Car ferry to Hvar

The car ferry runs from Stari Grad on Hvar to Split, not Hvar town. The ferry runs all year round, as this is how deliveries get made to the island, but there are fewer boats running on the winter schedule.

I have used this ferry numerous times, for stays of 2-3 weeks on the island. I haven’t stayed for only 2 days. You need to check that your car hire company permits you to take the vehicle on ferries.

I have also used the Drvenik- Sucuraj crossing onto Hvar.

Getting around the island is easy, but some of the roads are very narrow and some have a 3 ft drop at the edge of the tarmac, so caution is needed.

I would stay in Stari Grad, Jelsa or Vrboska as parking is easier than in Hvar town, which will still be busy with party goers in September, as the university students are still on holiday.

Thanks Jennifer. No problems with our car on Ferries or border crossings. Maybe it would be better if we just did a day trip without the car. If you have any other info on Croatia, would appreciate.

If you are just doing a day trip from Split, then either consider just taking the Krilo catamaran return to Hvar town or take the catamaran to Hvar town, look round there, take a bus or taxi to Stari Grad, have dinner there, then take the ferry from there back to Split.

From Split, Trogir is also a great day/half day trip.

Split itself can fill at least a whole day, with the Palace etc.

If you want to see Plitvice, it’s easier if you stay the night there, so you can get into the park early. You can’t swim at Plitvice, but you can at Krka National Park.

Thank youJennifer. We will prob stay near/around Split for a few days. So a day trip with lunch and dinner in Hvar is a great idea.

What is the entire itinerary? You might be able to work it where you stay over on Hvar--preferable to a day trip to me, but it depends on the overall plan.
Krilo = catamarans (see their website for schedules)
Jadrolinija = car ferries (and some cats as well)

No itinerary for Croatia yet. We are coming from Trieste and staying around 14 days. Only want to go as far as Split and have 3 bases for day trips etc. Will be arriving prob 9th September. I have checked the Ferry operators etc and was thinking of taking car over for 2/3 days. Only know what friends have told us and they have limited knowledge from visiting the islands via cruises. Just trying to formulate a ‘plan’ so i can book accomodation etc.

Coming from Trieste and with 14 days, I'd shoot for 3 or 4 bases as well--perhaps a stop in Istria and then a stop at Plitvice, but you have lots of options. You don't need much of a plan for Hvar--if you take the car, you can tool all around and see great scenery. If not, just chill around Hvar and Stari Grad, which are connected by bus, and maybe take a day boat (if they are still running) to the Pakleni islands. There is a bike path along the coast east from Stari Grad--I hope to get back one day to do that.

Thanks Valadelphia. Your thoughts are pretty much same as ours. 👍

I agree that Split is a good base for 3 or 4 nights. We spent 4 nights in Split this past September. We allowed a whole day for sightseeing in Split, including a private guided tour with Maja Benzon, who is recommended by Rick. She was awesome, very personable and knowledgeable. Also visited the very interesting Ethnographic Museum.

We visited Hvar for a day from Split. Took the catamaran to Hvar Town, which is beautiful. Hiked to the top of the hill where the fortress is located. Stunning views. Had lunch in Hvar Town, and then walked along the coastal path lined with cactus and pine trees to a hotel (forgot the name) and had drinks at a café overlooking the water. Spending 2 nights on Hvar would be nice, but if you don't have the time, a day trip is well worth it. We didn't think Hvar Town was overly crowded in September, and didn't encounter drunk party goers, at least not during the day.

We also visited Trogir on another day; it's very pretty and well worthwhile to visit. There are other day trips from Split, too, such as Sibenik, and I think you can visit Krka Park from Split as a day trip.

Definitely visit Plitvice Lakes National Park. It is gorgeous! We spent one night there at the Plitvice Miric Inn. Visited the Upper Lakes in the late afternoon to avoid the crowds, and then visited the Lower Lakes the next morning.

Thank you so much kmkwoo. Really appreciate the info. We had been thinking of using Trogir as a base for 3/4 days. Smaller towns etc are usually where we prefer to stay and then drive as close to cities as we can, park and use public transport to go to the city.
Not sure if you had a car but incase you did, was parking easy for catching ferry for the day to Hvar?
Thanks

Andy, yes, we did have a rental car. We stayed right in Old Town Split for 4 nights. We left our rental car in a parking garage nearby, so we walked from our hotel to the port.