First time on Hvar? 5 practical tips for transport and getting around the island
Your first arrival on Hvar can come as a small traffic shock if you're expecting standard city infrastructure. Between the pedestrian zones, the steep lanes and the island terrain, finding your way is far simpler once you know in advance how things work on the ground.
Key points in 20 seconds
- The old town is a pedestrian zone, and the nearest point for vehicles is the Dolac rank.
- Uber and Bolt don't operate on the island; the only local ride app is PickApp.
- The car ferry docks in Stari Grad, about 15 km and 20 minutes from Hvar Town.
pedestrian zone Dolac pick-up point the port is 15 km away A pedestrian zone in the centre means walking or pick-up points
The centre of Hvar Town is completely closed to traffic. Cars and taxis can't reach the waterfront itself, the catamaran berth or most apartments in the old town.
If you come ashore on the waterfront with luggage and your accommodation is in the higher parts of town, head for Dolac, the main pick-up point for vehicles just outside the pedestrian zone.
Uber doesn't work here: use the island's only local app
Plenty of visitors open Uber or Bolt out of habit, but neither global app has coverage or drivers on Hvar. The only app built for booking rides on the island is PickApp.
Its biggest strength is how intuitive it is: if you're inside the pedestrian zone, the app automatically directs you to the nearest point where a vehicle can collect you (the Dolac rank, for instance) and shows the fixed fare straight away.
The ferry port and Hvar Town are not the same place
A common mistake among first-time visitors is assuming the car ferry sails straight into Hvar Town. The car ferry from Split docks in Stari Grad, about 15 kilometres, or 20 minutes' drive, from Hvar Town.
If you're arriving without a car, you can get from the ferry port to Hvar by local bus, or with a PickApp ride booked in advance that takes you straight to your apartment.
Watch out for street taxis with no agreed fare
With the market deregulated, the rates at street ranks can vary considerably, especially late at night outside the clubs or as everyone comes off the ferry.
You don't need a rental car for the hidden bays
Renting a car or a scooter on the island often brings the stress of driving narrow roads and hunting for expensive parking in the heat.
For trips to popular beaches like Dubovica, Zaraće or Sveta Nedjelja it's far easier to string together short rides on demand: the car leaves you right at the entrance to the bay, and you book the ride back whenever it suits you.
Marko
local driver on HvarHe drives the island year-round and knows where you can actually stop, where the signal drops out and how long each route really takes. He writes guides for the PickApp blog.
4 Comments
heard hvar town is all stairs, can a taxi get to the apartment?
To the edge of the pedestrian zone. Send us the apartment name and the driver stops at the closest point and shows you the way.
biggest mistake first timers make?
Expecting a taxi or bus to be waiting whenever they need one. Outside ferry times it is quiet, so book returns from beaches in advance.