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

New to this route? Our Split to Hvar ferry guide breaks down every option, operator and 2026 price in one place.

The fastest way to go Split to Stari Grad with a car is the Jadrolinija car ferry (line 635): roughly 1h50–2h, about €56 one-way for an adult plus a standard car in high season (€41.50 off-season). No car? A catamaran to Hvar Town is quicker door-to-door, and a private boat can put you on the Stari Grad waterfront in under an hour. It all depends on whether you’re driving — and on knowing Stari Grad is a different town from Hvar Town, about 20 km away.

Split–Stari Grad car ferry (Jadrolinija line 635): times and 2026 prices

“Hvar” is both the island and its best-known town, and the car ferry from Split doesn’t go to that town — it goes to 斯塔里格勒, a separate harbour roughly 20 km from Hvar Town itself. Driving, cycling or bringing a camper, Stari Grad is your port; on foot and staying near Hvar Town, you generally want the catamaran instead. The real question isn’t “how do I get to Hvar,” it’s “do I need a car once I’m there.”

Line 635 is the only public option carrying vehicles to Hvar from Split (aside from Drvenik–Sućuraj further south, which lands at the island’s eastern tip — a long drive from anywhere central). Official crossing time is 110 minutes, so budget 1h50–2h, sometimes longer if the sea is up.

Sailings run daily year-round: about seven a day each way in deep summer (roughly 19 June–23 August 2026), six in the shoulder weeks either side, five in winter — spread from early morning (around 05:00–05:30) to a late evening sailing in peak season.

Prices are seasonal. In the 2026 high season (29 May–27 September), an adult ticket is €8.40 and a standard car (up to 5.0 m/2.0 m) is €47.60 — about €56 total one-way. Off-season (1 Jan–28 May, 28 Sep–31 Dec), it’s €5.90 plus €35.60, roughly €41.50 total.

The detail people miss: buying a ticket for a sailing is your vehicle’s reservation for it. In July and August, popular sailings sell out days ahead, so book through Jadrolinija early, and arrive at the port 45–60 minutes before departure with a car.

Skipper’s tip: if your sailing is sold out, Drvenik–Sućuraj is a shorter, less oversubscribed backup crossing — but it lands at Hvar’s eastern tip, meaning a 60–75 minute drive across the island. It saves your trip, not your schedule.

Is a private transfer actually worth it? The honest math

Take the worst realistic version of the “cheap” public route and compare it to our boat at its best — a full boat of 14 sharing one hull, Split Airport → Stari Grad.

A full boat costs a little more per head — but you arrive hours sooner, private and door to door, and it is the only way across at odd hours.

What else you get with Dalmatia Express

• Private — just your group. No strangers, no packed ferry deck.
• Met at the gate. Our driver takes your luggage, walks you to the boat, and the crew helps you off — door to door.
• Radar cabin, licensed crew. Safe in rough sea, and we sail when the catamarans are cancelled.
• 24/7, on demand. Book by call, SMS or WhatsApp — even mid-flight — and we are waiting when you land.
• The scenic route. Open sea, islands and hidden coves the whole way, not a crowded car deck.
• Concierge on board. Crew tips on the best beaches, konobas and what to see.
• Special rates on our tours. Transfer guests get preferential pricing on our Blue Cave and island excursions.
• Trusted names. Chosen by Mate Rimac and a James Bond production.

The part nobody tells you: the last car ferry to Stari Grad leaves around the evening in peak. Land after that — a delayed or late-night flight — and there is no public boat until morning: a Split hotel night (€100–180) plus next-day tickets, or hours at the port. Our closed-cabin boats run 24/7 and still sail in a bura when the catamarans cancel.

Skipper’s tip: 4+ people with luggage, or any flight after ~19:00 → the private boat usually wins on total cost once taxis, tickets and a possible hotel are added, and always on time.

See our Split → Hvar prices, or tell us your flight time — we reply 24/7.

The comparison: car ferry, catamaran, bus, or private boat

If you don’t need a car, the catamaran beats ferry-plus-onward-transfer on time by a wide margin, and lands where your hotel actually is. A private boat compresses the decision further — faster than either public option, landing exactly where you’re staying.

Stari Grad to Hvar Town: the onward leg people forget to plan

If Hvar Town is your final stop and you took the car ferry, you’re not done at the dock — Stari Grad is about 19–20 km away, roughly 20–35 minutes by road. Driving off the ferry, follow the D116 and the signs. On foot, a local Čazmatrans bus meets ferries and runs to Hvar Town, Jelsa and Vrboska — up to four a day, cash to the driver — though it can fill fast off a busy summer sailing and the timetable varies by season, so check locally. Taxis wait at the pier too, typically €30–45 to Hvar Town, the least stressful option with luggage.

Stari Grad isn’t just a stopover — it’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in Europe, its old core and the Stari Grad Plain are UNESCO-listed, and it offers a genuinely different holiday: slower, cheaper and quieter than Hvar Town. Weighing up which suits your trip? See our Stari Grad or Hvar Town guide.

