transportation, or similar. Hvar is an amazing island for a number of different tours including food and wine tours, cycling or hiking tours or the ever popular historical tours.

Another option is to organise a private tour by car where you will be taken to the island by car and then enjoy your time on Hvar until the return drive to Dubrovnik. Whichever option you go for when booking a private tour from Dubrovnik to Hvar, be aware that the tour is likely to be long and pretty expensive. Local tour companies can also organise self-guided tours using ferry lines or hire cars. These, however, are simple enough to organise yourself.

Private transfers from Dubrovnik to Hvar

If you are looking for a private transfer from Dubrovnik to Hvar, contact our transfer partner, Adriatic Transfers.

Can you fly from Dubrovnik to Hvar?

Technically yes, although there are no commercial routes. Hvar does have its own airfield in Stari Grad, but it can only handle small planes, with a maximum capacity of six passengers per plane. Despite this, the two airports do see a reasonable number of connections through helicopter and private plane transfers.

Road and Boat options from Dubrovnik to Korcula

From Dubrovnik to Korcula by road via Peljesac

To reach Korcula by car, it is a two-hour drive north along the coastal road, turning left onto the Peljesac Peninsula. At least it will be 2 hours if you can resist the considerable temptations of the oysters of Ston and the famous Plavac Mali vineyards. You can either leave your car in Orebic and cross as a foot passenger directly to the old town, or alternatively, take the 15-minute car ferry to Domince, about 4km from Korcula Town centre.

Boat options from Dubrovnik to Korcula

You can travel from Dubrovnik to Korcula by high speed catamarans. With three operators to choose from, you will have plenty of options if travelling in the summer.

There are two lines by Kapetan Luka Shipping Company connecting Dubrovnik and Split and both stop in Korcula Town. They are both seasonal lines. Find more information on the ticket prices and the schedules here: 

Split – Milna, Brac – Hvar – Korcula – Pomena, Mljet – Dubrovnik

Split – Bol, Brac – Makarska – Korcula – Sobra, Mljet – Dubrovnik

Jadrolinija also operates a catamaran line between Dubrovnik and Split with a stop on Korcula. This is the info.

The pdf file can also be accessed through Jadrolinija pages.

G&V Line is another option for travelling from Dubrovnik to Korcula Island with two lines that take guests between the two ports, again seasonally.

Follow this link for more information.

National Park Heaven from Dubrovnik to Mljet

Getting from Dubrovnik to Mljet by Car

If you are traveling from Dubrovnik to Mljet Island by car, you will be going to Prapratno village on Peljesac Peninsula and getting Jadrolinija ferry across to the island. Follow D8 Adriatic Highway due north until you get to a sign directing you to turn left towards Ston. Once on Peljesac Peninsula, follow the road to Ston, pass it and drive for another 5-10 minutes until you see a sign for Prapratno on your left. In Prapratno there is a ferry landing spot that is impossible to miss. From there, Jadrolinija ferries travel to Sobra on the Mljet. Ferries are regularly travelling multiple times a day throughout the year.

Their timetable is also available on Jadrolinija webpage.

Dubrovnik to Mljet by Boat

Mljet being an island, it stands to reason most common way of transportation to get to it is by boat. Some of the same boat lines that are used to get to Korcula Island from Dubrovnik also stop on Mljet.

Two lines by Kapetan Luka Shipping Company connecting Dubrovnik and Split and both stop on Mljet. They are both seasonal lines. Find more information on the ticket prices and the schedules here: 

Split – Milna, Brac – Hvar – Korcula – Pomena, Mljet – Dubrovnik

Split – Bol, Brac – Makarska – Korcula – Sobra, Mljet – Dubrovnik

G&V Line operates high speed catamaran line from Dubrovnik throughout the year with increased intensity during the summer season. During the off-season itinerary catamaran runs to port of Sobra on Mljet (second stop going from Dubrovnik). Full season itinerary sees G&V Line catamaran travelling to both Sobra and Polace which is much closer to Mljet National Park. Detailed timetable is available on G&V Line webpage.

Day Trips from Dubrovnik to Mljet Island

Mljet Island is one of the most popular destinations for day trips out of Dubrovnik. Plenty of bigger and smaller tour companies are offering the option of visiting Mljet. The island is also one of the most popular Croatian national parks. Most tours will include national park tickets, but it is always a good idea to inquire about this before booking.

