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Logistics advice on itinerary

Posted by (Tennessee) on

I'm working out my itinerary for a quick, 7 day trip to Croatia Sept 3-10.
Sept 3- fly from US
Sept 4- arrive Dubrovnik noon, stay in AirBnB Old City
Sept 5- wander around Dubrovnik (City Walls, Buza Bar, etc)
Sept 6- day trip to Mostar
Sept 7- early AM ferry Jadrolinija to Hvar Town, arrive 1030
Sept 8- Hvar town
Sept 9- midday ferry to Split OR Trogir (Help please!)
Sept 10- flight back to US (leaves at noon).

I know I'm cramming a lot in, but I think the travel logistics work best with the catamaran from Jadrolinija to Hvar Town for easy transfers between cities. And I am sold on Mostar, Belfast was one of my favorite surprise I loved it cities and so I may be ambitious but I really want to squeeze that in.

I'm pretty sure this is actually doable logistically, except for the fact that I'm really shortchanging Split. This is where I have the quandry... stay in Split near Diolcletian's Palace or head on to Trogir for just the evening and breakfast transfer to the airport. Realistically, we'll arrive at Split ferry port at 1230 with luggage, need to check into wherever we're going, have a few hours to sightsee/unwind, sleep, and then get up and basically leave (noon flight).

Specific questions-
1) How early do you need to arrive at Split Airport prior to flight? i.e. can we maximize the evening time and still have enough time to final pack, etc. in the AM?
2) What are the pros and cons of traveling on to Trogir, when it seems easier and less time consuming just to stay in Split and reduce backtracking to airport.

And yes, I'm American and we get crap for vacation time. I usually take 2 weeks in a country a year but am having to make do.... I wish I could extend this out a few more days!!

Posted by
1743 posts

I don't think there's anything wrong with your itinerary, so no need to feel the need to defend it. It's unfortunate to have only a week, but what you're doing will fit nicely into the time you have.

I can't answer about how early to arrive at Split airport, but what I'd advise you to do when you arrive in Split is check your baggage (there are numerous places to leave luggage in lockers right along the ferry docks), explore Diocletian's Palace for a few hours, then pick up your bags and head to Trogir to stay the night (although it's not clear to me how you plan to get there). Enjoy a nice dinner in Trogir and wander the old town. Then have breakfast the next morning at one of the restaurants on the Riva (which I think is nicer than the Riva in Split) before heading to the airport.

Posted by
5687 posts

Personally, I would go somewhere else this year and do Croatia another time when you can get more time. This itinerary is logistically possible, yes, but also ridiculous. (And I travel fast myself!) Your trip will probably be a blur, as you get on the plane home about the time you are getting over your jet lag.

But if you must do this...

Trogir is much smaller than Split, but if you limit yourself to the Riva and Diocletian's Palace area, Split doesn't feel that big. I'd say Trogir is more charming but less interesting than Split. You can probably see plenty of Trogir in half a day.

Noon is not a bad time to fly out of Split airport. My flight out was at 6AM - rescheduled by Croatia Airlines after they canceled my direct afternoon flight to Paris. (Glad I checked beforehand - no one bothered to inform me!). Yes, Trogir is closer to the airport, but you can take a Croatia Airlines bus directly to the airport from the center of Split. You don't need to be flying Croatia Airlines to use the bus, but their bus schedules are coordinated with their flights. Find their schedules online. Maybe you can use them for Dubrovnik, too. I think arriving two hours before departure is plenty of time at Split airport, personally, probably even less but if that is your flight home, I wouldn't push it myself. At least you don't have to get up at 3:30AM to catch the bus like I did.

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