Getting from Dubrovnik Airport to the Old Town and Your Hotel

Dubrovnik Airport is 21 km southeast of the Old Town, near the village of Cilipi. The drive takes 25-40 minutes. Croatia uses the euro — it replaced the kuna on 1 January 2023, so any guide still quoting you kuna prices is out of date.

The airport shuttle bus, run by Platanus, is the one fare here that is published and fixed: 10 EUR one way, 15 EUR return, dropping at the Old Town (Ploce gate) and then Gruz bus station. Children under 6 travel free.

Taxis are not on a municipal meter tariff — each company files its own rates — so agree the fare or confirm the rate card before you get in. Pre-booked transfers give you a fixed price at booking. There is no rail connection, and Uber works but with limited availability.

Dubrovnik Airport has a single terminal that was expanded in recent years. It handles the summer crush reasonably well, though it does get crowded when multiple flights arrive together during peak season (June through September).

For EU/EEA passport holders, immigration is fast. Non-EU travelers should expect 15-30 minutes during busy periods. Croatia joined the Schengen Area, so if arriving from another Schengen country, there is no passport control.

Baggage claim has a few carousels. Luggage delivery is generally prompt. Once through, you enter a small arrivals hall with car rental desks, an ATM, and tourist information. The exit leads directly to the transport area.

The airport shuttle bus is the most popular budget option, and the only one with a published fare. Platanus is the licensed operator: 10 EUR one way, 15 EUR return, with one suitcase included per ticket and children under 6 free. Buses leave roughly 30 minutes after every flight arrival, from the first flight of the day to the last, every day of the year — so a late landing does not strand you. The bus stops at the Old Town (Ploce gate), about 30 minutes, then continues to Gruz bus station, about 35 minutes. Tickets are sold at the counter in arrivals, on the bus, and online. The downside is that it only serves two stops - if your hotel is elsewhere, you need a second ride.

Taxis queue outside the terminal. Dubrovnik does not have a single municipal taxi tariff — individual companies set and file their own rates, which is why you will see wildly different figures quoted online. The cars are modern and air-conditioned. Ask for the rate to your destination, or check the posted rate card, before you get in.

Pre-booked private transfers provide a driver waiting for you at arrivals, at a price fixed when you book. You go directly to your accommodation, whether that is in the Old Town, Lapad, Babin Kuk, or somewhere along the coast.

Uber operates in Dubrovnik but with limited driver numbers, and quotes you in the app. Availability is unreliable at the airport, especially when multiple flights land together and everyone opens their apps.

Rental cars are available at the airport. Note that parking in Dubrovnik is extremely limited and expensive, particularly near the Old Town. Unless you plan to explore beyond the city, a car may create more problems than it solves.

Only one of these has a fixed published price — the shuttle. Everything else is quoted per trip, by the taxi company's own rate card or by your transfer operator at booking.

To the Old Town (Ploce gate): 10 EUR one way on the Platanus shuttle, or 15 EUR return. By taxi, Uber or private transfer, ask for the price first.

To Lapad / Babin Kuk: not served by the shuttle. Taxi or transfer.

To Cavtat (nearby coastal town, 6 km from the airport): the shortest run of all, by taxi or transfer. Local buses also serve the route.

To Ston / Peljesac Peninsula (60 km), Kotor, Montenegro (95 km) and Split (230 km): private transfer, quoted at booking. Cross-border runs to Montenegro need confirming in advance. For Split, most people fly or take a bus rather than pay for a car over that distance.

During summer, flights arrive until late evening, some past midnight. The airport stays open for scheduled flights.

The Platanus shuttle is scheduled off the arrivals board rather than a fixed timetable — a bus leaves roughly 30 minutes after every flight arrival, right through to the last flight of the day. That means a late landing does not leave you stranded the way it would at airports with a fixed last bus.

Taxis are available after late flights, though the number of cars diminishes. Uber availability is even more limited late at night in Dubrovnik.

For flights arriving after 10 PM, a pre-booked transfer is the most reliable choice. The driver commits to your specific flight, and the drive to the Old Town at that hour is quick - about 20-25 minutes with empty roads.

The shuttle bus works for families but has limited luggage space in the hold. With a stroller, multiple suitcases, and children, the bus becomes less practical.

Taxis at Dubrovnik Airport are modern sedans or minivans. A standard taxi fits a family of four with moderate luggage. For larger families, request a minivan.

Child car seats are not standard in Croatian taxis. Bring your own travel seat or book a transfer service that provides one. Specify the child's age when booking.

Note for Old Town accommodation: the Old Town is largely pedestrianized with steep steps and narrow alleys. Vehicles drop off at the gates. From there, you may need to walk with luggage through the Old Town to your apartment. Some properties arrange porter services - ask in advance.

For pre-booked transfers, drivers hold name signs in the arrivals area just past the exit from baggage claim. The terminal is small, making them easy to spot.

The taxi rank is directly outside the terminal exit, to the right. An attendant manages the queue during busy times.

The shuttle bus stop is also outside the terminal, clearly signed. Buses wait until the arriving passengers have had time to collect luggage.

For Uber, the pickup area is outside the terminal. Check the app for the driver's location.

Choose the shuttle bus if: you are traveling solo or as a couple, your accommodation is near the Old Town (Ploce gate) or Gruz bus station, and you are on a budget. It runs after every arrival, so a late flight is not a problem.

Choose a taxi if: you want door-to-door service without advance booking, you are staying in Lapad or another area not served by the shuttle, and you do not mind paying the fixed rate.

Choose a pre-booked transfer if: you are traveling with family, arriving late, heading to a specific address, carrying heavy luggage, or want the simplest possible transition from airport to hotel.

Choose Uber if: you get lucky with availability — the app at least tells you the price before you commit.