How to get to Hvar? (Guide for tourists)

How to get to Hvar? (Guide for tourists)

Hvar town is located on the island of Hvar, Croatia, meaning that the only way to reach it is by boat.

Table of Content

How to get to Hvar?

From Split to Hvar

There are several different options to get to Hvar Island from Split, including ferries, ships, high-speed service lines, and private taxi boats.

  • If you are traveling with a car, you can take a ferry from Split to Stari Grad (Hvar), a ferry port located 19 kilometers east of Hvar town. This route takes approximately 2 hours from Split to Hvar.
  • Another option is to take a ferry to Sućuraj (80 kilometers east of Hvar town), which is connected to Drvenik. This ferry takes around 30 minutes to reach the island.
  • You can also take a ferry  to Hvar even if you don’t have a car, as taxis and buses are available at the port (not an option for the ferry to Sućuraj).
  • The other option is a high-speed boat, which travels directly to Hvar town and takes around 1 hour from Split.
  • Private taxi boat. With this option, you don’t need to plan as much in advance as you choose your own departure time from Split, and the ride to Hvar takes less than an hour. The taxi boat picks you up at your desired location and drops you off at your hotel.

From Dubrovnik to Hvar

Hvar and Dubrovnik are directly connected by high-speed service lines. There are three different companies operating this route, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

  • Lines from Dubrovnik to Hvar may be less frequent due to the longer travel time of approximately 3.5 hours.
  • If you are traveling by car, the easiest option might be to go from Dubrovnik to Drvenik, catch a ferry to Sućuraj, and then drive to Hvar town.
  • Another option is to go from Dubrovnik to Split and then take a ferry from Split to Stari Grad, and then drive to Hvar town.
  • While traveling by high-speed boat to Hvar, you will see other islands along the way, such as Mljet and Korčula, giving you a glimpse of what awaits you in Hvar.

From other Dalmatian islands

Options to reach Hvar from Korčula, Vis, or Brač include speed boat lines.

  • There are different companies operating these routes, so you can choose the departure times that best suit your schedule.
  • Lines are more frequent during the peak season (June, July, August), making it ideal for day trips to any of these islands.
  • Before and after the peak season, lines to Hvar are less frequent, which may make planning and coordination slightly more challenging.
  • Brač, Vis, and Korčula are all nearby islands, so trips to these destinations usually take around 60 minutes depending on the chosen island.
hvar-korcula

What are the most convenient ways to get to Hvar?

Water taxis

Water taxis are one of the most popular forms of transportation between Split and Hvar and vice versa. They offer the fastest and most reliable transfer to the islands in Croatia.

This option eliminates the need for detailed planning of departure times for fast boat lines or ferries and ensures a smooth journey from the airport.

Instead of spending up to 7 hours traveling by traditional routes (including the drive to Split, waiting for the ferry, and the ferry ride), you can simply arrive at the airport in Croatia and hop into a taxi boat, reaching your destination (Hvar or Split) in one hour.

Ferry boats

Ferry boats and fast speed boats are the most convenient types of transportation to Hvar Island when you arrive in Croatia.

Hvar Island has two ferry ports: one located in Stari Grad and another in Sućuraj. Except for cars, ferries also allow bicycles on board, while they are not permitted on speed boats.

The possibility of no available space on a ferry is low, so you don’t necessarily need to buy a ticket a day in advance.

However, for a speed boat, it is recommended to buy tickets at least a day in advance, and it’s safest to book them online.

To secure the best seats on either a ferry or a speed boat, it’s advisable to arrive at the port around half an hour before the scheduled departure time.

You can check the timetables online for each company you wish to travel with.

Upon arrival at the pier, a large screen will display the departure times for all ferries and speed boats.

Private boat charters

Private boat charters are another option for reaching Hvar.

By plane

Croatia has three airports in the region of Dalmatia: two operational year-round (Split and Dubrovnik) and one seasonal (Brač). From all three airports, you can reach Hvar as your next destination.

If you land at Split Airport (second largest in Croatia), you can take a shuttle bus (the stop in Split is next to the ferry port), a taxi, or a private taxi boat to any desired island. If you land at Dubrovnik Airport, you need to travel to the city of Dubrovnik, which is located approximately 22 kilometers from the airport. You can use shuttle buses or regular taxis for this part of the journey. Your third option is to land at the smaller airport on Brač Island, which operates from May to September.

By car

Traveling to Croatia and Hvar by car allows you to easily explore the island and visit all of its beautiful beaches, towns, and natural attractions. 

There are two ferry ports on the island of Hvar. One is located on the top of the island (80 km from Hvar town) and is connected to Drvenik on the other side. This is a good option if you are coming from Dubrovnik and Hvar is your next stop. The ferry schedule for this route is quite frequent, with departures almost every hour, and the ride takes around half an hour. After arriving on the island, it takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach Hvar town. The road is slightly narrow in some parts of Hvar, so we recommend driving carefully.

If you are coming from Split, the easier option is to take the ferry to Stari Grad. The ride to Stari Grad takes around 2 hours, and it’s a closed-type ferry with a bar, WC, and sofas for a more comfortable journey. After arriving in Stari Grad, Hvar town is located approximately 22 kilometers away, connected by a new and wide road.

What is the cheapest option to reach Hvar?

The cheapest option to reach Hvar is by ferry; it costs 5.90 euros for an adult ticket plus bus price to Hvar, which depends on the time of season when you come, or taxi, which is around 35-40 euros. Buying a bus ticket is only possible in the bus and it is cash only. If you are coming to Hvar by car, prices vary from 36-107 euros (for campers), and the ferry is free for kids up to 3 years. The second option is high-speed service line, which costs 25 euros in one direction for adults and kids, but for babies (0-1yr) it is free.

