Dubrovnik to Hvar ferry, Croatia: how to book it

If you do the classic Adriatic route, the ferry between Dubrovnik and Hvar is the one journey you can't leave to chance. It's short, scenic and fairly simple, but it has one detail many people find out too late: it fills up.

How long it takes and when it leaves

The crossing takes between 3 and 4 hours and on our route it leaves in the morning, roughly between 10:00 and 14:00. It's a beautiful trip across the Adriatic.

Why book ahead

Departures are limited, especially in high season, and seats sell out faster than they appear to. Book the ferry in good time, particularly if you travel between June and September. Schedules and operators change, so check the exact departures for your date before you lock in the rest of your plan.

What to do when you arrive in Hvar

When you arrive, check in and walk along the harbor to the main square, and if you have energy left, climb up to the fortress. This is where the pace changes: less history, more young atmosphere and an Ibiza-style feel. That first night in Hvar is for a relaxed dinner and a drink.

The return journey

On the day you head home, plan the ferry with enough margin for your flight. Always leave time between the ferry and the plane, because in high season schedules fill up fast and a delay can cost you the connection.

With the ferry out and the ferry back, the safety margin is what you'll be most grateful for.

Before you go

Croatia has used the euro since 2023. Cards are accepted in most places, but on the islands and on small excursions not everything takes them, so carry some cash.

Our recommendation

Book the ferry as soon as you lock in your dates, choose a morning departure and leave a generous cushion on the day of your flight. You'll find the whole plan in our 7-day Croatia itinerary, and how to split the days in Dubrovnik or Hvar.