By the Dalmatia Express crew — skippers running the Split–island routes daily, 24/7. Updated August 2026.

Hvar to Dubrovnik: the short answer

There are four realistic ways to travel from Hvar to Dubrovnik. The seasonal catamaran (a fast passenger boat) takes 3 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours 50 minutes and costs around €50 per person. It runs from April to October only. The land route uses the Sućuraj–Drvenik car ferry and takes 5–7 hours in total. You need a car for it. You can also go back through Split, which takes about 6 hours. Or you can book a private speedboat transfer — about 2.5 hours dock to dock. It leaves whenever you want, from the town quay or your villa jetty. The best choice depends on your dates, your group size, and how much of a holiday day you want to spend travelling.

Option 1: the seasonal catamarans (April–October)

In 2026, three operators run fast passenger catamarans on the Split–Hvar–Korčula–Dubrovnik line. The boats are comfortable and air-conditioned, and they are the best value for money on this route. But they carry foot passengers only — no cars. Each line sails once per day in each direction. If you miss your boat, you usually have to wait until the next day.

All three lines stop at Korčula, a walled old town on Korčula island. Krilo also stops at Pomena on Mljet, a green island with a national park. So the catamaran can also work as a cheap island-hopping ticket if you have time. TP Line also runs line 842 the other way round: Dubrovnik 08:00 → Split 13:25, then Split 15:10 → Dubrovnik 20:20. That one is useful for the return trip. Exact times at Hvar change a little through the season. Always check the operator’s website before you plan a tight connection.

One thing the booking sites do not tell you clearly: these boats really do sell out. In July and August the Hvar–Dubrovnik catamarans are often full days in advance. People who arrive at the harbour without a ticket are regularly left behind. Book online as soon as your dates are fixed. And if a flight or cruise from Dubrovnik depends on this crossing, do not book the last departure of the day.

Skipper’s tip: catamarans on this route are fair-weather boats. A strong jugo (the warm south wind on the Adriatic) cancels sailings even in summer. Cancellations are most common in April, May and October. If you travel in those months, have a backup plan. A cancelled boat often means an extra hotel night, and that can cost more than the catamaran saved you.

Option 2: the land route — car ferry to the mainland, then drive

If you have a car on Hvar, this year-round route starts at the far eastern end of the island. Drive from Hvar Town to Sućuraj, a small ferry port 77 km away. The island road is narrow and winding, so allow about 1 hour 45 minutes. Then take the Jadrolinija car ferry across to Drvenik on the mainland, and drive south along the coast to Dubrovnik.

In total, plan for 5 hours on a good day, and closer to 7 in August traffic. You cannot reserve the Sućuraj ferry — cars board in order of arrival, so come early in summer. High-season prices apply from 29 May to 27 September 2026. One more tip for the drive: since the Pelješac bridge opened, you can stay inside Croatia the whole way. Cross the Pelješac peninsula at Ston, a small town famous for its long stone walls, instead of passing the Bosnian border at Neum. It is a few kilometres longer, but there is no passport queue.

Option 3: back through Split

Outside catamaran season, this is the standard budget option. First take a morning catamaran from Hvar Town to Split — about one hour on the water. We compare all those boats in our Split to Hvar ferry guide and our Split water taxi price guide. Then take a coastal bus or a rental car south to Dubrovnik — 4 to 4.5 hours of driving. The whole trip takes about 6 hours if the connections fit. It works, but it turns a 130 km sea crossing into a full travel day. In winter the Hvar–Split catamarans also sail less often and cancel in bad weather.

Option 4: private boat — 2.5 hours, on your schedule

This is the route we run ourselves, so here is the honest picture. The sea distance from Hvar to Dubrovnik is about 70 nautical miles (about 130 km). Our boats do it in about 2.5 hours dock to dock, weather depending. The route goes down the Korčula channel, along the Pelješac peninsula, past the small island of Šipan and into Dubrovnik. You leave when you want, from the Hvar Town quay or your villa’s jetty. Luggage, kids and pets are welcome on board. If you want a swim stop at Šipan or Mljet on the way, we plan it in.

In 2026 a private Hvar to Dubrovnik transfer costs €1,500–2,600 per boat, depending on the class of boat. That is a price per boat, not per person. For a couple it is a big spend. For a group of six to eight, compare it with catamaran tickets, a lost morning, and a taxi from Gruž port — the difference becomes much smaller. It is also the only direct option from November to March, when no scheduled boat sails this route. Our closed-cabin, radar-equipped fleet crosses all year whenever the weather allows — often on days when the catamarans have already cancelled.

Skipper’s tip: ask for a departure between 08:00 and 09:00. The morning sea is almost always the calmest, before the maestral (the usual afternoon wind) picks up. You also step ashore in Dubrovnik before the cruise-ship crowds fill the old town. Tell us where you are staying, too. Dropping you at the old port instead of Gruž can save you a 25-minute taxi ride.

