5 Ways to Get from Split to Dubrovnik: A Detailed Guide

Q: What is the best way to get from Split to Dubrovnik?

This totally depends on your budget and preferences! The fastest way is to drive (3 hours) or take a direct flight (~3 hours with time in airports). The cheapest way is to take the bus. The most convenient way is to book a private driver; however, this is the most expensive. The most scenic way is to drive or take the ferry!

Q: Is there a direct train from Split to Dubrovnik?

Unfortunately, there are no trains between Split in Dubrovnik. This is unusual compared to the rest of Europe! Trains do not run along the Dalmatian Coast.

Are you planning a trip to Croatia and wondering how to get from Split to Dubrovnik?

Both nestled along the sun-kissed Dalmatian Coast, Split and Dubrovnik are two of the most popular cities in Croatia. We loved strolling the Riva waterfront in Split and wandering inside the Old Town walls in Dubrovnik.

Both of these Croatian towns are enchanting and should be on your Croatia itinerary! However, deciding how to get between them can be confusing and overwhelming. During our trip planning process, there wasn’t a ton of information online, so I wanted to change that!

In this post, I will cover all the different options for how to get from Split to Dubrovnik, including flights, ferries, and more! I’ll compare costs, convenience, and timing so you can choose the best option for you.

Quick Mini Guide to Croatia

Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Croatia to help plan your epic adventure!

Where to Stay:
– City Walls Irundo (our adorable seaside apartment in Dubrovnik!)
– Luxury Rooms Skyfall (gorgeous apartment in Split with perfect location!)

Best Time to Visit: Mid to late September for low crowds and perfect weather!

Things to Do:
– Blue Cave Tour from Split (see 5 islands in one day!)
– Epic Game of Thrones Tour (a must for GoT fans!)
– Krka Waterfalls with Boat Cruise (one of Split’s top day trips)

check out all of my croatia blog posts here!

Split Overview

Before we get into this guide on how to get from Split to Dubrovnik, I wanted to provide an overview of both cities. Let’s start with Split!

One of the most popular towns on the Dalmatian Coast, Split offers a captivating mix of ancient history and modern amenities. Most visitors opt to stay within the Old Town walls, which is pedestrian-only!

Its centerpiece, both literally and figuratively, is Diocletian’s Palace, a stunning relic from Roman times that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can spend a whole day getting lost in the basements or climbing to the top of the Cathedral of St. Domnius bell tower.

In addition to the Palace, the city houses bustling markets, cozy cafes, and a lively waterfront called the Riva. When the sun goes down, Split comes alive with vibrant nightlife, from cozy bars to music-pumping clubs.

With 3 days in Split, you can experience the history, nightlife, and water-based activities the area has to offer!

Dubrovnik Overview

Now, let’s talk about Dubrovnik! While both cities are located on the Dalmatian Coast and offer waterfront views, Split and Dubrovnik feel very different from each other. (In fact, you can read about all the differences in my guide on Split vs Dubrovnik!).

I absolutely fell in love with Dubrovnik when I visited in 2023 (partially because I am a Game of Thrones lover). Dubrovnik also has an Old Town like Split; however, its city walls are still in tact and dominant the edges of the city.

In fact, one of the most popular things to do in Dubrovnik is walk along the City Walls, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you wander along the walls, you will be spoiled with unobstructed views of the city and the Adriatic Sea, while exploring ancient strongholds and fortifications.

When visiting Dubrovnik, you can choose to stay within the City Walls or just outside one of its famous gates (Pile and Ploče). Similar to Split, the Old Town area is pedestrian-only, no vehicles allowed!

Some of the other popular activities in Dubrovnik are going on a Game of Thrones tour, sea kayaking around the bay, taking the cable car to the top of Mount Srd, and visiting the nearby Lokrum Island!

For more information on Dubrovnik, make sure to check out my 2 Day Dubrovnik Itinerary!

Transportation Options for Getting from Split to Dubrovnik

Now that we’ve covered a little bit about both towns, let’s get into the details of how to get from Split to Dubrovnik!

