Can you do a day trip to Dubrovnik?

With its dramatic terracotta rooftops, stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, and explosive international fame thanks to Game of Thrones, it's easy to see why people become infatuated with the Pearl of the Adriatic after spending even one day in Dubrovnik, Croatia.



Yes, you can do a day trip to Dubrovnik in 2026, but it requires meticulous planning due to its geographical isolation. If you are staying in Split, the trip is quite long; the high-speed ferry takes about 4.5 to 5 hours each way, while a bus or private car takes about 3 hours. This leaves you with only 4–6 hours to explore the Old Town. A more popular 2026 day-trip route is from Montenegro (Kotor/Budva) or Mostar (Bosnia), which are both about a 2-hour drive away. To make a day trip successful, you should arrive by 9:00 AM to walk the City Walls before the cruise ship crowds and the midday heat arrive. In 2026, you must pre-book your "Dubrovnik Pass" online to skip the lines. While a day trip allows you to see the main sights like the Rector's Palace and the Stradun, veteran 2026 travelers suggest that you will miss the "magic" of the city, which truly comes alive after 7:00 PM when the day-trippers leave and the limestone streets begin to glow under the evening lights.

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One day is enough to see the Old Town, check out the old city walls, see a few Game of Thrones location sites, and even pop into a few of the attractions like the Rector's Palace and the Franciscan Church. The tip here is definitely to get up early in the morning to make the most of your Split to Dubrovnik day tour!

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Spending four to eight days in Dubrovnik city opens up a wealth of opportunities to explore all of its top attractions along with the more under-the-radar gems. Dedicate the first few days to the cobbled streets of the Old Town.

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Split is more relaxed and fun, centrally located, offering more day trip options, better nightlife, and slightly cheaper prices than Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful walled cities in the world, very elegant, with better beaches and hotels than Split. Both towns are must-visit places in Croatia.

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The rides from Dubrovnik to Split take a minimum of 3 hours 45 minutes; what's more, when you travel by bus, you don't need to worry about traffic or delays en route. Just relax and enjoy the journey with free WiFi and plenty of legroom.

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Journey time is between 4 hours 25 minutes and 5 hours 55 minutes depending on the route. The price of a foot passanger ticket is 45.00 Euro.

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There is no train from Dubrovnik to Split.

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Built in the 14th and 15th centuries, these walls are about two miles long in the perimeter. It will take you at least an hour to walk the entire wall. As you walk around these walls that surround the Old Town of Dubrovnik, you'll also get a panoramic view of the city, the Adriatic Sea, and nearby Lokrum Island.

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1. Dubrovnik Old Town. The Old Town is seen by many as the number one place to visit in Croatia, never mind Dubrovnik. So, it comes as no surprise that this medieval metropolis is thought to be the best area of Dubrovnik to stay.

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There are a number of ways to travel the 143 miles (230 kilometers) between two of Croatia's most popular coastal destinations, Dubrovnik and Split.

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The question many visitors have is what money you should take when travelling to Croatia. Croatia's unit of currency is Euro (code EUR). Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1, 2 Euro. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 Euro.

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Costs of Food and Drink in Croatia In the very best restaurants of major tourist destinations Dubrovnik, Split, and Hvar, a two-course dinner excluding drinks and tips will be around US$80. At the opposite end of the scale, a similar meal in a mid-range restaurant will be around USD / EUR €50.

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Costs of Food and Drink in Croatia For context, a meal in a typical fast-food restaurant will be around USD / EUR €8-10 per person. Average prices for restaurant and bar drinks are equally competitive. A 500ml glass of draught beer will be around US$5. A 330ml bottle of imported beer is similar.

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