Travel by Bus in Dubrovnik: City Buses, Main Bus Station & Intercity Routes

Dubrovnik is compact, busy in peak season, and notoriously short on convenient parking near the Old Town, so for most visitors, buses are the simplest way to arrive and the easiest way to get around. This page covers bus travel to Dubrovnik (domestic and international routes arriving at the Main bus station in Gruž) and bus travel within Dubrovnik (Libertas city buses linking the main visitor areas with Pile Gate/Old Town).

Use this page to quickly get your bearings: where buses arrive and depart, how to connect between Gruž and the Old Town, which city-bus connections matter most to visitors, and where to verify the latest timetables. Then follow the dedicated guides below for details like station facilities, intercity routes, and full city timetable pages.

Important: Dubrovnik bus services run on different schedules in winter vs summer and also change for Sundays and holidays. Whenever exact departure times matter, always double-check the official timetables before you travel.

Start here: choose the bus info you need

• Dubrovnik Main Bus Station (Gruž) — location, facilities, tickets, hours, and how to reach the Old Town
• Domestic & international bus connections — where you can go, booking tips, and what to expect on cross-border routes
• Dubrovnik city bus timetables — the routes visitors use most + where to verify current schedules

Types of bus travel in Dubrovnik

• Intercity & international buses: Arrive and depart from the Dubrovnik Main Bus Station in Gruž (the same wider harbour area as the Gruž ferry port and cruise zone). For routes, operators, and booking tips, see Dubrovnik domestic and international buses.
• City buses (Libertas): The practical way to connect Gruž, Lapad, Babin Kuk, and the Old Town (Pile Gate) without dealing with parking and one-way systems.
• Seasonal reality: More departures and bigger crowds in summer, fewer in winter, and timetable differences on weekends/holidays, so plan with a little buffer and check official schedules when timing is critical.

Common routes in 10 seconds

• Main bus station (Gruž) ⇄ Old Town (Pile Gate): A short ride by city bus or taxi; this is the most common transfer when arriving by intercity coach.
• Lapad/Babin Kuk ⇄ Old Town (Pile Gate): One of the most-used visitor corridors, especially for hotels and beach areas.
• Ferry port (Gruž) ⇄ Old Town (Pile Gate): Quick transfers between boats and the historic centre; Gruž is Dubrovnik’s main transport hub.

Quick answers: bus travel in Dubrovnik

Where do intercity and international buses arrive and depart?

From the Dubrovnik Main Bus Station in Gruž. If you are arriving from another Croatian city or crossing borders from the region, this is the place you will start and finish your trip. For station details, see Dubrovnik Main Bus Station (Gruž).

Where do I check official Dubrovnik city bus timetables?

Start with our visitor-friendly guide first - it highlights the routes travelers use most, the key stops for the Old Town (Pile Gate), and what typically changes by season: Dubrovnik city bus timetables. When exact departure times matter, confirm the latest schedule on the official Libertas pages: Libertas city timetable.

How do I get from the main bus station (Gruž) to the Old Town?

The fastest options are city bus or taxi. Most visitors use the city bus connection to reach Pile Gate (the main Old Town entrance) and then walk in. Use this page to understand the transfer, then follow Dubrovnik Main Bus Station (Gruž) for the practical step-by-step.

What are the city bus ticket options (quick overview)?

Libertas publishes a price list for Dubrovnik city tickets and passes. Common visitor options include a single ride, a 1-hour ticket, and a daily (24-hour) ticket.

What are the local (city) bus ticket prices in Dubrovnik?

For Libertas city buses, the most useful visitor options are:

• Single ticket bought at a kiosk/official sales point (1-hour ticket) - €1.73
• Single ticket bought on the bus (driver) - €2.50 (valid for one ride)
• Daily ticket (24-hour) - €5.31

Is there luggage storage at the Dubrovnik main bus station?

Yes. The main bus station in Gruž has luggage storage (garderoba) and it is charged per started hour.

• Price - €1.00 per bag per hour
• Hours - 06:30 to 22:00 (daily)

Do I need to book intercity or international bus tickets in advance?

In peak summer, it is smart to book ahead for popular departures and arrive early at the station. Booking rules and seat reservations vary by operator, so use Domestic & international bus connections for route-specific planning tips.

