Dubrovnik Airport is at Čilipi, about 20 km south-east of the Old Town, and Split is roughly 240 km up the coast. That is a long way to go on a first day of holiday, and there is no train and, as far as we know, no direct bus from the terminal to Split. Most people end up choosing between a private transfer, the airport shuttle combined with an intercity bus, or a rented car.
Option 1: a private transfer
A pre-booked transfer takes you from the arrivals hall to your address in Split in one go. With us, Dubrovnik Airport to Split city is from about €365 in a car for up to 4 people and about €435 in a van for up to 8, per vehicle, not per person. The price is fixed before you travel and already includes tolls, fuel and the meet & greet. Your driver tracks your flight, and the first 60 minutes after landing are free.
The drive goes over the Pelješac Bridge and takes roughly 3 hours 30 minutes without long stops. The exact price depends on your drop-off address, so enter it in the booking form for the final figure. Booking the return leg together applies an automatic 5% discount.
Best for: families, groups, late arrivals and anyone with luggage who would rather not change vehicles after a flight.
Option 2: airport shuttle plus intercity bus
The airport shuttle runs to Dubrovnik bus station, with departures tied to arriving flights. Expect to pay around €10 per person and to spend 30–40 minutes on the road. From the bus station, intercity buses to Split take about 4 hours, in many cases a little longer, with fares from roughly €19–20. There are fewer departures outside the summer months, and the last buses leave in the evening, so a late flight can mean waiting for the next day.
Door to door, with the wait between the shuttle and the bus, plan on 5 to 7 hours. Timetables and fares change from season to season, so check them before you fly.
Best for: solo travellers and couples with light luggage and a flexible schedule.
Option 3: a taxi or a rental car
A taxi from the rank is metered, and for a distance like this it makes sense only if you agree the total price with the driver before you get in. Do not rely on the meter. A rental car gives you freedom, but one-way drop-off fees can be high, and some rental companies restrict driving into Bosnia and Herzegovina, so read the terms if you plan to use the coast road through Neum.
The road from Dubrovnik to Split
There are two ways to drive it, and we take the Pelješac Bridge. Since it opened in July 2022, the whole trip stays inside Croatia, with no border checks. The older coast road through Neum crosses Bosnia and Herzegovina for about 9 km, with a border check at each end, and on busy summer weekends the queues there can be long. That is worth knowing if you drive yourself or ride a bus that goes that way, and worth building into onward plans such as a ferry or a hotel check-in.
As anywhere in the region, keep passports or ID cards with you, not packed away in the boot.
Staying on the Makarska Riviera instead?
If your hotel is in Makarska or one of the Riviera villages, the transfer is shorter. Dubrovnik Airport to Makarska is about 175 km, roughly 2 hours 50 minutes, from about €260 in a car and about €315 in a van. See the Dubrovnik Airport transfer page for the routes we drive from this airport.
Quick comparison
| Option | Price | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | from ~€365 car / ~€435 van | ~3 h 30 min | Fixed price, door to door |
| Shuttle + intercity bus | ~€30 per person | 5–7 h | Bus station only, check timetables |
| Taxi from the rank | agree the price first | ~3 h 30 min | Metered taxis are not meant for this distance |
For one person with a backpack, the shuttle and the bus are the cheapest way and the slowest. For a family of four, the bus tickets add up to about €120 and leave you at the bus station in Split, while a car door to door costs about three times as much and saves most of a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Dubrovnik Airport from Split?
About 240 km by road. Without long stops the drive takes roughly 3 hours 30 minutes, and summer traffic or a queue at the Bosnia border can add to that.
Is there a direct bus from Dubrovnik Airport to Split?
Not from the terminal itself, as far as we know. The usual way is the airport shuttle to Dubrovnik bus station and then an intercity bus to Split, so check current timetables before you fly.
How much is a private transfer from Dubrovnik Airport to Split?
From about €365 for a car with up to 4 passengers and about €435 for a van with up to 8, per vehicle. The booking form shows the exact fixed price for your address.
Do I need a passport for the drive from Dubrovnik to Split?
Our drivers take the Pelješac Bridge, so the trip stays in Croatia. The older coast road through Neum crosses Bosnia and Herzegovina for about 9 km with border checks at both ends, so if you drive yourself that way, keep passports or ID cards within reach.