Split to Hvar: catamaran or car ferry?
Two ways across, to two different ports. The fast catamaran drops you in Hvar town in about an hour; the car ferry takes 110 minutes to Stari Grad on the other side of the island. Times, 2026 fares, seasons and how to choose, from the operators’ own timetables.
Hvar town or Stari Grad: know which port you need.
Hvar is a long island south of Split with two main ports. Hvar town, on the west end, is the famous harbour with the fortress, the bars and the boat trips, and it is reached by passenger catamarans only. Stari Grad, on the north coast, is where the car ferry from Split arrives, at a ferry port a little outside the town.
Hvar town and Stari Grad are about 20 kilometres apart by road, and local buses meet the ferries. So the choice is less about speed on the water than about where you are going on the island and whether you have a car.
The options side by side
2026 figures from the operators’ published timetables and price lists.
| Option | Arrives | Time | Adult fare | Cars | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jadrolinija car ferry (line 635) | Stari Grad ferry port | 110 min | €5.90 off-season, €8.40 from 29 May to 27 September | Yes: €35.60 / €47.60 for a car up to 5 m | All year |
| Jadrolinija catamaran (line 641) | Hvar town | About 1 h 5 min | €25, extra bags €5 each | No | 13 May – 11 October 2026 |
| Krilo (Kapetan Luka) catamaran | Hvar town, via Milna on Brač | About 1 h | €25 (Milna–Hvar €15) | No | Coastal line daily 1 April – 31 October 2026 |
| TP Line catamaran (line 842) | Hvar town, via Milna on Brač | About 1 h 20 min | €25 | No | Daily 1 April – 31 October 2026 |
| Year-round fast boats | Hvar town | About 1 h | Check the operator | No | Fewer sailings in winter |
Catamaran fares include port fees and are the same in both directions. Krilo, TP Line and Jadrolinija sell their own tickets; a ticket for one company isn’t valid on another’s boat.
2026 departure times
The published 2026 times. They change by season and occasionally during it, so check the operator before you travel.
Split – Stari Grad
Off-season (to 6 May and from 28 September 2026): from Split at 06:00 (weekdays only, to early November), 08:30, 14:30 and 20:30. From Stari Grad at 05:30, 11:30, 14:30 (weekdays only, to early November) and 17:30.
Spring and early autumn (7 May – 18 June and 24 August – 27 September): from Split at 05:00, 08:30, 11:00, 14:30 and 20:30, plus 17:00 from 6 to 18 June and 24 August to 6 September. From Stari Grad at 05:30, 07:45, 11:30, 14:00 and 17:30, plus 20:00 on the same dates.
High season (19 June – 23 August): from Split at 05:00, 08:30, 11:00, 14:30, 17:00 and 20:30, plus a 01:30 night sailing from 20 June to 24 August. From Stari Grad seven times a day, from 05:30 to a last sailing at 23:00.
Split – Hvar town (Jadrolinija)
13 May – 18 June and 14 September – 11 October 2026: from Split at 10:10 and 14:30; from Hvar at 11:30 and 15:45.
19 June – 13 September 2026: from Split at 10:10 and 16:00; from Hvar at 11:30 and 17:25.
Split – Hvar on the way to Korčula and Dubrovnik
Krilo: from Split at 08:00, arriving in Hvar at 09:00 (via Milna); back from Hvar at 19:00, arriving in Split at 20:00. Daily from 1 April to 31 October 2026.
TP Line 842: from Split at 15:10, arriving in Hvar at 16:30 (via Milna); back from Hvar at 12:00, arriving in Split at 13:25. Daily from 1 April to 31 October 2026.
What it costs in 2026
Adult one-way fares. Children usually pay about half.
Car ferry, on foot
Jadrolinija’s off-season fare applied from 1 January to 28 May and from 28 September to 31 December 2026; the summer fare from 29 May to 27 September. Children aged 3 to 12 paid €3.00 or €4.20.
Car ferry, with a car
For a car up to 5 m long and 2 m high, plus a ticket for each person. One adult and a car came to €41.50 off-season and €56.00 in summer. Taller or longer vehicles cost more.
Catamaran to Hvar town
The same €25 on Jadrolinija, Krilo and TP Line in 2026. Jadrolinija charged €5 for each extra bag. Krilo’s hop from Milna on Brač to Hvar was €15.
From Stari Grad’s ferry port to the rest of the island
The car ferry docks at a terminal outside Stari Grad town. Čazmatrans buses meet the ferries and run to Stari Grad, Hvar town, Jelsa and Vrboska. On its timetable from 19 October 2026, the bus times from the port are adjusted to the ferry’s arrival, and tickets are bought on the bus.
The catamarans dock on Hvar town’s harbour front, a short walk from most of the town. Hvar town’s centre is largely closed to traffic, so if you arrive by car, park outside and walk in.
Inland, the island has lavender, vineyards and the Stari Grad Plain, an ancient Greek field system listed by UNESCO.
The right boat for your trip
Take the catamaran if…
- You are on foot and staying in Hvar town.
- You are carrying on to Korčula or Dubrovnik.
- You want the quickest door-to-door trip.
Take the car ferry if…
- You have a car, scooter or bike.
- You are staying in Stari Grad, Jelsa or Vrboska.
- You are travelling in winter, or the catamarans are sold out.
- You want the cheapest fare.
Day trip from Split?
Possible from spring to autumn: the morning catamaran gets you to Hvar town by about 09:00 to 11:15, and the evening boats bring you back. In winter, the timetables rarely allow it.
Coming from Dubrovnik?
The coastal catamarans call at Hvar town on the way to Split. Drivers coming from the south can use the short Drvenik–Sućuraj car ferry to the island’s eastern tip, a long drive from Hvar town. See our island hopping guide.
Before you board
Book ahead in summer
Catamarans on summer mornings and early evenings sell out days ahead. Buy online from the operator.
Find the right quay
Ferries and catamarans leave from different berths in Split’s harbour, near the old town. Leave time to find yours.
Hvar town rules
Hvar town fines people for walking around the centre in swimwear and for drinking in the street. Cover up off the beach.
Tourist tax
In 2026 Hvar town charged €2.00 a night per adult in season, and Stari Grad €1.80. It is usually added to your bill.
Questions people ask
How long is the ferry from Split to Hvar?
About an hour by catamaran to Hvar town, and 110 minutes by Jadrolinija’s car ferry to Stari Grad, according to the 2026 timetables.
How much is the Split to Hvar ferry?
In 2026 the catamaran to Hvar town cost €25 one way. The car ferry to Stari Grad cost €5.90 per adult off-season and €8.40 in summer, plus €35.60 or €47.60 for a standard car.
Does the Split to Hvar ferry run in winter?
Yes. Jadrolinija’s car ferry to Stari Grad runs all year, four times a day each way in the off-season. Fewer catamarans run to Hvar town in winter, and the direct Jadrolinija line 641 runs only from May to October.
Which is better, Hvar town or Stari Grad?
Hvar town for nightlife, restaurants and boat trips; Stari Grad for a quieter, older town and the car ferry. They are about 20 km apart, with buses between them.
Can I take a car to Hvar?
Yes, on the car ferry from Split to Stari Grad or the short Drvenik–Sućuraj ferry at the eastern end of the island. Catamarans don’t carry cars.
Fast boat or car ferry. Your Hvar crossing is planned.
Carry on down the coast with our island hopping guide.
Croatia island hopping →Or go back to the Croatia travel guide →