Is There a Hvar Airport? How to Reach Hvar in 2023
Last updated on May 11th, 2023 at 12:50 pm
Wondering is there a Hvar Airport and how can you reach Croatia’s most coveted island? You’re about to find out!
There’s a reason Hvar Island makes it onto nearly everyone’s Croatia bucket list – the crystal clear turquoise water and rugged coastline are simply breathtaking, the beaches are immaculate, and the nightlife is on another level. Hvar Island is truly a dream destination in Croatia drawing in thousands of tourists each year but how do they get there?
You’re here because you’re wondering: Is there a Hvar Airport? Unfortunately no. Hvar does not have its own airport and therefore it is impossible to fly straight onto the island.
So what’s the alternative? As someone who has been living in Croatia since 2014 and has traveled to Hvar countless times, I’m here to share my knowledge to help make your transfer to Hvar go as smoothly as possible.
In this post I’ll be sharing exactly how you can get to Hvar, what the nearest airports are, and what is the best way to reach the island.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information.
Is There a Hvar Airport? How to Reach Hvar in 2023
Airport Closest to Hvar
BraÄ Airport
As mentioned above, Hvar does not have its own airport. The closest airport to Hvar Croatia is located on the neighboring island of BraÄ. BraÄ Airport is situated in Gornji Humac, close to the popular resort town of Bol. This airport typically serves light aircraft and commercial passenger flights arriving from Croatia or other parts of Europe. When flying into Bol, you will still need to find transportation to reach Hvar Island which can be arranged via ferry. The ferry departs from Bol and goes to Jelsa on Hvar and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, not including the time it takes to travel from Bol Airport to the ferry port.
Thus, flying into Bol in order to reach Hvar Island is an impractical choice for most visitors
Other Nearby Airports
Dubrovnik Airport and Zagreb Airport are two major airports in Croatia that serve many European airlines. However, travel from these airports to Hvar is longer and more complicated. Unless you are renting a car as part of a Croatia road trip itinerary and plan to drive through the country, these two airports should be avoided.
If you are flying into Dubrovnik, you have the option to catch a direct ferry or hire a private boat to take you to Hvar. However, you will still need to find transportation from Dubrovnik Airport to the port, plus the ferry journey can take up to 4 hours to reach Hvar from Dubrovnik, depending on the route.
So where do you fly into to go to Hvar?
Best Airport to Fly Into to Go to Hvar
Split Airport, also known as Resnik Airport, is the nearest airport to Split and most convenient one to fly into for reaching Hvar. It is located 19 kilometers (11.8 miles) outside of Split in the small town of KaÅ”tel Å tafiliÄ, quite close to Trogir.
This airport is a hub for Croatia Airlines, but is also served by carriers like Finnair, Iberia, Aegean Airlines, and Scandinavian Airlines. Low budget airlines that fly in and out of Split Airport include Ryanair, easyJet, Wizzair, and SmartWings.
There are nearly 70 nonstop international flights that fly into Split each week, making Split airport a no brainer when choosing where to fly into for visiting Hvar. When searching for flights into Split Airport, be sure to use the airport code SPU.
How far is Hvar from the airport?
Distance-wise, Hvar is 56 kilometers (35 miles) away from the Split Airport. While the island is relatively close to the mainland, the time it takes to reach Hvar from the airport can vary dramatically based on how you choose to travel to the island. Keep reading for how to get from Hvar to Split Airport.
How to Get From Split Airport to Hvar
If you’re planning a trip to Hvar, your journey will involve two steps: first flying into the Split Airport and then crossing the Adriatic Sea from mainland Croatia to reach the island. There are a number of ways to do this which I’ll outline below.
Local Bus
The first and most inexpensive option is to take the local bus from the Split Airport to the Bus Terminal SukoiÅ”an in Split. A one-way bus ticket on the local bus will run you ā¬2.25 and can be purchased directly from the driver. The local buses operate everyday from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and the journey from the airport to town takes about 50 minutes.
