Split travel guide
The Ultimate Split Ferry Port & Catamaran Logistics Guide
This page covers everything you need to catch a boat from Split: the difference between car ferries and catamarans, every island route side by side, who runs each line, what we could confirm about prices, and when to be at the port.
While figuring out your ferry crossings is a critical piece of the puzzle, you will need to plan the rest of your itinerary, dining slots and sightseeing routes. Before you set out, make sure to read our definitive Split travel guide to map out your entire stay.
Where Split ferry port is
The ferry port, the main bus station and the train station sit side by side at the edge of the old town, about 5 minutes on foot from the Riva. You can walk from Diocletian's Palace to your boat, so there is no need for a taxi unless you have heavy bags.
- From the airport: the airport shuttle bus ends at the main bus station by the port. City buses 37 and 38 end at Sukoišan instead, further from the boats. See our Split airport transfer guide.
- Before check-in or after check-out: the main bus station by the port has left luggage.
Car ferry or catamaran: which boat to take
Two kinds of boat leave Split, and picking the wrong one is the most common island-hopping mistake.
| Car ferry | Catamaran | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it carries | Cars and foot passengers | Foot passengers only |
| Speed | Big and slower | Faster |
| Where it lands | The island's ferry port, which is not always the town you have in mind | In the town centre |
| When it runs | All year | Several lines only from spring to October |
| In strong wind | The safer bet when the sea is rough | More often cancelled |
| Best for | Bringing a car, winter trips, rough days | Day trips on foot that should start in town |
- Hvar day trip: take the catamaran to Hvar Town, about 1 hour. The Hvar car ferry goes to Stari Grad, about 20 km from Hvar Town by road, and takes almost two hours.
- Brač day trip: the car ferry to Supetar runs all year and is the easiest island day. For Zlatni Rat beach, the catamaran to Bol saves crossing the island.
- Vis: the farthest of the central islands. Plan a night or two rather than a rushed day.
Every ferry and catamaran route from Split
| To | Boat | On board | Runs | Good for | Timetable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brač: Supetar | Car ferry | About 50 min | All year, many sailings a day | The easiest island day; bus or drive on to Bol | Jadrolinija |
| Brač: Bol | Catamaran | About 1 hr 5 min | See the timetable | Zlatni Rat beach without crossing the island | Jadrolinija |
| Hvar: Hvar Town | Catamaran | About 1 hr | All year, far more sailings in summer | The best Hvar day trip: you land in the old harbour | Jadrolinija, TP Line, Krilo |
| Hvar: Stari Grad | Car ferry | About 1 hr 50 min | All year | Bringing a car; Hvar Town is about 20 km away by road | Jadrolinija |
| Hvar: Jelsa | Catamaran | Calls at Bol and Stari Grad first | See the timetable | Staying on Hvar's quieter north coast | Jadrolinija |
| Šolta: Rogač | Car ferry | About 1 hr | All year | A quiet swim-and-lunch day close to Split | Jadrolinija |
| Vis: Vis Town | Car ferry | About 2 hr 20 min | All year | Bringing a car; plan a night or two | Jadrolinija |
| Vis: Vis Town | Catamaran | Quicker than the ferry; varies by line | The Jadrolinija line via Bol and Hvar runs June to September | Foot passengers in summer | Jadrolinija, Krilo |
| Korčula and Dubrovnik | Catamaran | Most of a day, calling at Hvar and Korčula and on some lines Brač or Mljet | Spring to October | Moving on south without a car | Krilo, TP Line, Jadrolinija |
Routes and crossing times checked on the operators' own timetables in October 2026. Departure times change by season and weather, so check the timetable for your date.
How to book Jadrolinija, Krilo and TP Line tickets
Three operators sail from Split. Jadrolinija runs the car ferries and several catamaran lines; Krilo and TP Line run catamarans. Each publishes its own timetable, and on the Hvar Town route all three sail, so compare times before you buy.
- July and August: buy catamaran tickets, and car-ferry tickets for a vehicle, online before you arrive.
- Outside summer: you can usually buy at the port on the day.
- Winter: several catamaran lines run only from spring to October, and one Jadrolinija line to Vis only from June to September. Check the winter timetable before you plan an island day.
What a ticket costs
| Ticket | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Catamaran Split to Hvar Town, one way | €25 | Jadrolinija |
Price checked in October 2026 on the operator's own page; it changes every season. We could not confirm this year's price for the Supetar car ferry on an official site, so we leave it out rather than guess. See the operators linked above.
When to be at the port
- With a car: Jadrolinija asks you to be at the port 45 minutes before departure, or 60 minutes in summer.
- In July and August: buy your ticket ahead rather than at the port, especially with a car.
- On a windy day: catamarans are more often cancelled in strong wind. Check with the operator on the morning you sail, and keep the car ferry as your back-up.
Island hopping and moving on by sea
From spring to October, catamarans run by Krilo, TP Line and Jadrolinija sail south from Split to Korčula and Dubrovnik, calling at Hvar and, on some lines, Brač or Mljet. It takes most of a day, longer than driving, but it is the more scenic way to move on without a car.
- Two islands from Split: many people do two nights in Split, then two or three on Brač or Hvar.
- Bol on Brač: worth a night rather than a rushed day.
- Vis: one or two nights; on the island you'll want a scooter or a tour.
What to plan next for your trip
Once you have sorted out your ferry crossings, it's time to explore the rest of Dalmatia - Split. If you are heading for the closest island, start with our Brač travel guide. If you want the classic catamaran day trip, read our local breakdown of the island of Hvar.