How To Get From Split To Hvar (Everything To Know)
Planning to visit the beautiful island of Hvar from Split? You’ve come to the right article.
Hvar is Croatia’s most popular island, and known for its idyllic Mediterranean beaches, excellent seafood restaurants, and historic architecture. Although it’s known as the party island, it’s worth visiting for the beaches and sunshine alone.
I visited Hvar on a day trip from Split, and was surprised with how cheap the ferry tickets ended up being. This article will cover exactly how to get to Hvar from Split by ferry, where to buy tickets online, the cheapest options, and more.
Ready to plan an epic day trip to Hvar island? Let’s dive in!
This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase through these links we may earn a commission. This helps keep our content free, at no additional cost to you.
How To Get From Split To Hvar
The best and cheapest way to get from Split to Hvar is by hopping on a short ferry ride. The three main ferry operators are Jadrolinja, Krilo, and TP line, which both operate this journey multiple times a day.
The direct ferry ride from Split to Hvar takes 1-1.5 hours, and costs 25€/adult each way (50€ roundtrip). These ferry rides are on large catamarans, with restrooms, and on site snack bars/cafes.
You can buy your tickets online at their website, or in person at the ticketing offices in Split’s marina. Beyond the direct ferries, island-hopping is the next best way to get to Hvar island.
Hvar island has two main ports, Hvar town, and Stari Grad. If you plan on visiting Hvar, it’s best to book tickets directly to Hvar town. But if you want to save some money on ferry tickets, you can also book a ticket from Split to Stari Grad (Hvar).
I found the cheapest ferry ticket from Split to Stari Grad with Jadrolinja (~20€ roundtrip), and paid 10€ roundtrip for a bus ride from Stari Grad to Hvar. The ferry ride was very comfortable, and had both indoor and outdoor seating.
On the way back, I stayed in the indoor cabin, which had cushioned seats, restrooms, and an onsite cafe and snack bar.
Stari Grad is a small town on Hvar island, that is a 30 minute bus ride from Hvar town. Jadrolinija operates a ferry from Split to Stari Grad (Hvar) on a car ferry, which is a catamaran that holds both passengers and vehicles.
The tickets are only around 10€/adult each way (20€/adult roundtrip) on the car ferries, but they’re slightly slower, and take around 2 hours.
Plus, you will have to hop on a 30 minute bus ride from Stari Grad’s marina to Hvar Town, which is 5€ each way (10€ roundtrip). If you plan on visiting both Hvar town and Stari Grad, however, this can be a great option.
Other Ways To Get To Hvar
Besides the direct ferry routes, you can get to Hvar by joining an island-hopping tour from Split, or by booking a private water taxi. Private water taxis are the most expensive option (50€/adult one way), and provide transfers from Split’s airport to Hvar in under an hour.
If you want the full European island-hopping experience, boat tours are an amazing alternative to the ferries.
On an island-hopping tour, you’ll get to visit some of the more unique islands and hidden coves, with complimentary use of snorkeling equipment. The tours stop at Hvar for enough time to wander around the Old Town, and often include a free walking tour.
There are high-speed boat tours, as well as relaxed catamaran cruises available from Split. Here are some of the best options.
- 5 Island Speedboat Tour: Full day speedboat tour to five islands including Hvar, the Blue Cave, and Pakleni Islands, with free use of snorkel equipment
- Luxury Catamaran cruise: Relaxed cruise to Hvar and the Pakleni islands with food and free drinks
- Private 5 Island Speedboat Tour: Private tour of only your party to over 5 islands, the Blue Cave, with free use of snorkel gear and a customizable itinerary
Split to Hvar FAQs
How long is the boat ride from Split to Hvar?
The direct ferry ride from Split to Hvar on a high-speed catamaran is just over an hour, whereas the car ferries can take around 2 hours.
Is it better to arrive in Stari Grad or Hvar town?
It’s best to arrive in Hvar town if you plan on staying in Hvar, as it’s the fastest and most convenient.
If you book tickets to Stari Grad, it’s likely going to be on a car ferry, which adds an hour in travel time by ferry, plus an additional 30 minute bus ride to get to Hvar town.
You will be saving around 20€ in total, but you will lose 2-3 hours of the day so it’s not worth it in my experience! If you want to visit both Stari Grad and Hvar, it can be a great option. Just keep in mind that it’s a 20-30 minute walk from Stari Grad’s marina to get to the town center.
What’s the difference between the passenger ferries and car ferries?
The biggest difference is that the car ferries are slightly slower than the high-speed catamarans, and can add around an hour of travel time (each way). The car ferries operate local ferry lines, and are often cheaper than the direct passenger ferry routes.
How much are private water taxis from Split to Hvar?
Private water taxis from Split to Hvar cost around 50€/adult one way (100€/adult roundtrip), and take less than an hour. They are the most expensive option, and provide direct transfers from Split’s airport to Hvar.
How much time do you need in Hvar?
The ideal amount of time to spend in Hvar is 1 to 2 days if you want to enjoy the island at a relaxed pace. In Hvar, you can swim in some of the island’s most idyllic beaches, hike up to the Spanjola Fortress, or go island-hopping to the Blue Caves and Pakleni islands.
What are other islands you can visit from Split?
From Split, you can visit Brac, Hvar, the Pakleni Islands, Vis, the Blue Cave, and more. Brac, Hvar, and Vis are all accessible by direct ferries from Split, and there are island-hopping tours available if you want to see all of the islands in a day.
For more details on each island, check out our article on the best day trips from Split!