Suzy_Q

Hi all,

I'm not sure if I am the only one who is having trouble figuring out how to get from one place to the next. I've read multiple sources, but am not confident I understand what's the latest and correct information. My husband and I (early 30s; like a mix of relaxation and sightseeing with some nightlife mixed in) are planning to fly from NYC to Dubrovnik (arriving July 3), go to Hvar, Split, and go on to the UK/London for 6-7 days. I need some help figuring out the logistics, especially making sure I am reading the ferry schedules right and not planning to leave on a day where there is no ferry. Could really use your help, especially in pointing me to the right ferry timetables:

7/2, Weds: Fly out of NYC
7/3, Thurs: Arrive Dubrovnik; Overnight Dubrovnik
7/7, Mon: Travel to Hvar; Overnight Hvar
7/9, Weds: Travel to Split; Overnight Split
7/12, Sat: Leave Split; go to UK (this date is flexible +/- 1 day per your suggestions)
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7/13-7/20: UK

Questions:
1. Are we budgeting the right time for Dubrovnik-Hvar-Split and is this the right/logical order to see them? What would you change?
2. On Mon, 7/7 is the best option to take a bus from Dubrovnik to Split, and then a ferry to Hvar? Is there a ferry that day, and will it leave late enough for us to make it?
3. On Weds, 7/9 we would want to take a ferry from Hvar to Split.
But if I read this page correctly the ferry only does this route on Tuesday: http://www.krilo.hr/en/sailing_schedule.html
Or should I look at either of these:
http://www.jadrolinija.hr/docs/defau...e.pdf?sfvrsn=2
http://www.jadrolinija.hr/docs/defau...e.pdf?sfvrsn=2
4. Would having a car make anything easier? If so for which locations?

Thank you in advance everyone.

flygirl

I'm wincing. Please spend more time in Croatia. Even two nights per each destination is barely enough. Not just because it is gorgeous but because travel time to each place will take up all your time. You will see little more than boats and bus if you only do one overnight.

kja

Unfortunately, I'm not going to be much help with the logistics, but I can respond to some of your other questions:

1. Three+ full days in Dubrovnik may be overkill, unless you are planning a couple of day trips. Dubrovnik itself is quite small. Kotor makes a great day trip IMO. Lokrum is a lovely 1/2 day trip. I haven't been there, but have heard that Mljet makes for a lovely day trip.

As for Hvar, it really depends on your preferences. One full day will give you enough time to see Hvar Town itself. If you want to see Stari Grad or other parts of the island, or if you want to spend a day sitting, sipping, and people-watching, you might want more time there.

Your allotment of time for Split also depends on preferences. Two full days, with a bit of time on either end, should give you time to see the highlights of both Split and Trogir. If you want to take a day trip to Mostar or Sibenik or..., then you'll need more time.

As for order, I think that depends on the ferry schedules and, beyond that, your preferences. I would probably put Split in the middle just because it is IMO more different from Dubrovnik and Hvar Town than Dubrovnik and Hvar Town are from each other.

4. No! A car would be a decided incumbrance in Dubrovnik and Split and will limit your ferry options for Hvar. The one exception:

Although you didn't ask, I can't help but notice that you aren't planning to visit the Plitvice Lakes National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason. Do consider adding it in! The easiest way to do so, given your current plan, would be to rent a car from Split, go to the Lakes in time for dinner, spend 6 or so hours in the lakes the next day, and then return to Split (and return the car there).

Hope that helps!

flygirl

Whoops, I didn't look at dates, only saw "overnight" at end of each one (ie, just one night).

Take a day from Dubrovnik and add to Hvar. Or, two days from it, and consider a stopover in korcula on way to Hvar.

Do you like to hike? There are pretty and easy trails on Hvar.

Car would be a hindrance.

rialtogrl

The ferries to Hvar leave in the afternoon so you should definitely be able to catch a morning bus to arrive in Split in time. I have heard that in high season the ferries sell out early, so it might be better to spend the night in Split the night before you go to Hvar, so you can get up early and get your tickets.

The ferries from Hvar to Split leave really early, so you can go directly to the airport if you decide to put Split in the middle, instead of at the end.

Suzy_Q

We were planning on doing day trips while in Dubrovnik (Mostar and Kotor), which is why we were planning to spend more time there, and Split (overnight Plitvice). Or is it better to go to Mostar from Split? In that case, we can adjust our days.

Our biggest challenge right now is understanding the ferry and bus schedules, amd making sure we are looking at the right links online. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also wondering if it is better to do Dubrovnik, then Split, then Hvar? What times do the ferries go from Hvar to Split?

kja

Those ferry schedules look right to me, but I'm not an expert. There are different companies, so it makes sense that you should find different schedules. Look for postings by yorkshire - I think she often gives the links to the most up-to-date ferry schedules. In the meantime, I think Jadrolinija runs some other ferries from Split to Hvar during July:
http://www.jadrolinija.hr/docs/defau...e.pdf?sfvrsn=2
http://www.jadrolinija.hr/docs/defau...e.pdf?sfvrsn=2
This seems to be the complete list of Jadrolinija ferries:
http://www.jadrolinija.hr/en/sailing...5---28-09-2014

Consider an overnight in Mostar -- it is one of those places that I find much better after daytrippers leave and the sunset over the gorge and Stari Most is stunning.

Suzy_Q

Thanks for the helpful links. I've looked at multiple schedules on the Jadrolinija site, and they all look different, which is making things confusing!

Two follow-up questions:

(1) How far in advance can we buy tickets for a route at the booth? For example, can we buy all of our ferry tickets at the Dubrovnik ticket stand?

(2) Is it better to do Mostar from Dubrovnik or Split?

Thanks again.

kja

"I've looked at multiple schedules on the Jadrolinija site, and they all look different, which is making things confusing!" -- The main page lists the different ferries. There is a separate page for each specific ferry. You were correct in paying attention to sailing dates. Note that there are 3 different ports on Hvar Island -- Hvar Town, which I'm guessing is where you personally want to go, Stari Grad (the port is actually a few miles outside of town; there are buses to Stari Grad and to Hvar Town that are, I believe, timed to coincide with the ferries), and SUĆURAJ (about which I know nothing). And you were correct in noting that at least one other company has a ferry that at Hvar on its way to Vis. You need to decide which ferries best suit your needs.

I doubt that you can buy all your tickets at one place, even if you are taking ferries with the same company, but I honestly don't know. Always worth asking! I went in late May/early June and bought all my tickets when I was ready to board, but I was definitely traveling during shoulder season and you are going during high season. Most of these ferries are LARGE and if you are going as foot passengers, I doubt there would be a problem, but I'm in no position to offer guarantees!

As for Mostar, if you decide to stay overnight, which I recommend, visit it between Dubrovnik and Split. If you decide to visit it as a day trip, see which schedule better suits your interests.

HKP

Although the weather for the Croatian islands is almost invariably nice, remember that ferries occasionally may have schedule disruptions due to high winds or the like. Be careful of split-second close timing.

Suzy_Q

Thank you both, that is very helpful information!