Ships dock at Gruž, about 3 km from the city walls. Here is how to cover that distance, what it costs, and how to plan a port day without worrying about all-aboard.
Most cruise ships dock at the port of Gruž, about 3 km north-west of the Old Town. The main bus station is right next to the port. Ships that anchor instead bring passengers by tender straight to the old harbour under the walls, and then none of this applies: you step off in the Old Town.
City bus
Lines 1A, 1B and 3 run from the Gruž port area to Pile Gate, the main western entrance to the Old Town, and line 8 serves the route less often. The ride takes 10 to 20 minutes. A ticket costs about 1.70 euros bought in advance at a Tisak or Libertas kiosk and about 2.50 euros from the driver. On days with several ships the buses fill quickly, and they can be standing room only in the afternoon, so leave yourself a margin on the way back.
Taxi
Taxis wait at the port. Expect about 10 to 20 euros to Pile Gate on the meter, and up to 30 to 35 euros when traffic is heavy. Uber and Bolt also work in Dubrovnik, and the same traffic applies to them.
On foot
The walk takes about 40 minutes along a busy road, without much to see. It is fine in spring and autumn, but in July and August save your energy for the city walls.
A private day from the port
If you want more than the Old Town, a private day trip starts at the terminal. The driver waits at the exit of the passenger terminal with your name on a sign; if your ship anchors, at the tender pier in the old harbour. The driver tracks the ship and waits at no charge if it docks late.
You enter your all-aboard time when booking, and we plan the return at least 90 minutes before it. If a border or the traffic is slow, it is the free time that shrinks, never that margin. The price is per vehicle, a car for up to 3 or a van for up to 8, so two families can share one.
What fits into a port day
- 4 to 5 hours: the Old Town, or Mount Srđ and Trsteno.
- 6 to 8 hours: Cavtat and Ston, with the walls and the oysters of Mali Ston.
- 10 to 12 hours: Montenegro or Mostar, only on a very long port call, because both cross a border.
Good to know
- The Old Town is closed to cars. Every vehicle stops at Pile Gate or Ploče Gate.
- For Montenegro or Bosnia and Herzegovina, take your passport off the ship. EU citizens can use a national ID card.
- The city walls are hottest and most crowded from late morning, so go first thing if you can.