From the airport to the city centre Dubrovnik

A shuttle bus system connects Dubrovnik airport (Zračna luka Dubrovnik in the locality of Čilipi) with the old town. Stops are located opposite the cable car, at the port and at the bus station in connection with flights, for €10 per person (€14 round trip). Tickets can be purchased on the company's website www.platanus.hr or at ticket offices at the airport, bus station and opposite the cable car. The journey takes around 30 minutes. The airport can also be reached by city bus. Routes 11, 27, 31 and 38 serve the airport. Tickets cost €4.90 (one-way). The journey takes around 35 minutes. Ask at the Pile tourist office for timetables or visit www.libertasdubrovnik.hr.

Cabs cost around €45.

Arrival by train Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik and the surrounding area are not served by train. The nearest station is in the town of Ploče, 100 km west of the city (nothing to do with Ploče, Dubrovnik's neighborhood). In any case, rail service is almost non-existent in Croatia, or only on the mainland and as far south as Split.

Arrival by boat Dubrovnik

Many holidaymakers (and boaters) arrive in Dubrovnik by boat. Visitors disembarking from a cruise or ferry will arrive in the port of Gruž, a 10-minute bus ride from the old town. Here you'll find all the facilities you need (supermarket, tourist office, restaurants, etc.). Some local excursions chartered by agencies (Elaphite Islands, Southern Riviera and Konavle littoral region) depart from and arrive at the old port (Stara Luka) in Dubrovnik's old town.

On the Croatian Adriatic coast, the main ports are linked by boat. Be careful, however, as the possibilities are sometimes limited, especially in winter: be sure to check the timetable, as insured trips are fairly infrequent. From Dubrovnik, you can take a catamaran directly to Lokrum, the Elaphite Islands, Mljet (Sobra, Polače), Korčula, Lastovo, Hvar, Brač and Split (www.tp-line.hr). From Pelješac (Orebić) you reach Korčula, and from Prapratno (Pelješac) you reach Mljet and from Korčula, the islands of Lastovo, Hvar, as well as Split, also easily accessible by ferry. Lines between the mainland and the islands are more frequent than those along the coast. Cruising along the Adriatic coast is a beautiful experience. And don't forget the long-distance boat trips (Dubrovnik-Bari; Ancona-Split/Zadar), where you can book a cabin and, in summer, sleep outside without booking anything. Travel is fairly slow, so you'll need to keep an eye on your schedule before embarking on a trip of this kind. Prices are reasonable (more expensive if you have a car with you).

Pleasure boating. The Adriatic is increasingly attracting yachtsmen. The country offers ideal conditions for a cruise lasting from a few days to several weeks. In both summer and winter, there's a breeze, and the sea is generally calm and calm. The coastline is one of the most indented in the world, and the many islands that border it offer a wealth of coves and harbours to discover.

There are over 60 marinas (including 7 in the Dubrovnik region) with a total of over 16,000 moorings. Most are well equipped. Dozens of companies specialize in the rental of sailing and motor boats.
To rent a boat, you need a coastal license and a VHF radio license. These can be obtained after examination from the harbor master's offices in the main ports. Charter companies offer sliding-scale rates according to the number of weeks on board. For the same boat, the price varies according to its age and the services offered, the cheapest being the Bavaria. For a five- or six-berth sailboat rented for a week, you'll need to reckon with prices in excess of €3,000.

Rent a boat in Croatia. The continent is indented and extended to infinity by islands whose contours are a sailor's dream. But when your vacation time is limited, it's best to stick to a single region around your departure base. Rentals are usually from Saturday to Saturday. The sailing conditions here are ideal: the coast is clear, the weather mild and warm, and the wind moderate but always present. This is why Croatia has become such a popular destination for sailors, many of whom have not hesitated to anchor their boats here year-round. After all, Croatia has something for everyone: dreamy anchorages, numerous marinas, a large charter fleet, reasonable prices and magnificent scenery. For lovers of shady, wooded islands, head for Istria. For those who prefer raw nature, lunar landscapes and wild, solitary anchorages, head for the Kornati. Finally, if you're a fan of old stones, charming villages and a slightly more hectic lifestyle, then southern Dalmatia is for you.

