Transportation to Dubrovnik and more practical stuff to know
You’ve booked your flight to Dubrovnik, and you’re all set for your adventure. But once you land, you’ll quickly realize that the airport isn’t exactly around the corner from the city center. Don’t worry; there are several convenient options to get you into town. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best transportation choices from Dubrovnik Airport and share some helpful tips we picked up during our visit to this stunning coastal city.
Arriving at the Dubrovnik Airport
Dubrovnik Airport, officially known as Čilipi Airport, is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) southeast of Dubrovnik’s historic city center. In 2017, the airport expanded its capacity and modernized its facilities by opening the new Terminal C, significantly improving the experience and operational efficiency. One notable feature of Dubrovnik Airport is its runway, the longest in Croatia. This extended runway allows the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, including wide-body jets for long-haul international flights, making Dubrovnik more accessible to travelers from distant destinations.
Get your passport ready
Croatia is a member of the European Union, and as of January 1, 2023, it has also joined the Schengen Area.Border controls have been lifted for travel between Croatia and other Schengen countries, allowing passport-free movement across most of Europe. When we visited once in 2022, we still had passport control as the country was not yet part of the Schengen Zone.
However, with its accession to Schengen, these internal border checks have been removed, streamlining travel and enhancing integration with the rest of the region.
Getting from Dubrovnik Airport to the Old Town
Since Dubrovnik is a top Mediterranean destination (especially after Game of Thrones), many full-service and low-cost carriers fly to Dubrovnik, especially during the summer. This means the transportation from the airport to the city got a boost, and there are many options for getting to the town.
Airport Shuttle Bus
One option is to take the public transport available. You can take the bus, which is very well organized. Note that Dubrovnik Airport does not have a train station.
Recently, they introduced a non-stop airport shuttle service. It goes to and from the airport, making it pretty simple. It stops at the Pile, Old Town bus stop, ferry port, and Dubrovnik’s main bus terminal.
They operate for each flight’s arrival or departure, 7 days a week, and leave the airport 30 minutes after each flight arrival.
Note: the shuttle only operates during peak season (we visited in the middle of May, and the shuttle wasn’t running yet).
The price is 55 Kuna ( 7.5€) one way.
This is the cheapest way to travel to and from Dubrovnik Airport. Don’t worry if your flight arrives early or late, a bus will still wait for the flight regardless of flight delays.
When running, it’s the best choice.
Taxi or Uber
As usual, the taxi station is in front of the airport and taxis are waiting for you to pick. The cost of a taxi to the town is about 200 kuna (27€).
However, getting an Uber is also possible, which might come a little cheaper. Uber is also quite popular in the city, and you will have no issues getting one.
Pre-booked shared or private transfers
This was how we got from and to the airport. This was because we came still off-season, and the shuttle didn’t operate yet.
When returning to the airport, we considered getting an Uber first, but our flight was early morning (we left the Airbnb at 5:30 am), and we didn’t know whether an Uber would be available. Note that we checked ant at that time, early morning 4 cars were available.
However, we already had a pre-booked car.
We used the Dubrovnik Airport Private Transfer. Easy to order, and the driver waited for us already at the airport as we arrived. There was no issue with the pickup in the morning either. We also communicated via WhatsApp to confirm the early morning pickup.
The cost was 70 €, which means 35 € per ride. The website mentions the price in the local currency, but there is no issue to pay in €. We paid cash directly to the driver.
It was a pleasant experience; one feels very fancy to have a driver waiting for you. It is also very comfortable, to be honest.
There are quite a lot of companies providing the service, but we can recommend this particular one. The driver gave us some excellent tips on what to see and what to eat; although his English was very limited, he tried hard.
Accommodation in Dubrovnik
Finding where to stay is always a challenge. You look for the best prices, location, the best everything. When it comes to Dubrovnik, there is plenty to choose from. There are especially hundreds of private apartments you can book.
Our number one recommendation is- do not book anything directly in the city. First of all, it is very expensive. But secondly, you won’t get this view (see below).
Get one of the many Airbnbs available on the hill. You will have to walk up the stairs once a day when returning, but it’s worth it. We enjoyed the marvelous view, and breakfast tastes better with such a view.
Most of the Airbnbs you will find on the hill overlooking Dubrovnik. And the stairs are not as bad. You only have to take them once a day when returning. If a penguin can do it, so can you.
Getting from Dubrovnik Airport to the city is a smooth and manageable experience. Whether you choose the airport shuttle, a taxi, or a pre-arranged transfer, you’ll find the options marked and easy to navigate. The scenic drive into Dubrovnik offers a stunning first glimpse of the Adriatic coast, setting the tone for the days ahead. Just a bit of planning and a quick pace off the plane can make all the difference in starting your trip on the right foot.
Pack you back and get ready to explore Dubrovnik!
