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Getting There & Away in Dubrovnik

How do you get to Dubrovnik?

Getting There4.4/10Harder to reach than about 65% of cities
Main airport
Ruđer Bošković Airport (Čilipi Airport)

Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: platanus.hr, absolute-dubrovnik.com

Good to know

Good to Know

  • No train service to Dubrovnik; all ground transport is by road, bus, or ferry.
  • Airport shuttle bus is the cheapest and most convenient option for the city; it's timed to flight arrivals but waits regardless of delays (up to 30 min after landing).
  • Dubrovnik–Split bus route is heavily used; book ahead in summer peak season, especially if traveling Friday–Sunday.
  • Ferry schedules to nearby islands are seasonal; winter (November–March) service is limited. Peak options June–September.
  • Gruž ferry port is located next to the main bus station, making onward connections easy; about 3 km from Old Town.
  • Taxi from airport: confirm price before departure; meter-based or flat-rate negotiation both common. Some drivers cash-only.
  • Rideshare (Uber, Bolt) available at airport but wait times and pricing vary by day/time; check app before booking.
  • Pelješac Bridge (opened 2022) is now the main route on Dubrovnik–Split buses; some older routes may still pass through Bosnia (Neum) and require passport control.
  • Old Town is pedestrian-only; vehicle access ends at Ploče Gate (where shuttle bus drops off) or Pile Gate. Budget extra time/cost for final taxi leg if needed.
  • Ferry tickets to popular islands (Hvar, Korčula, Split) in July–August can sell out weeks in advance; book online early.
  • International ferry to Bari (Italy) operates April–October only; book well ahead for peak season.

Ferry Connections

Main Port
Gruž Ferry Port, ~3 km west of Old Town
Key Operators
Jadrolinija (state-owned, year-round), TP Line (seasonal fast catamarans), Kapetan Luka / Krilo (seasonal catamarans)
Secondary Port
Old Town Port (Lokrum only)

Routes

  • 30 Minutes to Koločep; 45 Minutes to Lopud; 1 Hour to ŠIpan
    Type
    Passenger ferry; popular day trips
    Operator
    Jadrolinija (line 807)
    Frequency
    Several times daily; year-round
    Destination
    Elaphiti Islands (Koločep, Lopud, Šipan)
    Cost One Way
    €36
  • ~10 Minutes
    Operator
    Local operators (small boats)
    Frequency
    Every ~30 minutes in peak season
    Destination
    Lokrum Island
    Cost Return With Reserve
    Varies; typically €12–15 including nature reserve entry
    Notes
    Departs from Old Town port, not Gruž. Nature reserve entry included. Only return tickets sold.
  • 1 Hour to Sobra; 1 Hour 20 Minutes to Pomena
    Operator
    TP Line, Kapetan Luka (Krilo), Jadrolinija
    Frequency
    1–3 daily (seasonal April–October; year-round to Sobra)
    Destination
    Mljet (Pomena or Sobra)
    Cost One Way
    €118
    Notes
    Fast catamaran. Sobra route cheapest (€5–8). National park access from Pomena.
  • 1 Hour 50 Minutes – 2 Hours 15 Minutes
    Operator
    TP Line, Kapetan Luka (Krilo), Jadrolinija
    Frequency
    Multiple daily (seasonal May–September; limited off-season)
    Destination
    Korčula
    Cost One Way
    €165
    Notes
    Passenger-only catamaran. Popular island destination; book ahead in peak season (July–August can sell out weeks in advance).
  • Dubrovnik–Hvar ~3.5 Hours; Dubrovnik–Split ~4.5 Hours
    Operator
    TP Line, Kapetan Luka (Krilo)
    Frequency
    1–2 daily (April–October only)
    Cost Approx
    €300
    Destination
    Hvar, Brač, Split (seasonal coastal route)
    Notes
    Fast catamaran island-hopping route. High demand summer; book well in advance.
  • 6–7.5 Hours Overnight
    Operator
    Jadrolinija
    Frequency
    1–2 weekly (April–October seasonal)
    Cost Approx
    €465
    Destination
    Bari, Italy (international)
    Notes
    Overnight ferry; major international connection. Book in advance for summer dates.

