Croatia island hopping: the boats, the fares, the routes.
How the state ferries and the summer catamarans fit together between Split and Dubrovnik, what they cost in 2026, when they run, and three routes for 7, 10 and 14 days. Checked against the operators’ own timetables on 28 October 2026.
Two kinds of boat, one coast.
Island hopping in Croatia means combining two networks. Car ferries, mostly run by the state company Jadrolinija, sail all year on short routes from the mainland to the big islands. They are slow and cheap, and the only way to take a car.
Catamarans are fast, passenger-only boats run by Jadrolinija and two private companies, Krilo and TP Line. In summer they link the islands to each other and to Dubrovnik, which is what makes a one-way trip down the coast possible without backtracking to Split.
Most island-hopping trips run between Split and Dubrovnik, calling at Brač, Hvar, Korčula and Mljet on the way. Vis is a detour from Split. Fly into one city and out of the other.
The main lines and their 2026 fares
Adult one-way fares from the operators’ own 2026 price lists. Jadrolinija’s car ferries have a cheaper off-season fare and a higher one in summer (29 May to 27 September on the Split–Stari Grad line).
| Route | Boat | Time | Adult fare 2026 | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Split – Supetar (Brač) | Jadrolinija car ferry, line 631 | About 50 min | €4.40 off-season, €6.50 summer; car €18.20 / €26.10 | All year, frequent |
| Split – Stari Grad (Hvar) | Jadrolinija car ferry, line 635 | 110 min | €5.90 / €8.40; car €35.60 / €47.60 | All year, 4 to 7 sailings a day |
| Split – Hvar town | Jadrolinija catamaran, line 641 | About 1 h 5 min | €25 (extra bags €5 each) | 13 May – 11 October 2026 |
| Split – Vis | Jadrolinija car ferry, line 602 | About 2 h 20 min | €7.20 / €9.10 | All year |
| Split – Milna – Hvar – Korčula – Pomena (Mljet) – Dubrovnik | Krilo (Kapetan Luka) catamaran | 4 h 30 min end to end | Split–Hvar €25, Hvar–Korčula €25, Korčula–Dubrovnik €25, Split–Dubrovnik €50 | Daily 1 April – 31 October 2026 |
| Dubrovnik – Korčula – Hvar – Milna – Split | TP Line catamaran, line 842 | About 5 h 10 min to 5 h 25 min | Split–Hvar €25, Hvar–Korčula €25, Korčula–Dubrovnik €27.50, Split–Dubrovnik €55 | Daily 1 April – 31 October 2026 |
| Orebić (Pelješac) – Dominče (Korčula) | Jadrolinija car ferry, line 634 | About 20 min | See Jadrolinija | All year |
The two Split–Dubrovnik catamarans run in opposite directions in the morning: Krilo leaves Split at 08:00 and reaches Dubrovnik at 12:30; TP Line leaves Dubrovnik at 08:00 and reaches Split at 13:25. In the afternoon they swap. Fares include port fees. For the Hvar crossing in detail, see our Split to Hvar ferry guide.
What runs when
Timing matters more than anything else. The coastal catamarans are a summer service.
The full network
In 2026 both Split–Dubrovnik catamarans ran every day from 1 April to 31 October, with stops at Milna (Brač), Hvar and Korčula, and Mljet on the Krilo boat. This is the window for a one-way island-hopping trip.
Peak
The most sailings, including the extra Jadrolinija departures on the Split–Stari Grad line (seven a day from 19 June to 23 August 2026) and late-night boats. Also the most crowded: book ahead.
Winter
The car ferries keep running on reduced timetables, and a few year-round fast boats still link Split with Hvar, Brač, Korčula and Vis. There is no catamaran between the islands and Dubrovnik, so go by bus.
The 2027 summer timetables are usually published in spring. We will update this page when they are out.
Three island-hopping routes
All three run from Split to Dubrovnik between April and October, without a car. Reverse them if your flights work better that way.
Split, Hvar, Korčula, Dubrovnik
- Days 1–2, Split. Diocletian’s Palace and the old town. Optional day trip to Trogir.
- Days 3–4, Hvar. Catamaran to Hvar town, about an hour. Beaches, the fortress and boat trips to the Pakleni islands.
- Days 5–6, Korčula. Catamaran from Hvar to Korčula town, about 1 h 10 min on the morning Krilo boat. The walled old town, swimming and wine.
- Day 7, Dubrovnik. Catamaran to Dubrovnik, about two hours. Walk the walls early or late, then fly home.
Split, Brač, Hvar, Korčula, Mljet, Dubrovnik
- Days 1–2, Split.
- Days 3–4, Brač. Car ferry to Supetar (about 50 minutes), then the bus across the island to Bol for Zlatni Rat beach. Or take the catamaran to Milna on the west coast.
