Port of Split has always been the most chaotic place in the city, especially during July and August. If may look so on the first sight if you don’t know how to find your way to your ferry destination.
Everything is concentrated inside the Split harbor, a bus station, train station, ferry ticketing offices and fast ship (catamaran) docks. How to orient yourself in this relatively small area?
If you are confused about the dozens of ferries sailing in and to different Central Dalmatian islands, or if you’re just arrived by bus from Split airport, where to take bus (for example – to Dubrovnik), don’t panic, just follow my simple indications.
On the above map you can see key points inside the Split passengers harbor with three piers according different destinations and types of marine transportation, ferries for cars and passengers, catamarans only for passengers (foot passengers) and international pier.
Split port address is Obala Kneza Domagoja, 21000 Split, Croatia. You can find this address using this useful Split streets indicator (only in Croatian)
Port Of Split Layout
On the image below under the page title, you can notice three moles (Gat in Croatian). The first one looking from the city area is N° 1 local ferry mole called Gat Svetog Petra (St.Peter Mole), for ferries to Vis island, Stari Grad (Hvar Island), Split to Korcula island.
The mole in the middle called Gat St. Duje is usually used for ferry arrivals/departures from/to Split – Supetar (Brac island), Split – Rogac (Solta island), Split – Hvar town- Vis (catamaran) and ferry Ancona Italy – Split – Ancona. N.B Do not take this schedule for granted, as it can be changed without notice.
The third one is a Maritime International Border Crossing, usually dedicated for international cruising ships.
Catamaran port
If you are arriving from Split airport by regular bus transfer or by taxi than you will stop at Obala Lazareta (in English seaside) where all on foot passengers can take one of fast catamaran to one of the islands.
Ferry companies
Jadrolinija the Croatian national carrier, handles all car and passenger ferry connections with Central Dalmatia islands.
Tickets can be purchased at the main office of Jadrolinija, which is located within the large ferry terminal opposite the bus terminal and one at kiosks on Gat Sv.Duje pier.
In the lower season (May-June and September- October) usually is not problem finding the place, but in high season (July and August) you should book a ferry for the car at least one day in advance and for boarding you have to show up several hours before departure as passengers can always get on board but space for cars can fill up.
Jadrolinija is not only company running catamaran connections with Dalmatian islands. Another privately owned company Krilo (from nearby village south of Split) has been keeping for years now fast catamaran connections with Korcula, Hvar and Vis islands and very popular connection to Dubrovnik.
All Krilo company catamarans depart from catamaran port of Split from Obala Lazareta, in front of a big building building of Plovput , a Croatian company, active in waterway maintenance.
Transfers from Split Airport to the Port of Split
If you are looking for transfers from Split Airport to the Port of Split or any hotel in Split old town, you can organized in advance inexpensive taxi transfer to the city center or back to the airport.
What are advantages of private transfer? First of all are more comfortable ideal for the family with children, a tourist group or for solo travelers. These transfers are much faster as the driver knows your arrival time in advance and will be waiting for you at Split Airport, at the appointed place.