Getting from Vis Island to Dubrovnik

Vis island is one of the remotest in the Adriatic. The distance of the island from Dubrovnik is about 92 nm (nautical miles) (170 km) and from Split is about 29 NM ( 53 km).

There are no direct ferry connections from Vis to Dubrovnik. However, there are several options to consider depending on your circumstances and preferred way of travel, all detailed below.

The island has daily 2 direct ferry connections with Split – car and foot passengers. It also has a foot passenger connection with Hvar and Milna (Brac Island) twice a week only.

Schedules: All Vis Island ferry timetables and booking info are here and the ferry map is here

Here are my recommendations for available travel options:

From Vis to Dubrovnik if you are a foot passenger:

Taking a ferry from Vis to Split and a bus to Dubrovnik:

You have an option of taking 2 hours and 20 min car ferry journey or 1 hour and 30 minutes fast catamaran ferry from Vis to Split. From there, get to the Split bus station, which is just minutes away from the ferry port, and get on the bus to Dubrovnik (bus timetables)
The whole journey should take about 4 to 5 hrs depending on the type of ferry and available immediate bus connections. You can expect to be in Dubrovnik in the early afternoon. (timetables and booking info)

Taking a ferry from Vis to Split and another ferry to Dubrovnik:

Take the same ferry as above to Split, spend the day there and take an afternoon ferry (16:10) to Dubrovnik. You will be there at 22:15. This option is available daily from June to September only.

Taking a ferry from Vis to Hvar Town and another ferry to Dubrovnik:

Depart by ferry on Tuesdays at 07:15 and arrive in Hvar Town at 08: 05. From there at 08:40 take another ferry that goes to Dubrovnik. You will be in Dubrovnik at 12:05. This option is available from April to October on Tuesdays only. (timetables and booking info)

Return journey Dubrovnik to Vis on Tuesdays: Depart Dubrovnik by ferry at 07:00 you are in Hvar at 10:30. Enjoy your day in Hvar Town and take the afternoon ferry from Hvar at 17:15. You will arrive in Vis at 18:10. This option is available on Tuesdays from June to September only.

Taking a ferry from Vis to Milna on Brac Island and another ferry to Dubrovnik:

Depart by ferry on Wednesdays at 07:00 and arrive in Milna (Brac) at 07:55. At 08:05 take another ferry from Milna (Brac) to Dubrovnik. You will be in Dubrovnik at 12:05. Although the timetable feels a bit tight with the connecting ferry just 15 min after arrival, it is still possible as the connecting ferry crew does its best to wait for passengers from Vis. This option is available from April to October on Wednesdays only. (timetables and booking info)

For the return journey from Dubrovnik to Vis on Wednesdays:

Depart Dubrovnik by ferry at 07:00 you are in Brac Island (Bol) at 11:40. Take a bus or taxi to Milna and at 18:40 get on the ferry to Vis. You will arrive in Vis at 19:35. This option is available on Wednesdays from June to September only.

From Vis to Dubrovnik if you are driving:

Take a car ferry from Vis to Split and drive along the coast to Dubrovnik:

This is a straightforward journey involving ferry crossing and driving. Take the morning car ferry from Vis to Split ( journey time is 2:20 hrs) and from there proceed along the coast to Dubrovnik. You have no other ferries to take further, just drive. You will be in Dubrovnik in 3 and 1/2 hours. The total journey time is about 6 hrs. Bear in mind that you have to cross the Bosnia & Hercegovina/Croatia border in Neum which may extend your journey time. (timetables and booking info)

Popular routes: Split to Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik to Split, Hvar to Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik to Hvar

For the return car journey from Dubrovnik to Vis, it is good to know there are Split to Vis car ferries 3 times a day, the latest one at 21:00 arriving in Vis at 23:20 approx. Make sure you get in Split by 20:30 to have some time to embark on the ferry. In wintertime, there are two sailings only, the latest one at 18:30.

Map with Driving Directions for Vis to Dubrovnik journey:

On the above map, you can see some directions for travel from Vis island to Dubrovnik. I included some stopovers for you to see the distances, routes and generally to get familiar with the area. The routes on the map are not exhaustive as they are missing some important ferry connections. Nevertheless, the map is convenient as a starting point for your exploration. Choose different starting points on the map panel to see a particular travel route.

Getting from Dubrovnik to Blue Cave, Bisevo and Vis island

Blue Cave is situated on Bisevo island, (see here) which is just about one hour sail by ferry from Komiza, Vis island. To get there from Dubrovnik, using public transport, would take you at least a day following the above instructions.

There are private companies that run speed boats to Blue Cave, however, these boat services are limited by current weather conditions as well as by distance. In short, it is very unlikely you can do a visit to Blue Cave from Dubrovnik in one day. Allow at least three days to properly visit the Cave and Bisevo from Dubrovnik. Check the links below for more info.

Additional info:

• For the latest ferry timetables see the info Vis Island ferry page here
• Local bus schedules on Vis islands are here
• See some recommendations if you intend to visit other islands in the vicinity of Dubrovnik or in the vicinity of Split