Dubrovnik By Bus

Dubrovnik’s buses are an easy way to get between the Old Town, Gruž port (ferry + main bus station), and hotel areas like Lapad and Babin Kuk, and the same Main Bus Station in Gruž is also where you’ll catch most intercity and international buses. This page covers the essentials first (key stops, tickets, airport bus), then explains how to use the bus station for longer routes and links to detailed maps and station info for planning.

• Dubrovnik Main Bus Station (Gruž) - Location, facilities, luggage storage and connections.
• Dubrovnik city bus map - The most useful lines for Old Town, Lapad and Babin Kuk.
• Dubrovnik suburban bus map - Routes for Cavtat, Konavle and nearby areas.
• Dubrovnik Airport shuttle bus - How the airport bus works, stops and tickets.

Dubrovnik bus essentials (quick answers)

Key stops to know: Dubrovnik’s Main Bus Station is in Gruž (the harbour/port area). For the Old Town, most visitors aim for Pile Gate (often shown as "Pile" on bus signs and timetables), which is the main gateway into the Old Town.

Which buses do tourists use most? The most popular city connection for visitors is the route between Babin Kuk / Lapad (many hotels) and Pile (Old Town), commonly served by line 6. Always double-check the latest timetable because schedules can change without notice.

How to buy a city bus ticket (Libertas): Libertas Dubrovnik lists multiple ticket types, including a cheaper 1-hour ticket and a more expensive ticket bought on the bus (valid for one ride). Current official prices: 1-hour ticket €1.73; ticket on the bus €2.50; daily ticket €5.31; three-day ticket €11.95.

Airport bus in 30 seconds: Dubrovnik Airport’s official transport page lists the Platanus shuttle as the official shuttle option, and also notes that Libertas public transport lines 11, 27 and 38 travel daily from and to the airport (check schedules before you rely on them). If you’re arriving at Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), the easiest overview is in our Dubrovnik Airport shuttle bus guide. The shuttle bus typically departs shortly after flight arrivals, and one-way tickets are commonly priced at €10 (return options may vary depending on ticket type).

Next step: If you want the exact station details (address, luggage storage, and the simplest “Gruž to Old Town” steps), go straight to the Dubrovnik Main Bus Station guide. For route planning, use the Dubrovnik city bus map.

For intercity and international buses: Buy your bus ticket online.

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Dubrovnik bus routes cheat sheet (most useful lines)

If you’re staying in Dubrovnik without a car, you’ll mostly use buses to connect Pile (Old Town) with Lapad/Babin Kuk hotel zones and Gruž (port + main bus station). Timetables can change, so treat this as a practical “which line to look for” guide and verify the latest schedules.

Check the city timetable here.

Old Town (Pile) ↔ Lapad / Babin Kuk (hotel areas)

• Line 6 (Babin Kuk - Pile) is the classic visitor route for Lapad and Babin Kuk hotels, connecting directly to Pile Gate for the Old Town.
• If you see “Pile” on the front display, that’s the stop for the Old Town entrance area (Pile Gate).

Official line 6 details (Libertas)

Old Town (Pile) ↔ Gruž (Port + Main Bus Station area)

• For the Main Bus Station in Gruž (and the ferry port zone), the most commonly referenced city connections are lines 1A/1B (Mokošica - Pile) and line 3 (Nuncijata - Pile), which are useful for reaching Pile from the Gruž area.
• If you’re starting at the Main Bus Station, look for the city-bus stops on the main road by the station complex and choose a bus that clearly shows Pile as the destination.

For the simplest "step-by-step" from the station to Old Town (and back), use our Dubrovnik Main Bus Station guide.

Main Bus Station ↔ Port / central Gruž connections

• Gruž is compact and many travellers walk between the main bus station and port/ferry area, but city buses also stop throughout Gruž if you’re carrying luggage or it’s hot.
• When in doubt, use the “Gruž to Pile” rule: choose a bus showing Pile to head to the Old Town side, and choose the opposite direction to return toward Gruž.

If you want an at-a-glance overview of where lines run, we also provide a lines map (scroll to the middle of the page): Libertas lines map.

Tickets and passes (prices + where to buy)

Dubrovnik’s city buses are operated by Libertas Dubrovnik. For most visitors, the best-value option is usually a 1-hour ticket (if you’re making connections) or a daily ticket (if you’ll ride more than twice in a day).

