Getting from Rome to Dubrovnik

Visiting Rome, Venice and Dubrovnik as a part of the one itinerary is quite usual for people whose intention is to explore Italy and Croatia. There are several options you can consider using either flights, ferries, trains or buses. Here is what is available:

Direct flights from Rome to Dubrovnik

The easiest, quickest, most comfortable and most efficient way of travelling from Rome to Dubrovnik is to get a flight. Dubrovnik Airport is just 1 hour and 25 minutes away from Rome’s Fiumicino airport. The bonuses are amazing views over the Adriatic sea and Croatian islands. Here is a photo that I took on my recent flight:

There are currently three air companies that operate direct flights – Vueling, Croatia Airlines and Alitalia. The direct flight duration is 1 hour and 25 minutes. With Vueling, you can fly twice a week in the off-season, while from April to October there is a daily direct flight. Fares/Prices are from 45 Euro (52 US$) one way. The other two airlines are flying less frequently. Here are the current timetables:

Out of season flights are currently in operation just twice a week – see timetables below:

Train or Bus from Rome to Ancona (Italy) & ferry to Dubrovnik via Split

Take a train or bus from Rome to Ancona. Note, Rome in Italian is Roma, so while searching, enter “Roma”, not “Rome”.

The journeys are pretty frequent and last between 3,5 and 4,5 hrs depending on the route. Train fares are from 19 Euro one way, buses are a bit cheaper.

Once in Ancona, take a ferry to Split (timetables); the journey is an overnight one and lasts about 11 hrs, ferry ticket fares are from 49 Euro one way. Once in Split, get a bus or fast, speedy ferry to Dubrovnik. Fares for this leg of the journey is 30 Euro approx. (check the return journey to Split)

For detailed info on how to do a ferry trip from Ancona to Dubrovnik see details here.

Train from Rome to Bari & ferry to Dubrovnik

Take a train or bus from Rome to Bari. The shortest train journey lasts about 4 hrs while the longest can be up to 9 hours so make sure you book the right train/bus. Ticket prices are from 19 Euro one way, sometimes even cheaper.
Once in Bari, take an overnight ferry to Dubrovnik (timetables). This leg of the journey lasts just under 11 hrs. Fares are from 55 Euro one way for foot passengers.

Driving from Rome to Dubrovnik

Yes, you can always choose to drive. The distance from Rome to Dubrovnik is just over 600 kilometres. It includes crossing the sea. The real distance for driving is about 1290 km which will last at least 15 hours.

A friend of mine who works in Rome drives sometimes from there but she does it in several sequences with at least three stopovers.

If you are travelling by car, the best option is to drive to Ancona or Bari and from there take a car ferry across the Adriatic Sea – see map below:

Popular routes: Split to Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik to Split, Hvar to Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik to Hvar

Drive Map:

Rome airport GPS: 41°48’56.9″N 12°14’42.0″E 41.815814, 12.244986
Dubrovnik bus/ferry terminal GPS: 42°39’47.0″N 18°04’59.5″E 42.663070,18.083209

Some FAQ:

• How far is Rome from Dubrovnik? The exact flight distance between Rome and Dubrovnik is 467 km. The driving route distance is 1290 km. Drive and ferry route distance is 642 km.
• What is the best way to get from Rome to Dubrovnik? The best way to get from Rome to Dubrovnik is to fly.
• What is the cheapest way to get from Rome to Dubrovnik? The cheapest way to get from Rome to Dubrovnik is a bus to Bari and a ferry from there. The total cost is about 80 Euro.
• What is the fastest way to get from Rome to Dubrovnik? The quickest way to get from Rome to Dubrovnik is to fly which takes 1 hour and 25 minutes.
• Is there a direct bus or train between Rome and Dubrovnik? No, there is no direct train or bus between Rome and Dubrovnik.

Forum conversation about Rome travel:

• Ancona to Dubrovnik by ferry
• Getting from Rome to Dubrovnik – the cheapest travel option?