Below, I will cover the 5 different ways to get from Split to Dubrovnik (or Dubrovnik to Split)! This includes details about schedules, costs, timing and more! First, here is a quick summary:

By Ferry: ~50 euros; ~6 hours
By Bus: ~20 euros; ~4.5 hours
By Plane: ~100 euros; ~3 hours (45 min flight + airport time)
By Car: ~140 euros; ~3 hours (without stops)
By Private Transport: ~350 euros; ~3 hours (without stops)

How to Get from Split to Dubrovnik by Ferry

Average Cost: 45 – 50 euros
Average Time: ~5.5 – 6 hours

If you are traveling to Croatia during the summer months, one of thebest ways to get from Split to Dubrovnik is by ferry.

Three companies run high-speed, passenger-only ferries (also referred to as catamarans) from Split to Dubrovnik, and vice versa: Jadrolinija, TP line and Krilo. You can use Omio to book any of these options!

In general, most passenger ferries in Croatia run between mid-April and mid-October. However, some specific routes have even shorter timeframes, stopping towards the end of September.

For example, the 2024 schedule for the Jadrolinija line between Split and Dubrovnik runs from June 7th – September 22nd. So, be sure to check the route options if you are visiting in Croatia in early spring or late fall.

In Split, the ferry port is conveniently located right in front of Old Town and next to the main bus station. You can likely walk to your accommodation from here if you are staying in Old Town!

In Dubrovnik, the ferry port is a bit further away from the main city center. However, it is right next to the main bus station, which allows for easy access to Old Town (check out the next section for more details on this!).

Split to Dubrovnik Ferry Schedule

Because there are so many islands between Split and Dubrovnik, there is currently no ferry service that offers direct trips from Split to Dubrovnik, or vice versa. Instead, all 3 ferry companies will make several stops between Split and Dubrovnik.

For example, the route on the Jadrolinija line is Dubrovnik -> Korčula -> Hvar -> Bol -> Split and then the same in reverse order. The departure time starts at 7:00am in Dubrovnik and arrives in Split at 12:55pm. Then, the ferry leaves Split at 3:30pm and arrives in Dubrovnik at 9:25pm.

So, the average duration on the Jadrolinija line between Split and Dubrovnik is approximately 6 hours and costs 45 euros.

If you are looking to leave Split earlier in the morning, the Krilo line departs daily at 8:45am and arrives in Dubrovnik at 2:05pm, taking around 5.5 hours. The route for this ferry is Split –> Brač (Bol) –> Makarska –> Korčula –> Pomena(Mljet) –> Dubrovnik. The cost of the route from Split to Dubrovnik is 50 euros.

The last option is the TP line, which runs typically runs from late April to late October. The Split to Dubrovnik route goes from Split – Milna – Hvar – Korcula – Pomena – Dubrovnik and costs 48 euros.

Similar to the Krilo line, this route leaves Split at 9:15am and arrives in Dubrovnik at 2:35pm; however, it is a little faster with a duration of 5 hours and 20 minutes!

A lot of people will take advantage of these ferry stops by visiting other islands while in Croatia. For example, one of the most popular islands to visit is Hvar, located about an hour off the coast of Split. We actually visited Hvar on our Blue Cave boat tour from Split, but I actually wish we stayed overnight here!

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Important Note: No matter which ferry route you choose to get from Split to Dubrovnik, I highly recommend booking your ferry tickets in advance online, especially if you are traveling during peak summer months!

How to Get from Split to Dubrovnik by Bus

Average Cost: 20 euros
Average Time: ~4.5 hours

Next up, let’s talk about the most affordable option for how to get from Split to Dubrovnik: by bus!

Traveling by bus from Split to Dubrovnik is a popular option for budget travelers in Croatia. The average cost of a bus ticket from Split to Dubrovnik is only 20 euros.

It is also helpful for those who don’t want to stick to a set schedule like the ferry, since there are several buses per day that run from Split to Dubrovnik and from Dubrovnik to Split.

The most common operator is FlixBus, which has buses as early as 2:35am some days and as late as 6:45pm.

