I am traveling in early September and am trying to figure out the best way to get from Hvar to Dubrovnik. Unfortunately our travel date does not coincide with the two days/week that the ferry goes to Dubrovnik. I don't know whether we should take a boat to Korcula and then arrange a shuttle to Dubrovnik or take the bus from Split down the coast. The boat will be more scenic but doesn't leave until late afternoon so we would lose a day in Dubrovnik and not have any time in Korcula. We can fly fairly cheap but then would be spending time and money getting to and from the airports. Anyone have any thoughts on an efficient way to get to Dubrovnik? My intended travel date would be Sept. 12th. thanks!
If you have a car you can take the interisland ferries. http://www.jadrolinija.hr/pdfs/COASTAL%20LINE%202013.pdf
Take the early catamaran to Split and a bus from Split to Dubrovnik. It may sound like the long way around, but it's actually a good option in terms of travel time and arrival time in Dubrovnik.
Thanks for the suggestions. Right now I think the bus from split is probably our best option time wise. I'm hesitant to rent a car since we are two women traveling alone. If anyone knows of other ferry options that run more frequently between islands that would be our preference. So far I don't see any. Thanks again for your help!
Take a ferry from Hvar to Korcula (there are at least two separate ferries so you should have options for departure/arrival times). After spending time on Korcula (I actually recommend more time on Korcula than Hvar - we liked it much better), arrange for a "transfer" from Korcula to to Dubrovnik from the local agency in Korcula old town (in Rick's book, or just ask around, everyone knows it). They put you on a "water taxi" around 7;30 am, take you across to Orebic (?) then put you on a small bus there for the 2-3 hour drive to Dubrovnik, arriving early afternoon. Easy and not expensive.
True. The "transfer" to Dubrovnik leaves from Korcula early morning. The ferries from Hvar/Split arrive in Korcula later in the day. Personally, I really liked Korcula (in fact, liked Korcula much better than Split or Hvar), so to me that's a good thing. But if you are just looking for a way to blow through, then it wouldn't be such a good choice.
The Hvar/Korcula/Dubrovnik option is difficult if you plan to spend no time in Korcula. It seems the ferries get in later at night, requiring at least an overnight, then the buses or ferries to Dubrovnik leave very early. This means nothing but sleeping in Korcula or spending two nights.