How to get from Split to Dubrovnik is one of the most frequent questions travelers ask me. Your trip to Croatia will not be complete without visiting both cities, as both Split and Dubrovnik are Croatia’s classic destinations.
How far is Dubrovnik from Split? What is the driving distance between two cities? These two cities are approximately 230 kilometers apart if you take the shortest route, and it will take you just over 3 hours via car.
Regardless of whether you’re traveling from Split to Dubrovnik or Dubrovnik to Split, the distance between these two cities can be crossed in a number of different ways. My guide will outline all options and compare the time required, pricing and convenience.
You can use the following links to quickly jump to a particular section of my Split to Dubrovnik guide:
- Driving route
- Car rental
- Bus
- Ferry
- Catamaran
- Flights
- Seaplane
- Private transfers
- Cruises
- Day tours
- Conclusion
Don’t forget that on the way to Dubrovnik by car you’ll have to cross the border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, driving through the so-called Neum Corridor. You can visit that page for more information, but don’t worry passing through is completely painless.
From Split to Dubrovnik by car via D8 and E65
What is the driving distance between two cities? What is the quickest way to drive from Dubrovnik to Split? Unless you are getting off a flight or by ferry from Italy (Bari to Dubrovnik, or Ancona to Split) you will probably travel by car.
Travelers with cars can also find more info on my getting to Split by car page. If you are going to hire a car make sure to take advantage of discount car rentals from Split, and if you’re looking for car rentals from Split airport to reach Dubrovnik, take advantage of budget deals.
Regardless of whether you rent a car or travel in your own, in both cases you have two driving options:
- Driving along the coastal road indicated as D8 from Split via Omis, Makarska to Ploce (border Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina), and from there all the way to Dubrovnik. This is a rather economic route without toll charges. The approximate costs are about €30 with a petrol vehicle.
- The distance is 212 km (132 miles). The coastal road is probably the slowest option, but it’s certainly more rewarding offering breathtaking views. This scenic route will take about 4 hours, including crossing into Bosnia-Herzegovina (USA citizens must have a passport). Read more about Neum corridor on my Dubrovnik County page!
- The second option is taking highway E 65 highway and D8 coastal road. This route is faster, but the distance is 236 km with 87 km on motorways. Traveling from Split to Dubrovnik via E65 and D8 will take about 3 hours and 20 minutes. The cost is about €41, including highway toll € 5,38.
Keep in mind: highway toll prices are subject to change. They’re also 10% higher in summer months!
Split to Dubrovnik route on map:
Split to Dubrovnik by Car Rental
Many people keep asking me how to find a reliable car rental company in case they decide to drive from Split airport to Dubrovnik city or vice versa.
Many of the questions are related to one-way car rentals. like:
“Is it possible to rent a car in one direction, Split airport to Dubrovnik or V/V. Do we have to pay a on-way fee?”
It is not just a question of reliability of car rental companies but also about the price, as most car rental companies charge additional so-called “one-way fee”.
Don’t ignore this fee as something not worth considering, as it can significantly increase the renting price. If you book your car online make sure to watch out for this detail, otherwise you may be charged extra at your drop-off destination.
I recommend using AutoEurope or RentalCars to compare prices from multiple car rental companies. Final price including a potential one-way fee will be displayed before checkout so you can hire with confidence.
Generally renting a car is expensive, but does have clear advantages and offers you more freedom to explore at your own pace or stop along the way.
Split to Dubrovnik by Bus
Traveling from Split to Dubrovnik by bus is definitely the cheapest way of covering the distance between these two cities.
It’s actually one of the most recommended ways of traveling as the buses are very frequent: at least 10 departures a day in winter, and over 25 departures in high season.
Find bus tickets here
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One way ticket is about 15 Euro, while a round trip will cost 25 Euro. Please note prices are approximate and may vary.
You can see daily bus departure schedule from Split bus station here!
Ferry from Split to Dubrovnik
Sad news for tourists with vehicles, Jadrolinija (Croatian state ferry company) no longer keeps a ferry connection between Split and Dubrovnik!
However, please keep in mind that other companies offer catamaran connections to and from Split and Dubrovnik. Keep reading below!
Fast Catamarans from Split to Dubrovnik
After Jadrolinija’s decision to abolish their ferry connection from Split to Dubrovnik in 2015, the only consolation left is a catamaran from Split to Dubrovnik by Kapetan Luka company.
Catamarans from Split to Dubrovnik start in early May until the end of October, so you can still use them to travel in high and low season. High-speed catamaran line connects Split to Dubrovnik, with stops on islands Brac, Hvar, Korcula and Mljet along the way.