The bus line that provides the fastest and most efficient service to Split from the airport is line No. 37 (Split ā Trogir; Trogir ā Split). To find the bus stop for line No. 37, you will first need to exit the Split Airport terminal. Once you are outside, walk across the parking lot to the main road where you will see the bus stop.
View the map and timetable for the Airport Bus Line on the official Promet Split website.
Keep in mind that the local bus does not go all the way to the ferry terminal. The public bus No. 37 will drop you off at Bus Terminal SukoiÅ”an, which is located slightly outside of the old town center where you’ll find Diocletian’s Palace. It is about 3.2 kilometers (nearly 2 miles) away from the ferry terminal. Depending on how many belongings you have, you can choose to walk or take a taxi to the ferry terminal.
If you are in no hurry to get to Hvar, plan to spend an extended amount of time traveling in Croatia, or just want to save some money, then the local bus option may be best for you.
Airport Shuttle Bus
The second option is to take the airport shuttle bus operated by Pleso Prijevoz. This bus operates between Split Airport and the Split Bus Station, which is conveniently located right next to the main Split Ferry Port. There is a bus that departs shortly after each aircraft landing, and the ride to Split takes around 30 minutes.
Tickets are 5,97ā¬ per person for a one way ride and can be purchased online or at the airport.
After reaching the Split Bus Station, you can walk over the Split Ferry Terminal ticket office and purchase a ticket for the ferry to Hvar. If you are traveling during the months of June, July, or August, I highly recommend purchasing your ferry tickets in advance online as they tend to sell out quickly in the summer.
Visiting Croatia’s islands? Download the Croatia Island Hopping Guidebook!
Taxi
There is no direct taxi from the Split Airport to Hvar Island, which means that you will first need to make the journey to the Split Ferry Terminal and then board a ferry that will take you to Hvar. If you can time your arrival in Split with the departure of the ferry, the total journey time should be around 2 hours.
If you are traveling with family or a group of friends, you might consider taking a taxi to Split. This will allow you to split the cost of the taxi amongst your group members and ensure that you are on time for the next ferry to Hvar.
You can either reserve a private taxi in advance, or simply walk outside of the terminal exit doors where a long line of taxis will be waiting. The fare from the airport to the city is calculated based on distance by using a taximeter. You can expect to pay around ā¬33 for a taxi from the Split Airport to the city center.
If you have data on your phone (which you can get cheaply through Airalo), you can order an Uber to take you from the Split Airport to the city. Uber is always a great option to ensure you get a fair price and allows you to see the route in the app as you drive.
You can ask that your driver take you to the Split Ferry Port, and from there you can continue your journey onto the ferry that will take you to Hvar Island. The most popular ferry company operating between Hvar and Split is Kapetan Luka. You can purchase tickets for their foot passenger ferry directly at the port or online on the official Kapetan Luka website.
I recommend booking your ferry ticket as soon as you know your travel dates as ferries tend to book up very quickly in the summertime.
Water Taxi (go direct from Split airport to Hvar)
The fastest and most direct transfers from Split Airport to Hvar is to book a taxi boat. This option allows you to avoid wasting time fumbling between bus stations, taxis and ferry terminals, and gets you on the the most efficient route to the island.
There is no public water taxi available, therefore this type of sea transport must be booked with a private company before you arrive at the Split Airport. Door to door water taxi service can be arranged at any time of day, and your transfer agent will work with you to book the best pick up and drop off location to suit you.
This Split Airport to Hvar transfer takes around 1 hour and twenty minutes. Private water taxi speedboat prices start from around ā¬350 and can go up to ā¬500 depending on the size of your group and the company you book with. This is a great option to book if you are traveling as a family or group, with boats providing plenty of seating and storage for your luggage on board.
If you are interested in booking Hvar to Split airport water taxi, this water taxi company has raving reviews and excellent customer service.
Car Rental
The final option to consider is to rent a car at the Split Airport and drive to the city. When you arrive in Split, you can catch the Jadrolinija car ferry to go to Hvar Island. The car ferry arrives in Stari Grad, a settlement located about a 25-minute drive from Hvar Town.
