With Split and Dubrovnik being two of the main cities in Croatia, getting from one to the other is always on the tourists’ minds.
Today, I am here to help you learn how to get from Dubrovnik to Split (and vice-versa) by bus, car, plane, or even by ferry boat. You’ve got plenty of options, with some better than others – but I’m listing them all below.
First, my preferred way to get from Dubrovnik to Split is by bus. This is because the two cities are close and the road from Split to Dubrovnik is really good, but also with some amazing, scenic views. The tickets are also very affordable.
From Dubrovnik to Split by Bus
There are many connections from Dubrovnik to Split each day, most of them being high quality buses.
I recommend booking online via Bookaway as they make everything easier to check and have various bus companies on their website.
A one-way ticket will be around €18, which is cheap. Double check, as prices vary based on the booking time and can change without warning.
The bus trip from Split to Dubrovnik (or Dubrovnik to Split) will take around 4 hours, with minor changes depending on the company you choose. But the buses are usually high quality, cheap and safe.
As I said, this is my preferred method of getting from one city to the other. And once you get to split, make sure to check out the best beaches in the city.
Dubrovnik to Split by Car
This is probably the easiest and fastest way to reach your destination, with the downside being that you need to have a car to drive.
So unless you plan to rent or already come to Croatia by car, it’s best to skip this option.
UPDATE: Amazing news! A new bridge, called the Peljesac bridge, has been inaugurated in late 2022, allowing people to avoid going through Bosnia (for just 10km) when trying to get from Dubrovnik to Split or the rest of the country.
But if you are driving, you have two options: a faster route (which is my preferred one since the bridge went live – see my update above) or the scenic route.
1. The fastest route from Dubrovnik to Split
As you can see in the map above, you will be taking E65 (highway) and various other coastal roads.
Although this route is a bit longer at 235 km, many of them are on a highway / motorway so you’ll reach your destination faster. Expect this route to take around 3 hours.
This route is the fastest and best option by car because, thanks to the new Peljesac bridge mentioned above, you no longer have to cross the border when getting from Dubrovnik to Split (as you were forced to before).
Make sure to also read my previous article sharing all the amazing things to do in Split.
2. The scenic route from from Dubrovnik to Split
If you’re not in a hurry and you want to skip paying some extra tolls, this is the route you should be following.
You will be driving entirely along the coastal road D8 from Split via Omis, Makarska to Ploce (border Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina) and from there all the way to Dubrovnik. Or vice-versa if you’re going from Dubrovnik to Split.
The distance is shorter this way (some 212 kilometers), but it will take a bit longer – 4 hours at least.
But this route takes you along the coast, with some impressive views over the seas and it’s worth it if you’re not in a hurry and you want to save several euros in the process.
Have in mind that driving (or taking the bus as recommended above involves crossing into Bosnia-Herzegovina where you will get your passport checked and even though it’s usually really fast, you can never really anticipate a crowd so you can end up spending a lot more time at the border.
Dubrovnik to Split by Plane
Although canceled until recently, starting 2024 we once again have a direct flight from Dubrovnik to Split (and vice versa), operated by the state company, Croatia Airlines.
You’re flying in a nice Saab 340 plane (similar to the one in the photo above) that gets you from one place to another in around 50 minutes. This is definitely the fastest way to get from Dubrovnik to Split, so perfect if you’re in a hurry.
It’s the most expensive means of transportation, but if you book well in advance, you can get a ticket for as low as 50 euros (maybe even less). That’s not bad at all!
Dubrovnik to Split by Sea (Ferry)
This is certainly the most natural way to get to Split from Dubrovnik or the other way around, the most exciting and most scenic way, particularly for those deciding on island hopping, visiting different islands, and buying separate ferry (catamaran) tickets.
But for a direct ferry from Dubrovnik to Split (or vice-versa), you can pay as low as €35 and enjoy a really nice experience. It will be a memorable trip with amazing views – one you must take at least once when in Croatia!
The ferry ride from Dubrovnik to Split is not the fastest way to get there, taking anything between 4 – 6 hours (depending on the company you choose).
Make sure to visit Bookaway to check out the options you have when it comes to ferries.
Can you get from Dubrovnik to Split by train?
There is no direct train route from Dubrovnik to Split or vice-versa. You will have to go either by bus, ferry or drive yourself from one city to another.
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What’s the distance between Dubrovnik and Split?
The land distance is about 229 km (142 miles). No matter if you are getting first to Split or to Dubrovnik, the distance between these two cities can be crossed in a number of different ways.
If you had asked me this question several years ago, the way to get from Dubrovnik to Split or from Split to Dubrovnik would’ve been limited to only two means of transport – by ferry or by car.
But now, you also have super cheap and comfortable buses available, as well as a direct flight from one city to the other.
And if you have other routes in mind, you can also check my previous guide on how to get from Dubrovnik to Hvar (and vice-versa).
Conclusion
Now that you know how to get from Split to Dubrovnik (and vice-versa), make sure to check out my detailed Dubrovnik itinerary for 5 days to make sure that you enjoy Croatia’s main touristic destination to the max.
If you have other questions or comments to make, let me know!