Surprisingly, taking a bus from Split to Dubrovnik isn’t the slowest method of transportation either. The average duration of a direct bus ride from Split to Dubrovnik is around 4.5 hours; however, it can be longer depending on traffic conditions.

All routes leave from the Split Bus Station, which is conveniently located right next to the Split ferry port just 500m (less than a 10 minute walk) away from Old Town.

The buses then arrive at the Dubrovnik Bus Station (known as Autobusni Kolodvor), which unfortunately is not as close to the Old Town as the Split one! However, there are several local buses (1a, 1b, and 3) that you can take to Old Town for a few euros. Or, you can take a cab!

How to Fly from Split to Dubrovnik

Average Cost: ~100 euros
Average Time: ~3 hours (45 min flight + airport time)

Another option for getting from Split to Dubrovnik is to fly! Split and Dubrovnik both have major airports outside their city centers: Dubrovnik Ruđer Bošković Airport (DBV) and Split Saint Jerome Airport (SPU).

The Split airport is located about 27km (17 miles) from Old Town Split and takes around 30 minutes by car or airport shuttle.

Similarly, the Dubrovnik Airport is located 21km (13 miles) from Old Town Dubrovnik and takes around 25 minutes by car or shuttle bus.

The flight time between the two airports is only 45 minutes and typically costs less than $100, even in peak summer. However, direct flights between Split and Dubrovnik aren’t as common as you might think!

Currently in 2024, the only direct flight from Split to Dubrovnik is operated on Thursdays by Trade Air. This is the only non-stop flight available, and it’s only once per day.

All other flights between Split and Dubrovnik require a layover, most commonly in Zagreb, the country’s capital. For example, there are several flights a day from Split to Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik to Split on Croatia Airlines, with a layover in Zagreb.

Unfortunately, this turns a quick 45-minute flight into a 3-5 hour affair, not including the time you need to give yourself to get tot the airport and get through security.

Prices for these flights range from $75 to $200 depending on time of year and when you book. So, it’s not the cheapest option for getting from Split to Dubrovnik, but it can be the quickest, if you have a short or no layover.

How to Get from Split to Dubrovnik by Car

Average Cost: ~140 euros
Average Time: ~3 hours

If you are looking for the ultimate flexibility when getting from Split to Dubrovnik, renting a car is a great option! The roads in Croatia are well-maintained, and road signs are clear, so it is definitely doable for tourists to make the drive.

The drive from Split to Dubrovnik will take around 3 hours to complete, depending on how many stops you make.

The journey used to require crossing into Bosnia and Herzegovina and back, which added time to the drive. However, in July 2022, the Peljesac Bridge opened, which eliminated the need to cross the border into another country.

The most popular way to get from Split to Dubrovnik by car is taking the A1 Motorway, which is the fastest route. There are also more scenic, coastal routes; however, these will add time to your journey!

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Pros of Driving Yourself from Split to Dubrovnik

One of the pros of driving from Split to Dubrovnik is the flexibility it offers. Driving means you can choose when you leave and when/where you want to stop without having to stick to specific timeframes.

By driving, you can even make a whole day out of the drive by making some stops along the way! Some options include visiting Beach Prapratno, the town of Ston, or Klis Fortress.

This is also an option with some private transportation options (more on this later).

Cons of Driving Yourself from Split to Dubrovnik

Now, let’s talk about some of the cons of driving a car from Split to Dubrovnik.

While driving yourself offers flexibility and the cost of renting a car is often cheaper than booking private transportation, they are some logistics to consider.

If you are interested in staying within the main city centers of Split and Dubrovnik (which I highly recommend), you will not need a car. In fact, both the Split and Dubrovnik Old Towns are pedestrian-only, meaning no cars allowed!

So, if you choose to rent a car, you will have to find parking outside the city center, which can be burdensome and pricey. Plus, you really won’t need a car while visiting these cities, as everything is extremely walkable!

Another option is to simply drop off your rental car when you arrive in Dubrovnik. So, you will rent a car in Split the day you are leaving, drive to Dubrovnik, and then immediately drop it off when you arrive.