If you’re comfortable driving, having a car on Hvar is a great option as it gives you more freedom and flexibility for exploring the island. You can drive around to the different towns like Jelsa, Vrboska, and Sveta Nedjelja, as well as visit beaches you wouldn’t normally be able to reach without a vehicle. Plus, cruising around the island without a final destination in mind is a fun way to discover hidden gems, ancient abandoned villages, lavender fields, and gorgeous viewpoints.
It is, however, important to note that if you do plan on taking a car to Hvar with you, be sure to choose an accommodation that offers parking. The island is small, and parking can be difficult to find, so it’s a good idea to make sure a parking spot is available at the place you are staying.
When renting a car in Croatia, I recommend and use Discover Cars because they check both local and international companies to ensure you always get the best rate.
Conclusion: Is There a Hvar Airport? How to Reach Hvar in 2023
In conclusion, the best airport for Hvar is to fly into Split Airport. From there, you can go from Split Airport to Hvar Island via a number of different transportation options.
Depending on your budget and travel preferences, you may choose to take the local bus or airport shuttle for an inexpensive option, or rent a car and drive to Split where you can catch the Jadrolinija car ferry. Alternatively, you also have the option of taking water taxi to make your journey faster and more direct. Whichever method you choose, enjoy your adventure to Hvar Island!
Need help planning your trip to Croatia? Schedule a 1:1 consultation to get your questions answered or request a Croatia custom itinerary!
FAQs
What is the Hvar Airport code?
Because Hvar does not have its own airport, the airport code that should be used for Hvar is SPU, which is Split Airport (the closest airport to the island).
Can you fly from Split to Hvar?
It is not possible to fly from Split to Hvar because Hvar does not have its own airport. From Split, you can take a ferry, water taxi, or boat tour to reach Hvar Island.
How much is a taxi boat from Split to Hvar?
Depending on the number of passengers, a private taxi boat from Split to Hvar starts from around ā¬350 and can go up to ā¬500.
Croatia Travel Planning Guide
šø What is the currency in Croatia?
As of January 1st, 2023, the official currency of Croatia is the Euro and NOT the Kuna (which is also the name of the national animal of Croatia).
šš· What language do they speak in Croatia?
Croatian is the official language of Croatia.
š Should I buy Croatia travel insurance?
10000% YES – Seriously, don’t leave home without it. You never know what can happen on the road (like that time I had to go to urgent care in Thailand for a severe case of dehydration). Luckily I had SafetyWing insurance that covered my bill. Their average plan is $42 for 28 days – that’s $1.50 a day to enjoy peace of mind…just get it. Plus you can adjust your length of coverage to your specific dates of travel, so you could be paying even less than that!
š± Will my phone work in Croatia?
Maybe – check with your provider to see if you’ll have service while traveling Croatia. If you don’t have service (or it’s too expensive) I recommend getting an eSIM like Airalo. Airalo allows you to have data while traveling without the high costs of roaming. They have super affordable plans available for 190+ countries, including Croatia. Download the app and get your plan before you leave home so that you have data as soon as you touch down in Croatia!
šØ What’s the best way to book my Croatia accommodations?
For Croatia hotels, Booking is by far the best site.
š« What’s the best site to buy Croatia flights?
I always use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights.
šĀ Is it safe to rent a Car in Croatia?
Yes! – In fact, renting a car in Croatia is one of the best ways to see the country! I recommend Discover Cars because they check both local and international rental companies to ensure you get the best deal. (Get your Croatia road trip itinerary here)
š¦ Is it safe to drink the water in Croatia?
Tap water in Croatia is completely safe to drink, so bring your reusable water bottle and fill up! (Read more)
šŖŖ Do I need a visa for Croatia?
Depending on where you are coming from you may or may not need a visa to enter Croatia. Check the official Republic of Croatia Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for more information on who should apply for a visa.