Skipper’s tip: heading to Jelsa or Vrboska rather than Hvar Town? Stari Grad is actually your closest port — both under 11 km away, shorter than the run to Hvar Town. Don’t let “Hvar” in a search result pull you toward the wrong itinerary; our Vrboska guide covers that quieter side of the island.

No car? Take the faster route to Hvar Town

Without a vehicle, riding the ferry to Stari Grad then a bus or taxi onward is rarely the smart move — slower, and no cheaper than going direct. The passenger catamaran runs straight into Hvar Town in 50–60 minutes, operated by Jadrolinija (line 641) and Krilo/Kapetan Luka, with up to 18–20 sailings a day in peak summer. Foot fares run roughly €10–30, Krilo generally cheaper off-peak; the last boat back typically leaves around 20:00. Full detail in our Split to Hvar route guide. (Line 9603 touches Stari Grad on some Split–Bol–Jelsa sailings, but patterns vary — check jadrolinija.hr.)

All public options stop when the wind gets serious. Strong bura (northeast) or jugo (southeast) grounds the fast catamarans first; the car ferry usually runs longer; our closed-cabin, radar-equipped boats can often still sail when catamarans have cancelled — worth knowing if you’ve a flight to catch. See our ferry cancellation backup plan.

The direct option: a private boat to Stari Grad

This is the route we run most days: no two-hour car ferry, no bus bolted onto a catamaran. A private transfer from Split (or Split Airport) to Stari Grad takes about 55 minutes in our closed-cabin, radar-equipped Great White 49 / 39 / 35 or Lolivul 9, run on your schedule, landing at the dock nearest your accommodation — the Stari Grad waterfront, a villa jetty further along the coast, or straight through to Hvar Town if that’s where you’re actually staying.

Pricing is per boat, not per person: Split–Hvar (covering Stari Grad at the same rate) runs €370–900 depending on boat size and time of day; Split Airport–Hvar runs €400–900. Split across a group of six or eight, it competes directly with several catamaran tickets plus a taxi at the other end — minus the waiting and the cancellation risk. See our Split Airport to Hvar transfer page for what drives the price up or down. Message us with your dates and group size for a straight quote — no packages, no upsells.

Which should you choose?

Bringing a car or gear that makes a boat transfer impractical? Line 635 to Stari Grad is your only real public option — budget the full journey including the onward drive or bus, and book your vehicle slot early in summer. No car, staying near Hvar Town? Skip Stari Grad and take the catamaran straight in. Want to dodge timetables and wind risk, or land on an odd-hours flight? A private boat gets you to Stari Grad in under an hour, on your terms. Message the crew with your dates and we’ll tell you honestly whether a private transfer or the ferry is the better call that day. Still deciding where to stay? Our where to stay on Hvar guide breaks down Stari Grad, Hvar Town, Jelsa and Vrboska by the kind of trip each suits.

FAQ: Split to Stari Grad

Is Stari Grad the same as Hvar Town?

No. They’re two separate towns on the same island, about 20 km apart by road (20–35 minutes’ drive). Stari Grad is where the Split car ferry docks; Hvar Town is reached directly by passenger catamaran instead.

How long is the ferry from Split to Stari Grad?

The Jadrolinija car ferry (line 635) takes about 1h50–2h (110 minutes officially), longer with weather or loading delays — slower than the passenger catamaran to Hvar Town (50–60 min), which carries no vehicles.

How much does the Split to Stari Grad ferry cost?

In the 2026 high season (29 May–27 September), adult €8.40 plus standard car €47.60, roughly €56 total one-way. Off-season, about €5.90 plus €35.60, around €41.50 total.

Do I need to book the car ferry in advance?

Yes, with a vehicle. A ticket for a specific sailing also reserves your car’s place — no guarantee of space without one. Popular July/August departures sell out days ahead, so book through Jadrolinija early.

How do I get from Stari Grad to Hvar Town without a car?

A local Čazmatrans bus meets ferry arrivals and runs to Hvar Town, Jelsa and Vrboska for a few euros cash — but it’s seasonal and limited-frequency, so confirm locally. Taxis wait at the pier too, typically €30–45 to Hvar Town.

Is there a faster way to reach Hvar from Split than the car ferry?

Yes, without a car. The passenger catamaran runs into Hvar Town in 50–60 minutes. A private boat is faster still, around 55 minutes to Stari Grad or Hvar Town, on your own schedule.

Can I take a car ferry from Split straight to Hvar Town instead of Stari Grad?

No — Stari Grad is the only car-ferry port on this side of the island. Foot passengers wanting Hvar Town should take the catamaran, or a private boat that lands wherever you’re staying.

What happens to ferries in bad weather?

Strong bura (northeasterly) or jugo (southeasterly) winds ground the fast catamarans first. The car ferry usually keeps sailing longer. Closed-cabin private boats built for rougher seas can sometimes still run when catamarans have cancelled — useful if you have a flight to catch.

Sources & further reading

• Jadrolinija — Split-Stari Grad (Hvar) line 635, schedule & 2026 prices
• Jadrolinija — Split-Hvar catamaran line 641
• Krilo Fast Ferries — sailing schedule
• Visit Hvar — how to reach Hvar (official tourist board)