Should you take the ferry or the bus from Split to Dubrovnik?

Split to Dubrovnik at a glance

Last checked 27 October 2026. Fares are approximate; dollar figures convert at our committed exchange-rate snapshot.

Planning more legs? Use the route finder.

Option 1: the bus (any time of year)

Operators: FlixBus runs the most departures, alongside Nomago and Arriva-operated Croatian lines. Booking listings for 2026 show around 8 to 12 direct buses a day in season, with fewer in winter, including overnight departures in the early hours.

Journey: mostly 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes. Summer traffic on the coast road can add to that.

Price: roughly €16 to €35 (≈ $17.8–39) one way, cheapest when booked a few days ahead, highest on summer weekends. Expect a small fee (often €1 to €3 (≈ $1.1–3.3)) for each bag placed in the hold, paid in cash to the driver on many Croatian services.

From/to: Split main bus station is on the waterfront beside the ferry port and the train station, a 5 to 10 minute walk from Diocletian's Palace. Buses arrive at Dubrovnik bus station in Gruž, about 3 km from the Old Town's Pile Gate; Libertas city buses run from outside, or it is a short taxi ride.

Booking: on the operator's own site or app, at the station counter, or on aggregators such as Omio, Busbud or GetByBus. In July and August, buy at least a day or two ahead.

The Neum border and the Pelješac Bridge

The coast road between Split and Dubrovnik is cut by a 9 km strip of Bosnia and Herzegovina at Neum. Since the Pelješac Bridge opened in July 2022, drivers can stay inside Croatia the whole way, but both routes remain open and some buses still go through Neum.

If your bus crosses at Neum, that is two border checks: leaving the Schengen area and re-entering it. Since the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational on 10 April 2026, non-EU travellers have their passport scanned and biometrics recorded at Schengen external borders, which can mean waiting on the bus. Carry your passport whichever route you take; EU citizens can use a national ID card. Check the Croatia visa page if you are not sure of your status.

If you want to avoid Neum entirely, ask the operator before booking or choose the catamaran.

Option 2: the catamaran (April to October)

Operators: three companies run foot-passenger catamarans: Kapetan Luka (Krilo), TP Line and Jadrolinija. Krilo and TP Line operate roughly April to October; Jadrolinija's line has run only from about mid-June to mid-September. There is no service in winter.

Journey: about 4.5 to 6 hours, depending on stops. Boats call at islands such as Hvar, Korčula, Brač (Bol) or Mljet on the way, which is why many people use the route for island hopping and stop overnight.

Price: around €50 (≈ $56) per person for the full Split to Dubrovnik leg in 2026, per published fare tables; shorter legs (to Korčula, for example) are cheaper.

Frequency: usually one or two sailings a day, often only a morning departure from Split. Schedules for the season are released in spring; check the operator's own timetable, as aggregators do not always show every sailing.

From/to: catamarans leave from Split's harbour by the bus station, a short walk from the palace, and arrive at Dubrovnik Gruž port, near the bus station and about 3 km from the Old Town.

Booking: on the operator sites, at their kiosks on the Split waterfront, or on Ferryhopper. In July and August the boats sell out; book several days ahead. Sailings can be cancelled in strong wind, mostly a risk in shoulder months.

Option 3: driving

The drive is about 230 km and takes roughly 3 hours: the A1 motorway south to around Ploče, then the coast road and the Pelješac Bridge, which keeps you in Croatia. The A1 is tolled; payment details are in our planned Croatia driving and tolls guide.

One-way rentals dropped in Dubrovnik usually carry a large extra fee. If you drive through Neum, tell the rental company and make sure you have the cross-border insurance document. Parking near Dubrovnik's Old Town is scarce and expensive, so drop the car before you check in if you can.

Private transfers and flights

Private transfers run the same road in about 3 hours and suit groups of three or four with luggage; get a fixed quote in advance.

There are no direct flights between Split and Dubrovnik. Croatia Airlines' 2026 summer network connects both cities through Zagreb, which takes longer and costs more than the bus.

Which to choose, and tips

• On a budget, or between November and March: the bus. Sit on the right-hand side heading south for sea views along much of the coast.

• Summer, with time to spare: the catamaran, and break the trip on Hvar or Korčula for a night or two.

• Groups or heavy bags: a transfer or a car.

Plan the end of the trip with our where to stay in Dubrovnik and how many days in Dubrovnik guides; if you are continuing south as we did, Kotor to Dubrovnik covers that border. Coming from the north, see Zagreb to Split. In Split, the Diocletian's Palace guide covers tickets. Our route ran Zagreb, Osijek, Zadar, Šibenik, Split and Dubrovnik in August 2023; the full order is in the Croatia itinerary and the Croatia guide. For timing, read best time to visit Croatia.

Frequently asked questions