Unless you can get away for a month, we advise you to choose one of these three destinations, as an average of 30 miles a day maximum is to be expected: there's so much to see within a short distance! Istria in the north, near the Slovenian border, and the Kvarner are probably the most difficult navigable areas. Here, the bora and sirocco blow frequently, and outcrops of rock abound. But don't let this put you off, as the region boasts exceptionally rich landscapes that would be a shame to miss. You can hire your boat from the bases in Rovinj, Pula, Pomer and Pag. The whole region is marked by major archaeological sites such as Pula and Brijuni. To the east, in the Gulf of Kvarner, there are three large islands: Krk, Lošinj and Cres. The last two are linked by a movable bridge at Osor, which opens between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. by foghorn. Beware of the numerous shoals and rocks, as well as the strong current in the Lošinj channel. From Zadar, you enter a very different zone. The islands are longer and thinner. They bar the horizon parallel to the coast. The first strip consists of Pašman and Ugljan, linked by a bridge that limits the air draught to 16.50 m and provides access to the Kornati Park. The largest base in this area is at Sukošan, a new marina that is one of the largest in the country. A dozen Croatian charter companies are based here, 12 miles from the islands. You can also visit Biograd, Zadar, Šibenik or Murter. Although the coast is well worth a visit, all eyes are on the Kornati archipelago. A hundred rocky islands inhabited by a handful of fishermen and grazing sheep. In summer, yachtsmen are welcomed with open arms. It's a pity, however, that in high season the park loses its calm and almost resembles a freeway on a vacation departure day (exaggerating just a little). There are few refreshment points on these islands, but this is also where you'll find some of the best culinary establishments in Croatia! Most are only open in high season, but you'll always find fresh fish, octopus salad or mutton served with vegetables from the garden. Delicious! The only constraint for yachtsmen is to respect the compulsory anchorage zones to limit the proliferation of taxifolia. In just one week, you'll have enough time to sail through this maze and relax all the way to the town of Šibenik. It is therefore both pointless and dangerous to navigate this zone at night, as there is little or no signposting. The third zone stretches from Split to Dubrovnik, the southern coast of Dalmatia. This is the most Mediterranean of all parts of the coast: olive groves and vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see up the mountainside on islands that are much greener than the previous ones. Brač, Hvar, Korčula and Mljet are substantial in size and surrounded by a host of islets. Further out, Vis looks like a lost island drowned in palm trees. On the coast, the old cities of Split and Dubrovnik share the limelight. The former is the key departure point for Dalmatia. It's the capital and largest ACI marina. Opposite, we find Brač, with its Golden Horn beach and its white stones behind some of the world's prettiest buildings. A little further on, the island of Mljet has been transformed into a national park, with its two salt lakes and a 12th-century Franciscan convent. Everything you need for idyllic cruising. A visit to the old towns of Hvar and Korčula only adds to the enchantment of the natural landscape. Back on the mainland, we recommend a visit to Mali Ston, oyster country. Finally, all the way south, we reach Dubrovnik and its little sister Cavtat, the lighthouse of the south coast. An old limestone town, with glowing roofs and steep streets. The marina is a 20-minute bus ride from the old town. Remember to call the VHF before you go, as the place is very popular.

Licensing. To skipper a sailboat, charter companies require you to have a sea license (coastal or offshore). Croatian boat insurance is only valid with a sea license number. For VHF, you'll need to obtain a certificate, as more and more harbour masters are requiring it. Fishing requirements and restrictions vary from zone to zone. That said, no permit is required for angling.

Public transport Dubrovnik

Bus connections are more than satisfactory in the region and beyond (Croatian towns near and far and border countries). From the bus station, it's easy to get to the old town. International buses are more numerous in summer. There is no direct connection between France and Dubrovnik, so consider getting off in Zagreb and taking a national airline to Dubrovnik. This is also the case for many other European cities: a change is often necessary. A number of regional companies offer both regional (from Croatia's main cities, several buses run to Dubrovnik during the day) and international connections. Each has its own fare conditions, so check the company's website: some have special rates for young people, children, pensioners, students, etc. You'll often have to pay for extra luggage (around 2 euros). It's best to buy your ticket a few days in advance during the season, to make sure you have a seat.

A comfortable and efficient bus service provides quick, easy and inexpensive access to the old town, Ploče, Boninovo and other nearby towns. These buses are operated by Libertas, the Ragusa transport company. A trip from Lapad to Pile takes 20 minutes (maximum 30 minutes to Babin Kuk) by bus. At the height of the season, buses are often overcrowded.