Ticket types and official prices

Important: Time-based tickets (1-hour, daily, multi-day) start counting from the first registration/validation on the bus, not from the moment you buy them.

Where to buy bus tickets in Dubrovnik

• Before boarding (recommended): buy tickets at Libertas sales points at major areas such as Pile, Lapad, Gruž and Mokošica, or from local kiosks/newsagents that sell bus tickets.
• On the bus: you can buy a ticket directly from the driver, but it’s more expensive and valid for one ride only.

Do you need the Dubrovnik Pass for buses?

If you’re planning lots of sightseeing, the Dubrovnik Pass (formerly the “Dubrovnik Card”) can be worth considering because it’s an official city pass that includes public transportation alongside attraction entry. For a simple breakdown of what’s included and which option suits different trip lengths, see our Dubrovnik Pass (Dubrovnik Card) guide. Compare your likely bus usage with the Libertas prices above and decide what works best for your itinerary.

Dubrovnik Main Bus Station (Gruž) short guide

Dubrovnik’s Main Bus Station (Autobusni kolodvor Dubrovnik) is in Gruž, right by the harbour area. This is where you’ll find most intercity and international buses, and it’s also the most convenient bus hub if you are arriving by ferry or continuing travel after Dubrovnik.

Location and quick facts

• Address: Obala pape Ivana Pavla II 44A, 20000 Dubrovnik (Gruž)
• Station hours: daily 06:30-22:00 (breaks 09:00-09:30 and 16:00-16:30)
• Info & ticket office: +385 60 305 070
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Luggage storage (garderoba)

If you need to leave bags for a few hours, the station has a staffed luggage storage service open daily 06:30-22:00. The published price list shows a fee charged per hour (€1.00/hour), so it’s a practical option if you’re filling time before check-in or heading to the Old Town for a last walk.

Getting from the bus station to the Old Town (Pile Gate)

The bus station is around 3 km from the Old Town side (Pile Gate). In normal traffic it’s typically 10-20 minutes by city bus, but allow extra time in peak summer congestion.

• Head to the nearby city-bus stops in the Gruž/harbour zone and look for a bus showing Pile (Old Town interchange) as the destination.
• The most useful regular lines for this connection are typically 1A, 1B and 3 (always confirm the latest timetable on Libertas).

Check the city bus timetable

For the most detailed station information (including the simplest local connections and planning tips for longer routes), see our Dubrovnik Main Bus Station (Gruž) guide.

Airport buses (DBV → Dubrovnik)

Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) has two public options, but they are not equally practical: the official shuttle bus is designed around flight arrivals and is the easiest choice for most travellers, while the Libertas public bus lines are typically much more inconvenient because you have to match a limited timetable and may need extra waiting and planning. For full airport logistics, see our Dubrovnik Airport guide.

Official airport shuttle

The shuttle bus leaves the airport shortly after landing in the direction of Dubrovnik, which makes it the easiest choice when you want a simple “arrive and go” transfer. For departures from Dubrovnik, the shuttle runs from the Dubrovnik Main Bus Station (Gruž) according to the published timetable in our Dubrovnik Airport shuttle bus guide.

• Tickets: one-way €10; open return €15 (valid for 15 days).
• Stops in Dubrovnik: the shuttle serves the Old Town area (commonly shown as the Cable Car station stop) and the Main Bus Station in Gruž (handy if you’re continuing by bus or ferry).
• Where to buy: Platanus counter at the airport (near arrivals), at the Main Bus Station, at the Cable Car stop (shuttle office), or online.

For step-by-step details (where to board, what to expect, and the latest practical tips), use our Dubrovnik Airport shuttle bus guide.

Public buses to/from Dubrovnik Airport (Libertas lines)

Libertas public transport lines 11, 27 and 38 travel daily from and to the airport. These can be a budget-friendly option, but they are schedule-dependent, so always check the latest timetable before relying on them (especially on Sundays/holidays and outside peak season).

Suburban buses and easy day trips without a car

Dubrovnik’s suburban buses (prigradske linije) are the simplest way to visit nearby towns and villages when you don’t want to drive. They are also run by Libertas Dubrovnik and usually start from (or pass through) Gruž near the Main Bus Station, with many services continuing via major stops such as Pile (Old Town) depending on the route. Because suburban timetables change and some lines have reduced service on weekends/holidays, it’s best to verify before you go.

