How to get from Dubrovnik to Split: bus, catamaran, car or private transfer

How far is it from Dubrovnik to Split?

The drive from Dubrovnik to the centre of Split is about 235 km and takes roughly 3¼ hours without stops. The fastest road follows the D8 coast road north-west, crosses Mali Ston Bay on the Pelješac Bridge and joins the A1 motorway for the last 104 km. Driving the coast road all the way is about 244 km and takes around 4¼ hours, with views to match.

There is no railway in Dubrovnik, so the realistic options are the bus, the catamaran in season, driving yourself, or a private transfer.

Is there still a border at Neum?

No. Until 2022 the coast road crossed a 9 km stretch of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s coast at Neum, with a border check at each end. The Pelješac Bridge, which opened on 26 July 2022, now carries traffic across Mali Ston Bay, so the road from Dubrovnik to Split stays inside Croatia. The European Commission, which funded most of the project, says the new link cut the drive between the two parts of the D8 from at best 59 minutes to 22. Our Pelješac Bridge guide tells the full story.

Some older guides still warn about a border queue at Neum. That advice applies only if you choose to drive the old road through the town.

How do the options compare?

How does the bus work?

Intercity buses leave from Dubrovnik’s main bus station at Obala pape Ivana Pavla II 44A in Gruž, which is open daily from 06:30 to 22:00 and stores luggage for €1 an hour. Several companies run the route; the fastest services take just under four hours and others about 4½. Fares start at around €16 per person when booked ahead, which makes the bus the cheapest option by a wide margin.

The bus is the sensible choice for one or two people travelling light. Its drawbacks are the transfers at each end, the luggage hold and the fixed timetable.

How does the catamaran work?

In the warmer months, fast catamarans link the two cities by sea, calling at islands such as Korčula and Hvar on the way. Operators including Kapetan Luka (Krilo), TP Line and Jadrolinija run services, and the crossing takes roughly 4½ to 6 hours depending on the operator and the stops. Departures are typically once a day in each direction, from Gruž port.

The catamaran is the most scenic option and a good way to see the islands. It is also the most weather-dependent, and services run only between spring and autumn. Check the operator’s timetable for your dates before planning around it.

Should you drive yourself?

If you are touring the coast anyway, a rental car gives the most freedom. You can stop at Ston, Makarska or any beach on the way, and continue to the islands by ferry. The costs are the rental, fuel and motorway tolls on the A1, and parking in Split.

For a one-way trip, ask the rental company about a one-way fee before booking, and remember that the drive takes most of a day once you add stops. In Croatia the motorway speed limit is 130 km/h, and the drink-drive limit is 0.5 g/kg, or zero for drivers up to the age of 24, according to the Road Traffic Safety Act.

When is a private transfer worth it?

A private transfer from Dubrovnik to Split costs €330 by car for up to four passengers or €420 by minivan for up to eight. It is the most expensive option, but it is also the only one that goes from door to door at a time you choose, with all your luggage and stops on request.

It suits families with young children, groups, travellers with lots of luggage and anyone who would rather spend the day looking out of the window than navigating. Popular stops on the way include Ston, about an hour from Dubrovnik, where the medieval walls were begun in 1358 to protect the salt pans, as the Wikipedia article on the Walls of Ston records.

For other journeys out of the city, see our list of day trips from Dubrovnik by car and the guide to getting around Dubrovnik.