230 km along the coast. Compare the bus (4 to 5 hours, from 20 euros), the summer catamaran (4 to 5 hours, from 45 euros), a one-way rental and a private transfer (3 hours door to door, 340 euros per vehicle).
Dubrovnik and Split are 230 km apart. Since the Pelješac bridge opened in 2022 the whole road runs inside Croatia, so the old border checks at Neum are gone and no passport is needed. The coast road is spectacular for the first hour, then the motorway from Ploče takes over.
Bus
Several companies run the route daily, more often in summer. The ride takes 4 to 5 hours with a break, tickets cost 20 to 30 euros per person, and luggage is usually charged extra (1 to 2 euros per bag). Buses leave from the Gruž station, 3 km from the Old Town, and arrive at Split's main station next to the port and the palace. Book ahead in July and August.
Catamaran
From roughly May to October fast catamarans (Kapetan Luka, TP Line, Jadrolinija) connect Dubrovnik's Gruž port with Split, often calling at Korčula, Hvar and Brač on the way. Expect 4 to 5.5 hours and 45 to 60 euros per person. It is the prettiest way to travel and lands you on Split's Riva, but it sells out weeks ahead in summer, cancels in strong wind, and takes no cars.
Rental car
Driving yourself takes about 3 hours. Watch the one-way fee: dropping a car in another city adds 50 to 100 euros, and parking in Split's centre is scarce and expensive. It makes sense if you keep the car for the rest of the trip.
Private transfer
A private transfer with Galaxy Transfer costs 340 euros for a sedan with up to 3 passengers, about 435 euros for a van with up to 8, door to door in around 3 hours. For a family of four that is 85 euros per person, delivered to the hotel with the luggage in the boot. The real advantage is the day itself: stop in Ston for the walls and oysters, taste wine on Pelješac, turn it into a Mostar day, or swim on the Makarska Riviera. The driver plans the timing around your check-in.
Which one should you take?
- Budget traveller, one bag, flexible time: the bus.
- Summer, no luggage to speak of, and you love the sea: the catamaran, booked early.
- Two or more people with bags, a hotel address at each end, or any wish to stop on the way: the private transfer.
Good to know
- A 10:00 pick-up in Dubrovnik with a Ston stop gets you to Split around 14:30, in time for check-in.
- Split Airport is 25 km beyond the city; the transfer there costs 360 euros and saves the airport bus.
- Going on to Trogir, Šibenik or Zadar? We quote the longer ride directly; Zadar is 540 euros.