Ferry guide

Car Ferry Croatia

Taking a car to the Dalmatian islands is straightforward in theory and stressful in August without a plan. Here is how it actually works.

The operator

Almost all car ferry routes on the Dalmatian coast are run by Jadrolinija, the Croatian state ferry company. They operate a network of roll-on/roll-off ferries connecting the mainland to the main islands. A small number of shorter crossings (Orebić–Korčula, Drvenik–Sućuraj) are operated by local companies under Jadrolinija concession.

Krilo and TP Line operate passenger catamarans on several routes but carry no cars. If you have a vehicle, your options are Jadrolinija car ferries only.

How boarding works

Car ferries at Split operate from the main ferry terminal (Trajektna luka), south of the old town. You drive to the terminal, queue in the car lane for your route, pay at the booth or show your reservation, and wait for boarding to be called. Cars load from the front of the queue first.

Walk-on passengers and cyclists board separately and almost never miss a sailing. The queuing problem is specific to cars and campervans.

Booking in advance

Online reservations for car spaces are available on jadrolinija.hr for most routes. For July and August travel, booking in advance is strongly recommended. Spaces on popular routes — Split to Hvar (Stari Grad), Split to Vis, Split to Brač — fill up weeks ahead in peak season.

If you have a reservation, you still need to arrive at the terminal before the check-in deadline — usually 30 minutes before departure. Arriving late with a reservation does not guarantee your space.

Do you actually need a car?

For most visits to the main Dalmatian islands, a car is not necessary. Hvar, Vis, Brač, Korčula, and Šolta all have local buses, scooter rental, and taxis. The islands are small enough that most of what you want to reach is accessible without a vehicle.

A car is useful if you're staying a week or more on one island, travelling with a family and luggage, or specifically want to reach places not served by any bus. For a 2–4 day island visit, the logistics of the car ferry are often more trouble than they're worth.

Costs

Prices are set by the state and published on jadrolinija.hr. Fares cover the vehicle plus the driver — passengers travelling in the car each pay a separate passenger fare. There is no advance-booking discount; the price is the same whether you reserve online or queue on the day. Return tickets are bought separately when you're ready to travel back.

Campervans and larger vehicles

Campervans, motorhomes, and vehicles over a certain length are charged at a higher vehicle rate. Space for large vehicles on smaller routes is limited. If you're travelling in a campervan, book as early as possible and confirm that your vehicle dimensions fit within Jadrolinija's size categories before travelling.