Split to Hvar by ferry

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Planning this trip? Currency converter · Jet-lag calculator · Trip budget · Compare routes

Hvar is one of the most popular islands on the Dalmatian coast, and getting there from Split by sea is straightforward once you understand a quirk of the route: the fast catamarans go to Hvar Town itself, while the car ferry lands at Stari Grad, on the other side of the island. Which you want depends on whether you're bringing a car and where you're actually staying.

Passenger catamarans to Hvar Town

Several operators run fast passenger-only catamarans directly from Split's harbour to Hvar Town, the island's main hub, taking around 1 hour. Krilo and Jadrolinija both operate on this route, with multiple daily departures in high season, dropping to a handful a day, or fewer, outside summer. This is the most convenient option for anyone staying in or near Hvar Town, since it drops you directly into the harbour a short walk from the main square, hotels and restaurants.

These are foot-passenger services only — no vehicles — and tickets can be booked online in advance or, outside the busiest summer weeks, bought at the port on the day. In peak July and August, book ahead: the fastest, most convenient departures do sell out.

The car ferry to Stari Grad

Jadrolinija runs the main car ferry route from Split to Stari Grad, one of the oldest towns in Europe, on the opposite side of the island from Hvar Town. The crossing takes around 2 hours, considerably longer than the passenger catamaran, but it's the route you need if you're bringing a car or motorbike onto the island. From Stari Grad, it's about a 20–25 minute drive or bus ride across the island to reach Hvar Town itself, so factor that onward leg into your planning if that's your final destination.

Car ferries run several times a day in summer and less frequently in the off-season. If you're taking a vehicle, book well ahead for peak season sailings — vehicle space sells out considerably faster than foot-passenger capacity, and turning up without a reservation in August is a real risk of being turned away. See our guide to taking a car on a ferry for general advice on booking and boarding with a vehicle.

Which should you choose?

If you're travelling without a car and staying in or near Hvar Town, the passenger catamaran is by far the simplest choice — faster, and it drops you exactly where you want to be. If you're bringing a car, or your accommodation is in Stari Grad, Jelsa or elsewhere on the island's northern side, the car ferry to Stari Grad is the one you need, with the trade-off of a longer crossing and a short onward drive if Hvar Town is your final stop.

Island hopping onward

Hvar sits conveniently along the Dalmatian coast's main ferry corridor, and many travellers combine it with Split, Brač and further south to Dubrovnik as part of a wider island-hopping route. See our Croatia island hopping guide for how to piece together a longer route through the Dalmatian islands using the mix of catamarans and car ferries that connect them.

Booking and seasonality

Ferry frequency to Hvar drops sharply outside the May–September season, with some winter timetables reduced to just one or two sailings a day on either route. If you're travelling in the shoulder or off season, check the current timetable carefully rather than assuming summer frequency, since missing the last sailing back to Split can mean an unplanned night on the island.

What to expect on board

The passenger catamarans have air-conditioned indoor seating and a small outdoor deck at the stern, with the crossing generally calm in the sheltered channel between the mainland and the islands — rougher only in strong bura or jugo winds, which occasionally delay sailings. The car ferries are slower but steadier, with open deck space and simple onboard seating; most passengers stay outside for at least part of the crossing to take in the islands sliding past. Neither service runs a full food service, though the catamarans typically have a small snack counter, so it's worth having water and any snacks with you, especially on the longer car-ferry crossing.

Getting around once you arrive

Hvar Town is compact and easily walkable, with the harbourfront, main square and the hilltop Spanish Fortress all within a short stroll of the ferry dock. If you've arrived via Stari Grad instead, local buses meet most ferry arrivals for the connection to Hvar Town, though services can be sparse outside peak season, so check the timetable before you sail if this is your onward plan — a taxi is a reliable back-up if the bus timing doesn't work. Renting a scooter or small car in Hvar Town is a popular way to explore the island's quieter beaches and villages, such as Milna or the lavender fields near Brusje, once you've settled in. See our driving in Croatia guide for general rules if you do rent a vehicle on the island.

Practical tips

• Double-check which port you're booked to — Hvar Town and Stari Grad are on opposite sides of the island, roughly 20 km apart by road.
• If taking a car in peak season, book your vehicle space well in advance; foot-passenger tickets are more flexible and can often be bought closer to departure.
• Split's harbour has multiple berths for different operators and destinations, so confirm your specific departure point before heading to the port.

Frequently asked questions

Does the ferry from Split go straight to Hvar Town?

The passenger catamarans run directly to Hvar Town in about an hour. The car ferry goes to Stari Grad instead, on the other side of the island, with a further 20–25 minute drive or bus needed to reach Hvar Town.

How long does it take to get to Hvar from Split?

Around 1 hour by fast passenger catamaran to Hvar Town, or about 2 hours by car ferry to Stari Grad, plus the onward drive if you're heading to Hvar Town.

Can I take a car to Hvar?

Yes, via the Jadrolinija car ferry to Stari Grad. Book well ahead in peak summer, since vehicle space sells out faster than foot-passenger tickets.

Do I need to book my ferry ticket in advance?

In July and August, yes, especially for the fastest catamaran departures and any car ferry crossing. Outside peak season, tickets are usually available closer to travel, though frequency itself is much lower.