Ferry guide

Split to Hvar Ferry

Two routes, two different ports, two completely different experiences. Here's what you actually need to know before you buy a ticket.

The two routes

Hvar has two ferry ports and they are not interchangeable. Most confusion on this route comes from not knowing which port you're arriving at.

Which one to take

If you have a car, the Jadrolinija car ferry to Stari Grad is your only option. Stari Grad is about 20 minutes from Hvar town by road — a pleasant drive through lavender fields.

If you're travelling without a car, the Krilo catamaran to Hvar town is better in almost every way. It's faster, drops you right in the centre, and the journey across the channel on a clear day is genuinely beautiful.

Booking car ferry spots

Walk-on passengers almost never miss the ferry. Cars are a different story. In July and August, queues at Split ferry terminal can be long. Show up at least 90 minutes before departure if you have a car. Online reservations for car spots are available on the Jadrolinija website and are worth doing for peak season travel.

What to know at the port

Split ferry terminal (Trajektna luka) is south of the city centre, about a 15-minute walk from the old town. The Krilo catamaran departs from a separate, smaller pier — check the terminal map when you arrive. They are close but not the same berth.

Return tickets: there's no discount for booking return in advance. Buy the return when you're ready to leave.

Once you're there

Stari Grad is quieter, more authentic, and has a UNESCO-protected field system that's genuinely worth the walk. Hvar town is louder, more expensive, and more photogenic. Neither is wrong — depends what you're after.