Hvar's Airport: What's The Deal?

Hvar is a popular holiday destination off the coast of Croatia. As an island, it does not have its own airport, so to get there, you'll need to fly to the mainland and then take a ferry. The closest airport to Hvar is in Split, and from there, you can take a ferry, water taxi, or boat tour to Hvar Island. In this post, we'll explore the different ways to get to Hvar, the nearest airports, and the best way to reach this beautiful island.

Split Airport is the closest airport to Hvar

Hvar, a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, is a popular summer resort destination. It is well-known for its crystal clear turquoise water, rugged coastline, immaculate beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While Hvar does not have its own airport, Split Airport, located on the mainland, is the closest airport to the island. It is situated 30 kilometres from the ferry station in the city of Split. Split Airport is served by various airlines, including Croatia Airlines, Eurowings, Trade Air, Ryanair, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Delta, KLM, and Scandinavian Airlines.

When travelling to Hvar via Split Airport, passengers can take advantage of the airport's transfer services. Buses, local buses, and taxis are available to transport passengers to the ferry station in Split. From there, visitors can choose from several options to reach Hvar Island. The cheapest way is to take the local bus or airport shuttle to the ferry station. Alternatively, travellers can rent a car and drive to the ferry station, where they can board the Jadrolinija car ferry. The ferry ride from Split to Hvar takes approximately two hours.

Another option for reaching Hvar from Split Airport is to take a water taxi or a boat tour. These options can be more expensive, with prices for a private taxi boat starting at around €350 and going up to €500. For those seeking a faster mode of transportation, renting a private speedboat is also possible, with travel times of just under an hour.

While Brač Airport, located on Hvar's neighbouring island, is closer to Hvar's city centre, it primarily serves charter flights and light aircraft. As a result, Split Airport remains the most convenient option for travellers heading to Hvar. The ease of access, various transportation choices, and shorter overall travel time make Split Airport the preferred choice for those visiting Hvar.

Dubrovnik Airport is another option

Hvar, an island off the coast of Croatia, does not have its own airport. The closest international airport to Hvar is in Split, which is the most convenient option for anyone heading to Hvar. However, Dubrovnik Airport is another option.

Dubrovnik Airport, also known as Dubrovnik Ruđer Bošković Airport or Čilipi Airport, is located approximately 15.5 km (9.5 mi) from Dubrovnik city centre, near Čilipi. It is the third-busiest airport in Croatia and has the country's longest runway, allowing it to accommodate heavy long-haul aircraft. The airport is served by a shuttle bus that connects it to the Dubrovnik Old Town and Dubrovnik Bus Station in Gruž. From the bus station, you can take a bus to Drvenik or Split, where you can catch a ferry to Hvar.

The ferry from Dubrovnik to Hvar takes about four hours and costs 230 Kn (30 €). It is important to note that the journey to Hvar from Dubrovnik Airport will be longer and slightly more complicated compared to flying into Split. However, it is still a viable option, especially if you are unable to fly into Split or prefer to explore Dubrovnik before heading to Hvar.

Dubrovnik Airport boasts a modern passenger terminal, with the new Terminal C opening in 2017, offering ample check-in and commercial space, multiple security lanes, and a variety of lounges and restaurants. The airport has a spacious layout, with an area of 24,181 square meters, and can handle up to 3.5 million passengers annually.

In summary, while Split Airport is the closest and most convenient option for travelling to Hvar, Dubrovnik Airport is a viable alternative. It offers good connections to the ferry ports and provides a range of facilities for passengers. However, the journey to Hvar from Dubrovnik Airport will be longer, and you may need to make additional transfers.

Brač Airport is the closest airport to Hvar Island

Hvar Island does not have its own airport. The closest airport to Hvar Island is Brač Airport, which is on Hvar's neighbouring island. However, Brač Airport is only suitable for charter flights, which makes it a non-option for most people. The next-closest airport is in Split, which is 56 kilometres (35 miles) away from the island.

