Bus or car from Dubrovnik to Split
 

In September of 2016 we will probably be traveling from Dubrovnik to Split. Is the view on the coast road worth sticking to the coast as opposed to taking the A1 highway?

If I take a bus it appears to take four and a half hours via the coast. On a bus, I wouldn't have to keep my eye on the road. Has anyone taken the bus and how is it versus driving?

Any suggestions on bus companies?

I will only need a car in Dubrovnik if I want to go to Kotor but I can rent a car for a day to do that. I will need a car to get from Split to Plitvice Lakes and on to Zagreb but I can rent a car for a day to do that.

The buscroatia website lists Autotrans d.o.o. at 99 to 99 113 HRK but does not sell tickets for this line. But on the Autotrans website it shows as 99 Euro on selected trips on this route!

Buscroatia also lists Promet Katarska at 120 HRK. Guess it would be good to get the tickets well in advance even for mid to late September.

The view along the road from Dubrovnik to Split is absolutely glorious, IMO, which made me VERY glad that I decided not to drive it! Being able to savor that scenery was an incredible delight!

Truth in advertising, though: I didn't take the bus the whole way -- I was going in the opposite direction, from Mostar to Dubrovnik, and my bus joined the coastal highway a bit south of Split.

I don't know of any reason to select among bus companies other than what is most convenient for you.

I went with the strategy of renting only when necessary (a day for Kotor, etc.) and that worked very well for me -- except that it was REALLY hard to keep my eyes on the road on the way to Kotor! ;-)

I'd just take the bus if you don't already have a car. There are several journeys a day, just go to the bus station and buy a ticket. You could go get your ticket the day before.

99 euros is crazy. Are you sure you are seeing that on the autotrans site?

Each bus company wil charge a different price for your journey, in fact each company may have a different price depending on the time of day you travel. Wait until near the time and check individual companies for prices.
A €90 price is not a correct price for a ticket, look at websites in Croatian language for real price.

Slight misread by me there but you get the picture, 99 Euro on Autotrans is not correct.

I've done the trip both by car and by bus and agree that for the convenience of admiring the stunning views, the bus is a more pleasant option.

The fare when I did the one-way bus journey was much less than 50 euros.

Thanks.

I understand in these countries that no smoking signs are mostly ignored. Does anyone know about smoking on intercity buses? That would be probably the biggest downside for me.

The tentative itinerary for my trip is: Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, possible day trip too Kotor, Split, possible day drip to Trogir, Plitvice Lakes, Zagreb, Ljubiana, Lake Bled. Flying into Sarajevo and out of Ljubiiana.

Now I'm only thinking of renting a car for Split-Plitvice Lakes-Zabreb and Ljubiana-Lake Bled. I understand there are some decent mini bus day trips to Kotor from Dubrovnik.

"The tentative itinerary for my trip is: Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, possible day trip too Kotor, Split, possible day drip to Trogir, Plitvice Lakes, Zagreb, Ljubiana, Lake Bled. Flying into Sarajevo and out of Ljubiiana."

Should be a great trip! If the timing works, you might consider stopping in Korcula en route from Dubrovnik to Split (bus to Korcula, ferry to Split) rather than a day trip to Kotor. While Kotor is definitely a beautiful place, I think Korcula would give you a bit more variety. But either would be a good choice.

And if your time permits, a half-day in Trogir is easily worth it. It's only 1/2 hour by bus from Split, has exquisite stonework, and is small enough that you can explore just about every corner in a few hours.

"I'm only thinking of renting a car for Split-Plitvice Lakes-Zabreb and Ljubiana-Lake Bled."

For your itinerary, I think that makes perfect sense. :-)

Thanks, kja

I didn't know that there is a morning bus that goes from Dubrovnic to Korcula via a ferry from Orebic. According to buscroatioa there is a daily bus departing Dubrovnic at 9:00 AM and arrives in Korcula at noon. That sound about as fast as driving and much better for diver viewing the sights.

The problem for me is that I thought I found an evening ferry from Korcula to Split for a September trip but I can't find it now. Since I'm not going until 2016, I guess I'll wait until spring for next year's schedule.

Split's sights don't look to take a full day. Do you think it would be reasonable to take an early bus to Torgir, be back in Split by very early afternoon and finish the day there? I don't think I'm that interested in the museums in Split.

"Split's sights don't look to take a full day."

I guess it depends on what sites appeal to you. I was not able to see everything I wanted to see in Split in the 1.5 days I had there. But I found several of its museums well worth visiting, and it sounds like that isn't your thing.

Yes, you can visit Trogir in 1/2 day. I

Split is not a tourist city, there are the obvious sites but in general it is a busy city who's inhabitants have little time or interest in patronising tourists.
The increase in cruise pax has upset quite a lot of people.

I like museums but by the time I get to Split I think I will have had my fill and will want to be just experiencing the place out of doors.

Any idea if in mid to late September will the cruise ship passengers still be in full force or have diminished by then in both Dubrovnik and Split?

I'm no expert, but I think you will at least be beyond the worst of the tourist crunch. And at least a city like Split is large enough to bear the tourist crowds with more grace then some locations.

Since you say you do like museums, let me mention the Ivan Meštrović Gallery, which is, IMO, well worth visiting for various reasons, including his art, his sense of design and space, and -- bonus! -- a lovely walk with glimpses out over the sea. If you do encounter masses of tourists, that might be a good escape. Just a thought!

Hey,

Been following your thread and will offer two things :

1. Late September into early Oct was when I travelled to and within Croatia and I found it wonderful; weather was warm/hot and dry, and decidedly fewer other continental tourists. I noticed mainly locals on holiday at the beaches. Didn't have any cruise ships during the 4 days I was in Dubrovnik, but that might just have been fortunate scheduling.

2. I was pleasantly surprised to find there were more local ferry connections when I got there (Split and Bol) that were not advertised online when I was pre-planning. One connection in particular helped enormously and saved me a day and a half of travelling, so allowing an extra visit to Trogir which I loved. It was a ferry that runs early morning and serves mainly as a transit ferry to take people to and from work between the mainland and the islands though anyone can ride them. Beautiful modern high speed ferries too. Keep an eye out and make inquiries at the terminal and ticket offices.

Have fun.

We just returned from a trip to Croatia. We spent one night in Split and then drove the coast road to Dubrovnik. We opted not to take a bus. It took us about about 4 1/2 hours but was amazingly beautiful and we were very glad that we did it.

You do have to keep your eyes on the road - especially for speedy vehicles and lots of passing. However, there are quite a few places to stop and get out of the car and enjoy the view.

On our return to Split we took the A1 since we had to get to the airport and it was not as long of a ride. It was an interesting ride, but not as beautiful as he coast road.

Enjoy your trip! It is a beautiful place and one of the best trips we have taken. We enjoyed it so much that we are already thinking of when to go back!