How long does the ferry from Split to Dubrovnik take?

The summer catamaran takes roughly four and a half to five and a half hours, depending on the operator and the stops. It usually calls at Brač, Hvar, Korčula and Mljet on the way. It runs seasonally, roughly from spring to the end of October.

What is the fastest way from Split to Dubrovnik?

Driving on the motorway is usually quickest at around three hours, traffic permitting. A private speedboat takes roughly four hours but turns the journey into a day along the coast. The bus and the catamaran both take four to five hours or more.

Is there a ferry from Split to Dubrovnik all year?

No. The direct catamarans are seasonal. Outside the season the practical options are the bus, driving or a private transfer.

Can you stop on the way to Dubrovnik by private boat?

Yes, that is the main reason people choose it. On a private transfer you can stop for a swim in a quiet bay, have lunch on Hvar or Korčula, and arrive in Dubrovnik by sea. Luggage travels with you on board.

Guide

Boat transfers

Split to Dubrovnik: ferry, bus, car or private boat

Every way to get from Split to Dubrovnik compared: the summer catamaran, the bus, driving and a private boat transfer. How long each takes, what you see on the way, and which one suits your trip.

27 September 2026 3 min read

Colnago 35 leaving the Riva in Split with the cathedral bell tower behind

Split and Dubrovnik are the two cities almost every Dalmatia trip includes, and the question of how to get between them comes up on nearly every itinerary. There are four real options. They differ less in speed than you might think, and a lot in what the day feels like.

The summer catamaran

In season, fast catamarans run directly from Split to Dubrovnik. The trip takes roughly four and a half to five and a half hours, depending on the operator, with short stops along the way, typically at Brač, Hvar, Korčula and Mljet. You watch the islands pass from a seat inside, and you arrive in Dubrovnik's port at Gruž, a short ride from the old town.

It is good value and reasonably comfortable. The downsides are that it only runs seasonally, it sells out in peak weeks, and the departure time is fixed. Luggage is fine, but space can be tight on busy sailings. Book ahead and check the current timetable, since routes and times change from year to year.

The bus

Buses run between Split and Dubrovnik all year, several times a day. Expect four to five hours, sometimes more in summer traffic. It is the cheapest option and it goes when the catamaran does not. It is also the least memorable: a long road day along the coast, with the sea on one side and not much else to do about it.

Driving

With a car, the motorway gets you there in roughly three hours, making it the fastest option on paper. The coastal road is slower but far more beautiful. If you have hired a car for the trip anyway, driving makes sense. If you have not, a one-way drop-off fee can make it an expensive way to save an hour.

A private boat transfer

A private boat covers the distance in roughly four hours by speedboat, depending on the sea and how often you stop. That is similar to the bus, but it is a completely different day.

The route runs the length of the Dalmatian coast: past Brač and Hvar, along Korčula and the Pelješac peninsula, through the Elaphiti islands and into Dubrovnik. You leave when you want, your luggage is on board with you, and you can build in a swim in a quiet bay and lunch in Hvar or Korčula town on the way. Most guests treat it less as a transfer and more as a tour that happens to end in Dubrovnik.

It costs more than a bus ticket, clearly. Priced per boat rather than per person, it becomes much more reasonable for a family or a group, and it replaces a travel day with one of the best days of the trip.

Which one to pick

On a budget, in season: the catamaran. It is the scenic public option.

Out of season or on a tight budget: the bus.

Already driving: take the car, and use the coastal road if you have time.

Travelling as a group, or want the day to count: a private boat. You see the islands up close instead of through a window, and arrive the way Dubrovnik was meant to be approached, from the sea.

Planning a transfer

Morning departures are best, when the sea is calmest. A typical transfer leaves Split around 09:00, stops for a swim mid-morning, has lunch on an island and reaches Dubrovnik in the mid-afternoon. The route and stops are yours to choose.

See our boat transfers page for all the routes we run from Split, including Hvar, Brač, Vis and Korčula. Or send us your date and group size for a quote on the Dubrovnik run.

Common questions

How long does the ferry from Split to Dubrovnik take?: The summer catamaran takes roughly four and a half to five and a half hours, depending on the operator and the stops. It usually calls at Brač, Hvar, Korčula and Mljet on the way. It runs seasonally, roughly from spring to the end of October.
What is the fastest way from Split to Dubrovnik?: Driving on the motorway is usually quickest at around three hours, traffic permitting. A private speedboat takes roughly four hours but turns the journey into a day along the coast. The bus and the catamaran both take four to five hours or more.
Is there a ferry from Split to Dubrovnik all year?: No. The direct catamarans are seasonal. Outside the season the practical options are the bus, driving or a private transfer.
Can you stop on the way to Dubrovnik by private boat?: Yes, that is the main reason people choose it. On a private transfer you can stop for a swim in a quiet bay, have lunch on Hvar or Korčula, and arrive in Dubrovnik by sea. Luggage travels with you on board.