The fastest and easiest way to get to Hvar Island is through Split, as it has both a port and an international airport. The cheapest way to get from Split Airport to the port is to travel by bus, which costs €2.25 one-way. Local buses operate every day from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, and the journey from the airport to town takes about 50 minutes. You can also rent a private taxi or van, which will ensure a shorter drive. At the port, you can board a ferry or a private speedboat. Ferries run to and from Split throughout the day, so securing tickets once you arrive at the port should not be a problem. The ferry from Split to Hvar takes about two hours. If you want a private ride, you can rent a speedboat, which will get you to the island in just under an hour.

If you are travelling to Hvar by car, depending on your direction (Austria, Slovenia, or Hungary), you need to go through Zagreb to Split or Drvenik with the main Croatian highway A1, or along the Croatian coast from Rijeka to Split or Drvenik. From Split, you can take a car ferry to Stari Grad on Hvar (a 105-minute journey), or from Drvenik (south of Makarska) to Sućuraj on Hvar Island (a 25-minute journey). The choice of ferry might depend on where your final destination on Hvar is, the price, the frequency of departures, and the length of crossing. Stari Grad is closer to Split and Town of Hvar (20 km by road). Sućuraj port is more suitable if you are coming from the direction of Drvenik (departure port) and Dubrovnik.

There are also cross-island ferry lines to Hvar from Korcula, Vis, and Brac (Dalmatian islands), and a coastal boat line from Rijeka to Dubrovnik and vice versa.

Zagreb Airport is a major airport in Croatia

Hvar is an island off the coast of Croatia, and the fastest and easiest way to get there is through Split, as it has both a port and an airport. However, there are other airports in the area, including Zagreb Airport, which is a major airport in Croatia.

Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport (Zračna luka Franjo Tuđman Zagreb in Croatian) is an international airport serving Zagreb, Croatia. It is the busiest airport in the country, handling about 4.31 million passengers and 13,025 tons of cargo in 2024. The airport is located 10 km southeast of Zagreb Central Station in Velika Gorica and is named after Franjo Tuđman, the first President of Croatia. The airport is the hub of the Croatian flag carrier, Croatia Airlines, and a focus city for Trade Air. The Croatian Air Force's main base and the Croatian Air Traffic Control's administration are also located on the airport grounds.

The terminal building at Zagreb Airport covers 65,800 square meters over three levels and features four baggage carousels, eight air bridges, nine security checkpoints, 45 check-in desks, 23 passport control booths, and a car park with a capacity of 1,250 vehicles. The airport has a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, shops, and smoking areas. Brands found at major international airports are available, and passengers can also enjoy cakes, buns, sandwiches, smoothies, juices, and fruit salads.

Zagreb Airport has an interesting history. In the 1980s, it was the second-largest airport in Yugoslavia by passenger and aircraft movements. On August 31, 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence, the airport became a battleground between Croatian armed forces and the Yugoslav People's Army. The airport later became a UN hub for delivering food and medical supplies to war-ridden Croatia and Bosnia. In 2010, the old terminal was renovated, and a viewing platform with a bar was added. The new terminal was completed in October 2016 and inaugurated on March 28, 2017, with ZAIC operating the entire airport under a 30-year concession.

Getting to Hvar from Split Airport

Hvar is an island off the coast of Croatia and a popular holiday destination in the region. The closest airport to Hvar is in Split, which is situated 30km from the ferry station in Split. The fastest and easiest way to get to Hvar is through Split as it has both an airport and a port.

The cheapest way to get from Split airport to the port is by bus. Local buses are available during the operating times of Split Airport, and there is also the option of direct buses which take around 30 minutes. You can also rent a private taxi or van, which will be more expensive but will ensure a shorter drive. At the port, you can board a ferry or a private speed boat. Securing tickets once you arrive at the port is straightforward, as ferries run to and from Split throughout the day. The ferry journey from Split to Hvar takes just over two hours. If you want a quicker journey, you can rent a speedboat which will get you to the island in under an hour.

Ferries from Split to Hvar are frequent, but they can occasionally be delayed or cancelled. It is rare, but whether to go from an island to an airport on the mainland for a same-day flight is a measure of personal risk tolerance. Staying overnight in the Split area or in Trogir, a town with a direct bus service to Split Airport, may be a good idea if you have an early flight.

If you would prefer not to take a ferry, you can take a vehicle from Hvar to Split Airport via Sućuraj and Drvenik in around 3 hours and 58 minutes.

Frequently asked questions