Roughly, tours to Mljet can be divided into car/coach tours or boat tours. Most of the tours by boats will be private charter boat tours. The distance between Dubrovnik and Mljet is such that majority of bigger companies will choose not to offer regular boat tours to the island. Plenty of smaller boat charter operators will have quotes ready for your Mljet Island inquiries. Important to note is that boat charter taking you to the eastern part of the island, to ports like Sobra or Okuklje will likely be cheaper than the one taking you to Polace or Pomena ports that are closer to the national park. This is because Mljet is quite a long and narrow island. Fuel costs are significantly higher if travelling to one end of the island versus the other.

For tours going from Dubrovnik to Mljet by road, you will have a choice between regular group tours and private tours just for you. Private tours will give you more customisation options and higher comfort levels, while group tours will have lower prices and will have more things included in the price.

All of these tours will be full day tours.

Beyond Dalmatia: How to get from Dubrovnik to Zagreb

From Dubrovnik to Zagreb by air

There are three or four flights a day between Dubrovnik and Zagreb, operated by Croatia Airlines. The prices vary from 250 to 1,000 kn, the flight time is about an hour, plus an additional half an hour to get to Zagreb airport and than half an hour to get from Dubrovnik airport to the city.

From Dubrovnik to Zagreb by road

Less then an hour in your trip from Dubrovnik to Zagreb you will come across the two border crossings. The main way from Dubrovnik to Zagreb is through Neum (for now), which is in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The names of the border crossings are Klek and Zaton Doli. You need your ID with you, so keep that in mind. There are almost always long lines of people waiting at these crossing because Dubrovnik is a very popular tourist destination in the summer, so be patient.

The alternative, which doesn’t include you crossing international border, includes going on a ferry. If you drive from Dubrovnik down the Pelješac peninsula, in Trpanj you’ll be able to get onto the Trpanj – Ploče ferry, and you’re back in mainland Croatia, close to the A1 motorway.

Once you get to Ploče, one way or another, you should follow the traffic signs for the A1 motorway, which will take you to Zagreb. From Ploče to Zagreb the drive takes around 5 hours, including one coffee break, and the toll (Zagreb – Kramatići) is 231 kunas (30-ish Euro).

The cheaper option, which takes significantly longer, is to take the old road from Zagreb to Split. Keep in mind that, during the high season, there will be a lot of traffic, making the scenic journey much less pleasant.

Below you can find a link to ViaMichelin, offering you three different options for getting from Dubrovnik to Zagreb.

Zagreb – Dubrovnik ViaMichelin

More and more people are using car share in Croatia, and this route is especially popular because it’s long, so drivers like the company, and sharing the expenses is never bad. Bla Bla Car is a popular option that you can consider.
www.blablacar.hr

From Dubrovnik to Zagreb by bus

There are about 10 daily buses between Dubrovnik and Zagreb, but because Dubrovnik and Zagreb are 600 km apart, the bus drive takes 10-12 hours. The prices are 180-240 kn. If you can sleep on the bus, you might consider taking an overnight bus, departing Dubrovnik around 10 p.m. and arriving in Zagreb at 7 a.m. the following day.

Most buses nowadays have free wifi, some have sockets so you can charge your phone or laptop, but bus drivers in Croatia typically don’t allow you to use the toilet, so there are 15-minute pauses every 2 or 2.5 hours.

Zagreb – Dubrovnik BusCroatia

Connecting Dalmatian UNESCO Heritage: From Dubrovnik to Split

The TC How to get from Split to Dubrovnik guide covers all aspects of ways to connect with Dalmatia’s two magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site cities.

How to get from Dubrovnik to Montenegro

Montenegro is a popular destination for a day trip from Dubrovnik. More details on getting to some of the more popular places below, but first of all you need to negotiate crossing the border – the TC guide on how to get from Croatia to Montenegro.

From Dubrovnik to Kotor

By road, you will simply follow Adriatic Coastal Highway D8 due south from Dubrovnik until you reach the international border crossing Karasovici. Here, you will cross into Montenegro and continue following the main road through Herceg Novi, Risan, Perast and a few other smaller settlements until you reach Kotor. There will be plenty of signs along the road to ensure you find your way. You can check the exact route on ViaMichelin.

To shorten the trip, you might want to use a local ferry connecting Kamenari and Lepetane. The ferry runs continuously and adapts the exact timetable to the frequency of traffic. More information is available on the official website.  Pricing is as follows:

After crossing over to Lepetane, it might be faster to not go left, following Jadranska Magistrala (Adriatic Highway) towards Kotor. Instead, you can go right following the same road until you pass Tivat and Tivat Airport and then taking a left at the roundabout, heading straight towards Kotor through Kotor Tunnel.