Best suburban routes for visitors

• Cavtat: The most popular easy day trip by bus is Cavtat, served by Libertas line 10.
• Župa dubrovačka (Srebreno/Plat area): served by Libertas line 16.
• Konavle (further inland): Some suburban lines continue toward villages in the Konavle area, but service can be limited, so always plan around the official timetable rather than assuming "turn up and go".

If you want an at-a-glance overview of routes and stops, use our Dubrovnik suburban bus map for planning.

Intercity and international buses from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is well connected by intercity buses within Croatia and by international buses to nearby countries. Most long-distance departures use the Dubrovnik Main Bus Station in Gruž, so if you are travelling onwards (especially with luggage), it’s worth treating the station as your starting point.

Popular intercity and international directions (examples)

• Croatia (intercity): routes typically connect Dubrovnik with major cities and hubs such as Split, Zadar and Zagreb (service varies by season and operator).
• Montenegro (international): common destinations include Herceg Novi, Kotor and Budva (border crossing time can affect journey duration).
• Bosnia and Herzegovina (international): popular options include Mostar and onward connections (schedule depends on the day/operator).

Tip: In summer, buses on cross-border routes can sell out and border queues can add delays, so book ahead and allow extra buffer time on travel days.

How to check timetables (the reliable way)

• Start with the Dubrovnik Bus Station departures search: it’s the most direct way to see what is actually scheduled from Gruž for your date.
• Then confirm with the operator: some routes are sold by large networks (for example, international coaches) while others are run by regional carriers, and availability can change.

Use the official station website to search departures and arrivals and to see which carriers run your route.

Buying tickets: online vs at the station

• Online tickets: the Dubrovnik Bus Station website offers online ticket purchase. After payment, you receive a confirmation and a coupon/barcode by email, and you then pick up the ticket at the station ticket office during opening hours (the station advises collecting it no later than 30 minutes before departure).
• At the station: you can also buy tickets in person at the ticket office, which is often the simplest option if you prefer to pay locally or need advice on connections.

If you want station location, hours and practical facilities before you travel (especially if you’re connecting from a ferry), see our Dubrovnik Main Bus Station (Gruž) guide.

Helpful Dubrovnik bus tips (quick)

• Expect crowds at Pile: Pile Gate is the main Old Town entrance and the busiest bus interchange, especially when cruise ship traffic is high. If you can, travel earlier in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the biggest queues.
• Timetables can change (city + suburban): Libertas warns that timetables are subject to change without notice, so always confirm on the official site before you plan a tight connection.
• Long-distance timetables can change too: Intercity and international bus schedules also vary by season and operator, so double-check your departure time close to travel day (and don’t rely on an old screenshot or a schedule you found weeks ago).
• Expect summer delays on longer routes: In peak season, traffic around Dubrovnik and border crossings on international routes can add significant delay, so build in buffer time if you have onward connections or a flight.
• Validate/keep your ticket: Time-based tickets (like the 1-hour ticket) start counting after the first registration on board, and ticket checks do happen, so keep your validated ticket/pass handy during the ride.
• Buy before you board when possible: The on-bus ticket is more expensive and is valid only for that single ride, so a kiosk/Libertas sales point ticket is usually better value.
• Allow extra time in summer: Traffic around Gruž, Lapad and the Old Town approach roads can be slow in peak season, so add buffer time if you’re heading to the bus station, port, or airport shuttle.
• For late returns, check last departures: Evening frequency can be lower than daytime service, so confirm the last bus for your line (especially if you’re staying in Lapad/Babin Kuk and returning from the Old Town).

Related transport guides

If you’re planning more than just getting around Dubrovnik, these guides help you connect buses with airport transfers, ferries and day trips.

• Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) - Arrival tips, transport options and what to expect at the terminal.
• Dubrovnik Airport shuttle bus - Timetable, tickets and stops in Dubrovnik.
• Dubrovnik Main Bus Station (Gruž) - Facilities, luggage storage and long-distance travel basics.
• Dubrovnik city bus map - The most useful city lines for visitors.
• Dubrovnik suburban bus map - Routes for Cavtat, Konavle and nearby areas.

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