How to Get to Dubrovnik
Despite being a relatively small city, Dubrovnik welcomes thousands of tourists every year, who arrive in the Pearl of the Adriatic by air, sea and land. Check out how to get Dubrovnik the best suits you.
By Plane
Flying to Dubrovnik from the UK, Ireland, the US, and Canada is one of the best travel options. Dubrovnik Airport is located in Čilipi, about 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) from the city. Alongside Zagreb and Split, it’s one of Croatia’s main airports, handling around 3.5 million passengers annually.
The main low-cost airline serving Dubrovnik is Ryanair, flying from Dublin. EasyJet also offers direct flights from London. Other international airlines from the UK and Ireland include Jet2, British Airways, and Aer Lingus.
Dubrovnik also has connections to cities like Lisbon, Munich, Istanbul, Paris, Madrid, and Barcelona.
By Boat
Dubrovnik’s Old Port is one of the most famous in the Mediterranean and the city’s most iconic image. However, cruise ships often dock at Gruž Port, about two kilometers from the Old Town, where ferries also connect Dubrovnik with Italian Adriatic cities.
Gruž is fully equipped with all services, making Dubrovnik a must-visit stop for Mediterranean cruises.
By Bus
One of the most affordable ways to reach Dubrovnik is by bus, making it a good option for traveling from other Croatian cities. However, keep in mind that these trips tend to be quite long.
For example, the bus journey from Zagreb takes about 8.5 hours, from Zadar around 6.5 hours, and from Split over 4 hours. Buses arrive at the Central Station in Gruž, near the harbor and roughly 2 kilometres (1.24 miles) from Dubrovnik’s historic centre.
While the bus is a practical choice for travel along the Dalmatian Coast, journeys from cities like Milan or Vienna can be lengthy and uncomfortable, often requiring multiple transfers.
By Car
Driving to Dubrovnik from other European cities can be quite a long journey. For instance, the distance from Madrid to Dubrovnik is about 2,650 kilometres (1,646 miles), from Paris it’s roughly 1,935 kilometres (1,202 miles), and from Munich around 1,068 kilometres (663 miles).
If you’re driving from other Croatian cities, you can take the A-1 motorway and then follow the national highway into Dubrovnik. Keep in mind that parking spaces in the city center are limited.
