From the ferry to your apartment in Hvar: how to get there
Arriving on Hvar marks the start of the holiday, but stepping off a ferry or catamaran with your luggage in the summer heat can spoil that first impression if you have no clear plan for reaching your accommodation. The main car ferry port is in Stari Grad while most catamarans dock in Hvar Town itself, so the right option depends on where you land and how much luggage you're carrying.
Key points in 20 seconds
- Catamarans dock in Hvar Town; car ferries arrive at Stari Grad port, about 15 km away.
- The Hvar waterfront is a pedestrian zone, so the nearest point for vehicles is the Dolac taxi rank.
- The bus is the cheapest option; a door-to-door ride is the quickest for families and heavy luggage.
2 arrival ports 15 to 20 min to Hvar Dolac taxi rank Arriving by catamaran in Hvar Town
If you arrive on a fast catamaran straight into Hvar Town, you dock at the main waterfront right in the centre.
- On foot: the old centre of Hvar Town is a pedestrian zone. If your accommodation is in the old town or near the waterfront, walking is free and quickest. Bear in mind that Hvar is full of narrow, steep stone staircases (kale), so hauling heavy suitcases in the heat can be seriously hard work.
- A ride to your accommodation: because the Hvar waterfront is pedestrianised, cars and taxis cannot reach the catamaran berth. For a ride to an apartment higher up (Križna Luka, Podstine or above the main road), you need a few minutes' walk to the Dolac taxi rank, the nearest point vehicles can reach.
- How it works in the app: no wandering around guessing where the rank is. Since Uber doesn't operate on the island, PickApp, the only taxi app on Hvar, automatically directs you to the Dolac rank as soon as you set your pick-up point on the waterfront, with the fixed fare to your accommodation visible straight away.
Arriving by ferry at Stari Grad port
If you're travelling with a car, or on a ferry that carries vehicles, you arrive at Stari Grad ferry port, roughly 15 kilometres from Hvar Town.
- Local bus (the cheapest option): buses are timed to ferry arrivals and run to the bus station in Hvar Town. The ticket is very cheap (around €4 to €5), but the bus leaves you at the station, from where you're back to walking with your suitcases or finding another ride.
- Private transfer or taxi (the fastest option): a direct ride from the ferry in Stari Grad to your door in Hvar takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Booking a ride in advance is the best way to skip the summer crowds and the queues at the port.
Comparing the ways to reach your accommodation
| Option | Speed | Comfort | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On foot (waterfront to centre) | Fast (5 to 10 min) | Low if you have suitcases | Free | Travellers with light luggage staying central |
| Local bus | Slow (30 to 40 min) | Moderate, crowded in season | Cheapest | Solo travellers with little luggage |
| PickApp ride | Fastest, direct | High, door to door | Fixed and transparent | Families, groups and anyone with plenty of cases |
Swipe the table sideways to see all the columns.
A tip for a stress-free arrival
If your accommodation isn't inside the pedestrian zone right by the waterfront, spare yourself the heavy luggage in the summer heat. Open PickApp, the island's only ride app, follow the directions to the nearest pick-up point at Dolac and have a quick, safe transfer sorted the moment you step ashore.
Ivana
born on Hvar, writes about the islandShe explores the island well away from the main routes and knows the bays that are hardest to reach by car. She writes guides for the PickApp blog.
12 Comments
From the catamaran pier in hvar town we walked to our place in 8 min. ask your host first, you might not need a ride
Arriving stari grad, staying in jelsa. how long and easy to find a taxi?
About 15 minutes. Book for the ferry time and the driver waits at the port with your name.
sent the apartment pin the day before, driver stopped 50m from the door. no stairs with bags
Host gave us a street but no number, will the driver find it?
Usually yes, drivers know the towns well. Send whatever you have, a pin from the host is ideal.
Worked exactly like this. thanks
Can we stop at a supermarket on the way?
Yes, just say so when booking. A short stop on the way is no problem.
Catamaran arrives in hvar town, do we even need a taxi for a place up the hill?
Depends on the hill. From the harbour to the upper streets with suitcases in August heat, most people are glad they booked. Under 10 minutes and flat, walk.
Port bus from stari grad is fine with light bags. with 4 suitcases the taxi was the right call