Which option should you choose?

Travelling solo or as a couple between April and October, with flexible plans? Take the catamaran, and book it as soon as your dates are fixed. Driving through Croatia with a car? Use the Sućuraj–Drvenik land route and start early. Visiting between November and March on a budget? Go back through Split. A group of four or more, a honeymoon, or a tight flight or cruise connection? Then the private boat is the only option that makes the crossing feel like part of the holiday, not a lost day.

Many of our guests combine this crossing with the rest of the islands. They fly into Split and go straight from Split Airport to Hvar by boat. They spend a few days exploring — our top 10 things to see on Hvar is a good starting point. Many add a Blue Cave tour or a hop to Korčula. They finish with the run down to Dubrovnik. If that sounds like your trip, send us your dates and we will price the whole route as one itinerary.

Arriving in Dubrovnik: Gruž port vs the old town

Where your boat lands matters more in Dubrovnik than almost anywhere else on the coast. All the scheduled catamarans dock at Gruž, the commercial ferry port about 3 km from the old town. From there it is a 25–35 minute walk, a short taxi, or bus 1A or 1B to the Pile Gate, the main entrance to the old town. In July and August the taxi queue at Gruž can be long after a catamaran arrives, especially when a cruise ship is in port.

Smaller private boats can often drop you much closer to the old town, depending on harbour traffic and conditions on the day. The arrival then becomes the best view of the trip: the city walls rise straight out of the sea as you pass Lokrum, the small green island in front of Dubrovnik. Are you staying in Cavtat or Zaton (small towns near Dubrovnik), or on the Elaphiti islands? A private transfer can take you directly there and skip Dubrovnik traffic completely. No scheduled service offers that.

Going the other way? Everything in this guide works in reverse too. Morning departures out of Dubrovnik enjoy the same calm sea. The same is true when you connect from Hvar back to Split for a flight home.

Hvar to Dubrovnik: frequently asked questions

How long is the ferry from Hvar to Dubrovnik?

The fast catamaran takes between 3 hours 20 minutes (Krilo) and about 3 hours 50 minutes (TP Line) from Hvar Town to Dubrovnik, with a stop at Korčula. A private speedboat does the same crossing in about 2.5 hours.

How much does the Hvar to Dubrovnik ferry cost in 2026?

Around €50 one way per person in high season with Krilo. TP Line and Jadrolinija charge similar fares. Children usually pay less. Book online in advance — summer sailings sell out.

Is there a ferry from Hvar to Dubrovnik in winter?

No. The direct catamarans run only from April to the end of October. From November to March your options are going back through Split (about 6 hours), the Sućuraj–Drvenik car ferry route, or a private boat transfer when the weather allows.

Can I take a car on the Hvar to Dubrovnik catamaran?

No — all the fast catamarans on this route carry foot passengers only. With a car, drive to Sućuraj at the eastern end of Hvar, take the 30-minute Jadrolinija car ferry to Drvenik, and drive about 2 hours south to Dubrovnik.

How long does a private boat from Hvar to Dubrovnik take?

About 2.5 hours dock to dock, weather depending. Private transfers cost €1,500–2,600 per boat in 2026, leave at any time you choose, and run all year in closed-cabin boats — including days when catamarans cancel.

Do the Hvar to Dubrovnik catamarans sell out?

Yes, often, in July and August. Each operator sails once per day in each direction, so seats are limited. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, and do not rely on the last departure of the day.

What happens if my catamaran is cancelled due to weather?

Operators refund you or move you to the next available sailing — usually the next day, because each line runs once daily. A strong jugo wind is the usual cause. Our radar-equipped closed-cabin boats often still make the crossing on borderline days; contact us if you are stuck.

Still not sure? Get in touch — we answer 24/7, and we will tell you honestly if the catamaran is the better choice for your dates.

Sources

Timetables and prices checked July 2026 with the operators: krilo.hr, tp-line.hr and jadrolinija.hr. Schedules change between seasons — always check the current timetable before you travel.

Landing in Dubrovnik? Nautika beside the Pile gate is the white-tablecloth classic, and Banje Beach is where the town swims with a view of the walls.

Related guides

• Split to Hvar: ferry, catamaran or speedboat — compares the passenger catamaran, car ferry, and speedboat options.
• Where to stay on Hvar — how to pick a base on Hvar island, from Hvar Town to quieter villages.
• Pakleni Islands guide — a small group of islands just off Hvar Town, good for a beach day.
• Hvar wine guide — where to taste local wine on Hvar, including Plavac and Pošip grapes.
• Ferry cancellations: your backup plan — what to do when your ferry is cancelled or delayed.