If you are travelling to Dubrovnik by plane, one of the first decisions you will need to make after landing is how to get from Dubrovnik Airport to the city. The airport is in Čilipi, about 20 kilometres from the centre and the Old Town. There are quite a few transport options, but they are not always clearly explained.
The shuttle bus is the simplest option, used by most travellers. It runs frequently, costs €10 per person, and is the most practical choice for a first arrival.
The local bus is the cheapest option at around €3 per person, but it is less straightforward, runs only a few times a day, and often means waiting.
Uber or a taxi is the most direct option. It will take you to your accommodation for roughly €25 to €35.
Quick overview
Easiest: shuttle bus (€10, 30–40 min)
Cheapest: local bus (€3, ~45 min)
Least walking: Uber, taxi or private transfer (€25+, ~30 min)
The difference is not only the price. It is also how long you wait, where you are dropped off, how manageable it is with luggage, and how suitable each option is if you have limited mobility.
If this is your first time in Dubrovnik, our Dubrovnik Travel Guide covers everything you need to know before you arrive.
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Transport options from Dubrovnik airport: Bus, taxi, private transfer
Dubrovnik Airport is well connected to the city and there are several ways to reach your accommodation. The right choice depends on your situation, especially factors like luggage, mobility and how straightforward you want the journey to be.
Shuttle bus from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik
The shuttle bus is the most common choice and, for most travellers, the most practical one. It departs from just outside the terminal exit, usually around 30 minutes after each arriving flight.
The ticket costs €10 per person and can be bought online, at the Platanus counter inside the terminal, or directly from the driver. The journey takes around 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Luggage is stored in the hold, with a limit of one larger suitcase per person. The buses are air-conditioned, generally reliable and run on time.
The shuttle bus from Dubrovnik airport to the Old Town stops first at Ploče, one of the main entrances. This is convenient if you are staying in the Old Town or nearby.
The next and final stop is the main bus station in Gruž, which works well if you are staying in that area or nearby neighbourhoods, as it is well connected. For more detail on Dubrovnik’s public transport, including routes and how it works, see our Dubrovnik Transport Guide.
The shuttle schedule follows flight arrivals. If you miss the one after your flight, there is no need to worry, as another will usually follow soon. This is especially true in peak season, when flights are frequent.
Outside of peak season, there are fewer flights and fewer shuttle departures, so always check the timetable in advance.
Local bus from Dubrovnik airport: cheap but complicated
Local bus lines 11, 27 and 38 connect the airport with the city, making this the cheapest way to travel. A ticket costs around €3 and can be bought from the driver, at a kiosk, or via the Libertas Dubrovnik app. However, there are some limitations compared to the shuttle bus.
The bus stop is not directly outside the terminal exit. You will need to walk a short distance to the road below the airport. Buses do not follow flight arrivals but run on a fixed timetable, with only a few departures per day, which often means waiting.
The journey takes longer than the shuttle, as the bus stops along the way, so expect at least 45 minutes. There is no dedicated luggage space, so you need to bring your bags onto the bus, which can be inconvenient during the busy season.
In Dubrovnik, these buses take you to the main bus station in Gruž, from where you can continue to other parts of the city.
This option makes sense if you are travelling light and want to save money, but for most travellers it is not the most practical choice. It can work better if you are staying in places served directly by these lines, such as Cavtat, Gruda, or other nearby areas.
Buses run only a few times per day, often with gaps of several hours between departures, so timing your arrival matters.
Taxi, Uber and Bolt from Dubrovnik airport
Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Uber offer the most direct way to get from the airport to your accommodation.
The taxi rank is located right outside the terminal exit. Uber pickups are arranged through the app, usually at the parking area just outside the terminal.
The drive to Dubrovnik takes around 30 minutes, although in summer it can take longer due to traffic.
Prices vary depending on season and demand. In general, Uber and Bolt tend to be slightly cheaper than standard taxis, but the difference is not always significant. Realistically, expect to pay around €25 to €30 with Uber, and €35 or more for a taxi.
The main advantage is straightforward. The journey is direct, there are usually plenty of vehicles available, there is no need to transfer, and you are dropped close to your accommodation. However, this does not fully apply to the Old Town.
Inside the city walls is a strict pedestrian-only zone. Taxis and shuttle buses can access areas closer to the entrances, while Uber vehicles cannot. In practice, this means that if you are staying in the Old Town and take an Uber, you will be dropped off about a 10-minute walk further away compared to a taxi or shuttle.
For more detail, see the Dubrovnik Old Town traffic restrictions guide.
Private transfer from Dubrovnik airport
Private transfers are pre-booked rides that wait for you at the terminal exit. The driver tracks your flight arrival and adjusts accordingly, so delays are not an issue.
The price is higher than Uber or a taxi, usually above €50, but the difference is not always significant, especially if you are travelling in a group. The main advantage is that everything is arranged in advance, with no uncertainty on arrival.
This option makes sense if you want a smooth, no-hassle arrival, particularly if you are travelling as a group or with a larger family.
