Split to Hvar Ferry

Most travellers take a catamaran from the port of Split straight into Hvar Town. Krilo (the Kapetan Luka shipping company) runs the fastest boats at 50 minutes, and in summer 2026 it had six direct departures a day plus two more that continue down the coast. Jadrolinija, Croatia's state ferry line, adds its line 641 catamaran at 1 hour 5 minutes. Both charge €25 one way. The cheapest seat is on the subsidised TP Line catamaran, at €10 in summer and €6.40 off-season, but it sails once a day. The one thing a first-timer should know: the car ferry does not go to Hvar Town. It docks at Stari Grad on the north side of Hvar island, so foot passengers heading for Hvar Town should take a catamaran.

Ferry options compared

There are two types of boat on the Split to Hvar ferry route, and they arrive at different ports.

High-speed catamarans to Hvar Town. These are passenger-only boats with airline-style seats in an air-conditioned lounge and a small snack bar. Krilo uses free seating (seats are not numbered), so board early if you want a window. Krilo's direct boat is timetabled at 50 minutes. The Krilo Carbo, which calls at Milna on Brač first, takes about 1 hour 10 minutes. The Krilo Nomadic, which continues to Korčula, takes 1 hour 15 minutes. Jadrolinija's line 641 takes 1 hour 5 minutes. Krilo includes luggage up to 23 kg per person. Jadrolinija charges €5 for each extra bag.

Catamarans are light and move in a swell. If you get seasick, sit low and near the middle of the cabin, and take tablets before you board rather than after.

Car ferry to Stari Grad. Jadrolinija line 635 is a large roll-on roll-off ferry that takes 1 hour 50 minutes. It carries cars and other vehicles, motorbikes, bicycles and foot passengers, and pets travel free (they must stay out of the enclosed lounges). It is slower but steadier, and it is the cheapest way across for a foot passenger (€8.40 in season). For foot passengers it only makes sense if you are staying in Stari Grad, Jelsa or elsewhere on the north side of the island.

Which Split to Hvar ferry for which traveller:

• Staying in Hvar Town with a suitcase: any catamaran. Pick Krilo for frequency, Jadrolinija if its time suits you better.
• Travelling on a tight budget: the TP Line catamaran (one a day), or the car ferry if you are going to Stari Grad.
• Bringing a car or a rental: the car ferry to Stari Grad. Book a car space online in summer.
• Continuing south: the Krilo catamarans to Korčula and Dubrovnik call at Hvar Town, so you can break the journey. See Korčula to Hvar and Split to Korčula.

Timetable and season

The number of Split to Hvar crossings changes sharply through the year. The sailings table above lists the 2026 departures from Split that we could confirm on the operators' own timetables.

Peak summer (roughly June to mid-September). Between Krilo, Jadrolinija and TP Line there were more than ten catamarans a day from Split to Hvar Town in summer 2026. Krilo's direct boats left at 09:00, 10:00, 11:10, 12:00, 15:30 and 18:00, with the Korčula-bound boat at 10:45 and the Dubrovnik-bound Krilo Carbo at 08:00. Ferryhopper counts up to 19 daily crossings at the height of the season when every operator and indirect sailing is included.

Autumn. Schedules shrink in the second half of September. From 21 September 2026 Krilo's direct boats run at 09:00 and 13:00, Jadrolinija's line 641 runs at 10:10 and 14:30 until 11 October, and TP Line moves to 14:00 from 28 September. The Korčula boat stops after 15 October and the Krilo Carbo after 31 October.

Winter. Choice drops to a couple of boats a day, and the car ferry to Stari Grad becomes the backbone. From 28 September 2026 line 635 leaves Split at 08:30, 14:30 and 20:30, plus 06:00 on weekdays until 23 October. It does not sail on 25 and 26 December.

Return times. For a day trip in summer, the last Krilo boats leave Hvar Town at 16:45 and 19:15 (arriving in Split at 17:35 and 20:05). Jadrolinija's line 641 left Hvar at 17:25 until 20 September. Check return times before you commit, because autumn and winter schedules have fewer afternoon boats.

Hvar's port authority has told boats to slow down when entering the harbour, and Krilo warns of minor delays on all sailings that call at Hvar. Build 15 minutes of slack into tight onward connections.

Getting to the port of Split

The port of Split is on Gat sv. Duje, on the edge of the old town. The main bus station and the train station are right next to the ferry-port area, and Diocletian's Palace and the Riva promenade are a short walk away.

