Posts Tagged ‘Croatia Ferries’

Want to island-hop in Croatia this summer? Or are you just waiting for the ferry schedules to plan your holiday in Croatia? All the Split to Dubrovnik local ferry schedules from June 1 to September 30 are now available. The last hold-out was Jadrolinija, Croatia’s national ferry company which has not yet officially published their coastal car ferry schedule. They sent it to me this week though, along with the prices. I’ve also been able to obtain the not-yet-published versions of a few other schedules including the Orebic-Korcula and the Split-Trogir passenger ferry. All these schedules plus prices and booking information are now available for download in my popular Dalmatia Ferry Guide. Over the next week, I’ll be updating all the schedules on Croatia Traveller as well.

Prices

Speaking of prices. . .I’ve noticed substantial increases in the prices for some lines, especially passenger boats run by private companies. Jadrolinija has done a good job holding the line on price increases. In effect, the prices are the same as last year. Some of the smaller companies are making trips to the Croatian islands much more expensive, probably because of this year’s increase in fuel prices. Jadrolinija is state-subsidized which takes some of the pressure off.  Whenever possible, I recommend looking for a Jadrolinija ferry to take you to your destination. See more budget tips for your Croatian holiday.

Island-Hopping

Even with the price increases, island-hopping in Croatia is an incomparable experience. Curiously, it’s easier to day-trip to an island or to island-hop as a foot passenger than it is with a car. Car ferry links between islands are few and far between except for the coastal car ferry which only runs twice a week anyway. The easiest island to visit on a day trip from Split is Brac island with a daily boat that leaves in the morning from Split to Milna and returns in the afternoon. Vis island is a longer trip and can also be reached on a day trip from Split but only in July and August. For island-hopping you can go from Split to Bol on Brac and then to Jelsa on Hvar island (not on the same day) or Split to Hvar and then Korcula island (also not on the same day). There is a Korcula-Dubrovnik connection but only four days a week and only in July and August. And in Dubrovnik, you can do a day trip to Mljet island to visit the National Park (only in summer) or out to the unspoiled Elaphiti Islands.

You can work out all these trips and more in my handy ferry guide!

 

Croatia ferries are an essential means of getting around Croatia and now the schedules for spring 2012 are finally online. Click here to find links to all the local ferry schedules as well as my handy downloadable Dalmatia Ferry Guide which contains all the local ferries between Split and Dubrovnik along with prices and handy booking information.

Jadrolinija is the main operator of Croatia ferries. The state-run ferry company handles all car ferries while a few other local operator  handle passenger ferries. Jadrolinija changes their schedules at least twice a year and the timetables are usually published at the last minute. Why? As the company is state-supported, the government needs to officially approve the schedules. Each year it seems like essential ferry route information languishes on some minister’s desk while thousands of visitors patiently await his/her approval in order to plan their holiday.

Little has changed since the autumn schedules but note that these schedules will change in June. There will be many more ferries in the summer season from Jadrolinija, including the popular coastal car ferry. Check back later for updates!

The editors of Yahoo travel voted the Split to Vis ferry ride the second most beautiful ferry ride in the world (the number one spot went to an Australian ferry line). Think of how many ferries trundle around Greece alone and you can see that it’s quite an honor! The article noted “Among the Adriatic Coast’s thousand islands and 250 miles of ferry routes, this two-and-a-half-hour ride stands out for its exceptional scenery.” The red-roofed buildings of Split recede, you pass little Solta and big Brac before gliding past a sprinkling of islets on your way to Vis Island.

I love the ride and heartily endorse the vote but before you run out and book passage, check the Split-Vis ferry schedules. There are two ferries from Split to Vis: a Split-Vis car ferry and a Split-Hvar-Vis passenger ferry. Throughout most of the year both ferries leave Split in the afternoon and return from Vis in the morning so you’ll have to stay overnight. During the summer months, there’s usually a morning ride out on the car ferry and an afternoon ferry back to Split. It doesn’t leave much time on Vis but you do get the benefit of the scenery. See more on Croatia ferries.

Many is the time I’ve taken the convenient passenger boat that runs daily from Orebic to Korcula. Unlike the car ferry that runs from Orebic to Domince, this boat left you off right in Korcula town, a boon for the carless.

That connection has just been cancelled. The company that runs the line, Mediteranska Plovidba, has gone bankrupt and must sell all its assets, including the boats. The last service is scheduled for 13 November 2011. After that, you must take the car ferry to Domince and then a taxi to Korcula town. Too bad.

Planning to spend autumn on the Dalmatian coast? A fine idea. But if you plan to visit the islands, you’ll need the ferry schedules.

Now available for download is my Dalmatian Ferry Guide in pdf format ready for easy viewing on your netbook, smartphone or other portable device. You get the timetables to all ferries running to the islands between Split and Dubrovnik. Plus you get prices, booking information and practical tips. The schedules are currently valid from October through December 31, 2011 but you get free updates through May 2012.

If you’ve previously downloaded the Summer 2011 schedule, you can update it to the Autumn Schedule for free. A number of routes that ran in the summer are dormant all winter, most notably the coastal ferry from Rijeka to Dubrovnik and the Nona Ana catamaran that connected Dubrovnik to Korcula this summer. So pay attention!

Read more about the Dalmatia Ferry Guide and purchase it here.