How to Get from Split to Hvar Island: Travel Guide
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How to get from Split to Hvar Island? There are two options, and both of them I will describe in this article in detail. So that you will not need to search too much and organise your journey quickly and easily.
Croatia is becoming more and more popular among travellers all over the world. I believe the city of Split, along with Dubrovnik, is the most popular and visited city. Croatia also has 68 (50 permanently) islands; big part of this number lies in Dalmatia. The island of Hvar is one of them, I think it’s the most famous Croatian island. And honestly, it’s also my favourite one, together with Korčula.
How to reach Hvar from Split? It’s pretty easy, but there are a few things you need to know to organise your trip smoothly. Let me present you with the details.
Quick Links to organise your trip to Croatia:
Check out and book Ferries here.
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On Hvar, have a look at these amazing Apartments Juric.
Here, you can compare prices and rent a car.
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And on this website, you can review and book your flights.
Ways to get from Split to Hvar
The distance between Split and Hvar is around 43 km (27 miles). If you check the map, Hvar is the island lying ‘in the second line’, after Brač and Šolta islands.
There is only one way to travel between Split and Hvar available to the public, and it’s via sea. However, there are two options for travelling by the sea. Firstly, it’s a private boat transfer. Secondly, ferries.
Let’s look at the details of both of them.
How to Get From Split to Hvar: Private Transfer
The first option is to travel from Split to Hvar by private transfer. Transfers are done by speedboats, so it’s going to be a quicker journey than a ferry. And for sure, it’s very fun, with great views along the way.
What’s more, they also pick you up from the Split airport, so all together, you will be able to save more time, as the whole transfer from the airport to Hvar is calculated to take around 90 minutes.
Book it on Get Your Guide, as here you have the option to cancel 24 hours before. Book your speed boat transfer here.
I think such a transfer is most suitable for a group (around 6 people), as it’s also most worth it when it comes to the price.
How to Get From Split to Hvar: Ferries
Hvar is well connected with Split by ferry. There are passengers’ only catamarans and bigger car ferries. You can get to Hvar at any time of the year, but of course, during the summer months, there are more ferry connections available. Ferries in Croatia are important part of the transport, and they are quick and comfortable. During the winter season, they can be a bit dependent on the weather conditions, especially winds.
Split Port
Ferries leave from the port of Split, which has a very comfortable location. It’s located very close, within walking distance of the Old Town and many accommodations. It’s also next to the bus station and close to train station. So it’s really handy if you are taking a ferry just after landing. From Split Airport, you can take a shuttle bus that stops at the bus station, and you are already in the port. It’s also comfortable if you don’t land at Split airport but arrive from other cities, for example, from Dubrovnik airport. Here you can read how to get from Dubrovnik to Split.
Around the Split port, you can find a few luggage storage spots, bakeries, and a few cafes, and generally, it’s a quite busy and chaotic place. And pretty big too; there are special boards to check from which ferry terminal (platform) your ferry goes.
Ferries to Hvar Island
There are a few towns on Hvar island. Catamarans arrive in the island’s capital, Hvar town, in Jelsa, and in Stari Grad. Car ferries arrive only to Stari Grad, and they take longer than catamarans.
Catamarans to Hvar Town
To the island’s capital and the most known town, Hvar Town, you can only arrive by catamarans. These are only passenger ferries. Catamarans’ point is at the end of the harbour, where there are many smaller and bigger yachts. The harbour is in the centre of the town, so it’s only a short walk from the ferry to monuments, cafes, etc.
The travel time is around 1 hour.
Ferries to Stari Grad
Car ferries arrive at the ferry terminal next to Stari Grad town. The ferry journey is around 2 hours. Port of Stari Grad is around 25-30 minutes’ drive from Hvar town. Terminal is next to the town, not in the Stari Grad centre, so you will probably prefer to take a taxi or bus if you don’t come with the car. Public buses stop in the port, and you can go both ways, to Stari Grad centre or Hvar town. Buses usually wait for the ferry’s arrival, so they can be a bit late in the centre (but it’s good news for ferries’ passengers).
Car ferries are bigger and a bit less sensitive to weather conditions. Obviously, foot passengers can also take this ferry. So if you are not travelling with the car, you have more choices for the ferry. Decide based on the ferry schedule and your accommodation. If you stay in Hvar town, it’s more comfortable to take a catamaran. If you stay in or around Stari Grad, it will probably be easier to arrive to Stari Grad, as it’s closer.
There are also passenger catamarans that arrive at Stari Grad (it’s not exclusive to car ferries).
Catamarans to Jelsa
You can arrive also directly (with a short stop in Bol) to Jelsa town, with (passenger only) catamaran. The journey time is around 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Catamaran terminal in Jelsa is in the town centre.
Ferries schedule
I will not post here ferries schedule, as it can change a few times before the season, so I don’t want to provide incorrect information. Also, it really depends on the time when you are planning to visit Dalmatia. There are different schedules for June, September, or July. Anyway, a few pieces of information that should be helpful are below.
There are 3 ferry companies that provide service between Split and Hvar Island:
- Jadrolinija
- TP Line
- Krilo (Kapetan Luka)
Jadrolinija is a national company, and they are the only company that provides catamarans’ service to Jelsa and car ferries to Stari Grad.
You can search for the schedule and buy tickets online on their websites or other tickets’ websites.
Of course, you can also buy tickets at the ticket booths in ports. But as it’s a popular route, I suggest buying tickets before, especially in high season or if you want a particular ferry.
The ticket price depends on the type of ferry, the company, and the time of year and day. Jadrolinija can be cheaper, and you can travel for around 7 Euro. Catamarans to Hvar can be more expensive; in September 2023, I paid 20 Euro for one-way ticket.
It’s worth mentioning that there are also ferries from Hvar to the other islands in Dalmatia. If you have more time, you can island hop and visit islands around, like the island of Brač, or a bit further, like, for example, Korčula. To both of them, you can get directly from the island of Hvar. Some ferries have a stop on another island, like Brač, before they arrive at Hvar.
How to Get from Split to Hvar Island: Summary
I hope this information has helped you organise your trip to Hvar Island. Hvar is a rather expensive place, with crowds during the summer season. I suggest visiting it before or after the peak season.
But generally, it’s a great idea to visit it!
It’s an absolutely gorgeous island, with charming towns with a rich history, lavender fields, and beautiful beaches with turquoise water.
It’s also a very popular destination for a day trip. Although I always recommend staying on any island a bit longer, at least for one night, it’s possible to see quite a lot during a one-day trip, because the transport from Split to Hvar is easy.
Croatia is one of my favourite countries in Europe, and as I’ve been visiting it for many years, I’ve prepared more posts that can help you with your trip to Croatia.
Check out here what other beautiful coastal towns you can visit.