Another option is to go from Dubrovnik through Bosnia and Herzegovina via Ivanica and Trebinje and then crossing into Montenegro. Once in Montenegro, you simply follow the road to Vilusi village after which you will be directed to take a right turn towards Risan and Kotor. Once in Risan, continue following Jadranska Magistrala to Kotor. This is a longer route and should only be used if Karasovici border crossing between Croatia and Montenegro is experiencing very serious delays.

Bus lines to Kotor exist and vary in quantity and frequency. They were very limited through 2020 due to COVID19 related restrictions. In 2021 they are expected to slowly come back. At the moment the most consistent is by Blue Line carrier which operated daily.

For details check out their website.

Other Options

Private car or van transfers are always an option and are quite common for international guests travelling between Dubrovnik and Kotor. Looking for a fast, reliable and trouble-free transfer to or from Dubrovnik? Contact TC transfer partner Adriatic Transfers for your one-stop solution.

Private boat transfers are also possible, but rarely done as they require quite a bit of fuel cost and take a long time due to the configuration of the coast.

From Dubrovnik to Budva

If you are driving you can use the same instructions as for Kotor for much of the way. Regardless whether you are taking a direct route from Dubrovnik or going through Bosnia and Herzegovina, you would do best to go to Kamenari and take the ferry over to Lepetane. It runs all day and night continuously with the schedule following the traffic intensity. More info here. After crossing over to Lepetane, follow the main road passing Tivat, Tivat Airport, Radanovici and Lastva Grbaljska until you reach Budva.

Bus lines between Dubrovnik and Budva are a bit less frequent than those to Kotor. This is especially true while COVID19 pandemic restrictions are in place. Direct bus line by Bozur Podgorica is announced during peak summer. Check out Bozur website to get more detailed information. Alternatively, the Blue Line connection to Kotor might be an option after which you need to transfer to one of the local lines operating between Kotor and Budva. They will not be difficult to find.

Other Options

Private car or van transfers are always an option and are quite common for international guests travelling between Dubrovnik and Budva. For the best service check out our partner, Adriatic Transfers, here.

Private boat transfers to Budva are as rare as those to Kotor. They are quite expensive and not booked often, but still an option.

Due to drive times and traffic conditions in peak season, Budva is present on the itineraries of day trips from Dubrovnik to Montenegro less and less. Definitely check the itinerary before booking if you want to visit Budva while on your regular group tour. If you are booking a private tour to Montenegro from Dubrovnik, make sure to request a visit to Budva.

From Dubrovnik to Porto Montenegro and Lustica Bay

If driving from Dubrovnik to Porto Montenegro or Lustica Bay follow the same route as when driving to Kotor. Go to Kamenari and take the ferry over to Lepetane. It runs all day and night continuously with the schedule following the traffic intensity. More info here.

After crossing over to Lepetane, turn right and follow Jadranka Magistrala (Adriatic Highway) until you get to Porto Montenegro in Seljanovo village. It is very close to Lepetane. If you are travelling to Lustica Bay, continue following the main road passing Porto Montenegro, Tivat and Tivat Airport. Then, on the roundabout take the first exit right and follow the road past Solila Special Nature Reserve and along the coast. You will pass Nikki Beach, tennis court and be directed to turn right before Autocamp Oliva. Detailed route is available on ViaMichelin.

Both Porto Montenegro and Lustica Bay are not big settlements so regular bus lines from Dubrovnik don’t exist at the moment. You are best making your way Kamenari (via Kotor or Budva Bus), transferring over to Lepetane via Ferry and then inquiring about local buses or taxis to complete the journey.

Other Options

Private car or van transfers are always an option and are quite a common option for international guests. For the best service check out our partner, Adriatic Transfers, here.

Private boat transfers are a bit more common from Dubrovnik to Porto Montenegro and Lustica Bay. By boat they are closer to Dubrovnik than both Budva or Kotor and they are popular with nautical enthusiasts. There are no regular boat lines to any of the two points of interest.

The majority of regular group tours going from Dubrovnik will not have either of these two places on their itineraries. Some private tours will propose to their guests to visit Porto Montenegro or Lustica Bay. If you want to see any of the two, your private guides or drivers will have no problems taking you there.

From Dubrovnik to Mostar and Medjugorje in BiH

Cross the border to BiH – what you need to know

Neighbouring Bosnia and Hercegovina (BiH) has a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is well worth visiting – the famous Old Bridge of Mostar. Religious pilgrims also flock to nearby Medjugorje. Here is what you need to know about crossing the border from Croatia to BiH.

