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- - Dubrovnik (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/dubrovnik-80909/)

Interested in any comments people may have on whether a visit to Dubrovnik is worth while. Spending 6 weeks in Europe (mainly Eastern Europe) and am considering going down to Dubrovnik. Will it be worth while? How long does the train take to get there from say Budapest? And what should I see if I do decide to go??? Thanks

Dubrovnik is beautiful, but a little hard to get to. I'll share what I *think* is correct -- and I am very open to correction. There is no train service to Dubrovnik. Nor can you easily travel through Bosnia to get there. [Or any otehr country other than Croatia for that matter]What I remember hearing is that you take a bus to Split from Zagreb and then another bus from Split to Dubrovnik.

I have also heard that safety is still an issue. Does anyone have any info on this?

There are no safety issues at all for Croatia especially Dubrovnik.

We spent three weeks in Croatia, this spring - safety was NOT an issue along the coast of Croatia. We drove to Dubrovnik (4-1/2 hrs from Split)and it was well worth the trip. Make sure to take a tour of the walled city of Dubrovnik, don't just wander aimlessly.The view from the top of the wall is breathtaking - well worth the cost of 10 kuna, but try this early in the morning before the heat of the day. I didn't find the aquarium worth the effort, although it was pretty inexpensive. Have a great trip.

Dubrovnik is enchanting. Definitely go there if you have the opportunity.

What great timing! I'm going on my first trip to Eastern Europe for next Spring and am researching Croatia. The end of my tour is in Dubrovnik. Since the city isn't accessible by rail, does anyone have suggestions on flights vs. bus-train options for extending my vacation? I was thinking about bussing it to Trieste and train to Venice to spend my b'day and fly back to Chicago, but I'm completely open to suggestions for final destinations for 2-3 days. (The tour hits Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia & Hungary.)

Dubrovnick sits on the edge of the Adriatic like a gem on blue velvet--really oe of the most special, complete ancient cities around. I don't know much about how to get there than what others have told you, but I say go!

The whole Adriatic coastline of Croatia, together with its offshore islands, is sensational. And, as Sally said, Dubrovnik is enchanting. Also an absolute must are the lakes called in Croatian 'Plitvicka Jezera'. This series of lakes cascades down the side of a forested mountain, each one being a different colour, from turquoise to emerald. They lie due east tf the town of Senj, itself about some 40 miles south of Rijeka. In Slovenia, the country to the north-west of Croatia, is another not-to-be missed site, the caves of Postojna. Here you can travel on a small rail line for miles underground with breathtaking stalactites and stalgmites, underground lakes, ancient fish and traces of early man. Of course the only way to enjoy all this splendour is by travelling by car.

Fodors The reference library of a city near you may have the Thomas Cook European Timetable. Table 92 shows that the Maestral Express, with couchettes anbd sleepers, leaves Budapest Keleti at 1505, runs along the southern shore of Lake Balaton, reaches Zagreb at 2214 and carries on to reach Split at 0741. Then a four hour bus ride takes you to Dubrovnik. The train, bus, and boat stations of Split are side by side, just over the road from the Palace of Diocletian. The left luggage office is at the railway station: the old man with a barrow who offers to look after your bag charges four times as much as the railway people do. Once you've chosen your bus breakfast in the Palace is a good idea. But then, so is breakfast as you sail along the beautiful coast of Dalmatia. Jadrolinja Lines run the boats. If you use http://www.yahoo.com, and enter "jadrolinja split dubrovnik" you'll find sailing dates and overseas fares: fares bought on the spot may be lower. Until 14 September boats leave Split at 0630, 0700 or 0730 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. They reach Dubrovnik any time from 1315 to 1815. So far as I can see, only twice a week can you make a clear run-through from Hungary to Dubrovnik. On Monday Budapest Keleti 1005, Zagreb for dinner 1605 to 2114, bed on the train, Split 0648 to 0700, Dubrovnik 1600. And on Tuesday the same start, but the boat is Split 0730, Dubrovnik 1815. I list you the other trains now in case the website shows you that the boat details have changed. The Avas Express leaves Budapest Keleti daily at 1005 and reaches Zagreb at 1605. Until 31 August there's a train from Zagreb at 1929 on Wednesdays and Fridays, and until 9 September there's a train from Zagreb daily at 2114, all with sleepers that you can reserve on the international system from Budapest. These arrive in Split at 0520 and at 0648. I'm afraid that no train that I've listed has catering on board. All you need during your daytime transit of Hungary is a packed meal and a corkscrew. Or you can make breaks. You can leave Budapest Deli at 0955, take lunch at the good pub beside Fonyod station from 1200 to 1302, and reach Zagreb at 1605. Or you can quit Budapest Deli at 1310, sup (not very well) at Nagykanizsa station buffet from 1655 to 1855, and reach Zagreb at 2214. Please write if I can help further. Ben Haines, London

Thanks Ben Haines! Per usual you provide the hard data for my vague intuitions:)