Dubrovnik to Split

About the journey from Dubrovnik to Split

After exploring the beautiful Renaissance architecture of Dubrovnik, you may be looking to travel further up the Dalmatian coast, and a must-see destination on this route is the city of Split. Split is full of history due to its ancient Roman architecture, with the Diocletian’s Palace being a major attraction. Split is also a great place to learn about Croatia’s culture including their traditional music and love of football.

The 163 kilometer (101 mile) journey between the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Dubrovnik and Split can be taken in several ways. The quickest option is to be driven privately in a standard car or minivan, with the journey being between 3 and 3.5 hours. You can instead take a high-speed ferry from Dubrovnik Pier to the Split Ferry Port which takes around 4.5 hours. Another popular option is to take a bus which will have varying travel times depending on the operator.

The best mode of transport may differ depending on the time of year you wish to make the journey between Dubrovnik and Split. In the peak summer months, the high-speed ferry is the best option for avoiding traffic queues on the popular coastal road, while the winter months offer limited ferry travel and the roads are much quieter. 

Split is an extremely worthwhile visitor destination due to its interesting historical sites, vibrant culture, and coastal setting. Luckily, there is also lots to see on the journey between Dubrovnik and Split.

 

What to see when traveling from Dubrovnik to Split

The relatively short travel time between Dubrovnik and Split means you will not waste a whole day on the journey and can enjoy a relaxing morning in Dubrovnik while still being able to take in the sights of Split that evening. With the journey from Dubrovnik to Split being the most popular route on the Croatian coast, it is good to know that there are many great things to see in between these two beautiful cities.

If you are journeying by land between Dubrovnik and Split, there are plenty of interesting sights to see from the window or stop at for further exploration. Some worthwhile locations between Dubrovnik and Split include the tomb of King Arthur in Podstrana, the Cetina river, the picturesque town of Ston with its smaller companion town of Mali Ston, and the stunning beaches on the Makarska Riviera.

 

How to get from Dubrovnik to Split

Taking a ferry 

If you are looking for the more adventurous journey between Dubrovnik and Split, the direct high-speed ferry will also allow you to admire the mainland coastline and charming islands surrounding it from afar. The passenger ferry between Dubrovnik and Split does not take vehicles but has comfortable seating, available snacks and drinks and air conditioning for an enjoyable journey. There are approximately three departures per day with the high-speed ferry, but this may vary outside of the high season and is dependent on weather. The ferry docks at Obala kneza Domagoja 8 in the Split Ferry Port, which is a short walk away from the heart of the city. 

 

Taking a car or minivan 

Traveling by car or minivan from Dubrovnik to Split is the quicker of the two options and can accommodate groups of 3, 5 or 8 people depending on the vehicle you choose. You can relax while a private local driver picks you up and drops you off at your desired hotels. Some vehicles operators also include WiFi and chargers in their private cars for extra convenience.

 

What is the best time of year to visit Dubrovnik?

The best time of year to visit Dubrovnik is in September and October when the weather is at its best, you’ve missed the busy August holiday season, but the ocean will still be warm.

 

What is the best time of year to visit Split?

Split is best to visit in either May or September as this will allow you to avoid the hottest and most crowded months within the city.

 

Crossing the border when traveling from Dubrovnik to Split

If you have checked out the coastal route between Dubrovnik and Split on a map and are planning to travel between them by car, you may have noticed that the regions of each city are located either side of the Bosnia and Herzegovina border at Neum. This requires two crossings of the border, one in and one out, which are about a 10-minute drive apart.

The crossing requirements should be straightforward when you are traveling in a private car as your driver will have the correct documents. It is also advisable to have your passport and/or ID card on you as it may need to be checked. If you are traveling across the border during the peak summer months, you could be expecting delays that increase your journey time to 4 or 5 hours. There are other inland routes that your local driver may be aware of, to avoid delays on the popular coastal route. 

Your best bet is to contact your private car operator for more information on border requirements or take the high-speed ferry to avoid the border all together. A bridge on the route between Dubrovnik and Split is set to be completed in the 2nd half of 2021 which will bypass the border crossing.