Dubrovnik , Croatia, is accessible by airport or by car and bus from other parts of Europe.- Rideshares tend to be cheaper than local taxis, and buses run in areas of the city closed to cars.
Dubrovnik, Croatia, may be a small city, but as someone who has lived here for the last four years, I know that getting around is not as simple as it may seem.
When I first came here to study abroad in 2015, it took some trial and error. I often got lost in the narrow streets while walking or by taking the wrong bus.
Now that I've lived here full-time for a few years and work as a Croatia travel advisor for American and European tourists, I've picked up many useful tips to alleviate any confusion.
My first recommendation is to decide how you plan to arrive and let that guide you. Nestled on the Southernmost tip of Croatia, Dubrovnik is widely accessible by land, air, and sea. However, the most convenient way to get to Dubrovnik is by plane. You can also access Dubrovnik by ferry via Split and other Croatian islands, or even from Bari, Italy.
But if you're traveling elsewhere in Croatia, you will likely arrive in Dubrovnik by bus or car. If you look at a map, you'll see that Dubrovnik is separated from the rest of Croatia. That means if coming here by land, you'll have to cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina via the town of Neum. Alternatively, you can avoid this border crossing by taking the Pelješac bridge that opens in July 2022.
Here is everything else you need to know about arriving and getting around Dubrovnik.
Airport in Dubrovnik
The Dubrovnik airport is about a 20-minute drive outside of town in the region of Konavle. Regular flights are well-connected to various hubs across Europe in the peak tourist season of April through October. Some airlines flying into Dubrovnik include Turkish Airlines, Vueling Airlines, Austrian Airlines, EasyJet, Lufthansa, and Croatia Airlines. If you are coming from the US, you can book a direct flight from New York/Newark to Dubrovnik with United Airlines.
To get from the airport into the city center of Dubrovnik, you can take the Platanus shuttle bus, an Uber, or a taxi. The cost of the shuttle bus is about $8, or 55 Croatian Kuna. I recommend booking a ticket in advance online, although you can book upon your arrival at the counter. The bus leaves every half hour, and stops include the main bus station in Gruž, grawe station, the cable car bus stop near the Old Town, and Srebreno station.
However, the fastest option is Uber, which is widely used in Dubrovnik, with plenty of drivers waiting at the airport. I recommend Uber over a regular taxi, as it's usually cheaper in Dubrovnik. The price will vary depending on where you are going, however, you can expect it to cost at least 250 Kuna, or about $35.
I also recommend asking your accommodation about booking an airport transfer for you, if possible. Most hotels offer this, and if you are staying in an apartment or B&B, they may be able to arrange one.
Renting a car in Dubrovnik
If you have more than three days in Dubrovnik and would like to take a variety of day trips, it's best to rent a car. You may rent a car in Dubrovnik at the airport with well-known companies such as Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, and more, just be sure to book your rental car online in advance, because rental car shortages take place in the peak season at the airport.
If you're planning to take day trips, you're likely thinking about Montenegro, which is only an hour away from Dubrovnik. If you drive there in your rental car, you will need to purchase a green card from the rental car company to show at border control, which is the proper documentation and registration for taking it into another country on behalf of the rental car company.
If you look at a map, you'll see that the coastal town of Neum in Bosnia and Herzegovina actually separates Dubrovnik from the rest of Croatia. Therefore, if you plan to
Getting around Dubrovnik
There are many ways to get around Dubrovnik. When I'm in the Old Town, I walk everywhere. Not only is parking limited, but the Old Town is also closed to traffic.
However, the downside of Dubrovnik's picturesque vistas is that there are a lot of hills — which means there are a lot of stairs. There have been plenty of times that I opted for walking from Old Town to Gruž in the summer heat, then climbed up several flights of stairs, only to arrive at my destination exhausted and drenched in sweat.
For this reason, I also recommend the public bus in Dubrovnik, which is called Libertas Dubrovnik. It connects Dubrovnik's Old Town with surrounding areas of Gruž, Lapad, Župa, Cavtat, and more. Otherwise, I often take Ubers around Dubrovnik when I am in a rush.
But if I want to take the scenic route, I prefer to get to and from Dubrovnik by boat. Boat companies like Adriana and Vivado connect Dubrovnik's Old Town harbor to the Župa region and Cavtat. The boats leave every half hour, and the price starts at 50 Kuna, or $8 for a one-way ticket. The picturesque ride takes about 30 to 45 minutes, taking you on a tour of Dubrovnik's rugged coastline, which I think is more enjoyable than the crowded buses in the summertime.