From Dubrovnik to Mostar by road

When driving from Dubrovnik to Mostar most people will go through the town of Metkovic. This is the shortest route. It takes you from Dubrovnik due north via D8 Jadranska Magistrala (Adriatic Highway). While going through town of Opuzen, there will be signs directing you to Metkovic. Go through Metkovic until you get to the border crossing to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Once you cross over the border, continue following the main road through Pocitelj, Capljina and Zitomislici until you reach Mostar.

However, before you get to Metkovic, this route will lead you through Neum Riviera, which is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s exit to the Adriatic. In other words, you will be passing into Bosnia and Herzegovina entering Neum area, crossing back into Croatia and then crossing the border once again after passing Metkovic. To make more sense of it, check out ViaMichelin. Three border crossings can slow your progress, especially on the busiest parts of the year. There are live cameras on the border crossings you can check before the trip. Check out entrance to Neum area, exit back into Croatia and Metkovic border crossing.

Alternative routes shown on ViaMichelin are mostly impractical. One alternative route that usually goes unmentioned is the one going from Dubrovnik to Slano following D8 and then taking a turn to local roads. They lead you through the village of Cepikuce and to a smaller, but less busy, border crossing. After that the road leads you through Bosnia and Herzegovina and village of Trebimlja, towns of Ravno, (close by is Vjetrenica Cave – a natural wonder worth visiting), Ljubinje, Stolac and finally Mostar. This route is for those who don’t mind making sense of poorly marked local roads and don’t mind taking it slow.

Bus from Dubrovnik to Mostar

Dubrovnik to Mostar is a very popular route for people in both cities. People from Mostar will often travel to Dubrovnik for pleasure or work. On the other hand, Mostar is popular for Dubrovnik people for leisure and for higher education. With this in mind, there is usually a bus line from Dubrovnik to Mostar multiple times per week. Due to COVID restrictions first half of 2021 can still have less frequent lines and some cancellations, so definitely get informed on the Dubrovnik bus station website.

Private Transfers

Private car or van transfers are always an option. With these you get the most comfort and the ability to customise the trip. For the best service check out our partner, Adriatic Transfers, here.

Day trips from Dubrovnik to Medjugorje and Mostar

Mostar is a true gem of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a beautiful historical town with turbulent past (including the recent one) and plenty to offer to travellers. Medjugorje, on the other hand, is one of the most worshipped Catholic pilgrimage sites in all Europe. This small town became popular for Virgin Mary sightings by local children. Today, it draws masses from all over the world looking for spiritual healing. These two were often covered by the same tours in the past, but they are rarely part of the same itinerary today. Finding Mostar tours from Dubrovnik is today much easier than Medjugorje tours. This is especially true for regular group tours. Mostar tour is most often grouped with a visit to the historical village Pocitelj or Kravica waterfalls. Medjugorje is today mainly sold as a separate tour.

If you are looking for private tours to any or both of these destinations, you will have plenty to choose from. Many local companies offer private tours to Mostar that you can modify to include Medjugorje as well.

Is there a train from Dubrovnik?

Sadly, there is no longer a train service from Dubrovnik, but there was until just a few decades ago. You can read about the glory days of Dubrovnik rail in this TCN article. Train lovers heading to Dubrovnik these days will be able to get as far as Ploce, before having to complete their journey by bus.

Gruz harbour: what you need to know

Gruz Harbour dominates the bay of Gruz. It is one of the busiest parts of Dubrovnik. During the summer, it is a hive of activity with both locals and guests swarming it. The most important thing to know when using Gruz Harbour is where everything is.

Parking

The main parking of the port is close to the local and internationally ferries. The price of port parking is changed seasonally (link to the website) and you pay per hour. If you want to pay for a daily or weekly ticket, inquire within the main port building. For hourly charge, there is a parking machine in the port.

The street parking immediately next to the port and the local farmer’s market is a designated “business zone” under local parking regulations. To pay for the parking you can use Dubrovnik Parking app (Android, iOS) or buy tickets at one of the parking machines or Tisak newspaper kiosks. Here is the map as shown of the official website of Dubrovnik parking company Sanitat.

For more information on parking in Dubrovnik check out our dedicated page.

Port Layout

Main port building is by the parking lot, next to the ferry pier. It is the main customs building for people coming in or going away on international ferries or cruise ships. Local ferry pier is the most important point for most local arrivals and departures. It is also an important point for some of the local tours and private boat charters. Right next to it you will find a local taxi stand and a bus stand.

