Getting around Dubrovnik

Getting around Dubrovnik by bus is very easy and buses are on time, clean and comfortable. Libertas is the company that operates the buses in the city by 12 bus lines. 

You can get from one end of the city to the other in only 20 minutes. For example, if you are staying in one of the hotels in Lapad or Babin Kuk, frequent buses (no. 4, 5 or 6) will take you to the Old Town (for walking the City walls, taking a guided tour or visiting Lokrum island).

If taking a boat trip to Elaphite islands or Mljet, take bus no.7, which stop across the ferry port.

For those visiting on a cruise, many buses (no. 1A, 1B or 3) run from the port to the Old Town. If you want to reach the cable car, the obvious choice would be bus no.8 which will drop you off straight at the spot.

Read on to find out more about Dubrovnik buses - ticket info (Dubrovnik Pass includes a free bus travel) and how to get around the city.

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Pile bus stop is from where most of city buses depart

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All you need to know about bus tickets

• Bus ticket price - The price of one ticket is €1.73 and those bought on the bus cost €2.50. The tickets are valid for 1 hour and must be validated in the machines upon boarding the bus.

• Where to buy tickets - Bus tickets are available for purchase at Tisak newspaper kiosks (you can find them all around the city) and Libertas stalls (at major bus stops) as well as some travel agencies and hotel's receptions. You may also buy your bus ticket at the bus, from the driver, but be sure to prepare the exact change as the driver won't have enough change for larger bills.
  
  
• Daily ticket - If you are going to use buses all-day long, a 24-hour bus pass might be a good idea. It costs €5.31 and can be purchased from Libertas stalls.
  
  
• Dubrovnik Pass - This pass which includes a free entry to a number of museums and City walls also includes a free bus transport within the city. The 1-day pass allows free bus travel for the full 24 hours. The other passes (3-day and 7-day) offer a certain number of free bus rides).
  

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Getting from the port to Old Town (and Cable car)

Getting by bus from the ferry/cruise port of Gruz to Old Town, usually takes 15 minutes (the distance is 2.5km). Catch any of these buses: no 1A, 1B or 3, from one of bus stops. You'll find first bus stop just outside the cruise terminal and the second one close to the Port building (you'll find tourist office here) and across Hotel Petka.

Buses run to Pile, which is the western entrance to the Old Town. Once you get off the bus at Pile, in a few minutes you'll be on Stradun, central street of Old Town (entrance to City walls is situated to the left, once you step onto Stradun). Pile are also departure point for most guided walks in Dubrovnik.

For reaching the Cable car directly from ferry port, you could also take bus no.8 from Main bus station (you'll get off straight at the spot).

Getting from Lapad (or Babin Kuk) to Old Town

If you are staying in one of many hotels or apartments in Lapad or Babin Kuk area, reaching the Old Town by bus is easy. It's a pleasant 15 minutes bus ride (if there is no traffic jams).

• Bus no.6 - It runs from early morning until 1:00am every 15 minutes on this route. This bus departs from Babin Kuk (close to Dubrovnik President Valamar Collection Hotel, Hotel Neptun and many other hotels) and drives through Lapad area, then reaching Gruz bay (where you'll find City Hotel Dubrovnik and Boutique Hotel Porto) and continuing the drive towards the Old Town.

• Bus no.4 - It connects Hotel Palace and Lapad bay with Old Town, with departures every 20 minutes. Departing from the bus stop close to Hotel Palace, this bus pass near numerous hotels in Lapad bay then continue the ride via Iva Vojnovica road (Hotel Lero, Hotel Rixos Premium Dubrovnik and Hotel Bellevue) towards Old Town.
  
  
• In addition there are also buses 2, 5 and 9 running from Lapad/Babin Kuk to Old Town but with reduced timetables.
  
  

Old Town port

Getting from Lapad (or Babin Kuk) to ferry port

If you are catching one of catamarans/boats from Gruz port, for example those to nearby Elaphite islands or further to Mljet or Korcula and staying in Lapad, bus no.7 would be the obvious choice. This bus will take you to the port in only 10 minutes but be aware that the departures are not so frequent (every hour).

Gruz port is from where most of day boat trips to the Elaphite islands depart (usually in the morning hours). These trips are ideal for exploring the islands, swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling and cliff-jumping!

Suburban buses in Dubrovnik

There are also several routes that operate from main bus station in Dubrovnik to little places north and south of the city.

To the north, bus lines 12, 15, 21, 22 and 35 travel to Zaton Mali and Zaton Veliki; 12, 15, 21 and 22 go to Slano; 12 and 15 go to the little town of Ston and 21 rides to Orebic. 

To the east, one of the most popular buses is bus no.10 that runs to Cavtat. Lines 10 and 16 are useful for reaching Mlini and Plat (Zupa Dubrovacka), while no.11 goes to Molunat in Konavle region.

Note that suburban buses are not so frequent so it's recommended to check the timetable in-advance. 

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