How to get from Dubrovnik airport to the old town and how much it costs

Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) is 21 km from the Old Town (as the crow flies). There are no trains to Dubrovnik, so you have five options: bus, taxi, Uber, rental car, or private transfer.

The drive takes about half an hour, but the mode of transport changes the price several times over. Below are five working routes to the Old Town and to the bus station in Gruž, from the cheapest bus to a car with a driver.

For each option you'll see the cost, travel time, and the honest catch that glossy brochures don't mention.

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5 Ways to get to the Old Town

💡 In short:

• Cheapest option: Libertas bus, ticket on board 2.50 € (as of 09/2026, official price list).
• Easiest: Platanus shuttle for 10 € straight to Pile Gate.
• Most convenient: private transfer with a driver waiting at the arrivals exit.
• Prices and schedule: 09/2026, verified on the carrier's official website.

© Zysko serhii · CC BY-SAPhoto: Zysko serhii, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Important: the Old Town is surrounded by a wall and closed to cars. You can only get inside on foot, through one of three gates: Buza, Ploče, or Pile. Large luggage has to be rolled by hand or you can hire a porter at the gate.

In summer, the streets of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are packed to the limit. Arrive before noon or closer to evening. That gives you a chance to walk down Stradun without the crowds and avoid the line for the walls.

Croatia is already in the eurozone. You can pay everywhere in € only, and old kuna notes are not accepted. Cards are taken almost everywhere, but keep small change for taxis separately.

If you're staying not inside the walls but in Lapad, Cavtat, or Gruž, the setup is the same. The same buses and taxis will get you to the right address. Cavtat is actually closer to the airport than the Old Town. Lapad and Gruž are farther than the Old Town.

1. Private transfer from the airport

The most relaxed option. The driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a sign, helps with your suitcases, and takes you straight to your address in an air-conditioned car.

Booking a Dubrovnik airport transfer in advance is worth it: you'll be met even if your flight is delayed, and the price is locked in before the trip, with no meter or on-the-spot surcharges.

• Who it's for: families with kids, passengers with heavy luggage, and those arriving at night.
• Not for: travelers with a single backpack, for whom the 10 € shuttle is a better fit.
• How it works: the driver waits at the terminal exit, the car is already paid for, and you provide the address when booking.
• The catch: the most expensive option of the five.

In practice this means: you give your flight number and hotel address, and on arrival you don't haggle or look for a car. The fare is fixed at booking, so the driver has no reason to drag out the route.

After a long flight, you won't have to find the parking lot, negotiate with a taxi driver, or figure out an app on the go. You just get in the car and head to your hotel.

2. Bus: Platanus shuttle and city lines

The bus remains the cheapest way to get to the city. There are two options: the official airport shuttle and regular Libertas city buses.

Platanus shuttle: direct service to the Old Town

The shuttle costs €10 one way and €15 round trip (as of 09/2026, official Platanus website). The bus departs about 30 minutes after each flight lands, from the first morning arrival to the last night one.

© dronepicr · CC BYPhoto: dronepicr, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The first stop is at Pile Gate, the main entrance to the Old Town. The final stop is at the bus station in Gruž, which is 500 m from the ferry pier: boats to Korčula, Mljet, and the Elaphiti Islands depart from there. The ticket is valid for any trip that day, and the return ticket is valid for 15 days after the first trip.

Good to know: shuttle tickets are not sold on board. Buy them online or at the counter in the arrivals hall, at the pillar marked "Shuttle bus." The ride to the Old Town takes about 30 minutes, to Gruž about 35 (according to the map). Children under 6 ride free, and luggage is included in the price.

The airport is small: from baggage claim to the shuttle stop is a couple of minutes on foot. The sign is at the main exit.

Libertas bus: cheaper than the shuttle

Libertas city lines connect the airport with the center and the Gruž area. A single ticket on board costs €2.50, an hourly ticket €1.73, a day ticket €5.31 (as of 09/2026, official Libertas price list).

© Jorge Franganillo from Barcelona, Spain · CC BYPhoto: Jorge Franganillo from Barcelona, Spain, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

• How to ride: board the bus at the terminal and buy a ticket from the driver.
• Who it's for: you're traveling light, not in a hurry, and counting every euro.
• The catch: in season the bus stops frequently, gets packed to the brim, and crawls through traffic.

