Croatia/Slovenia without car

Posted by Ron on 08/20/22 05:38 PM

My wife and I are planning a Croatia/Slovenia trip for June 2023 and are hoping to not rent a car. Does the following itinerary seem doable? Thanks.

Fly into Dubrovnik, spend 4 nights.
Early morning boat to Mljet, spend the day, then late afternoon boat to Hvar, spend 2 nights.
Morning boat to Split, spend 3 nights.
Bus to Plitvice Lakes, spend 2 nights.
Bus to Zagreb, spend 2 nights.
Morning train to Ljubljana, then afternoon bus to Lake Bled, spend 2 nights.
Bus to Ljubljana, spend 2 nights.
Fly home.

Posted by BB

Calgary

08/20/22 06:29 PM

1741 posts

We visited Croatia without a car. We used the ferry and Octopus Transfers to get from locale to locale, although during non-Covid times, we might have used the bus.

We spent one night at Plitvice, and that was enough, although it was May, so would have been less busy than June, I think. We spent one night in Split, and that was enough for us, but it depends on what you want to do. We didn't go to the beach there or visit sights outside of Split but nearby, so if you want to do those things, 3 nights would make sense. (We also spent a couple of nights each on Hvar Island and Zadar, though, so had less time for Split.)

In case you might find it helpful, my trip report on Croatia is here: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/croatia-and-ireland-may-2022-castles-and-forts-and-water-oh-my

Posted by Kenko

Citizen of the World

08/21/22 09:55 PM

2012 posts

Be sure to verify which one of Mljet’s 3 ports your ferry/catamaran from Dubrovnik and then the one going Hvar dock at. Mljet’s quite large and you’ll want to sync that up if you’re only going to be there for a few hours. Check www.DirectFerries.com
In Split, Bacvice Beach is a great beach just a 15-minute walk from Diocletian’s Palace.

Posted by kmkwoo

Massachusetts, USA

08/21/22 11:31 PM

1700 posts

We spent 4 nights in Split and loved it. Split is a beautiful city architecturally and with its waterfront location. I highly recommend hiring Maya Benzon for a private tour of Old Town Split and Diocletian's Palace. She is recommended by Rick. We also used Split as a jumping off point to spend a day on Hvar and 3/4 of a day at Trogir, hence the need for 4 nights. Since you are already spending 2 nights on Hvar, 3 nights in Split should work and will give you time to explore beautiful Split, have a tour, and visit Trogir.

Posted by Paul-of-the-Frozen-North

Sioux Falls, SD, USA

08/22/22 12:58 PM

3101 posts

Split is a wonderful town. We've been 2x. Make sure to visit the Archeological Museum which has stuff going way back - some now believe that Illyria was one of the original cradles of civilization.

I think your itinerary, sans car, is do-able. We used FlixBus several times in Croatia - it is inexpensive, the busses are clean and new, drivers stop every 2.5 hrs for a smoke-potty break. No bathroom on the bus.