Reaching Dubrovnik by any means except air can be inconvenient and expensive. Even driving there from elsewhere in Croatia is time consuming because of the city’s position between the mountains and sea, and the lack of modern roads in the area. Ferry routes to Dubrovnik often include multiple stops at various islands, and train service is nonexistent. Build in extra travel time when you plan a visit to Dubrovnik.

Arriving by Plane -- Croatia Airlines (www.croatiaairlines.hr) operates regular flights to and from Zagreb and several European cities. Various European budget airlines also serve Dubrovnik through summer. Planes land at Dubrovnik International Airport/ Zrac[av]na Luka (www.airport-dubrovnik.hr), in C[av]ilipi, 18km (11 miles) from the city center.

Atlas (www.atlas-croatia.com) operates shuttle buses to and from Dubrovnik Airport, and they are coordinated with incoming flights, even late ones. Buses supposedly leave the main terminal in Dubrovnik near Gruz[av] Port 90 minutes before each flight, but there is no posted schedule. They also sop at Pile Gate, just outside the Old Town. The fare is 35kn one way and the trip takes about 25 minutes. There is also taxi service to and from the airport—expect to pay around 270kn.

By Bus -- Daily buses operate between the Dubrovnik ferry port at Gruz[av] and Zagreb, Zadar, Split, S[av]ibenik, Rijeka, Orebic[as], and Korc[av]ula in Croatia, as well as Mostar and Sarajevo in Bosnia-Herzegovina. For other international service. The main Dubrovnik bus terminal (www.libertasdubrovnik.hr; tel. 020/357-020) is in Gruz[av], close to the port, at Obala Pape Ivana Pavla 44a.

By Ferry -- Through the warmer months (mid-April through October), Dubrovnik is served by Jadrolinija (www.jadrolinija.hr) overnight ferry from Bari, Italy. Jadrolinija also operates a summer (May through September) coastal service, from Rijeka to Dubrovnik, stopping at Split, Stari Grad (on Hvar), Korc[av]ula Town (on Korc[av]ula), and Sobra (on Mljet) en-route. However, note that this service is extremely slow—it takes 22 hrs. to reach Dubrovnik from Rijeka. In addition, Jadrolinija runs local ferries to Dubrovnik from the nearby Elafiti Islands and Mljet. Buy tickets and obtain schedule information at the Dubrovnik Jadrolinija office (www.jadrolinija.hr; tel. 020/418-000) at Obala Stjepana Radic[as]a 40 in Gruz[av].

 

By Car -- The A1 autocesta between Zagreb and Split opened in June 2005, and now extends all the way to Ploc[av]e. However, the final section of the road is still under construction, and no reliable completion date has been fixed. If you drive from Zagreb to Dubrovnik using the new highway and the remaining section of the old coastal road, it will take approximately 7 hrs.

Visitor Information

You’ll find the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board (www.visitdubrovnik.com; tel. 020/324-999) office at Vukovarska 24. The Dubrovnik City Tourist Board office (www.experience.dubrovnik.hr; tel. 020/323-887) is at Brsalje 5. Walk-in tourist information centers can also be found at the following locations: Pile Tourist Information Center (tel.020/312-011)at Brsalje 5; Gruz[av] Tourist Information Center (tel.020/417-983) at Obala Ivana Pavla II; and Lapad Tourist Information Center (tel.020/437-460) at Kralja Tomislava 7.

Private tourist agencies can be helpful, too—the following represents a partial list.

Adventure Dalmatia (www.adventuredalmatia.com; tel. 021/540-642)is a well-organized and highly professional adventure travel source. Even though it is based in Split (at Matije Gupca 26),the agency offers an extensive slate of active Dubrovnik excursions, including sea kayaking around the Old Town walls, cycling in Konavle, and hiking on Mount Srdj.

Elite Travel (www.elite.hr; tel. 020/358-200) at Vukovarska 17 runs one-day excursions from Dubrovnik, such as the agency’s “Islands Cruise” (taking in the Elafiti Islands) and “Ancient Montenegro” (visiting the Bay of Kotor). The agency also arranges multi-day tours by bus, covering Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Gulliver Travel (www.gulliver.hr; tel. 020/410-888) at Obala Stjepana Radic[as]a 25  offers a broad range of excursions to Dubrovnik’s offshore islands and towns up and down the southern Adriatic coast.

Metro Tours (www.metrotours-dubrovnik.hr; tel. 020/437-320) at S[av]etalis[av]te Kralja Zvonimira 40A offers daily excursions from Dubrovnik. You can choose from half-day tours to Cavtat, or Trsteno and Ston, or full-day trips to Montenegro or tours like “Fish Picnic Elaphiti Islands” and the “Korc[av]ula and Peljes[av]ac Wine Tour.”

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.