Renting a car in Dubrovnik airport
Renting a car gives you more flexibility. You can pick it up directly in front of the terminal, but keep in mind that Dubrovnik is full of narrow streets, often on steep hills. You cannot access every area by car, and parking is limited and, in some parts, quite expensive.
If you are staying in the Old Town, it is best to avoid renting a car. You will not be able to get anywhere close to your accommodation, the car will need to be left in a more distant parking area, and you will end up moving around on foot or by public transport anyway.
Is there a train from Dubrovnik airport to the city?
A common question, especially from travellers from Europe, is whether you can take a train from the airport to the city. There is no train transport in the Dubrovnik area, which often comes as a surprise and it is not always clearly stated.
Passenger trains in Croatia mainly run in the northern part of the country, while along the coast they go as far south as Split.
For more information, see guide Trains in Croatia: Routes, Rail Map, Tickets and What to Expect.
How to choose the right transport from Dubrovnik airport
What matters most when choosing transport from Dubrovnik Airport is where you are staying, how much luggage you have, and your level of mobility.
If you have limited mobility
If you have reduced mobility, it is important to get as close to your accommodation as possible. Dubrovnik is built on hills, and many properties involve stairs or uphill walking.
In this case, the most practical option is to take an Uber. It is usually slightly cheaper than a taxi and will take you directly to your accommodation, with help for luggage and getting in and out.
If you are staying in the Old Town, keep in mind that Uber vehicles are not allowed inside the area. In that case, choose a local taxi or a private transfer, as they can get closer to the entrances.
Travelling with a stroller or heavy luggage
If you are travelling with a baby in a stroller or need to carry one, the same advice applies as above. While strollers can be easily placed in an Uber, taxi or private transfer, you will also avoid having to carry them up long, steep stairs or through uphill streets in Dubrovnik.
Travelling from Dubrovnik airport with a dog
In this case, you cannot use bus transport, either local buses or the shuttle as pets are not allowed. Your options are a private transfer, a taxi with prior agreement from the driver, or renting a car with prior arrangement with the agency. Uber does offer an Uber Pet option, but it is rarely available in Dubrovnik, so it is not something you should rely on.
For more detail, see Travelling Croatia with Pets.
How to choose transport based on where you are staying
Where you stay in Dubrovnik will often determine which option is the most practical.
Dubrovnik airport to accommodation in the Old Town
The first stop for the shuttle bus after the airport is Ploče, one of the entrances to the Old Town. If you are staying inside the walls, this is usually the most practical option. The Ploče entrance does not involve stairs, but a short bridge and a street that leads directly to Stradun.
If you are staying just outside the Old Town, the shuttle can still work, depending on how steep the walk is. If your accommodation is higher up the hill, it is worth considering an Uber.
Dubrovnik airport to Gruž accomodation or ferry port
Gruž is one of the most practical areas in terms of transport. This is where the main bus station and ferry port are located, and the shuttle bus takes you directly there.
However, part of Gruž is on a hill, so Uber can still be useful, especially with heavier luggage.
For example, if you have a standard suitcase, are staying within a 10-minute walk of the Main bus station, and are mobile, the shuttle is the simplest option. You get off at the station and walk the rest of the way.
If you are staying above the port area, have heavy luggage, limited mobility or are travelling with a stroller, it is usually better to take an Uber, taxi, or private transfer that will drop you at your accommodation door.
You can also find Uber or taxis at the Main bus station, so combining these options is possible.
If you are looking for how to get from Durbovnik airport to the port for ferries, catamarans or cruise ships, the shuttle bus is a good option, as the port is just a few minutes from the Main bus station.
Dubrovnik airport to Lapad, Montovjerna, Ilijina Glavica, Babin Kuk
If you are staying in one of these areas, Uber or a taxi is usually the most practical and fastest option. If you take the shuttle bus, you will need to change to a local bus after arriving at the Gruž station. Local bus stops are within a few minutes’ walk from the Main bus station.
Dubrovnik airport to Mokošica, Sustjepan and the western coast
For these areas, it is not complicated to take the shuttle to Gruž and transfer to a local bus, which runs roughly every 15 minutes. However, it is still more practical and faster to take an Uber or a private transfer.
Dubrovnik airport to Cavtat, Čilipi, Konavle
In this case, the local Libertas bus from the airport can be a reasonable option, but keep in mind that it runs only a few times per day, so you need to plan accordingly. If that does not work, Uber and taxis also operate in this direction.
An honest local recommendation
If you want a straightforward transfer from the airport to your accommodation, it is best to avoid the local bus unless you are heading to nearby villages. These buses are not designed as airport transport, but for everyday travel between surrounding towns and villages. That is why they are not frequent, with some running only a few times per day and gaps of 4 to 5 hours between departures.
There is also limited space for luggage, and for a first arrival they tend to create more confusion than convenience. For most travellers, the shuttle bus is a much simpler and more practical option.
It is also worth noting that taxis in Dubrovnik are relatively expensive, usually starting from around €35. They can make sense if you are travelling in a group and splitting the cost, but if you are travelling alone or as a couple, Uber is usually the more affordable option.