- Days 5–6, Hvar. From Milna, the Krilo or TP Line catamaran continues to Hvar town.
- Days 7–8, Korčula. Add a day trip to the Pelješac wine villages on the short Dominče–Orebić ferry.
- Day 9, Mljet. The Krilo boat stops at Pomena, next to the national park’s lakes. Stay a night to have the park to yourself in the evening.
- Day 10, Dubrovnik. Pomena to Dubrovnik is about 1 h 20 min on the Krilo boat.
Split, Vis, Hvar, Korčula, Mljet, Dubrovnik
- Days 1–2, Split.
- Days 3–5, Vis. The furthest inhabited island from Split, about 2 h 20 min by car ferry. Quiet coves, wine and boat trips to the Blue Cave on Biševo.
- Days 6–8, Hvar. Vis has few direct boats to Hvar. Some summer catamarans call at Hvar on the way back to Split on certain days; otherwise return to Split and change.
- Days 9–10, Korčula.
- Days 11–12, Mljet. Stay in Pomena or Polače and cycle round the lakes.
- Days 13–14, Dubrovnik. Two nights, so you can see the old town before the day-trippers arrive.
Pack for the quay, not the car.
Catamarans have limited luggage space and boarding is quick, so a medium suitcase or a backpack is easier than two large cases. Jadrolinija charged €5 for each extra bag on its Split–Hvar catamaran in 2026.
Island harbours are compact, and most guesthouses in Hvar town, Korčula and Vis town are within walking distance of the quay. Stari Grad’s ferry port is outside the town, but buses meet the ferries.
Which islands to choose
A quick guide to the main stops between Split and Dubrovnik.
Beaches and stone
Big and close to Split. Bol and Zlatni Rat on the south coast; quiet harbour villages elsewhere. Best with a car or scooter.
The famous one
Hvar town for nightlife, boat trips and the fortress; Stari Grad, Jelsa and Vrboska for a quieter stay. Lavender and vineyards inland.
Remote and relaxed
Two small towns, Vis and Komiža, and some of the clearest water on the coast. A military zone until 1989, so less built-up.
Walled town
A compact medieval old town on a peninsula, with wine villages and coves around the island. A good midpoint between Hvar and Dubrovnik.
National park
Forested and quiet, with two saltwater lakes and a monastery on an islet in the national park at its western end.
Not an island
A long wine peninsula opposite Korčula, linked by a 20-minute ferry. Ston’s walls and oysters are at its other end.
How to book without stress
Buy online in summer
Catamaran seats on the morning and early-evening boats sell out in July and August. Buy a few days ahead on the operator’s site; the price is usually the same as at the port.
Reserve the car
On Jadrolinija’s Split–Stari Grad line, buying a ticket for a car reserves your place on that departure. Still arrive early, especially on summer Saturdays.
Check the operator
Three companies sell tickets for similar routes and don’t share a timetable. Make sure your ticket matches the boat and the departure quay.
Leave slack
Strong winds occasionally cancel fast boats. Don’t plan an island-to-airport connection on the same morning as your flight.
Four things to check
Your dates
The coastal catamarans ran 1 April – 31 October in 2026. Jadrolinija’s direct Split–Hvar catamaran ran a shorter season, 13 May – 11 October.
The 2027 timetable
Operators publish the new summer timetables in spring. Until then, treat 2026 times as a guide only.
Tourist tax
Charged per night by each town, up to €2.65 in Split and Vis in 2026, and usually added to your bill.
Going on to Montenegro?
From Dubrovnik it is a road trip with a border. See Dubrovnik to Kotor.
Questions people ask
How much does island hopping in Croatia cost?
In 2026 most single catamaran hops between Split, Hvar, Korčula and Dubrovnik cost €25 per adult, and the whole Split–Dubrovnik run €50 with Krilo or €55 with TP Line. Car ferries are much cheaper for foot passengers: €5.90 to €8.40 from Split to Stari Grad on Hvar.
When do the Split to Dubrovnik catamarans run?
In 2026 Krilo and TP Line both ran daily from 1 April to 31 October. Outside that season there is no catamaran between the islands and Dubrovnik, so travel by bus or car.
Do I need to book Croatian ferries in advance?
For catamarans in July and August, yes: buy a few days ahead. Foot passengers on the big car ferries can usually buy on the day. With a car, book ahead in summer.
Can I take a car island hopping?
Only on the car ferries, such as Split–Supetar, Split–Stari Grad and Orebić–Korčula. Catamarans carry passengers only, so a car limits you to the car-ferry routes.
Which islands should I visit on a first trip?
Hvar and Korčula fit a one-week trip between Split and Dubrovnik. Add Brač and Mljet with 10 days, and Vis with two weeks.
Boats, fares and routes. Your island hop is planned.
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