In May you can travel on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. June to August has catamaran connections every day of the week, while in August connections are only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
One way ticket from Split to Dubrovnik (or Dubrovnik to Split) is €25, and your catamaran ride will last approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes.
Book ferry tickets online
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You can find more information or book your tickets online on Kapetan Luka’s website here.
Flights from Split to Dubrovnik
You’ll be happy to hear there are direct flights from Split to Dubrovnik (SPU – DBV) and vice versa. The flight takes 40-45 minutes, with most priced at €120 and above.
It’s much easier to find a flight going from Split to Zagreb and then Dubrovnik, but this trip with a stop in Croatia’s capital will take over 2 hours, and is of course slightly more expensive.
Bad news is that flights to Dubrovnik from Split are sporadic, so it’s impossible to provide a concrete schedule. If you provide your preferred travel dates in the search form below, it will compare literally thousands of airlines and travel agencies so if the flight exists you can be sure you’ll find it.
Seaplane Between Split And Dubrovnik
European Coastal Airlines connected multiple destinations in Croatia with chartered seaplanes, giving travelers a great alternative way of travel to Dubrovnik from Split.
They provided convenient and affordable flights, but unfortunately the company filed for bankruptcy in 2017. There is no alternative as of yet.
Private Vehicle Transfers
Private transfers from Split to Dubrovnik are possibly the most convenient way to travel for visitors without a personal vehicle. Most of these services can be booked online and in advance, and will take you from and to any destination of your choice.
Options include:
Regular taxi
Taking a regular taxi is very expensive: from Split to Dubrovnik you’re probably looking at over €300-€400, so I would not recommend it. Most regular taxi drivers may even deny driving such a long distance, so you’ll have to book a private transfer – see below for more info.
Fast speed boats
Another extremely expensive way to travel that I highly recommend avoiding for regular people. Boat taxi from Split to Dubrovnik will cost you at least €1400. Unless you’re particularly wealthy and value privacy and speed above all, use the money for something better.
Organized private car transfers
Starting at only €55 per person, private transfer services from Split to Dubrovnik are convenient and easy to find in any season. Besides taking a bus or owning your own vehicle, private transfer services are also the cheapest way to travel.
You can request your private transfer service to pick you up anywhere in Split, either the airport or your hotel, and drop you off at your location of choice in Dubrovnik. You can travel at any time you find convenient, and gas or other costs are typically already included in the price.
To compare prices and find reliable car transfer services I recommend you to check Kiwitaxi, Happytovisit and SoloTransfers as my top choices.
Sailboat cruises from Split to Dubrovnik
One of the best ways to discover both cities but also other destinations is to book a cruise.
Cruising the Adriatic in restored antique ships is definitely a memorable experience. When you compare everything included it can also be one of the cheapest ways to discover Croatia.
Chartering a gullet ship is a great way to spend a vacation, giving you the freedom no cruise liner or hotel can offer.
Nature and Culture Cruise – 7 days
Highlights of Central Dalmatia and Dubrovnik Riviera. See 7 different destinations in 7 days: Split – Makarska – Mljet – Dubrovnik – Trstenik – Korčula – Hvar – (Bol) – Split.
From €615. Prices and booking here »
See also:
Split to Dubrovnik day tours
More info:
Day trips are an excellent way to discover top destinations in Croatia. Whether you want to explore fantastic Plitvice Lakes or just want a quick trip to any Dalmatian island, day tours are an inexpensive and hassle-free way to discover anything you like.
Day trips from Split to Dubrovnik or from Dubrovnik to Split start at around €90 in high season. Price includes transportation. Also included is is a professional tour guide who will show and explain the ins and outs of either of these destinations.
Dubrovnik Discovery Day Trip from Split
Discover the beauty of Dubrovnik, cultural metropolis and the most remarkable medieval walled city in Croatia. Enjoy the scenic coastal route to Dubrovnik and stop at several overlooks for amazing panoramic views of the Dalmatian islands. Gain insight into Dubrovnik's historical importance and see Sponza Palace, St. Blaise Church, limestone Stradun street and much more accompanied by a local tour guide.
Day tours will take you back to your point of origin though, so keep that in mind. If you need a one-way trip then book a private transfer for half the price, and you can still hire a local tour guide to show you around if you wish.
Best way from Split to Dubrovnik?
I outlined various ways to travel between these two cities, but if you don’t own a car the best way to travel from Split to Dubrovnik or vice versa is definitely by private transfer.
If you are looking for easy and stress-free way to get from Split to Dubrovnik, than travel in style and comfort with private one-way transfer service. These transfers can be arranged directly before or upon your arrival to Split airport or from any hotel in Split city.
You can book your transfer online! Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. The one-way transfer price starts at only €55 per person, and besides taking a bus this is certainly the cheapest way to travel.
