Split to Hvar takes about 50–65 minutes by catamaran into Hvar Town, or about 1 hour 50 minutes by Jadrolinija car ferry into Stari Grad, which is 20 km from Hvar Town. Jadrolinija's adult single is €5.90 in low season and €8.40 in high season; a car costs €35.60 or €47.60. Catamarans are seasonal and are cancelled first in strong wind, while the car ferry runs year-round.
This is the most useful short crossing in Croatia and the one most often misunderstood. Hvar is an island with two arrival points: Hvar Town on the west side, reached by catamaran, and Stari Grad on the north side, reached by the car ferry. They are 20 km apart, and the buses between them are infrequent.
In summer you have choices. Out of season the catamarans stop, and the car ferry becomes the only public boat, so the answer to “how do I get to Hvar” changes with the month.
- Hvar Town and Stari Grad are different towns about 20 km apart. The car ferry only goes to Stari Grad, while catamarans dock in Hvar Town.
- Catamarans are seasonal. Jadrolinija's 641 timetable covered only 17 August to 11 October 2026, so in November the car ferry is effectively the only public option.
- A car ticket is a reservation for that specific sailing. July and August departures sell out days in advance.
- Strong bura or jugo wind cancels fast catamarans first, while the car ferry usually keeps running longer.
- Buses from Stari Grad to Hvar Town run only a few times a day and take cash. Taxis at the pier cost about €30–45.
Step by step: the day of the crossing
Split's City Port is compact and central, but berths differ between the ferry and the catamarans. Check the board, not just the company.
- T-60 minArrive at Split's City Port, Gat sv. Duje 1, and check the berth board or the port's ferry-timetable app: line 635 uses the ferry berths, catamarans use Gat sv. Duje / Gat sv. Petar.
- T-45 minCollect or validate your ticket at the Jadrolinija or Krilo office and keep ID handy; a 635 ticket is tied to your sailing.
- T-30 minBe at the correct pier. Jadrolinija recommends 30 minutes in winter and 60 in summer; Krilo boarding usually starts 30 minutes before departure.
- T-15 minBoarding closes and you walk on with your bags; there is no checked baggage.
- T-0Depart: 50–65 minutes to Hvar Town by catamaran, or 110 minutes to Stari Grad by ferry.
- On arrivalAt Hvar Town you step off onto the Riva; at Stari Grad take the Čazmatrans bus or a taxi for the 20 km to Hvar Town.
A Jadrolinija car-ferry ticket is tied to a specific sailing, so your departure time is binding. Catamaran tickets are usually for a specific departure too, and boarding closes about 15 minutes before.
Which operator should you choose?
Jadrolinija runs both the year-round car ferry and a seasonal catamaran; Krilo adds fast catamarans into Hvar Town in season.
| Operator | Crossing | Sailings | Foot passengers | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jadrolinija – line 635 (car ferry) The only public boat to Hvar in winter. |
1h 50m to Stari Grad | 5–7 a day, year-round | Yes | Yes |
| Jadrolinija – line 641 (catamaran) Catamaran into Hvar Town, summer only. |
1h 05m to Hvar Town | seasonal, 17 Aug–11 Oct 2026 | Yes | No |
| Krilo (Kapetan Luka) Catamaran into Hvar Town. |
about 1 hour to Hvar Town | seasonal fast ferry | Yes | No |
If you are travelling with a car, the decision is made: the car ferry goes to Stari Grad. If you are on foot in season, the catamaran is faster and drops you in the town you probably want.
What the crossing costs
Fares are tariff-based and split by season, which makes them predictable. The variability is in availability, not price.
| Ticket | Typical price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Foot passenger, one way | from €5.90 | Lowest standard adult fare, November 2026 |
| Car + passengers, one way | from €35.60 | Lowest standard car fare, November 2026 |
In July and August the popular car-ferry sailings sell out days ahead. Book the vehicle space as soon as your dates are fixed; a foot ticket is rarely the bottleneck.
The ports: where you actually board
Split's City Port is a short walk from the old town and the bus station. At the other end, the town you arrive in depends on the boat you took.
Port of Split – City Port (Gat sv. Duje 1)
Jadrolinija's car ferry line 635 uses the ferry berths (Trajektna luka) in the City Port basin; catamarans to Hvar Town use the Gat sv. Duje / Gat sv. Petar piers a short distance away. The Port of Split Authority gives its address as Gat sv. Duje 1, 21000 Split, and the port's berth board lists line 635 at ferry berths 2, 8 and 11.
Getting there: The port is in the centre of Split, a short walk from the Old Town and Diocletian's Palace and directly opposite the bus station; taxis and local buses serve the terminal and parking is available near the port.
Hvar Town harbour (catamaran) / Stari Grad ferry port (car ferry)
Catamarans dock on the Riva in the centre of Hvar Town; the car ferry berths at Stari Grad, about 20 km by road from Hvar Town (20–35 minutes' drive). From Stari Grad, Čazmatrans buses meet the ferries and run to Hvar Town, Jelsa and Vrboska a few times a day, paid in cash, and taxis wait at the pier (about €30–45 to Hvar Town).
Getting there: Hvar Town's port is walkable from the town centre. From Stari Grad, take the local Čazmatrans bus or a taxi to Hvar Town; by car, follow road D116 towards Hvar.
Stari Grad to Hvar Town is 20 km. The Čazmatrans bus runs only a few times a day and takes cash; a taxi from the pier costs roughly €30–45.
Cars, pets and luggage
By car: Arrive 45–60 minutes before departure with a car; Jadrolinija sells the sailing and the vehicle space together.
Pets: Pets travel with a vehicle, or in designated areas where the operator allows it. Check with Jadrolinija or Krilo before booking.
Luggage: Catamarans set luggage limits (Krilo 23 kg, TP Line and Jadrolinija 20 kg). The car ferry has no checked baggage, you carry everything on.
Season and timetable: The car ferry runs year-round. Catamarans are a summer product, Jadrolinija's 2026 catamaran timetable ran only from 17 August to 11 October, so in winter the ferry is the only option.
Alternatives worth comparing
Two other ways to reach Hvar when the direct Split sailings are full or the catamarans have stopped for the season.
Split → Bol (Brač)
Jadrolinija catamaran line 9603 reaches Bol on Brač in 1 hour 5 minutes from Split, then continues to Stari Grad and Jelsa on Hvar.
Drvenik → Sućuraj (Hvar)
Jadrolinija ferry line 632 takes 30 minutes to Hvar's eastern tip; Drvenik is about 1.5 hours' drive south of Split and Sućuraj is a long drive from Hvar Town.
Before you book: checklist
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Split to Hvar?
About 50 to 65 minutes by catamaran into Hvar Town, or 1h 50m by car ferry into Stari Grad.
Where does the ferry arrive?
Catamarans arrive in Hvar Town. The car ferry arrives in Stari Grad, about 20 km away, with a few buses a day to Hvar Town.
How much does it cost?
€5.90 one way in low season and €8.40 in high season on the car ferry. A car costs €35.60 or €47.60. Catamarans cost more.
Do catamarans run in winter?
Mostly no. Jadrolinija's catamaran timetable in 2026 ran only from 17 August to 11 October, so in winter the car ferry is the usual option.