Is it better to fly to Split or Dubrovnik?

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.



Choosing between flying to Split or Dubrovnik in 2026 depends on your itinerary goals: Split is the superior hub for island hopping and budget travel, while Dubrovnik is the premier choice for luxury and cinematic scenery. Split Airport (SPU) is perfectly situated for those wanting immediate access to ferries for Hvar, Brac, and Vis, and it is generally more affordable for dining and accommodation. Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) places you near the world-famous Old Town walls and "Game of Thrones" sites, but it tends to be more expensive and crowded due to its popularity as a cruise port. If you plan to visit both, a common "pro" strategy is to fly into one and out of the other, utilizing the coastal catamaran service to travel between them. Ultimately, Split offers a more "authentic" urban feel with Roman ruins integrated into daily life, whereas Dubrovnik offers a highly polished, albeit pricier, fairytale atmosphere.

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Split is undoubtedly the best for budget travel. It's cheaper than Dubrovnik, making it better for a budget right from the start. Its accommodations, food and sights are all cheaper, and do not compromise the experience one bit. For those wishing to save on accommodation, AirBnB will be a great help.

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An excellent network operates between Split and Dubrovnik, with the journey taking around 4 to 5 hours, depending on which route you take (coastal or highway) and the stops you make along the way. Bus companies offer around 10-20 daily routes for a one-way ticket price at 13-23?.

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1 Split (Croatia) - Dubrovnik (Croatia) Travel from Split to Dubrovnik by bus. There is no train connection available. The journey time is 4 hours. The bus ticket price starts at 13 EUR.

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Most people visiting both Split and Dubrovnik spend about seven to nine days in Croatia, which usually includes some time in Hvar as well. If you're not interested in Hvar, six to eight days is enough for your Split and Dubrovnik trip.

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The most common form of transport is the bus The bus is a popular form of transport in Croatia. Croatian bus routes cover big towns as well as the more remote small villages. Also, the drivers are kept busy: buses run regularly, and even run at night on certain routes!

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It is true that Dubrovnik is more expensive than other destinations in Croatia. This is heavily due to Dubrovnik serving as the main filming location for Star Wars and Game of Thrones, which has led to a huge increase in visitors making it the most popular destination in Croatia.

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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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While Split is undoubtedly a tourist hot spot, it's very much a working town too. There are many places in Split that locals love to visit that are overlooked by visitors. Take a look at some of the more off-the-beaten-track attractions you can visit on your next trip to Split, below.

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From Split, you head to the Dugopolje entry to the A1 motorway and drive to the end of it, about 100km, until you reach Ploce. From there, it's the stunning coast road to Dubrovnik, but not before either crossing the border at Neum or taking the Pelješac Bridge at Komarna.

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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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Dubrovnik to Split & Split to Dubrovnik by UBER => 1.500 Kuna (223 US$ / 200 Euro) Dubrovnik to Sarajevo => from 958 Kuna.

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Makarska. The turquoise seas and white pebble beaches of the Makarska Riviera are some of the best in Croatia, and the area draws in the crowds during the summer months. About a third of the way from Split to Dubrovnik, with a population of just under 15,000, Makarska is one of the bigger options listed.

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