Pillar 04 · Logistics
Getting Here, Without the Friction
Ferries, car hire, transfers — the unglamorous decisions that make or break an island week, solved in one place.
Ferries
The Split–Hvar Crossings
Four routes serve the island. Pick by port: Hvar Town for the scene, Stari Grad if you're bringing a car.
| Route | Type | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Split → Hvar Town Books out first in July–August | Fast catamaran (passenger only) | 55–65 min |
| Split → Stari Grad The route for rental cars & campers | Car ferry | 2 hours |
| Drvenik → Sućuraj Handy from Dubrovnik direction | Car ferry (east end) | 35 min |
| Dubrovnik → Hvar Town Summer only, limited sailings | Seasonal catamaran | 3–3.5 hours |
Ferry Crossings
Live Schedules≈60 min · passenger catamaran
Check Times & Book →Live schedules and fares via Direct Ferries · we may earn a commission
Ferry Crossings
Live Schedules≈1 h 45 · car ferry
Check Times & Book →Live schedules and fares via Direct Ferries · we may earn a commission
On the Island
Car Hire in Stari Grad
If your ferry lands at Stari Grad, collect a car at the port and you're twenty minutes from anywhere that matters. A small car is ideal — the island roads are narrow, and old-town parking is scarce. Book ahead in season; the port fleet is finite.
Compare Car Hire →
A Note on Timing
In July and August, treat the fast catamaran like a flight: book the moment your dates are fixed, and favour morning departures — afternoon sailings take the brunt of the maestral wind. Shoulder season (May–June, September–October) is Hvar at its best: warm sea, open restaurants, and ferries you can book the day before.
Guides in This Pillar
Ferry, Car & Transfer Guides
The step-by-step logistics guides: crossings, car hire, and getting around once you have landed.
logistics · Sep 20, 2026
Hvar in June: Lavender, Long Days and Shoulder Prices
June week by week on Hvar — when the sea becomes swimmable, when the lavender peaks, what it costs before the July step-up, and what is still not running.
logistics · Sep 20, 2026
Hvar in May: Green, Empty and Not Quite Swimming Weather
May week by week on Hvar — what opens when, the ferry timetable change at the end of the month, and the one thing the sea is not ready for.
logistics · Sep 20, 2026
Hvar in October: Warm Sea, Empty Island, Closing Season
October week by week on Hvar — how long the sea stays swimmable, when the boats stop running, and the date after which the island is winding down.
logistics · Sep 20, 2026
Hvar in September: Warm Sea, Thin Crowds, Falling Prices
September week by week on Hvar — sea and air temperatures, when the prices drop, what is still running, and when the island starts closing.
logistics · Sep 20, 2026
When to Book Everything for Hvar: A Lead-Time Guide
Villas three to four months out, ferries two to three weeks, boat tours a few days, charters eight. The order to book a Hvar trip in, and what being late costs.
logistics · Sep 4, 2026
Dubrovnik to Hvar: The Seasonal Catamaran, Explained
One boat a day, April to October, and nothing at all in winter. How the Dubrovnik–Hvar catamaran works, what it costs, and what to do outside the season.
logistics · Sep 4, 2026
Island Hopping From Hvar: Korčula, Vis and Brač
Which islands you can actually reach from Hvar by scheduled ferry, how long each takes, and the route order that avoids backtracking through Split.
logistics · Sep 4, 2026
Split Airport to Hvar: Every Route, Timed and Costed
There is no ferry from Split airport. Here is how to get to Hvar anyway — bus, taxi, transfer or water taxi — and how much time to leave for the crossing.
logistics · Aug 14, 2026
The Best Time to Visit Hvar: A Month-by-Month Guide
Sea temperatures, crowds, prices and what's actually open on Hvar month by month — and why late September beats August for almost everyone.
logistics · Aug 14, 2026
How Many Days Do You Need on Hvar? An Honest Breakdown
Two days, three, five or a week on Hvar — what each length actually buys you, what you have to cut, and the trip length most visitors get wrong.
logistics · Aug 14, 2026
3 Days on Hvar: The Itinerary Order That Actually Works
Town, water and the UNESCO plain, in the order that avoids the clashes — with the departure and opening times that decide whether each day works.
logistics · Jul 28, 2026
Hvar vs Split: Which Should You Visit in 2026?
Hvar or Split for your Croatia trip — city vs island, nightlife vs quiet coves, and why most travellers should really do both.
logistics · Jul 27, 2026
Do You Need a Car on Hvar? An Honest Answer
When a rental car is worth it on Hvar and when it isn't — by base, by trip length, and what to do instead if you'd rather not drive.
logistics · Jul 15, 2026
Split to Hvar Ferry Guide: Routes, Times & Booking Tips
Every way to cross from Split to Hvar — fast catamarans, car ferries, timings, and how to book before summer sailings sell out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Split to Hvar?
The fast passenger catamaran from Split to Hvar Town takes 55–65 minutes and is the most popular route. If you need a car on the island, take the 2-hour car ferry from Split to Stari Grad instead — the passenger catamaran does not carry vehicles.
Should I land at Hvar Town or Stari Grad?
Land at Hvar Town if you're travelling without a car and want to be close to restaurants, the marina and nightlife. Land at Stari Grad if you're bringing a rental car — it's the only Split crossing that takes vehicles, and it puts you closer to the Stari Grad Plain.
Do I need a car on Hvar?
Not if you're basing in Hvar Town and mainly using boats and tours — everything central is walkable. A car becomes worthwhile if you want to explore the Stari Grad Plain, the lavender villages, or the beaches on the south coast at your own pace.
How far in advance should I book the ferry in summer?
For July and August sailings, book at least 2–3 weeks ahead, and choose a morning departure where possible — afternoon crossings run into the maestral wind and see more delays. Shoulder-season sailings (May, June, September, October) can usually be booked the day before.