3. Taxi: fixed fare at Terminal B

A taxi is convenient if you don't want to book anything in advance. The stand is in front of Terminal B, where international flights arrive.

The fare to the Old Town is fixed, not metered, and prices are posted right in the arrivals hall. You'll see the amount before getting in the car and won't have to argue with the driver about the price.

Important: most taxis in Dubrovnik accept cash only. Keep small bills and coins on hand for a small tip for help with luggage.

• How it works: get in the official taxi line and ignore private drivers at the exit.
• The catch: in summer the line at the stand can be slow, so allow extra time.

Taxis from the airport don't only go to the Old Town. Cars also go to Cavtat, Mlini, Orašac, Lapad, and by arrangement to Herceg Novi in Montenegro.

A taxi will also take you to the ferry port in Gruž. Boats to the Elaphiti Islands, Mljet, and Korčula depart from there.

4. Uber: cheaper than a taxi, but with surge pricing

Uber operates throughout Dubrovnik and picks up passengers from a separate point at Terminal B. The pickup area is to the left of the taxi line, but the point may be moved.

The price is shown in the app before you confirm the order, payment goes through by card, no cash needed. This is convenient when you land without small bills and don't want to look for an exchange office.

In summer, dynamic pricing applies in Dubrovnik. During peak hours an Uber can match a taxi or go higher, so check the app before ordering.

Summer traffic jams are real. If you can't find a car within a couple of minutes, go back to the taxi line at Terminal B. Cars wait there for passengers arriving on flights.

• Who it's for: solo travelers and couples without heavy luggage.
• The catch: the pickup point changes, so follow the map in the app.

5. Car rental at DBV airport

A rental car is useful if you're continuing beyond Dubrovnik: to Split, Kotor, or around the Pelješac peninsula. Rental company counters operate right in the airport, and cars are handed over at the terminal.

© Suradnik13 This panoramic image was created with Autostitch (stitched images may differ from reality) . · CC BY-SAPhoto: Suradnik13 This panoramic image was created with Autostitch (stitched images may differ from reality) ., CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Compare car rental offers in advance, and book the car for the entire period, not just one day. The pickup point is at the counter in the arrivals hall.

Important: if you're only going to Dubrovnik, you don't need a car. The Old Town is closed to traffic, and parking near the walls is expensive and always full. You won't be allowed into the center on wheels anyway.

In practice this means: compare rates together with insurance and fuel policy. The cheapest option often turns out to be more expensive due to hidden fees.

• Who it's for: travelers planning trips to Kotor and Split.
• The catch: in Dubrovnik itself the car sits idle, but you pay for every day of the rental.

Comparison: price and travel time

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to get from Dubrovnik Airport to the Old Town?

The cheapest option is the Libertas city bus: a ticket bought on board costs €2.50 (as of 09/2026, Libertas price list). The catch is that in season it stops frequently and gets overcrowded.

How much does the Platanus shuttle cost and where does it stop?

The shuttle costs €10 one way and €15 round trip (as of 09/2026, shuttle operator's website). The first stop is at Pile Gate in the Old Town, and the final stop is at the bus station in Gruž.

Can I get to the Old Town by taxi?

Yes, the official taxi stand is in front of Terminal B, and the fare to the Old Town is fixed. Payment is usually in cash.

Does Uber work in Dubrovnik and what about pricing?

Yes, Uber picks up passengers from a designated point at Terminal B. In summer, dynamic pricing applies, so at peak times the price can exceed a taxi fare.

Do I need a car in Dubrovnik and is it worth renting one?

If you are only going to Dubrovnik, you don't need a car. Renting makes sense if you plan to travel further: to Split, Kotor, or along the coast. You can compare options on Discover Cars.

In short: what to book

A matrix by situation: with luggage and kids, book a transfer; traveling light during the day, take the shuttle; solo and not in a hurry, choose the bus; and for a route around the country, you need a rental car.

Start with finding tours and tickets for Dubrovnik: it's convenient to book them for your first days while you're getting used to the city.