A ticket costs 1.73 euros if purchased in advance from the kiosks of Dubrovnik's transport company, Libertas, as well as from Tissak kiosks. Otherwise, it can be purchased for 1.99 euros from the driver. A ticket is valid for one person, must be punched at the bus entrance and remains valid for 1 hour, regardless of the journey. So you can make a round trip with the same ticket, provided the operation lasts less than an hour. There are no discounts of any kind. The combined ticket valid for twenty one-hour journeys is no longer available for tourists. There is also a daily ticket for 5.31 euros. The Dubrovnik Pass for a week (on sale for 55 euros) includes the equivalent of 7 day tickets, the three-day pass (45 euros) includes 3, the one-day pass (35 euros) includes 1.

Buses generallyrun from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and until 2 a.m. on the 6 bus in high season.

The most useful lines for travelers. Bus 6 crosses all of Lapad, as far as Babin Kuk, to reach the Pile gate. Buses 1 A, B and 1 C take you from the bus station and Gruž port to Pile. The 5 and 8 run from Pile to Ploče and on to the big hotels on the coast, towards the riviera (the 8 even goes as far as Gruž).

Stops are never indicated on the bus. Not all of them have a sign or a stop that you can recognize from the street, so you need to be very vigilant and press the button when you feel you're getting close. Don't hesitate to ask around. This is the case for the most frequent stop: Lapad Post Office (Pošta Lapad): the bus stops opposite the post office and an optical store.

A transport map is available at the tourist office and on the Libertas website.

Bike, scooters & co Dubrovnik

Although not widely used in the city, cycling would be the ideal way to avoid the traffic jams of Lapad and get to the old town! However, cycling around the region is relatively difficult, as the gradients can be steep even to get to Cavtat, and the roads are not very suitable (there are few cycle paths outside rural Konavle).

With a driver Dubrovnik

Several cab companies operate on Dubrovnik's roads, as do the Uber and Bolt apps. The price of a journey is determined by the meter (in cabs); if the meter isn't running, the customer has the right to leave without paying! The final sum is around 4 euros for each trip, plus 1.50-2.00 euros per kilometer.

By car Dubrovnik

The roads in the Dubrovnik region are fairly well maintained and often offer spectacular views of the Adriatic. Beware, however, that they are sometimes narrow (especially in Korčula). There is as yet no freeway serving Dubrovnik and the surrounding area (the Zagreb-Dubrovnik freeway is currently being extended).

There's no better way to enjoy the scenery of the Ragusan coast than by car (or two-wheeler), with the added advantage of visiting villages not always served by bus. The road that runs along the coast from Dubrovnik to Pelješac and from Dubrovnik to Montenegro is a real beauty. Car rentals are plentiful in the region's towns (and even tourist villages). The vehicles on offer are comfortable, but don't be fooled by the prices, which are similar to those in France (remember to reserve your vehicle in advance!). A supplement is often required if you are travelling to Mostar or the Bay of Kotor (border countries).

Cars are not allowed on the islands of Lopud and Koločep, but are permitted on Šipan, Mljet, Korčula and Lastovo. Please note! Croatians don't always drive very carefully, and you need to remain vigilant on the mountain roads along the coast. Respect speed limits and safety distances.
In Croatia, as in the rest of continental Europe, traffic drives on the right. Speed limits are 130 km/h on freeways, 80 km/h on main roads and 50 km/h in built-up areas. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l. French driving licenses are recognized in Croatia. Foreign drivers should bring their vehicle registration document and green card (international motor insurance card). It may be useful to bring an IGN map, but maps of Croatia are readily available from local tourist offices and bookshops.

Border crossings to Montenegro (Bay of Kotor)can take a while, via the E65 to Herceg Novi. The best solution is to cross the border at the post located beyond Prevlaka Park, following the direction of Vitaljina (and not the direction of Herceg Novi indicated from Čilipi); this is an official post, but smaller in size and little known by tourists. The wait at the Karasovići border crossing is much longer (this is the one indicated by the traffic signs).

Police checks. Police checks are very frequent on the roads, and officers will not hesitate to stop you if you exceed the speed limit. Be careful if you're traveling in a camper van: the speed limit may vary several times over very short distances. The fine costs 30 euros if you pay it immediately. If you are stopped, remember to ask for a proper receipt, as the police are sometimes not very honest..

Petrol. You'll find leaded and unleaded fuel(bezolovni), diesel and, more rarely, LPG, as well as electric recharging stations.

Parking and even getting around Dubrovnik by car at the height of summer can be a nightmare and a financial drain. The city is divided into several payment zones, from 0.70 euros per hour in zone 3 out of season, to 10 euros per hour in zone 1 in August. Payment can be made by coin via an automatic machine, by SMS (cell phone) or online (app.paydo.hr). The few underground parking spaces (particularly in Pile) or open-air parking (Ploče, Lapad) are overcrowded and expensive.