Dubrovnik Public Transport: How to Use the Local Buses and Save Money!

I’ll be honest, when I planned my late September getaway to the picturesque Southern Dalmatian coast, I didn’t expect the price tag to be SO EXPENSIVE.

I thought, like most places around the world, once I spend the money to get myself there, I’ll be able to make it affordable. A budget traveler’s famous last words.

Dubrovnik was the first place where I was shocked at how expensive everything was, from the expensive “budget-friendly” hostels (ironic, right?) to the limited affordable dining options (thank you, Holy Burek for being one of the only “cheap” quick bites!).

But despite the expensive price tag attached to the beautiful coastal city of Dubrovnik, I found ways to make this Switzerland-cost-equivalent destination affordable and worth the money…starting with Dubrovnik public transport, the city’s reliable bus network that connects all areas of Dubrovnik with Old Town and beyond. 

This detailed travel guide will cover everything you need to know about the Dubrovnik bus system, including how to save money by using local buses, where to get Dubrovnik bus tickets, and how a Dubrovnik Pass can help you save money and make the most of your time in Dubrovnik.

Traveling to Dubrovnik doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a first-born child.

Read on to discover how you can save money in Dubrovnik, starting with the local buses!

How to Get Around Dubrovnik Using Local Buses

The city of Dubrovnik is VERY well-connected by the local bus network.

There are thirteen local bus lines operating within the Dubrovnik city limits, and several bus lines offering transport outside of Dubrovnik (great for day trips from Dubrovnik!).

Many travelers oftentimes overlook the ease of using the Dubrovnik bus network, and instead opt for an overpriced taxi or Uber. I get it…a taxi might seem convenient, but it almost always comes with a hefty price tag. Choosing local transport is not only an affordable way to travel around a city, it also offers travelers the chance to explore like a local. 

The local bus lines operating within the city of Dubrovnik include lines 1A, 1B, 1C, 2, 2A, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 

Bus lines connecting Dubrovnik to villages beyond the city limits, such as Cavtat or Ston, include 10, 11, 12, 15, 21 and 22. 

Read more to discover which bus lines travel where in Dubrovnik (or beyond) and where to get bus tickets in Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik Bus Tickets: Where to Get Them

There are a few ways to purchase Dubrovnik bus tickets:

The first is to buy the Dubrovnik Pass, a 1-day, 3-day or 7-day city pass that includes entry to many of Dubrovnik’s local attractions.

With the purchase of your Dubrovnik Pass, you are granted a local bus pass for the duration of your Dubrovnik Pass, beginning once the pass is activated on a local bus. 

Immediately after purchasing the Dubrovnik Pass, I collected my physical bus pass from the Libertas ticket station outside Pile Gate. The Dubrovnik bus pass saved me a lot of money on transport to and from Dubrovnik Old Town to Port Gruž – the port where many ferries traveling to islands beyond Dubrovnik depart (including Korčula, the Elaphiti Islands, Mljet and MORE). 

With your physical bus pass, simply tap your pass against the reader when you enter the bus, and you’ll be on your way!

The second way to purchase Dubrovnik bus tickets is to buy the tickets directly on the bus.

This purchasing method is great for travelers who don’t buy the Dubrovnik Pass, or those who want to travel routes beyond the Dubrovnik city limits, which are not included in the Dubrovnik Pass.

Most buses accept exact change, major credit cards (Visa and Mastercard), and Apple Pay (generally accepted). Like the physical Dubrovnik bus tickets, simply tap with your credit card or Apple Pay when you enter the bus, and enjoy your hassle-free bus ride in Dubrovnik.

Does the Dubrovnik Pass Include Bus Transport?

Your purchase of the 1-, 3- or 7-day Dubrovnik Pass includes a local bus pass for the chosen duration.

This local bus pass allows you to use the bus lines for travel within the city limits of Dubrovnik. The Dubrovnik Pass bus ticket does not include regional transport to villages outside the Dubrovnik city limits. 

Villages outside Dubrovnik including Cavtat, Trsteno, and farther regions are not included in the bus pass. However, if you plan to use Dubrovnik local transport to visit the villages beyond Dubrovnik, you can easily purchase a bus ticket on the bus using a credit card or exact change. 

To use your bus pass included with the Dubrovnik Pass, you’ll need to collect the physical bus pass from the Libertas ticket stand outside the Pile Gate, near the Pile Gate bus stop. At the ticket counter, attendants will scan the code associated with your Dubrovnik Pass and provide you a Dubrovnik bus pass for the duration specified on your Dubrovnik Pass. Once you tap the bus pass on a local bus, your pass is activated.

