How to Get from Dubrovnik Airport to Old Town
Getting from Dubrovnik airport to the Old Town is really easy, with transport options to suit all budgets, from the cheap and reliable shuttle bus to a more luxurious private transfer
As you fly over the Adriatic sea and catch your first glimpse of the walled Old Town of Dubrovnik, your first thought will probably be “how to I get there as quickly as possible?”.
The charming medieval town is captivating from above, but it’s even better once you’re in it.
Luckily, getting from Dubrovnik airport to the Old Town is really simple, and there’s transport options to suit lots of different budgets.
I’ve visited Dubrovnik twice, and each time I’ve opted for a different way to travel from the airport to the city centre. In this guide, I’ll go through the best ways to get from the airport to the Old Town, including how much they cost.
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How to get from Dubrovnik airport to the Old Town
There’s 6 different ways I’d suggest travelling from Dubrovnik airport to the Old Town, with something to suit every budget.
The airport shuttle bus
The official airport shuttle bus is run by Platanus. Buses leave 30 minutes after each flight arrival.
The bus stops at two locations in Dubrovnik Old Town, Ploče gate and the bus station in Gruž, and takes around 30-40 minutes from the airport to the Old Town.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the Platanus counter in baggage claim. Tickets are €10,00 one way, or €14,00 return. Children under 6 years old travel for free.
Although this is the official airport bus shuttle, there are other bus routes that depart from the airport to Dubrovnik Old Town which are cheaper, so I’d recommend getting them instead.
You can book tickets here for as little as £4 one way.
Dubrovnik airport bus timetable
The bus times vary depending on the company you’re travelling with.
For Platanus, the full list of times can be found here.
The times vary quite a lot by company so I’d definitely recommend checking this in advance.
Uber
There is Uber in Dubrovnik, and it’s one of the easiest ways to get from the airport to the Old Town. You can order on the app once you arrive in Dubrovnik, there’s no need to book ahead.
When you order your Uber, you’ll be given a set price which you will need to accept before the Uber is confirmed.
Expect to pay around €26 one way for an Uber from the airport to Dubrovnik Old Town, with the journey taking about 30 minutes.
Your Uber driver won’t be able to drive you within the city walls, as cars aren’t allowed here.
If your hotel is within the walls, it might be a good idea to ask your hotel to meet you and give you a hand with your luggage if you have a lot of suitcases.
There are 3 main entrances to the Old Town, and your Uber driver will drop you at the one closest to where you’re staying, so you shouldn’t have far to walk.
Taxi
There’s a taxi station out the front of the airports main entrance, where you’ll be able to get a taxi to your accommodation. I’d recommend ordering an Uber instead though, as you’ll pay around €40 for a taxi.
Private transfer
If you like the security of knowing there’s a car waiting for you when you arrive in Dubrovnik, there’s nothing better than a private transfer. The driver will meet you in arrivals, help you with your luggage, and drop you at your hotel.
Shared transfer
A shared transfer will take you from the airport to the bus station in Dubrovnik, and you’ll then need to walk to your accommodation. The transfers are timed with the flight arrival times, so there’ll always be one there when you land.
Driving yourself
If you prefer the flexibility of having your own car whilst in Dubrovnik, you can pick one up at the airport terminal.
I’d only really recommend this option if you’re planning to explore beyond the Old Town, as you won’t need a car if you’re just staying within the city.
If you do want to hire a car, I’d recommend using Discover Cars to find the most affordable option. They compare lots of different providers to find you the best price.
I use them every time I hire a car abroad and I’ve never had any bad experiences where they won’t give you your money back at the end like you sometimes hear about with dodgy car hire companies.
The process is always really simple and stress-free.
Getting around Dubrovnik
The best way to get around Dubrovnik is to walk. All of the main sights are walkable, and since cars aren’t allowed in the Old Town, it’s often the only mode of transport.
If you’re going to a restaurant or hotel outside of the city walls, I’d recommend ordering an Uber. They’re usually cheaper than local taxis, and will arrive in just a few minutes.
Things to do whilst you’re in Dubrovnik
As well as everything there is to discover within the city walls, Dubrovnik sits on the stunning Adriatic coastline.
This is a trip where you truly get the best of both worlds, it’s a city break and a beach destination rolled into one.
Some of my favourite things to do in Dubrovnik are below.
- Walk the city walls – Construction of these stone walls began in the 9th century as a means of protecting the city from invasion, and they’ve been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. You can walk the entire length of the walls and the views are epic.
- Take a ride on the cable car – The cable car is a must do on your visit to Dubrovnik. The views of the city and the coast are unrivalled from the top.
- Grab ice cream at Peppino’s – Peppino’s was my favourite spot for ice cream in Dubrovnik. The ice cream is stored in vats, which is how you know it’s the good stuff.
- Visit Buza Bar (I and II) – Buza Bar is one of the most famous spots in Dubrovnik, and with good reason. Step through a hole in the city walls, and you’ll find this cliffside bar overlooking the Adriatic sea.
- Kayak to Lokrum Island – You’ll be able to see Lokrum Island from the Old Town, and it’s a must do on your trip. There’s plenty to do there, including hiking, swimming along the coast, and visiting the Benedictine Monastery, which dates back to the 11th century.
Getting from Dubrovnik airport to Old Town: The Wrap Up
As you can see, it couldn’t be easier to get from Dubrovnik airport to the Old Town. There’s transport options to suit every budget, and you don’t even need to plan anything ahead of time. Simply turn up and be on your way!
