The best ways of travelling from Dubrovnik to Split in 2025

Every so often, I sit down and write one of these guides on one of the most travelled routes in Croatia. Many thousands of travellers make the journey from Dubrovnik to Split (or the return journey, from Split to Dubrovnik…or both!) during their stay in Croatia, so it makes sense that I write a guide to it. And about time for an update, for this guide is the first since the Peljesac Bridge was opened in 2022. So here’s the updated guide for 2025 for travelling from Dubrovnik to Split. (Or the reverse!)

Travelling from Dubrovnik to Split by Catamaran (but not ferry)

Let’s first get this out of the way – I say “…but not ferry” for there are no large ferry boats operating on the Dubrovnik to Split or Split to Dubrovnik route. Many years ago, Jadrolinija used to operate a long-distance ferry from Rijeka via Split to Dubrovnik, which was a much-loved sailing option. But this option is long gone, and there are no car ferries operating today.

So, what sailing options can you make use of? These days, three companies offer a catamaran that sails from Dubrovnik to Split – Jadrolinija, Kapetan Luka and TP Line. Jadrolinija has one boat sailing this route, whilst Kapetan Luka and TP Line have two boats each. All operators make stops at islands (and the mainland, in the case of one of Kapetan Luka’s routes) along the way. Whilst all operators and sailings are much of a muchness, it is important to note that some routes operate from Dubrovnik to Split in the morning, whilst some run in the afternoon. I would suggest which one you go for depends on what time you want to arrive in Split.

Jadrolinija’s Dubrovnik to Split catamaran

The following catamaran is operated by Jadrolinija. You can buy tickets for the sailing on their website.

Timetable

Note: no sailing from Dubrovnik to Split on 6th June, and no sailing from Split to Dubrovnik on 21st September

Ticket Prices

TP Lines Dubrovnik to Split Catamaran Option 1

The following catamaran is operated by TP Line. Tickets can be purchased on their website.

Timetable

Note: no sailing from Dubrovnik to Split on 14th April, and no sailing from Split to Dubrovnik on 26th October

Ticket Prices

TP Lines Dubrovnik to Split Catamaran Option 2

Timetable

Ticket Prices

Kapetan Luka Dubrovnik to Split Catamaran Option 1

The following catamaran is operated by Kapetan Luka. Tickets can be bought on their website.

Timetable

Ticket Prices

Kapetan Luka Dubrovnik to Split Catamaran Option 2

The following catamaran is operated by Kapetan Luka. Tickets can be bought on their website.

Timetable

Ticket Prices

For any of the above sailings, I would suggest you always pre-book tickets – at least a few days in advance if you can’t do so earlier – as the Dubrovnik to Split (or Split to Dubrovnik) catamaran is a popular route.

Travelling from Dubrovnik to Split by Bus

Travelling by bus from Dubrovnik to Split is a very easy, reliable and cheap option – and there are numerous buses operating on this route, year-round.

Journey time between the two takes around 4 to 4.5 hours. Although buses no longer go through that small slice of Bosnia, some buses make numerous stops along the way, which means a longer journey time. In the summer months, the coastal road can also be congested with holiday traffic, making the journey longer than expected. If you are travelling during the peak summer months, consider taking an early morning or later evening bus.

If a shorter journey time is important to you, take a bus that hardly makes any stops and uses the motorway (where it starts, near Ploce) instead!

A one-way bus ticket from Dubrovnik to Split in 2025 costs €20-€25.

• Good to know: You can look up bus timetables and buy bus tickets on Traveling.com or on the Dubrovnik Bus Station website.
• Good to know: Sit on the left-hand side of the bus (on the same side as the driver) to be closest to the amazing view!

Driving from Dubrovnik to Split

If you’re renting a car during travels in Croatia, making the drive from Dubrovnik to Split is relatively straightforward. As with travelling by bus, the fastest option is to take the A1 motorway (from where it starts, near Ploce) and zoom all the way up to Split! On the way to the motorway, you’ll drive part of the coastal road up and through the Peljesac Peninsula and across the Peljesac Bridge, so you’ll experience this charming part of south Dalmatia. Why not stop for a coffee? Perhaps in Ston, and you can then visit those town walls!

Or if you’re after something a bit more slower paced – and utterly beautiful – take the D8 coastal road all the way from Dubrovnik to Split. You’ll be rewarded with utterly gorgeous views all the way, and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to stop for coffee, lunch, some photos at a viewpoint and more along the way.

The motorway option takes around 3 hours, whilst the coastal road would take you 4 hours to drive, but that assumes no stops at all. During summer, the coastal road option can be slower (as we’ve mentioned for the bus option above) because of holiday traffic. Simply take it in your stride!

Do also be aware that if you use the motorway, you will need to pay a toll. Take a ticket just before entering the motorway and then pay at the toll on exit. For a regular-sized car, the motorway toll in 2025 will cost €7.30 from Dubrovnik to Split (entering at Karamatici and exiting at Dugopolje for Split). You can see prices for other vehicles on the Toll Rates section of the Croatian Motorways website.

• Good to know: take a look at our Motorways in Croatia section, or read up on Driving in Croatia for tips!

Travelling from Dubrovnik to Split by Plane

If you want to make the journey from Dubrovnik to Split very, very quickly, travelling by plane is, of course, the best bet.

Trade Air operate flights year-round twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Flight time from Dubrovnik to Split is 55 minutes. A one-way ticket costs around €75 for a non-refundable ticket.]

Travelling from Dubrovnik to Split by Train

Impossible!

Let me elaborate – Dubrovnik has no train station, so there’s no way you can travel from Dubrovnik to Split by train! Use one of the options above instead.

Dubrovnik to Split by Private Transfer

If you fancy taking all the organisation of travelling from Dubrovnik to Split out of your hands, a private transfer may be the best choice for you. These are generally rather pricey – you are making a journey of over 200 kilometres, after all – but if there’s a small group of you plus luggage, you may find it easiest to opt for a transfer. Take a look at some of the private transfers available below:

So what’s the best way of travelling from Dubrovnik to Split?

Oh yes, I did promise to tell you that, didn’t I? If I said, “there’s no best way”, would you be really cross with me?

Well, if you have your own rental car, then you’ll be driving, of course, and this option gives you the most flexibility and possibility of exploring.

Flying is only possible twice a week, and I would only recommend this if you’re really pushed for time and perhaps are only travelling with a small amount of luggage. But it’s undoubtedly the fastest option.

Travelling by catamaran is a great way of experiencing sailing on the Adriatic, but it is a long journey from Dubrovnik to Split by sea. I would personally choose a catamaran if making overnight stops on one (or more) of the islands along the way.

So, call me old-fashioned, but I love the bus option! Sit back and relax, put some music on your headphones (or listen to the gorgeous Croatian music the bus driver has chosen) and watch the gorgeous view as you’re driven by. And this is the cheapest option!

Whatever way you choose for travelling from Dubrovnik to Split, enjoy your journey!