Self-Launched Dubrovnik to Split: Croatian Coast in 5 Days
5 days · Croatia
Go Croatia Sail charges £638
No-markup version: ~£375 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the cramped boat cabin and the group tour premium — this self-launched version of the classic Dubrovnik-to-Split route lets you island-hop at your own pace using public ferries, staying in budget guesthouses and hostels along the way. You'll hit the same stunning stops: Dubrovnik's old city, Korčula's Venetian lanes, Makarska's beach promenade, and Trogir's UNESCO-listed old town — all for a fraction of the price. Best tackled between May and September when ferries run frequently and the Adriatic is warm enough to swim every day.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Dubrovnik — Walk the Walls & Welcome Drinks
Dubrovnik
Arrive in Dubrovnik and check into a hostel in or near the old city. Head straight to the iconic Old City Walls for a self-guided walk — book online to avoid queues (~£25). As the sun dips, take the cable car up to Mount Srđ for panoramic views over the terracotta rooftops and Adriatic (~£9). In the evening, grab cold craft beers at the Dubrovnik Beer Company near Gruž port and connect with fellow travellers. If you're a Game of Thrones fan, book a self-guided walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£15) or simply pick up a free map from your hostel.
🚌Arrive by bus or fly into Dubrovnik Airport. City bus from airport to old city ~£5. Walk everywhere in the old town.
🛏Fresh Sheets Hostel or Hostel Angelina Old Town Dubrovnik — dorm from ~£25/night
- →Walk Dubrovnik's Old City Walls (self-ticket, ~£25 via official site)
- →Cable car ride to Mount Srđ (~£9 return)
- →Optional: Game of Thrones Walking Tour via GetYourGuide (~£15)
- →Optional: Shuttle boat to Lokrum Island (~£5 return)
- →Evening drinks at Dubrovnik Beer Company near Gruž port
Ferry to Korčula — Venetian Vibes & Nightlife
Korčula
Take the morning Jadrolinija car ferry or a fast catamaran from Dubrovnik to Korčula (~£15–20, book at the port or via Jadrolinija.hr). Arrive mid-afternoon and check into a guesthouse or hostel. Spend the afternoon wandering Korčula Old Town — a beautifully preserved medieval Venetian walled city on a small peninsula. Visit the alleged birthplace of Marco Polo (entry ~£3). As night falls, the town comes alive — head to Deja Vu Bar for a street-side drink and then check out Boogie Jungle if you're after a proper night out.
🚌Jadrolinija catamaran or ferry from Dubrovnik to Korčula (~£15–20). Book at port or online at jadrolinija.hr.
🛏Korčula Backpackers or local guesthouse — dorm/private from ~£20–30/night
- →Morning ferry Dubrovnik → Korčula (Jadrolinija catamaran, ~£15–20)
- →Self-guided walk of Korčula Old Town and Venetian architecture
- →Visit Marco Polo's House (~£3)
- →Evening drinks at Deja Vu Bar
- →Optional: Nightlife at Boogie Jungle
Ferry to Makarska — Beach Town, Forest Hikes & a Rave in a Cave
Makarska
Catch the morning ferry or catamaran from Korčula towards Split, disembarking at Makarska or connecting via a local bus from the Split ferry terminal (~£5–8 total). Makarska is a lively, pretty beach town backed by the dramatic Biokovo mountain range. Explore the promenade (Riva) lined with restaurants, pizzerias, and tavernas — budget ~£15 for a sit-down meal. Hike through St Peter's Forest Park on the cape for free coastal views. In the evening, the legendary Club Deep — a rave in a limestone cave — is a must if you're into late-night adventures.
🚌Ferry/catamaran from Korčula, possible connection through Split terminal, then local bus to Makarska (~£15–20 combined). Check Jadrolinija and Krilo schedules.
🛏Hostel Makarska or local apartment — dorm from ~£18/night
- →Ferry/catamaran Korčula → Makarska (via Split if needed, ~£15–20 total)
- →Explore Makarska town and beachfront Riva promenade
- →Hike St Peter's Forest Park (free)
- →Optional: River Cetina rapid rafting excursion via GetYourGuide (~£35–45)
- →Dinner at promenade restaurants (~£15)
- →Optional: Club Deep — rave in a cave (entry ~£8–12)
Bus to Trogir — Gothic Architecture & Riva Bar Crawl
Trogir
Take a local bus from Makarska to Split (~£5, ~1.5 hrs) and then a connecting bus or shared taxi to Trogir (~£2–3, 30 mins). Trogir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Croatia's most underrated gems — a tiny island city connected by bridges, packed with Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Visit the Cathedral of St Lawrence with its stunning Radovan's Portal (entry ~£4). Wander the marble-paved streets, then as evening arrives, join the locals along the Riva waterfront for drinks at the lively bars. Great value restaurants here compared to Dubrovnik.
🚌Local bus Makarska → Split (~£5). Bus or taxi Split → Trogir (~£2–3). Very walkable once in Trogir.
🛏Villa Trogir or local guesthouse — private room from ~£30–40/night
- →Bus from Makarska to Split (~£5, ~1.5 hrs)
- →Bus/taxi Split to Trogir (~£2–3, 30 mins)
- →Self-guided walk of Trogir Old Town (UNESCO site, free to wander)
- →Visit Cathedral of St Lawrence and Radovan's Portal (~£4)
- →Admire Gothic and Romanesque architecture
- →Dinner at a konoba (local taverna) on the Riva (~£15)
- →Evening drinks at bars along the Riva waterfront
Trogir Morning & Optional Krka Waterfalls — End in Split
Split / Trogir
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in Trogir before deciding on your final day. Option A: Head directly to Split (~30 mins by bus, ~£2) and explore Diocletian's Palace — a Roman emperor's retirement home that's now an entire living neighbourhood. Option B (highly recommended): Book a day trip to Krka National Park for its stunning travertine waterfalls and swimming areas (~£30–40 for a guided day trip via GetYourGuide, or ~£15 independently by bus from Split). Split's old town, waterfront Riva, and the Varoš neighbourhood are all free to explore. End the trip with a sunset drink at one of the Riva bars.
🚌Bus Trogir → Split (~£2, 30 mins). Krka: bus from Split bus station (~£6 return) + park entry (~£15). Or book a GetYourGuide day tour (~£30–40 all-in).
🛏N/A — departure day. If staying, Split hostels from ~£20/night (Stari Grad Hostel, etc.)
- →Breakfast in Trogir before checking out
- →Bus Trogir → Split (~£2, 30 mins)
- →Explore Diocletian's Palace in Split (free to wander, museum entry ~£8)
- →Optional: Krka National Park waterfalls day trip (~£30–40 via GetYourGuide, or independent bus + entry ~£20–25)
- →Walk Split's Riva waterfront and Varoš neighbourhood (free)
- →Farewell dinner in Split (~£15)
Self-launched vs. Go Croatia Sail
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Go Croatia Sail | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£375 | £638 |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £263 per person (41%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Go Croatia Sail-style trips? Check them out here.~£375
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Dubrovnik to Split: Croatian Coast in 5 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £375 per person for 5 days in Croatia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Go Croatia Sail?+
Yes — Go Croatia Sail charges around £638 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £375 — a saving of roughly £263 (41%) per person.
How long is the Croatia trip?+
This itinerary runs 5 days, covering 5 day-by-day stops through Croatia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a backpacker, culture, beaches trip through Croatia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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