From Split airport. The airport is about 20 km from the city. The airport shuttle bus (run by Platanus in 2026) goes to the main bus station beside the port for about €9 and takes 30 to 40 minutes. It leaves around 30 minutes after flights land. City bus 37 costs €3 but stops on the main road outside the airport and takes about 50 minutes, longer in summer traffic. A taxi, Uber or Bolt takes 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Finding your boat. Split is a large port with many piers, not one terminal. Catamarans and car ferries use different berths, and the berth can change by day and vessel. Check the port's departure boards or your e-ticket for the pier. Krilo recommends arriving at least 15 minutes before departure. Aim for 30 minutes in July and August, when the quays are crowded.

With a car or other vehicles. Follow the signs for the Jadrolinija car ferry lanes. Line 635 is a reservable route, so a ticket bought online holds a space on that specific departure. Still arrive early in summer, because loading takes time. The loading lanes are not parking; use one of the public car parks around the centre if you are leaving the car behind.

Luggage. Left-luggage services operate around the bus station if you are doing a day trip with bags.

Arriving in Hvar Town

Catamarans tie up on the Riva, the harbourfront in the middle of Hvar Town. The main square, the Franciscan monastery and most hotels are a five- to ten-minute walk away, so you do not need a bus or taxi for the old town. The streets are mostly pedestrian and stepped, and a backpack or light case is easier than a large suitcase.

If you came on the car ferry, you land at Stari Grad's ferry port on the north coast of Hvar island, outside the town itself. Čazmatrans buses are timed to meet the car ferries from Split and run across the island to Hvar Town. Pay the driver in cash, in euros, and carry small notes.

From Hvar Town you can continue by catamaran to Korčula, Mljet and Dubrovnik on the Krilo Carbo. On Tuesdays in 2026, Krilo's Split–Milna–Hvar–Vis boat also called at Hvar. See the Dalmatian coast by ferry guide for longer itineraries.

Split to Hvar ferry tickets and prices

Ticket prices in 2026:

• Krilo catamaran: €25 one way. Children under 3 travel free, and everyone over 3 pays the full fare.
• Jadrolinija line 641: €25, plus €5 for each extra bag.
• TP Line line 9604: €10 in summer, €6.40 the rest of the year.
• Car ferry line 635: €8.40 per adult in the 2026 season (29 May to 27 September) and €5.90 outside it. A standard car up to 5 m costs €47.60 in season and €35.60 off-season, and the driver buys a passenger ticket too. Children aged 1 to 3 travel free but need a ticket.

How to book. Buy ferry tickets online on the operator websites (krilo.hr, jadrolinija.hr) or through Ferryhopper and Direct Ferries, which compare the ferry operators side by side. Krilo accepts the e-ticket on your phone, so there is no need to print. You can also buy at the operators' kiosks on the Split quay, but in summer the queues are long and popular sailings sell out.

When to book. For July and August, book three to five days ahead, especially for the 09:00 to 12:00 departures and the early-evening boats back. In May, late September and October a day or two is usually enough.

Changes and refunds. Krilo refunds only up to 24 hours before departure and keeps 50% of the fare. If Krilo cancels a sailing for bad weather, you can choose a refund or a new date. Read the conditions before buying for a tight itinerary.

What drives the price. Both main catamaran operators charge a flat €25, so the real savings come from the subsidised TP Line boat or the car ferry. On the car ferry, season and vehicle size set the price.

Tips

• Weather. Strong winds can cancel the fast catamarans. If your catamaran is cancelled and you must cross, ask about the car ferry to Stari Grad.
• Peak season. July and August are the busiest months for ferries from Split. Book early and travel midweek if you can.
• Seat choice. On Krilo catamarans seats are unassigned. Board early for a seat near the middle, where movement is smallest.
• Food on board. Krilo catamarans have a snack bar with sandwiches, soft drinks and hot drinks. There is no Wi-Fi on board.
• Pets and bikes. Krilo allows small pets in carriers. Bicycles travel for an extra fee and space is limited, so book them in advance.
• Island hopping. Split is also the port for Brač and Vis. You can combine Brač and Hvar on the Krilo Carbo, which calls at Milna on the way to Hvar.
• Compare operators. See our guides to Jadrolinija and Krilo, and the wider Croatia ferries overview.