Can I Buy a Bus Ticket for Dubrovnik Airport Transfer?

There is a designated airport shuttle bus that travels from Dubrovnik Airport to Old Town and the Dubrovnik bus station (Port Gruž).

Costing approximately €10 for a one-way ticket or €15 for a return ticket, the Dubrovnik airport shuttle bus is the most affordable way to travel from the airport to Old Town or Port Gruž. 

To buy a ticket for the Dubrovnik Airport shuttle bus, find the ticket counter at the Arrivals terminal, or use the kiosks outside the airport.

Common Dubrovnik Bus Routes

Traveling around Dubrovnik by bus is easy and affordable.

I recommend you download the Libertas App, to get accurate timetables and live updates about buses around the city. Here are a few common bus routes in Dubrovnik:

Common Misconceptions About Dubrovnik Local Transport

“The bus network is too difficult to figure out.”

If you can master a foreign city’s local transportation, you can do anything. Dubrovnik public transport is very easy to figure out!

Start by downloading the Libertas app, the city’s local bus app that provides live updates about bus timetables and can easily help you map out your route. This user-friendly navigational tool was a huge reason why I was able to make my trip to Dubrovnik affordable.

Many of the local bus stops will also have maps of the bus lines, so you can plan your route in-person too.

“Taxis are faster.”

Taxis and buses will sit at the same traffic lights, bumper to bumper in the same city traffic. The difference is, you’re paying a premium fee for taxi and Uber services, while the local transport is much more affordable. 

Don’t be fooled – taxis are NOT ALWAYS more convenient. Though they are ALWAYS more expensive. 

Save money, travel sustainably and explore like a local using public transport. 

“Dubrovnik public transport isn’t reliable.”

With 13 local bus lines within the city of Dubrovnik and a collection of regional routes outside the city, Dubrovnik has some of the best public transport in Central Europe. While Dubrovnik may not have subterranean metro lines or high speed trains, the city’s highly connected bus network keeps the city accessible and efficient. 

Many of the local bus routes make the same stops, so even if you miss one bus, there will always be another ready in a moment!

My Experience with Dubrovnik Public Transport

Most of my favorite global cities have one thing in common: a well-connected public transport network that makes exploring the city easy, affordable, and accessible. 

Dubrovnik is no exception. 

Although the Southern Dalmatian city lacks high-speed trains and a maze of metro lines, Dubrovnik’s bus network covers all the bases in terms of local transport. The handful of local and regional bus lines connecting Old Town to quiet beaches and tourist-free residential areas, makes Dubrovnik one of the most accessible cities in Central Europe. 

Whether I was traveling to and from Old Town to Port Gruž by city bus to catch a high-speed ferry, or using one of the regional bus lines to discover Dubrovnik’s best spa, I found Dubrovnik’s public transport to be incredibly accessible and affordable – especially with the Dubrovnik Pass.

Some of my best memories in Dubrovnik were chatting with other travelers on the regional bus lines after spending a day exploring local villages outside of Dubrovnik. It’s not often you meet travelers with the same favorite places as you! I’ll never forget the two Alaskan ladies who shared the same excitement for New Zealand as I did – a discussion we shared on the regional bus from Orašac to the bus station. 

If you’re looking for ways to make your trip to Dubrovnik more affordable, start by using public transport!

My Challenge to YOU

Explore Dubrovnik Exclusively by Bus (It’s EASY and AFFORDABLE!)

If you have a trip to Dubrovnik on the horizon, I challenge you to avoid taxis and Ubers and use Dubrovnik public transport as much as you can. 

Start by downloading the Libertas app to get live updates of city/regional buses and plan your routes in and around Dubrovnik. If you’re considering getting the Dubrovnik Pass, read this detailed guide about my experience with the Dubrovnik Pass. Spoiler alert…it’s worth purchasing for your time in Dubrovnik, especially if you want to plan day trips or use the local bus network!

Keep score of how many times you use the bus in Dubrovnik and total up your approximate savings! 

I saved at least €50 by using the city bus to travel around Dubrovnik – enough money to cover the cost of the Dubrovnik City Pass I used for entry to the City Walls, Fort Lovrijenac and other Dubrovnik attractions. 

Not only will you surprise yourself with how much money you can save by choosing local transport instead of taxis and Ubers, you’ll learn more about the city by traveling like a local, a valuable experience many travelers overlook for convenience!