Getting around Dubrovnik by city bus (Libertas)

Dubrovnik’s local bus network is run by Libertas and it is the most practical way to move between the main visitor areas without dealing with Old Town traffic and limited parking (see Dubrovnik parking for what to expect if you are driving). The key idea is simple: most tourist trips funnel through Pile Gate (the main Old Town entrance), while Gruž is the transport hub for the main bus station, ferry port, and many connections.

Most useful routes for visitors

If you are staying outside the Old Town, you will typically ride to Pile Gate, walk into the historic centre, then take the bus back from the same area. These are the most visitor-relevant connections shown on the official Libertas city network:

• Babin Kuk and Lapad to Pile (Old Town) - Line 6 (Babin Kuk - Pile) - the classic hotel and beach area connection
• Hotel Palace (Lapad) to Pile - Line 4 (Hotel Palace - Pile) - a direct Old Town link from the Lapad hotel zone
• Kantafig (Gruž area) to Babin Kuk - Line 7 (Kantafig - Babin Kuk) - useful for moving between Gruž and the Lapad/Babin Kuk hotel corridor
• Nuncijata to Pile - Line 3 (Nuncijata - Pile) - a city connection that runs into the Old Town hub
• Lozica and Nuncijata to the main bus station (A. kolodvor) - Line 3A (Lozica - Nuncijata - A. kolodvor) - useful if you are transferring to intercity buses in Gruž
• Viktorija to Gruž - Line 8 (Viktorija - Gruž) - useful for the wider Gruž area and transfers

For a visitor-first breakdown of stops, best boarding points, and what to do at peak times, start here: Dubrovnik city bus timetables.

Official timetables and lines map (verify here when timing matters)

Exact departure times can change by season and day type (weekday vs Saturday vs Sunday/holiday, including Croatia public holidays). When you need a precise schedule, verify it on the official Libertas page

City bus tickets and passes (prices and how they work)

Libertas tickets are time-based or ride-based and the validity countdown starts after the first registration inside the vehicle. If you are using a time-based ticket, register it as you board and keep it for inspections and transfers until it expires.

• 1-hour ticket - €1.73 - expires one hour after first registration inside the vehicle
• Ticket bought on the bus (driver) - €2.50 - valid for one ride
• Daily ticket (24-hour) - €5.31 - expires 24 hours after first registration inside the vehicle
• Three-day ticket (72-hour) - €11.95 - expires 72 hours after first registration inside the vehicle

Where to buy: You can buy the one-ride ticket on the bus from the driver, but its more expensive. Time-based tickets and passes are best purchased at kiosks and official sales points. For a practical, visitor-focused guide to buying and using tickets (including where it is easiest to buy them in the Old Town and hotel areas), use our guide first: Dubrovnik city bus timetables.

Dubrovnik Main Bus Station (Gruž) - essentials

Dubrovnik’s main bus station is in Gruž, near the port area. This is where intercity and international buses arrive and depart, and it is also a convenient hub for connecting onto local Libertas city buses. For the full station guide (location map, facilities, and step-by-step transfers), see Dubrovnik Main Bus Station.

Location, address, and contacts

• Address - Obale pape Ivana Pavla II 44A, 20000 Dubrovnik
• Phone - (+385) 60 305 070
• Email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Official station page - Dubrovnik bus station

How to reach the Old Town from the bus station

Most visitors want to get from Gruž to Pile Gate (the main Old Town entrance). From the wider Gruž area, the most useful Libertas lines for reaching Pile are typically 1A, 1B, and 3, depending on your exact stop and direction. Confirm the latest departures on Dubrovnik city bus timetables. If you are planning onward travel, routes and booking tips are covered here: Dubrovnik domestic and international buses.

Working hours and luggage storage

• Station working hours - 06:30 to 22:00 (daily)
• Intermission - 09:00 to 09:30 and 16:00 to 16:30
• Luggage storage (garderoba) hours - 06:30 to 22:00
• Luggage storage price - €1.00 per bag per started hour

Details can change, so if you are relying on luggage storage or office hours, check the official station page before you arrive: Dubrovnik bus station contact and baggage storage.

