Travelling To Dubrovnik

Croatia is a fairly accessible country and there are a number of options for getting there which include  air, sea or water. Air is the only direct means of reaching the city; if you opt to travel by ferry or car from other EU countries, you will need to make your way to Dubrovnik by road using either your own vehicle, hire car or the Autotrans bus service.

By car

It's possible to drive to Croatia from Italy, Germany, Austria, Hungary and the Czech and Slovak republics, and indeed many visitors from these countries do so, with border crossings presenting very few problems and the roads being fairly easy to navigate. If you’re adventurous, it’s also possible to drive from the UK, with the journey taking about two days without stopping and a little longer allowing for an overnight rest.

The best route from the UK is to take the car ferry from Dover to Calais then drive through Belgium heading for Germany before following Nuremberg and Regensburg to Austria near Linz. From here, you can head for Maribor in Slovenia via Graz before hitting Zagreb in Croatia. From Zagreb, head south to Dubrovnik via Split. After Split, there’s no motorway, so you will have to rely on the minor roads to get here.

By bus

Eurolines in conjunction with Autotrans provide options for reaching Dubrovnik by bus from a variety of EU destinations. For more information, visit the Eurolines website at: www.eurolines.com. Once in Croatia, Autotrans also provide cross-country services from Zagreb and other major towns to Dubrovnik. For more information, visit their website at: www.autotrans.hr/Home.aspx?PageID=1&gohome=true

By air

Èilipi Airport serves the city of Dubrovnik and provides an essential gateway to one of Croatia’s most popular holiday destinations. The airport is a 15-minute drive from the city and is served by a reasonable selection of ground transportation options, which includes a regular bus service, hotel shuttles and taxis. Èilipi Airport is connected with a large number of significant EU cities as well as a number of international destinations.

By ferry

Italy is the only EU country from which Croatia can be reached by ferry. Ferry services from Venice and Rimini are provided by Venezia Lines (www.venezialines.com/eng/index.asp), while other ferries from Ancona, Civitanova and Pescara are provided by SNAV ferries (www.snav.it/). Once in Croatia, you will need to make your way down to Dubrovnik by road.

Dubrovnik International Airport

Dubrovnik’s airport is called Èilipi International Airport and is situated 17kms from the city centre. The airport receives regular flights from Zagreb and international destinations by the national carrier, Croatian Airlines, as well as by a host of other airlines.

In the airport’s single terminal, you’ll find facilities such as ATMs, bureau de change counters, a coffee shop, newsagent, duty-free shop and a travel agent. The airport is a relatively small but busy facility, serving the needs of holidaymakers from across Europe. Flights from Dubrovnik to domestic cities are handled by Dubrovnik Air, while the national carrier, Croatian Airlines, handles a good proportion of international flights.

Dubrovnik Airport transportation

A regular bus service provides connections between the airport and the town, with the journey taking about 20 minutes.

Many respectable hotels in Dubrovnik provide free shuttles for guests with reservations. Check with the hotel in question at the time of booking. Taxis are available from a rank just outside of the terminal building. Passengers should insist on their journey being metered as opposed to accepting the price that the driver offers, prior to setting off.

Car hire companies can be found at the airport and visitors can easily make their own way to the city with a rental vehicle.