gammy02

Hi, Andrew - did you take the Jadrolinija Catamaran or the Krilo? It looks like the catamaran would be faster than the ferry too, am I right? From the Jadrolinija site, there's a ferry that leaves Korcula at 12:59, arrive Dubrovnik 4:15. This might be a better option than the bus.

Thanks!!!!

gammy02

Hi Yorkshire -- how early did the bus leave from Korcula and where? I can't quite understand the bus schedules.

Andrew

Gammy, I found this website very helpful with Korcula info:

http://www.korculainfo.com/buses-roads-korcula.htm

From that, you can see that the bus leaves Korcula (first arriving from Vera Luka at the other side of the island) at 6:45 daily.

Here's the ferry timetable:

http://www.korculainfo.com/ferries/r...offseason.html

I took the Krilo catamaran. Yes, it's much faster (passengers only) than the car ferry you can ride on as a passenger.

yorkshire

Andrew already answered, and with a catamaran alternative I agree I would do that over the bus.

gammy02

I checked the ferry and bus schedules. Since there is no ferry leaving korcula on Mondays, looks like it will have to be the bus for us. This question will sound stupid -- if Korcula is an island, how does the bus cross the channel?

Andrew

There's a quick ferry from Korcula to the mainland at Orebic:

http://www.portlandbridges.com/00,5D...a-croatia.html

christabir

I rented a car in Split and left it off in Dubrovnic. Why can't you do the same? I am not against the bus or ferry, but I don't understand. The drive down the coast was beautiful (and fun). If you do rent a car, I hope you know how to drive a stick. The automatics were 3 times the price in 2006 (and not nearly as fun)!

Andrew

Renting a car to go from Split to Hvar, to Korcula, then to Dubrovnik? I imagine there are ferries between Hvar and the mainland but I'd guess the catamaran is much easier - and you won't need a car on Hvar or Korcula, anyway. The bus from Korcula to Dubrovnik gives you the same views you'd get in a rental car...

yorkshire

Oh yeah--all that talk about catamarans and you are traveling in March/April. Sorry I missed that--the catamarans pick up in high season.
Don't worry--the bus is quite comfortable. And I am truly the worst when it comes to early mornings, so if I am saying it, you can believe it! Try to stay awake at least for the Peljesac peninsula portion (right after you cross over to Orebic). You pass Ston and its famous wall, plus you see the interesting mussel "farms," and vineyards. Along the mainland the sea views are nice, and you should have time for a nap.

Andrew

Just to clarify what yorkshire said, the catamarans between Split, Hvar, and Korcula run year round, not just in high season. In high season there are other ferry services/catamarans between Korcula and Dobrovnik.

gammy02

Thanks for the warning about the diff in rates between a stick and an automatic, Christabir!!! We will be renting a car from Zagreb which we will drop off in Split. I wanted to experience other modes of transportation -- we live in LA where we have to drive everywhere.

From the link on Krilo Catamaran that Andrew provided, it looks like there is no problem between Split-Hvar-Korcula. My dilemma was Korcula to Dubrovnik. The Jadrolinija ferry does not run on Mondays when we're scheduled to leave. I panicked a bit - ok maybe a lot - thinking that I have to redo our itinerary and skip Korcula. It being an island I didn't quite understand how the bus could be an alternative if the ferries only run twice a week. Anyway, the link Andrew provided about the bus confirms that there is a bus service every day from Korcula at 6:45 (thanks! - by the way, are those your pics? BEAUTIFUL!). Not looking forward to waking up that early while on vacation - but beats redoing our itinerary and skipping Korcula.

So -- just really curious, how does the bus cross the channel? I am assuming they have their own fleet of ferries. . .

yorkshire

Yep, it just goes right onto the ferry for the short ride over. If I remember correctly, you can step off the bus and walk around--to wistfully watch Korcula recede--but it is a really short ride.

gammy02

All is well then. We will not be stuck in Korcula afterall.

Thank you again to everyone for taking the time to write. So invaluable -- love this forum!!

Andrew

Yes, thanks, those are my pics of Korcula, Gammy - just wanted to show you the bus on the ferry! It's just a car ferry that all vehicles can use. And yes, you can get out of the bus and walk around while you're on the ferry - obviously I did.

Don't feel bad about getting up for a 6:45 bus! I had to get up to catch a 6:00 catamaran going the other way to Split from Korcula. And then because of a flight change - my nice 14:00 direct flight from Split to Paris was canceled - I had to get up in Split at 3:45am just to catch a 6am connection via Zagreb!!! I tried my best ahead of time to avoid those early mornings on my trip last fall but sometimes it happens anyway! Oh, well, at least you'll get to Dubrovnik early!

gammy02

I was admiring your photography -- forgot to look at the car ferry. I will go check it again. I am actually excited to arrive in Dubrovnik early. I am thinking of staying an extra day there so we have more time to explore the surrounding areas leisurely - am waiting for the Innkeeper to confirm, preferably without changing rooms, before I change our return flight.
Thanks again,
Lily

gammy02

Our trip is finally here!!! We leave on Thursday. Thank you one and all for our invaluable feedback. So so so so so excited.

Andrew

So excited for you! Where are you staying, out of curiosity, in Plitvice and in Zagreb?

gammy02

Hi - Arcotel Allegra in Zagreb and Krizmanic Family B&B in Plitvice. Am so antsy . . . .

travelbug19

Gammy - how did it go? I have (a totally yet unplanned) trip coming up in May and your planning has me excited!!
B

gammy02

Travelbug19 -- we just came back from Croatia -- it was one of the best and memorable trips. What's your itinerary and where are you staying? I would highly recommend the places we stayed at - very inexpensive but with wonderful views. Even the Arcotel Allegra in Zagreb. When they found out that it was my husband's birthday - they sent over a chilled bottle of wine. Met some wonderful people -- tourists and locals alike. Do you want to discuss via email?