How to get to Hvar by your own car?

Going by ferry with a car is the normal way of traveling for the locals from Hvar. Just keep in mind that in high season, the road that leads to the ferry port is pretty crowded and traffic moves slower because next to the ferry port there is also the main Hvar bus station. The recommendation is to come around 45 minutes before just to make sure you will get a place on the ferry. Once you are near the port, everything is organized pretty well, and the only thing you have to do is buy a ticket for your vehicle and passengers in the car. You can do this at Jadrolinija’s counter or online.

Why do we recommend taking a water taxi to Hvar?

Water taxi to Hvar is the simplest and only stress-free solution. Once you are off the plane, a water taxi comes to pick you up, and in one hour you are in Hvar. Even if you are coming by bus or any other form of transportation, a water taxi will pick you up and bring you to your well-deserved holiday. You can go whenever you want so you don’t have to adjust to flight and any other form of transportation.

How can you move around the island?

Boat trips

You can choose from plenty of boat activities. It can be day trips to other islands, visiting the Pakleni islands, or excursions to the Blue and Green Cave. If you have a boating license, you can rent a small boat for a day and become a captain. This way you can choose where to go for swimming or hidden bays around Hvar to explore. If you want to experience a private boat tour for a day, you can get a private boat with a skipper for a day. You can visit Pakleni islands (Ždrilca, Palmižaba, Stipanska…) or the Blue and Green Cave; you can even visit the Red Rocks and take a jump from them. There are also tours or excursions to the caves, the island of Vis, and the Red Rocks with planned activities.

Local buses

The whole Island of Hvar has only one bus agency, which connects Hvar with other towns and villages on the island. If you want to explore the island, this option might be the cheapest one. The timetable changes throughout the year, so it is best to check it online when planning your trip.

Rent-a-car or ride sharing

There are rent-a-car agencies in the city center, but others are located near apartments and hostels so you don’t have to walk a long distance. Perhaps the easiest way of making a reservation is via agency websites. You can choose from a wide range of cars to find the perfect one for your needs.

Renting bikes or scooters

Renting a bike or scooter is an ideal option for easily navigating through the island. This way, you can get quickly to desired beaches, bays, or towns and villages. You also don’t have to worry about finding parking space, especially in more popular places like Dubovica bay or Zaraće. This is by far the easiest way to see all the beauties of the island and to squeeze it all into a day or two.

What are the best tips for a smooth journey?

Book boat tickets in advance

This is the most important tip a local can give you. It is necessary to book tickets in advance, at least a day before the trip, because in high season crowds are inevitable. You can book all tickets online and see each agency’s timetables and prices.

Check seasonal schedules

Seasonal schedules are different from the regular (all year) ones. This means that ferries and fast line boats run more frequently in high season and less often before and after it.

Pack light stuff for easier onboarding

By packing light, you can save time, money, and your nerves. We suggest packing light for your trip to Hvar because it is much easier to move around without a ton of luggage. Fast line boats don’t usually have much room for luggage, and it’s difficult to bring it with you to your seat because they have “airplane” seats, meaning there’s at least three people sitting in one row.

FAQ

What’s the fastest way to get to Hvar?

The fastest way to get to Hvar is by water taxi or private fast boats. This trip lasts less than an hour, compared with fast line boats and ferries that usually take 1-2 hours.

It is possible to visit Hvar as a day trip from Split. By catching one of the earlier fast line boats or renting a water taxi, you can be in Hvar in an hour. For going back to Split, there are plenty of lines to choose from.

There are three options to go from Hvar to Split. The fastest one is private taxi boat, which takes less than an hour. Next is the fast line boat, which takes more than an hour, plus boarding and getting off the boat (15-20 minutes). The last option is the ferry from Stari Grad to Split. It takes 2 hours plus driving time (20 minutes) from Hvar to Stari Grad beforehand.

Hvar is connected with Dubrovnik by fast line boats. This ride lasts for 3:30 hours. While going to Dubrovnik, the boat will have two stops (Korčula and Mljet) before the final stop in Dubrovnik. The other option is by car. First, you have to get to Drvenik or Split because they have ports. If you choose Drvenik, the drive from Dubrovnik takes 2 hours, then the ferry ride to Sućuraj (island of Hvar) is around 30 minutes. When you arrive, the ride to Hvar town takes around 1:30 hours. The other option is Split port. Driving from Dubrovnik to Split lasts around 3 hours. After that, you catch a ferry that stops in Stari Grad port (island of Hvar), and this ride takes 2 hours. When in Stari Grad, the ride to Hvar town is around 20 minutes.

It mostly depends on the way of traveling. If you are arriving by car, then the drive from Zagreb to Split lasts around 4 hours (depends on traffic). Next is the ferry from Split to Stari Grad (island of Hvar), which takes 2 hours, plus the ride from Stari Grad to Hvar town takes around 20 minutes. Another option is to take a bus; this ride lasts around 5 hours (it can be more, depending on stops they make or traffic). When you arrive in Split, you can take a fast line boat, and you will be in Hvar town after an hour. The ferry port and bus station are next to each other, so you don’t need to take a taxi. You can also choose a plane ride from Zagreb to Split, which lasts 48 minutes. The airport is located in Kaštel Štafilić, 24 km from Split. In high season, the ride from the airport to the ferry port can take more than an hour. After arriving at the ferry port, the ride with a fast line boat takes around an hour to Hvar town.

Smaller animals that do not shed are allowed on water taxis. This is purely for hygiene and safety reasons.

The sooner the better, especially in high season when demand for tickets is really high. We recommend booking tickets online so they don’t get sold out.

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