How much is a Dubrovnik cruise port transfer?
Both prices are per vehicle, one way, with luggage and VAT included. Cruise passengers who start or end their voyage in Dubrovnik usually need the airport route; passengers on a port call usually need the short hop to the Old Town.
| Route | Distance | Drive time | Standard car 1–4 passengers | Minivan 5–8 passengers | Premium minivan 1–7 passengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport (DBV) → Gruž port | 22 km | 30–35 minutes | €50 | €65 | €75 |
| Gruž port → Old Town | 3.5 km | 10–15 minutes | €25 | €35 | €45 |
2026 prices per vehicle, one way, in euros. Fuel, tolls, luggage and VAT are included. Drive times are for normal traffic; allow more in July and August.
Where is Dubrovnik’s cruise port?
Dubrovnik’s passenger port for both cruise ships and ferries is in Gruž, a harbour district about 3 km west of the Old Town. The port operator, Luka Dubrovnik, is based at Obala pape Ivana Pavla II 1, on the long quay where the ships berth. By road the port is about 3.5 km from Pile Gate and about 22 km from the airport.
Large ships tie up at the main berths along the quay, and the main bus station is on the same road, at Obala pape Ivana Pavla II 44A.
How busy is the port?
Dubrovnik was Croatia’s most visited cruise port in 2025, with 557 visits by foreign cruise ships, ahead of Split and Zadar, according to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. The port’s own calendar listed 61 cruise arrivals for October 2026 alone.
The City manages the crowds: the European Commission reports that Dubrovnik limits daily cruise visitors to 4,500, or two ships at a time. Even so, on days with two large ships the roads between Gruž and Pile are busy, which is why we allow a margin on every return to the ship.
How do we get from the ship to the Old Town?
There are four ways from the port to the Old Town:
| Option | Price (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | €25 per car, €35 per minivan | Driver at the terminal; return to the ship booked in advance |
| City bus 1A, 1B or 3 | €2.50 per person on board, €1.73 from a kiosk | From the “Luka Gruž (Hotel Petka)” stop to Pile |
| Taxi | Set by each taxi operator | Taxi stand opposite the Jadrolinija office |
| On foot | Free | About 3 km on busy roads; not recommended in heat |
Libertas city buses run from the port to Pile Gate on lines 1A, 1B and 3, according to the Dubrovnik Tourist Board. A ticket bought from the driver costs €2.50, and a one-hour ticket bought in advance costs €1.73, according to the Libertas price list.
A private transfer makes most sense for families, travellers with limited mobility and anyone who wants a guaranteed ride back before all-aboard. Wherever the driver sets you down, the last part of the way into the Old Town is on foot; the Old Town transfer page explains the drop-off points.
Embarking or disembarking in Dubrovnik?
Some cruise lines start and end voyages in Dubrovnik; Marella Cruises, for example, has used the city as a start and end port for its British passengers for ten years. On those days you need a transfer between the port and the airport, or between the port and your hotel, with all your luggage.
A port–airport transfer is about 22 km and costs €50 by car or €65 by minivan. The driver meets you at the terminal or in the airport arrivals hall and handles the suitcases. If your flight lands on the morning of departure, tell us the ship’s check-in time and we plan the transfer around it.
Can we see more than the Old Town on a port call?
On a long call, yes. With a car with driver, you can visit Cavtat, Ston or the viewpoints above the city and be back well before all-aboard. Kotor and Mostar are full-day trips with border crossings, so they fit only very long calls or an overnight stay in port; tell us your ship’s arrival and departure times and we will say honestly whether a trip fits.
Our cruise port guide covers the port, the buses and the timings in more detail.
How do we book a Dubrovnik cruise port transfer?
Send us the ship’s name, the date, the arrival and all-aboard times, the number of passengers and where you want to go. We reply with a fixed price per vehicle and the meeting point at the terminal. If the ship’s schedule changes, tell us as soon as you know and we will move the pick-up. For trips from the airport, see our airport transfers.
Questions about cruise port transfers
How far is the cruise port from the Old Town?
The port in Gruž is about 3 km west of the Old Town, or about 3.5 km by road to Pile Gate. By car the trip takes 10 to 15 minutes, longer when several ships are in port.
Can you walk from the cruise port to the Old Town?
It is possible but not pleasant: about 3 km along busy roads, often in strong sun. Most passengers take a bus, a taxi or a pre-booked transfer.
Where does the driver meet us at the port?
At the meeting point named in your confirmation, outside the terminal building for your berth. Tell us the ship's name and arrival time so the driver can be there when the gangway opens.
Will we be back in time for all-aboard?
That is the point of booking ahead. We work backwards from your all-aboard time and add a margin for traffic, especially on days when several ships are in port.
Can we go to the airport straight from the ship?
Yes. The port is about 22 km from the airport. The transfer costs €50 by car or €65 by minivan, with all your luggage.
Can we visit Kotor or Mostar during a port call?
Only on a long port call. Kotor is about two hours away plus the border, and Mostar about 2½ hours plus the border. Tell us your ship's times and we will say honestly whether the trip fits.