While this is certainly cheaper than booking private transportation, you will need to consider how you get from the rental car drop-off to your accommodation. Both Split and Dubrovnik have a few rental car drop offs, one at the airport and one closer to the city center.

However, the city center ones are not within walking distance to Old Town. So depending on where you are staying in Dubrovnik, you will need to figure out how to get from the rental car drop off location to your accommodation. This adds extra time, cost, and planning in advance!

The same goes for picking up your rental car in Split. You will need to uber, taxi, or take a bus to the Split rental car center to pick up your car!

For all of these reasons, we decided it was much less stressful to book private transportation for our journey from Split to Dubrovnik, which brings us to the next section!

How to Get from Split to Dubrovnik by Private Transfer

Average Cost: ~350 euros
Average Time: ~3 hours (with no stops)

The last option for how to get from Split to Dubrovnik is by private transfer. This is the option we personally went with during our time in Croatia, as we wanted the most convenient and time-sensitive option.

The cost of a private transfer from Split to Dubrovnik varies depending on type of car and number of people. On average, expect to spend between $100-$200 per person. However, you may be able to get a cheaper rate if you have over 4 people!

Note: Make sure to compare different options across several companies to get the best deal! Some companies charge per person and others charge per group.

As mentioned above, renting a car can definitely be cheaper than booking a private transfer. However, by booking a transfer, we did not have to worry about planning the logistics of picking up and dropping off the car.

Our driver picked us up directly from our Airbnb in Split and dropped us off directly at our Airbnb in Dubrovnik. So convenient!

We also made a few stops on our drive from Split to Dubrovnik, which I highly recommend! As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of places to stop on the drive.

The tour we booked with Croatia Private Tours included a quick stop at a cafe, and then a winery tour in Ston! This was the perfect way to break up the drive from Split to Dubrovnik while also seeing another part of Croatia.

In addition, right before we arrived in Dubrovnik, we had our driver make another stop at the Trsteno Arboretum. If you’re looking to visit Croatia for Game of Thrones locations, you need to add this spot to your itinerary!

The arboretum was used as the film location for the King’s Landing gardens. Remember those scenes with Lady Olenna Tyrell? You can read more about this spot in my Game of Thrones Dubrovnik Guide!

Overall, while it was the priciest option, we were so happy we decided to take the stress out and just book a private transfer to get from Split to Dubrovnik. If it fits your budget, I think this is the best option!

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting From Split to Dubrovnik

What is the best way to get from Split to Dubrovnik?

This totally depends on your budget and preferences! The fastest way is to drive (3 hours) or take a direct flight (~3 hours with time in airports). The cheapest way is to take the bus. The most convenient way is to book a private driver; however, this is the most expensive. The most scenic way is to drive or take the ferry!

How long is the ferry ride From Split to Dubrovnik?

The average length of a ferry ride from Split to Dubrovnik is between 5.5 – 6 hours. The ferry route includes stops at other islands, which adds to the time.

Is there a direct train from Split to Dubrovnik?

Unfortunately, there are no trains between Split in Dubrovnik. This is unusual compared to the rest of Europe! Trains do not run along the Dalmatian Coast.

Can you drive from Split to Dubrovnik?

Yes! Driving is one of the most popular ways to get from Split to Dubrovnik. The drive takes around 3 hours, and you can add fun stops along the way!

Can you fly from Split to Dubrovnik?

You can! Both Split and Dubrovnik have airports; however, direct flights between the two are fewer than you might think. Most flights require a connection in Zagreb.

Final Thoughts

That wraps up my complete guide on how to get from Split to Dubrovnik! As you can see, there are many options to choose from in order to get between these two famous Croatian towns.

If you are a budget traveler, taking the bus is the cheapest option! For those looking for convenience, booking a private transportation is definitely the way to go. If you don’t mind a longer journey, many people opt for the ferry during the summer in order to visit other islands! Or, you can always fly or rent a car!

Make sure to do your research and choose the option that is best for you!

And now that you know how to make the journey from Split to Dubrovnik, make sure to check out my perfect 2 Day Dubrovnik itinerary to continue planning your Croatian adventure!

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!