Navigating the Croatian Coast: Your Guide to Travel from Dubrovnik to Split
Many visitors exploring Croatia’s breathtaking coastline, myself included, find themselves wanting to experience the charm of both Dubrovnik and Split. These two cities are undeniably beautiful and offer unique glimpses into Croatian history and culture.
The excellent news? Traveling between these captivating coastal gems is surprisingly straightforward! The route for Travel From Dubrovnik To Split Croatia is one of the most popular in the country, meaning there’s a well-established network of buses, ferries, taxis, and even flights connecting the two.
In this guide, drawing on my own experiences traveling the Croatian coast for a full month, I’ve compiled the most effective ways to get from Dubrovnik to Split, helping you choose the best option for your trip.
Scenic view of the Croatian coast between Dubrovnik and Split
How to Get from Dubrovnik to Split
The journey between Dubrovnik and Split can take anywhere from under an hour by plane (plus airport time) up to several hours depending on your chosen method. Fortunately, there are at least five distinct ways to make this trip, catering to different budgets, time constraints, and travel preferences.
Often in Europe, trains are a favorite for their affordability and scenic routes, but that’s not the case for travel between Dubrovnik and Split. Croatia’s rail network isn’t as extensive, and there’s no direct train service connecting these two coastal cities. Instead, you’ll rely on buses, cars, taxis, boats, or planes. When I completed this trip during my month-long exploration of the Croatian Coast, the bus proved to be an easy, comfortable, and cost-effective choice.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the various options for traveling between Dubrovnik and Split, including average prices and estimated travel times, so you can easily select the mode of transport that best suits your needs. For those considering broader travel logistics, especially when venturing into new territories, it’s sometimes useful to think about various aspects of trip planning, which for some might include considering factors like private security services when traveling.
Split, Croatia downtown area with architecture and sea view
Option 1: Dubrovnik to Split by Bus
- Average price: €16-30 one way (varies by time and company)
- Average time: Around 4 hours
- Convenience: 4/5
- Where to book: Book your Dubrovnik to Split bus on 12Go
Taking the bus is typically the most budget-friendly method for getting from Dubrovnik to Split, and it doesn’t add significantly more time compared to private transfers or taxis. While I often prefer trains, buses are a reliable and convenient alternative, particularly when the journey isn’t excessively long. The 4-hour bus ride is manageable and often quite scenic.
Much of the bus route follows the stunning Dalmatian Coast, offering passengers lovely views of the Adriatic Sea. Interestingly, some bus routes will take you through a small coastal section of Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Neum corridor) situated between Dubrovnik and the rest of Croatia. This can be a fun, unexpected part of the journey, sometimes including a short break where you might find refreshments are cheaper than in Croatia. Other bus companies utilize the Pelješac Bridge, allowing them to bypass the border crossing into Bosnia and Herzegovina entirely. The specific route depends on the operator.
With multiple departures scheduled daily, the bus is a flexible and popular choice for traveling this route.
Option 2: Dubrovnik to Split by Ferry
- Average price: €38-45 one way (depends on season)
- Average time: From 4.5 hours up to 6 hours
- Convenience: 4/5 (depends on preference)
- Where to book: Book your Dubrovnik to Split ferry here
Given that you’re exploring coastal Croatia, traveling by ferry from Dubrovnik to Split (or vice-versa) offers a unique perspective. While train travel is less common here, ferries are a fantastic option for experiencing the sea firsthand.
The ferry journey generally takes a similar amount of time as the bus, typically around 4.5 to 6 hours. However, the experience is entirely different. Instead of observing the sea from a window, you’re out on the water, admiring the beautiful coastline and islands as you sail by.
While the sea on this stretch is generally calm, it’s always wise to be prepared with motion sickness remedies if you tend to get seasick, as even calm waters can sometimes be unpredictable. Checking the ferry timetable between Dubrovnik and Split here allows you to plan your journey based on seasonal schedules. Exploring different traveling through europe on a budget options, including ferries, can add unique experiences to your trip.
Option 3: Dubrovnik to Split by Taxi/Private Transfer
- Average price: From €226 and up (for up to 4 people, one way)
- Average time: Around 3.5 hours
- Convenience: 5/5
- Where to book: Book your private shuttle/taxi here
For maximum convenience and a faster trip, a taxi or private transfer is the top choice. This service provides door-to-door transport, picking you up directly from your accommodation in Dubrovnik and dropping you off at your desired location in Split.