Airport Ground Transport

  • ~30 Minutes to Old Town; ~35 Minutes to Gruž
    Cost
    €10
    Option
    Official Airport Shuttle Bus (Platanus)
    Frequency
    Coordinated with flight arrivals; multiple daily departures in peak season
    Cost Return
    €15
    Notes
    Cheapest option; no luggage charges; children under 6 free; book online, at airport counter, or on board (mobile ticket with QR code)
    Description
    Direct shuttle between airport, Ploče Gate (Old Town), and Gruž bus station. Departs ~30 minutes after each flight arrival, synced to flight schedule. Flight-linked service operates 24/7.
  • Taxi
    Cost Approx
    €200
    Notes
    Approximately €30–40 to Old Town/city center. Confirm price before departure. Cash preferred by some drivers; check for taximeter or agree rate upfront.
    Description
    Taxi rank directly outside arrivals terminal. Meter-based or pre-agreed flat rate.
  • Uber / Bolt rideshare
    Cost Approx
    Variable; typically €20–35 to city center, often cheaper than traditional taxi
    Notes
    Check app before booking to see upfront price. Availability may vary by day/time.
    Description
    App-based ride services available at airport.
  • Public buses (Libertas lines 11, 27, 38)
    Cost
    €2.40
    Notes
    Budget option but infrequent and schedule-dependent; not recommended for most travelers due to long waits and unpredictable timing.
    Description
    Local public transit routes pass near airport.
  • Private transfer (pre-booked)
    Cost Approx
    €210
    Notes
    ~€32 for 1–3 people depending on destination; ~€42 for 8-person minibus. Professional drivers; best for groups or heavy luggage.
    Description
    Door-to-door service via travel agencies or tour companies.
  • Car rental
    Notes
    Ideal if continuing beyond Dubrovnik or exploring Dalmatia by car. Prices vary by vehicle type, duration, and driver age.
    Description
    Multiple local and international rental agencies at airport.

Intercity Bus Connections

  • 3 Hours 45 Minutes – 4 Hours 15 Minutes
    Route
    Dubrovnik ↔ Split
    Distance
    ~240 km by road
    Frequency
    Multiple daily (approximately 12–31 departures daily depending on season)
    Operators
    FlixBus, Arriva, Nomago, Autotrans, and other local companies
    Cost Approx
    €165
    Notes
    Buses depart every 1–2 hours during peak season. Summer: ~12–31 departures; winter: ~5. Serves as main transport to/from Split's ferry port and airport. Some buses route through Bosnia (Neum); others use Pelješac Bridge (opened 2022). Book online or at station. Electronic tickets standard.

Airport

Code
DBV
Name
Ruđer Bošković Airport (Čilipi Airport)
Drive Time
25–35 minutes average; up to 1 hour in summer traffic
Distance From City
22 km from Old Town; 3 km from Cavtat

Day Trip Access

Nearby Islands
Lokrum (~10 min ferry), Elaphiti Islands (Koločep, Lopud, Šipan; 30 min – 1 hour), Mljet National Park (1–1.5 hours), Cavtat coastal town (ferry from Old Port, ~15–20 min)
Notes
Ferries to Elaphiti Islands and Mljet accessible year-round with good summer frequency. Peak season (June–September) offers most departures and connectivity.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

  1. 1.platanus.hr
  2. 2.platanus.hr
  3. 3.absolute-dubrovnik.com
  4. 4.absolute-dubrovnik.com
  5. 5.dubrovnik-online.net
  6. 6.croatiaunscripted.com
  7. 7.dubrovnik-online.net
  8. 8.flixbus.com
  9. 9.buscroatia.com
  10. 10.checkmybus.com
  11. 11.wanderu.com
  12. 12.expatincroatia.com
  13. 13.visit-croatia.co.uk
  14. 14.getlostinwanderlust.com
  15. 15.dubrovnik-travel.net
  16. 16.ferryhopper.com
  17. 17.bookiscout.com
  18. 18.xe.com

More About Dubrovnik

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.