Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) → Dubrovnik Old Town & Lapad transfer
The drive from Dubrovnik Airport to the Old Town is 21 km and usually takes 32–40 minutes, a little longer if your hotel is out on Lapad. A private car for one to three people typically costs around €35–45, and a minivan for up to seven around €50–65; the exact price is shown before you book.
- From
- Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)
- To
- Dubrovnik Old Town & Lapad
- Distance
- 21 km
- Typical drive
- 32–40 min
The driver meets you in arrivals and takes you straight to your hotel or as close to your apartment as a car is allowed to go.
What you see on the way into Dubrovnik
From Čilipi the road heads north-west on the D8, the coastal Adriatic Highway. It passes the turn-off for Cavtat and then runs above the bay of Župa Dubrovačka with Mlini, Srebreno and Kupari below.
The last stretch hugs the cliffs and opens onto a view of the city walls and Lokrum island before descending towards Ploče on the eastern side of the Old Town. For Lapad, the route continues through the city past Pile and towards Gruž harbour.
Old Town or Lapad: what to expect on arrival
- Inside the walls
- Many apartments sit on steep side lanes reached only by stone steps. Travel light if you can, or ask your host whether someone can help with bags.
- Ploče and the hillside
- Hotels east of the Old Town and on the slopes above it often have a short driveway or a drop-off on the road, sometimes with stairs to the entrance.
- Lapad and Babin Kuk
- The western peninsula holds most of Dubrovnik's larger beach hotels. Cars usually reach the entrance, though the bay promenade itself is pedestrian.
Timing in summer
From June to September the D8 near the city entrances can slow down, especially when several cruise ships are in port and coaches head for Pile. Late-evening and early-morning arrivals are usually quicker.
Families with small children can request child seats when booking, and a minivan is worth choosing if you travel with more than three large suitcases.
Going back to Dubrovnik Airport
Plan the pickup about 2.5 hours before your flight. If you stay in the Old Town, arrange to meet the driver at the same gate area where you were dropped off and allow time to walk there with luggage.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the transfer from Dubrovnik Airport to the Old Town take?
Usually 32–40 minutes for the 21 km. Summer traffic near the city can add some time, especially in the late morning.
Can the driver take me to my apartment inside the walls?
No. Vehicles are not allowed in the walled Old Town, so the driver stops at the nearest accessible point outside a gate. From there you walk, often over stone steps.
Is Lapad far from the Old Town?
Lapad is a few kilometres west of the Old Town, beyond Pile. It has more space, beaches and larger hotels, and local buses link it with the centre.
What does a transfer to Lapad cost?
A car for up to three travellers typically costs around €35–45 and a minivan around €50–65. The exact price for your address is shown before you book.
Which gate should I choose for drop-off?
It depends on where you stay. Pile is on the western side and Ploče on the eastern side; ask your host which is closer and pass that on to the driver.