While this option is more expensive, especially for solo travelers or couples, it can be quite cost-effective if you are a group of four people sharing the fare. If budget is less of a concern than time and ease, a private transfer is undoubtedly the best way to go.
Private transfers often use the main highway for a significant portion of the trip, which contributes to the slightly reduced travel time compared to the bus. While you might miss some of the coastal road scenery, both Dubrovnik (check out boat tours from Dubrovnik for inspiration) and Split offer ample opportunities to experience the sea. For groups of 4-8 people prioritizing speed and convenience, larger private vans are also available.
Option 4: Dubrovnik to Split by Plane
- Average price: From €116 and up one way
- Average time: 50 minutes direct flight + airport time
- Convenience: 3.5/5
- Where to book: Book your flight from Dubrovnik to Split here
Sometimes flying makes sense, especially when covering long distances in Europe. However, for the route from Dubrovnik to Split, flying is often not the most practical option, despite the short flight time of around 50 minutes.
The true travel time includes getting to and from the airports (both are located outside the city centers), check-in procedures, security, and potential delays. This can easily add several hours, often making the total journey time comparable to, or even longer than, taking the bus or a private transfer. Additionally, for environmentally conscious travelers, flying is generally less preferred.
However, flight prices can fluctuate significantly based on the day and season. There might be instances where you find a particularly affordable ticket or need to travel urgently, making flying a viable option. It’s worth checking flight availability and prices using resources like 12Go to see if it aligns with your needs, though the bus is often our preferred method for this specific route.
Option 5: Dubrovnik to Split by Rental Car
- Average price: From €30 and up per day (plus fuel)
- Average time: Around 3.5 hours
- Convenience: 4/5
Driving yourself offers the most flexibility to stop and explore along the way. While I haven’t driven the Dubrovnik to Split route specifically, I did rent a car for a day trip to Kotor from Dubrovnik. Driving in Croatia is generally straightforward if you’re accustomed to European road conditions. The journey will include a mix of scenic coastal roads and faster highway sections. You can rent a car from either the city center or Dubrovnik Airport.
Tips for potentially reducing rental car costs:
- Choosing a manual transmission is often cheaper than an automatic.
- Picking up the car at the airport can result in lower daily rates.
- Booking your rental well in advance typically secures better prices.
- Be aware that dropping the car off in a different city (Split) than where you picked it up (Dubrovnik) will incur an additional one-way fee.
Crucially, confirm with your rental agency whether you are permitted to cross international borders. The route from Dubrovnik to Split can involve driving through Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Neum corridor, depending on whether you take the coastal road or the Pelješac bridge. If you plan to drive through Bosnia, you will likely need to pay an additional cross-border fee to the rental company.
Having a rental car provides immense freedom but the costs can accumulate, including fuel, tolls, and parking fees in cities like Split. Ensure your accommodation in Split offers parking or factor in the cost and potential hassle of finding public parking. Considering where to travel from croatia with a rental car opens up possibilities for exploring further afield.
Outdoor seating at a restaurant on a charming street in Split
Historical buildings and architecture along a street in Split
Conclusion on Travelling from Dubrovnik to Split
As you can see, there are several excellent ways to travel from Dubrovnik to Split, providing options suitable for virtually any traveler’s budget and schedule. The journey in the reverse direction, travel split to dubrovnik croatia, offers the same variety of convenient transportation methods.
Getting between these two major cities on the Dalmatian Coast is relatively easy due to the popularity of the route. Whether you prefer the affordability of the bus, the scenic views from a ferry, the speed and ease of a private transfer, the directness of a flight (when timings work out), or the flexibility of a rental car, you’ll find a suitable way to make the trip.
Both Dubrovnik and Split are incredible destinations well worth visiting. If you’re looking for more inspiration on things to do in either city, such as exploring day trips from Dubrovnik or finding great tips to travel europe on a budget, feel free to explore further on our site or reach out. Having explored both cities and a good portion of the surrounding coast, I’m always happy to share insights to help you enjoy Croatia.
Enjoy your travels along the beautiful Croatian coast and your time in these two stunning cities!
