Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik airport to city centre: buses, taxis and costs

Take the shuttle bus if you are alone or a pair and your flight lands in daylight: it runs to the old town area in about 30–40 minutes for roughly €10–15. Take a taxi or pre-booked transfer if you have luggage, arrive after dark, or are three or more people — €40–60 to the old town. There is no train.

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Updated Sep 20264 min read

GuideDubrovnik

Key facts

Airport code: DBV, Dubrovnik Airport (Čilipi)
Distance to old town: About 20 km; 30–45 min by road
Cheapest optioncheck: Shuttle or local bus, roughly €10–15
Taxi to old towncheck: €40–60 in 2026; agree the price or use an app
Train: None — no rail link to the airport
Bus to city centrecheck: Shuttle meets most flights; local lines are limited
Old town vehicle access: Cars stop at Pile or Ploče gates; you walk the last few minutes

Options at a glance

The airport sits at Čilipi, about 20 km south of Dubrovnik. Every option below ends at the Pile or Ploče gate area, because the old town itself is pedestrian-only — you walk the last 3–8 minutes with your bags.

Prices are 2026 estimates. Confirm the current shuttle timetable against your flight number before you travel, since shoulder-season services thin out.

Options at a glance
Option	Time	Cost (2026 estimate)	Best for
Shuttle bus	30–40 min	€10–15 one way	Solo travellers, pairs, daytime arrivals
Local bus	40–60 min	€5–8	Very light luggage, flexible timing
Taxi	30–45 min	€40–60	Groups, late arrivals, heavy bags
Pre-booked transfer	30–45 min	€45–70	Families, fixed price, meet-and-greet
Rental car	30–45 min	€35–90 per day	Island trips and onward coastal travel

Journey times stretch in July and August traffic; add 15–20 minutes on summer afternoons.

Shuttle and local buses

The airport shuttle is the default for independent travellers. It is timed around arrivals and drops passengers near the old town, usually at the bus station or the Pile area, from where you walk into the old town. Buy a ticket from the driver or at the desk in arrivals; keep cash in euros.

Local public buses also serve the airport corridor, but frequencies are low and the route is less direct, so it is a fallback rather than a plan. If your flight lands late, check the last departure before you rely on it — the final services can leave before the last evening arrivals.

Have euros in cash; card acceptance at the airport bus desk varies.
Tell the driver your stop if you are heading to a hotel outside the old town.
Luggage usually goes in the hold at no extra charge on the shuttle; check for the local bus.

Costs and payment

Budget €10–15 per person for the bus and €40–60 for a taxi to the old town. Croatia uses the euro, and taxis and shuttle desks take cash; cards are increasingly accepted but not guaranteed, especially late at night.

If you are three or more people with luggage, a taxi or transfer is usually cheaper per person than shuttle tickets and much faster. Solo travellers and pairs save real money on the bus.

Carry €50–100 in small notes for the first day.
Tipping a taxi driver means rounding up; about 10% in restaurants.
Airport parking and rental desks sit a short walk from arrivals.

Costs and payment
Destination	Taxi (2026 estimate)	Transfer (2026 estimate)
Old town (Pile or Ploče)	€40–60	€45–70
Lapad peninsula	€45–65	€50–75
Gruž port and bus station	€35–50	€40–60
Cavtat	€15–25	€20–35

Practical tips

Old town accommodation is inside a walled pedestrian zone, so no vehicle reaches the door. Ask your host which gate is closest — Pile for the west side and Stradun, Ploče for the east — and whether anyone can help with bags, since the streets include staircases.

In summer, cruise-ship crowds and heat make the walk from the gate slower than it looks on a map. Arriving mid-afternoon means the hottest, busiest stretch; an early morning or evening arrival is easier.

For onward travel, buses and catamarans leave from Gruž port, a 25–30 minute walk or short bus ride from the old town. Ferries to the islands and the coast are weather-dependent, so leave slack before a connection.

Buy a local SIM or eSIM at the airport if you need maps and ride-hailing.
Keep the return shuttle time in mind: buses to the airport can fill in peak season.
Check your airline's bag rules if you plan to fly onward from DBV.

FAQ

Questions people ask

How do I get from Dubrovnik airport to the city centre?

Take the shuttle bus (about 30–40 minutes, roughly €10–15) if you are travelling light and landing in daylight. Take a taxi or pre-booked transfer (€40–60) with luggage, at night, or in a group. No train serves the airport.

How much is a taxi from Dubrovnik airport?

Expect €40–60 to the old town in 2026, more to Lapad and less to Cavtat. Agree the price before you get in or book through an app, because summer traffic can push a metered fare higher.

Is there a train from Dubrovnik airport?

No. Dubrovnik has no rail link to its airport or city centre. Buses, taxis, transfers and rental cars are the only options; the nearest useful rail connections are far inland.

Does the bus go into the old town?

No vehicle enters the walled old town. Buses and taxis stop at the Pile or Ploče gate area, and you walk the last few minutes, sometimes up steps, to your accommodation.

How early should I leave for the airport?

Allow 45–60 minutes of travel plus two hours at the airport in summer. Morning departures avoid the worst Pile traffic, and the shuttle can fill, so book or arrive early.

Deep dive

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