I've searched, and can not find anything about car ferry service from Dubrovnik to Korcula. The Jadrolinija website lists a car ferry from Dubrovnik to Sipan island but nothing about a stop elsewhere, or when it leaves.
We will NOT be traveling by car, but we understand that the catamaran service is crowded and and confining indoors for a stuffy uncomfortable 2 hour ride. The car ferries let you stand outside and, although slower, is a better way to travel.
Any info or past experience is appreciated.
Don't know of any car ferry on that route. I also don't recall the ferry we took to Korcula (from Hvar) as being stuffy or uncomfortable.
That said, there are lots of ways to get there. When we were going from Korcula to Dubrovnik, we did a "transfer" (run by a small local agency with offices in Korcula's old town and in Dubrovnik just outside the walls), small boat across the water from Korcula town to Orebic, then via mini-bus to Dubrovnik. They ran this route round trip at least once every day.
We are going from Korcula to Dubrovnik in August. We are using www.Korkyra.info (David, I am sure this is your reference) for a private transfer - 6 adults, 160€. We did book the cataraman from Split to Korcula for 780 kuna (about $125). We are only using the private transfer because of the time the cataraman leaves, not convenient for us. I believe the car ferry you are referring to used to travel from Rijeka to Dubrovnik everyday, but once the new roads were built, people could drive easily and the car ferry fell out of use. It might go once or twice a week, but I’m not 100% sure.
Keep in mind Korcula is not a distant Island served only by infrequent ferries. The island is only across a narrow strait, maybe a 15 minute ferry to the mainland. You can take a water taxi in less, or you can go to the bus station in Korcula town, board, and the Bus takes the ferry to the mainland and into Dubrovnik in about the same time. If you really planned, you could do a stop in Ston, either along the way or overnight.
If you really don't want to do the catamaran ride, the bus is quite comfortable--though it takes twice as long.
For someone who the times did not work for, or who gets seasick, I would heartily recommend the bus. The views are nice, and the driver stops about halfway through for a bathroom break when you can stretch your legs, grab a drink.
There is no car ferry from Dubrovnik - this runs from Orebic, 2 hours up the coast. Without a car, catamaran or bus or private transfer are your only options.
Thanks Jennifer, for a definitive answer.