The ultimate guide about getting to Split Dalmatia islands:
The split harbor is the most important connections hub to reach any of four Split Dalmatia country islands. Split harbor may sometimes look like the most confusing place in Split if you don't know how to find your way to your destination.
It is, without any doubt, the most vibrant place in the city. Everything is going on right here. Here come the buses, trains, and boats. And if you happen to be there between mid-July to mid-August, the Split port looks like a hive.
If you are confused about the dozens of buses or ferries sailing in and to different Central Dalmatian destinations, follow my simple survival tips.
From Split airport to the ferry terminal
The airport of Split is around 25 km away from the Split ferry terminal. There are many ways to reach the ferry port. Once you land, you can opt for one of many transfer services.
There is also a bus number 37 that starts from Split airport, passing through little villages along the coast. The bus stops a little bit outside of the Split center on the bus station Sukosan. This one isn't a main Split bus station.
From there, jump on bus number 60 and get off at the main city greenmarket. The ferry terminal is two steps away.
Getting to Split Dalmatia Islands from Split harbor
On the above map, you can see three key points inside the Split passengers’ harbor.
There are three piers according to different destinations and types of marine transportation, ferries for cars and passengers, and catamarans only for passengers.
There are two main types of connections with Split’s islands. It all depends on how you are arriving in Split.
The difference is between those arriving by own or rented cars and those without a means of transport, the so-called foot passengers.
For the former, are available car and passengers ferries, while for others I recommend fast catamaran ships, only for foot passengers.
Those without a car are more privileged as it’s easier to find the place than those traveling by car. In the lower season (May-June and September- October), usually is no problem finding the place.
In high season (July and August), you should book a ferry for the car at least one day in advance, and for boarding, you have to show up several hours before departure as passengers can always get on board, but space for cars can fill up.
Getting to Split Dalmatia islands by ferry
Getting to Split Dalmatia islands is only possible from Split's ferry terminal. It provides the best connections to all islands and also with Italy. Besides ferries, many catamaran lines depart from Split towards the islands.
The ferry terminal in Split is located only minutes away from the exciting historic city center where you can enjoy visiting the sights in the old Diocletian’s palace. It is also close to some of the famous Split beaches.
The ferry port is practically located almost in the town center and the main promenade (Riva). You can find a few ticketing offices, a post office on the ferry terminal itself, a few ATM-s, all kinds of shops, stands with souvenirs and fast-foods.
Car ferries from Split
The only company that keeps the regular car and passenger connections to Split's islands is Jadrolinija. Depending on the season, Jadrolinija holds stable daily links with every island.
While each island is connected with at least 3 lines a day during the winter, the number of connections is doubled and tripled in summer.
With some islands like Brac, there are more than 15 crossings, the first one at 06 am, and the last one going at about 1 am.
- Split – Supetar (Brac island)
- Sumartin (Brac island) – Makarska.
- Split – Stari Grad (Hvar island)
- Drvenik – Sucuraj (Hvar island)
- Split – Rogac (Solta Island)
- Split – Vis island
- Trogir (Soline) – Drvenik Mali – Drvenik Veli
Passengers fast catamarans from Split
Getting to Split Dalmatia islands by catamaran is the fastest and most comfortable way to reach any of the four islands. If you plan island hopping, it's going to be the only way to visit all of them.
While in ferry transport, Jadrolinija is the only carrier in catamaran transportation; there is another operator – Krilo company. It's important to underline that most catamaran connections operate only from April to October.
Jadrolinija Catamarans
- Split – Bol (Brac island) – Jelsa (Hvar island)
- Split – Milna (Brac island) – Hvar town – Vis
- Split – Hvar
- Dubrovnik – Korcula – Hvar – Bol – Split
- Split – Hvar – Vela Luka (Korcula) – Ubli (Lastovo)
Krilo Company Catamarans
- Split – Hvar – Split
- Split – Hvar – Korcula island
- Split – Milna (Brac island) – Hvar – Korcula – Mljet island – Dubrovnik
- Split – Bol (Brac island) – Makarska – Korcula – Mljet – Dubrovnik
- Split – Hvar – Prigradica – Korcula (Old town)
