Short answer
The easiest way is the official Platanus shuttle bus. It costs EUR 10 one way, leaves about 30 minutes after every arriving flight and stops at Ploče Gate, the main entrance to the Old Town, roughly 30 minutes later. A taxi costs around EUR 40 to 60 and makes sense for groups or heavy luggage. The airport is 22.5 km from Dubrovnik, and the drive usually takes 30 to 35 minutes, or up to an hour in summer.
Compare the options
| Option | Price | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platanus shuttle bus | EUR 10 one way, EUR 15 return | about 30 min to Ploče Gate | Solo travellers and couples |
| Taxi | around EUR 40-60 per car | 30-35 min, up to 1 hour in summer | Groups, heavy luggage, late arrivals |
| Uber / Bolt | app price | 30-35 min | Travellers who prefer booking in an app |
| Libertas public bus | low fare, few departures | slower, many stops | Very tight budgets, flexible timing |
| Rental car | daily rate | 30-35 min | Trips beyond Dubrovnik |
1. Platanus airport shuttle bus
Platanus is the officially licensed shuttle operator for Dubrovnik Airport. The bus does not follow a fixed clock timetable. It leaves roughly 30 minutes after every flight arrival, from the first flight of the day to the last.
Price: EUR 10 one way, EUR 15 return. Children under 6 travel free.
Stops: the bus makes one stop in the Old Town, at Ploče Gate, about 30 minutes after leaving the airport. It then continues to its final stop, the main bus station in Gruž, about 35 minutes from the airport.
Tickets: buy online in advance or at the Platanus counter in the Arrivals area, where you can pay by card or cash. Tickets are not sold on board, so do not walk straight to the bus. A one-way ticket is valid on any departure on your day of travel, so a delayed flight does not cost you your seat.
Local tip: if you are staying in or next to the Old Town, get off at Ploče Gate. If you are staying in Lapad, Babin Kuk or near the port, ride on to Gruž and take a city bus from there. A Libertas city bus ticket costs EUR 2.50 from the driver, or EUR 1.73 for a one-hour ticket bought in advance.
Going back to the airport: the shuttle starts at the main bus station in Gruž, platform 8, and also picks up at the Grawe stop and the Cable Car stop. The Cable Car stop is the closer of the two to the Old Town, about 25 minutes from the airport. Platanus recommends being at the stop at least 10 minutes early and checking the timetable on its website, because schedules can change before and after the main season.
2. Taxi
The taxi rank is directly in front of terminal building B, where arrivals come out. A taxi to the Old Town costs around EUR 40 to 60 per car, not per person. The official airport price list is displayed at the taxi information window in terminal B, and you can also check it by calling +385 20 640 100.
By law, the driver must give you a receipt, so ask for one.
Keep in mind that the Old Town is a pedestrian zone, so a taxi cannot take you to your door inside the walls. It drops you at Pile Gate or Ploče Gate, and you walk from there.
A taxi is the better choice when you split it between three or four people, when you have a lot of luggage, or when you are staying somewhere the shuttle does not go.
Local tip: if you are staying in Cavtat, take a taxi. Cavtat is much closer to the airport than Dubrovnik, and the shuttle does not go there.
3. Uber and Bolt
Both Uber and Bolt pick up at Dubrovnik Airport. Now and then a driver declines an airport ride, although it does not happen often, so it is worth knowing where the taxi rank is as a backup.
4. Libertas public bus
Dubrovnik's public bus company, Libertas, runs lines 11, 27 and 38 to and from the airport every day. For most arriving visitors they are not practical. Line 11, for example, has only three departures from Dubrovnik on working days and Saturdays and does not run on Sundays or public holidays.
Local tip: line 10 between Dubrovnik and Cavtat stops on the main road above the airport, not at the terminal. Count on a walk of at least 15 to 20 minutes from Arrivals to the stop, which is hard work with a suitcase. For reference, Libertas lists a one-way ticket to Cavtat at EUR 4.00.
Libertas states that its timetables can change without prior notice, so check the current timetable before you rely on any of these lines.
5. Rental car
Many car rental companies have desks at the airport. A car is worth it if you plan day trips around the region. If you are only staying in Dubrovnik, the shuttle or a taxi is simpler.
Which option should you choose?
- Staying in the Old Town, travelling solo or as a couple: take the shuttle and get off at Ploče Gate.
- Staying in Lapad, Babin Kuk or Gruž: take the shuttle to Gruž, then a city bus.
- Group of three or four, or lots of luggage: take a taxi.
- Staying in Cavtat: take a taxi.
- Planning road trips: pick up a rental car at the airport.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Dubrovnik Airport from the Old Town? The airport is 22.5 km from Dubrovnik. The drive takes about 30 to 35 minutes, and up to an hour in summer.
Is there a bus from Dubrovnik Airport to the Old Town? Yes. The Platanus shuttle leaves about 30 minutes after every arriving flight and stops at Ploče Gate, the main entrance to the Old Town.
How much is the bus from Dubrovnik Airport to the Old Town? EUR 10 one way and EUR 15 return. Children under 6 travel free.
Can I buy the shuttle ticket on the bus? No. Buy it online or at the Platanus counter in Arrivals before you board.
How much is a taxi from Dubrovnik Airport to the Old Town? Around EUR 40 to 60 per car. The official price list is displayed at the taxi information window in Arrivals, and drivers must give you a receipt.
Can a taxi take me inside the Old Town? No. The Old Town is a pedestrian zone, so taxis stop at Pile Gate or Ploče Gate.
Does Uber work at Dubrovnik Airport? Yes, both Uber and Bolt pick up at the airport. Occasionally a driver declines the ride, so keep the taxi rank as a backup.
What if my flight is delayed? Your one-way shuttle ticket is valid on any departure that day, and the bus runs after every flight until the last one.
Sources
Prices and timetables change, so confirm them on the official sites below before you travel.