What to expect at the station (quick practical notes)

• Tickets and boarding - arrive early in summer because queues and traffic delays are common; policies vary by operator
• Connections - Gruž is also the port area, so transfers between the bus station, ferries, and city buses are straightforward
• Local transport - Dubrovnik Tourist Board notes the bus terminal is in Gruž near the port and the city is served by Libertas local bus lines

Domestic and international buses from Dubrovnik

If you are traveling to Dubrovnik by bus or continuing onward after your stay, you will use intercity and international coaches that arrive and depart from the Dubrovnik Main Bus Station in Gruz. The most important planning tip is seasonality - in summer there are typically more departures and fuller buses, while outside peak season options can be fewer, so it is smart to check timetables early and book ahead for popular routes.

For the full, detailed guide (routes, operators, booking tips, and what to expect on cross-border trips), start here: Dubrovnik domestic and international buses.

Popular domestic routes (Croatia)

Common long-distance routes connect Dubrovnik with major Croatian cities and coastal towns. Availability varies by season and operator, but these are typical examples travelers search for:

• Dubrovnik - Split - a key connection for Dalmatia and onward ferries
• Dubrovnik - Zagreb - the main inland connection (often a long journey, sometimes overnight depending on timetable)
• Dubrovnik - Makarska and the Makarska Riviera - popular summer travel corridor
• Dubrovnik - Metkovic - useful for Neretva Valley connections

Popular international routes (region)

International buses often include border crossings and travel time can vary with queues, especially in peak season. Typical regional destinations include:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina - Mostar and Sarajevo are common
• Montenegro - Kotor and Budva are popular
• Further connections - some timetables include wider regional cities depending on season and operator

Border crossing basics - carry the correct passport or ID for your citizenship, allow extra buffer time for controls, and keep essentials in a day bag in case checked luggage is stored separately by the operator.

Approximate ticket prices (to set expectations)

Prices vary by season, departure time, operator, and how early you book. These ranges are only a guide. Always check the current fare when you book.

• Dubrovnik - Split - from about €10.48 on low fares, often higher in peak season and at popular times. Check current Dubrovnik - Split fares.
• Dubrovnik - Zagreb - from about €23.48, with typical prices around the high €20s depending on date and availability. Check current Dubrovnik - Zagreb fares.
• Dubrovnik - Mostar - from about €21.98 on low fares, often around €25+ depending on provider and day. Check current Dubrovnik - Mostar fares.
• Dubrovnik - Kotor - commonly listed around €6 - €9 on some services, but can be higher depending on operator and season. Check current Dubrovnik - Kotor options.

Operators and how to buy tickets

• At the station - buy at the bus station ticket office in Gruž, especially if you want help with the right platform and departure
• Online - book directly with operators or through major booking platforms, which can be useful for comparing times and prices
• In summer - book ahead for high-demand departures and arrive early at the station for boarding and luggage check procedures

Next step: use Dubrovnik domestic and international buses for route-by-route guidance, including what to prioritize when choosing a departure (direct vs stops, border timing, luggage rules, and refund conditions).

Airport, ferry port and cruise port connections

Dubrovnik Airport - getting into the city by bus

If you are flying into Dubrovnik (DBV), the easiest bus option for most visitors is the official Platanus airport shuttle, which runs shortly after flight arrivals. For a full overview of airport transport options (including the shuttle, public buses, taxis and practical tips), see Dubrovnik Airport Shuttle Bus timetable and information.

• Official airport shuttle (Platanus) - runs shortly after landings and follows the flight schedule
• Ticket price (official) - one-way ticket €10.00, open return ticket €15.00 (valid for 15 days) - buy online or at official sales points
• Shuttle stops - Dubrovnik Airport - Ploče Gate (Old Town area) - Main bus station in Gruž
• Public buses to the airport - Libertas lines 11, 27 and 38 travel daily from and to the airport (check the latest schedule before you rely on them)

Gruž hub transfers - ferry port and cruise port to Old Town (Pile Gate)

Dubrovnik's ferry port and cruise facilities are in the Gruž area, close to the main bus station. That makes transfers straightforward - you can move between port and station points in Gruž, then use a city bus or taxi to reach the Old Town.

Main bus station connections - where to go next

Because the Main Bus Station in Gruž sits inside the same wider transport zone as the port, many visitors use it as their transfer point: arrive by ferry or airport shuttle, connect by local bus to the Old Town, then return to Gruž later for onward intercity travel. For route planning and booking tips for longer journeys, see Dubrovnik domestic and international buses.

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