Going from the main pier towards the base of the bay, you will find many smaller or larger boats. The area closer to the pier is for police vessels and private yachts. Across from the farmer’s market and fish market are various tourist boats. Some of them doing multiday small group cruises up Croatian coast and some doing day trips to Elaphiti Islands or elsewhere. Across the bay are private boats belonging to Dubrovnik residents and a recently built yacht marina.

Aside from the produce and fish markets, there are various food shops, a department store, butcher shops, bakeries and plenty of restaurants and cafés around the port. You will have no problems finding any last minute provisions for your trip. Note: some of these are closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays as well as on holidays.

Following the bay from the main port building and port parking you will get to a large Konzum supermarket and the main bus station. The main bus station is also the starting point for Dubrovnik Airport shuttle buses. Next to all these building, stretching towards Dubrovnik suspension bridge are cruise ship terminals. These areas are international border crossing areas and are restricted to those who anyone who doesn’t have a valid pass or is not a passenger on one of the ships.

Taking the ferry from Dubrovnik to the Elaphite and other islands

The main ferry pier as shown on the image in the previous section is where the local ferries go from and come to. At the base of the pier is the G&V Line ticket office, across the road from the pier is Jadrolinija’s ticket office and during the summer of 2021 we are expecting the new ticket office of Kapetan Luka (Krilo catamaran) to be opened by the side of the street behind Jadrolinija’s office. If you don’t have your tickets for the trip, but intend on buying them on the day, make sure you are in the port well before the departure time. Of course, this is especially true during summer and shoulder months when local archipelago is very popular with visitors to Dubrovnik.

Many times, regular group tours to the local islands will start from the main pier. Smaller tour companies often have moorings down the street from the main pier, across from the fish market or further towards the base of the bay. Lately, private charter boats have been picking guests up across the bay from the ferry pier, where the private boats are moored. So, make sure you know exactly where you are being picked up for your Elaphiti Islands tour, especially if you are doing a private or small group tour.

From Dubrovnik to Italy by ferry

Traditionally, the ferry line connects Dubrovnik to the city of Bari in Puglia region of Italy. It is a popular and often expensive ferry. Jadrolinija operates the line in 2021 with a car ferry. For a detailed price list visit Jadrolinija’s website, while the schedule is as follows:

When travelling from Dubrovnik to Italy via car ferry, make sure you are in the port at least an hour before the departure, two in peak season. This will allow you enough time to do the customs necessities and prepare for boarding. The main port building dominates the port parking area and you can’t miss it. It is where you sort out all the paperwork for your trip. There is a small café in the port building as well if you’ve arrived too early.

An introduction to Dubrovnik Bus Station

The Dubrovnik Bus Station is an important hub for those travelling to Dubrovnik, but also those from Dubrovnik area that live outside of the city and commute for work or school. It is in the area of Gruz Bay, adjacent to the cruise ship terminals.

The station has a covered area with some seating as well as an indoor waiting area. There is a luggage storage at the bus station as well. Info desk is there to give you any information about lines or delays and the tickets desk if where you can purchase tickets if you haven’t done so online.

Within the area of the bus station is a taxi stand. On the road, in front of the bus station is a local bus stand for bus numbers 1a, 1b, 1c and 3a, while buses 3, 7 and 8 stop within the main bus station. For more detailed look at the bus lines in Dubrovnik, follow this link. Airport shuttle bus leaves from here as well. For more information about the exact schedule or ticket purchasing options, visit Platanus company’s website.

Next to the main bus station is Konzum supermarket, one of the biggest in Dubrovnik area. Across the street you will find a couple of restaurant/cafés as well.

For more information visit the website of the Dubrovnik Bus Station.

Flights from Dubrovnik

The main airline servicing Dubrovnik is Croatia Airlines, and the national carrier connects many destinations to the city via its Zagreb hub. Croatia Airlines also has a connecting flight to Osijek, but all other internal connections go via Zagreb.

Internationally, Croatia Airlines flies directly in the season from Dubrovnik to Athens, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Rome and Zurich.

The arrival of budget airlines have greatly increased the flight options, but 2021’s most exciting development are the direct flights from the USA from Delta, United and Pragusa. For the latest information on flights from Dubrovnik, check the airport departures.

More information about Dubrovnik

Looking for more information about Dubrovnik? Check out Dubrovnik in a Page.

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