Generally, if you travel by car, bus or train, you need to reach Split or Drvenik in central Dalmatia, where you can take a ferry to Hvar or catamaran to Hvar (from Split). Ferries Split - Stari Grad (Hvar), and Drvenik Sucuraj take cars.

In 2026, the primary hub for catching a ferry to the island of Hvar is the Port of Split. From here, you have two main options: the large car ferry (operated by Jadrolinija) which takes you to the town of Stari Grad (about 2 hours), or the high-speed passenger catamaran which takes you directly to Hvar Town (about 1 hour). If you are coming from the south, you can catch a catamaran from Dubrovnik, which usually stops at Korčula and Mljet along the way. There is also a small car ferry that runs from Drvenik (south of Makarska) to Sućuraj on the eastern tip of Hvar, which is the shortest and cheapest crossing but requires a long drive once you reach the island. In the 2026 summer season, it is highly recommended to book catamaran tickets online at least 48 hours in advance, as the Split-to-Hvar Town route is one of the busiest in the Mediterranean and frequently sells out by mid-morning.