If you're planning on visiting Dalmatia on your Croatia visit, there is a high possibility that you’ll be visiting Split. Lucky for you, if you’re planning a trip to Korčula from the Dalmatian capital, getting to the famous island from Split is not as difficult as one might think.
Catamaran & Ferry
Passengers have the option to travel to Korčula by either ferry or catamaran, operated by two companies: Jadrolinija and Kapetan Luka (Krilo). Between these two companies, travel by foot and car are permitted, depending on your needs.
Jadrolinija
Foot Passengers
Foot passengers can make the journey from Split to Korčula town via the Split-Hvar-Vela Luka (Korčula)-Ubli (Lastovo) route. From January 1st to May 31st, and October 1st to December 31st, this route runs from Split at 14:00 every day, arriving in Vela Luka at 16:05. During the peak season, from June 1st to September 30th, this route runs every day from Split at 15:00, arriving in Vela Luka at 17:10. You can find the 2018 timetable here. Once the boat arrives in Vela Luka, a trusty bus service connects passengers from Vela Luka to Korčula Town, including the many villages along the way. The bus from Vela Luka to Korčula Town takes just over an hour, and travelers can find the timetable on the Arriva, formerly Autotrans website.
Car Ferry
The car ferry, operated by Jadrolinija, takes both car and foot passengers from Split to Vela Luka, a town located 50 kilometers away from Korčula Town. Fear not, if you would like to take this ferry and do not have a car to transport you to Korčula Town, a trusty bus service connects passengers from Vela Luka to Korčula Town, including the many villages along the way. The bus from Vela Luka to Korčula Town takes just over an hour, and travelers can find the timetable on the Arriva, formerly Autotrans website. The car ferry takes around four hours and continues onto Ubli (Lastovo) after Vela Luka. The car ferry runs every day, all year round, and takes just over 2.5 hours. You can find the 2018 timetable here.
Jadrolinija also operates a car and passenger ferry from Ploče, about an hour and a half from Split, to Trpanj, just 22 kilometers from Orebić. You can find the 2018 timetable here. Passengers can either drive or take the bus to Ploče from Split (an hour and a half) and continue by taking car or bus from Trpanj to Orebić (25-40 minutes depending on the form of transport). You can find further information on bus timetables here.
From Orebić, passengers can then take the Orebić-Korčula passenger ferry (15 minutes) or the Orebić-Dominče (Korčula) car ferry. You can find the 2018 timetable here.
Krilo - Kapetan Luka
SPLIT-BRAČ(MILNA)-HVAR-KORČULA-MLJET(POMENA)-DUBROVNIK
Kapetan Luka (Krilo) operates a foot-passenger catamaran line from Split-Brač (Milna)-Hvar-Korčula-Mljet-Dubrovnik. This line begins in April and ends at the end of October. In the pre-season (April 16th to May 6th), this route leaves Split on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings at 7:40, arriving in Korčula Town by 10:10. In the peak season (May 7th to August 31st), this route runs every morning at 7:40, arriving in Korčula Town by 10:10. From September 1st to October 15th, travelers can continue to take this route every day at 7:40, and from October 16th to October 27th, this route only runs on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 7:40. A ticket will cost you 130 kuna. You can find the 2018 timetable here.
SPLIT-BRAČ(BOL)-MAKARSKA-KORČULA-MLJET(SOBRA)-DUBROVNIK
Another foot-passenger option that operates to Korčula on Kapetan Luka is the line from Split-Brač (Bol)-Makarska-Korčula-Mljet (Sobra)-Dubrovnik. This line runs only during the peak season, from June 1st to September 30th. Travelers can use this route every day, with a departure from Split at 7:30. The boat arrives in Korčula Town between 10:20 and 10:30. A ticket will cost you 130 kuna. You can find the 2018 timetable here.
SPLIT - HVAR(HVAR) - PRIGRADICA - KORČULA
The final foot-passenger catamaran that Kapetan Luka operates from Split to Korčula is the Split-Hvar-Prigradica-Korčula line. This catamaran operates from January 1st to May 31st, and October 1st to December 31st every day from Split at 16:30, arriving to Korčula Town at 19:00. In the peak season, from June 1st to September 30th, this line runs every day at 17:00, arriving in Korčula Town at 19:45. Outside of the season, tickets cost 60 kuna, while during the peak season, tickets cost 80 kuna. You can find the 2018 timetable here.
Where to buy tickets for catamaran & ferry
You can purchase tickets for Jadrolinija online, or at the ticket office in Split, located at Obala Lazerta bb and Gat. Sv. Duje bb.
You can purchase tickets for Kapetan Luka online, or at the ticket office in Split, located at Gat Sv. Petra, Trajektna Luka.
Bus
There is currently one direct bus line throughout the year that will get you from Split to Korčula. The bus leaves Split at 01:00 and arrives in Korčula Town at 06:35. The journey takes about 5 hours and 45 minutes and costs around 125 kuna. You can find more information on the Arriva, formerly Autotrans website or search here:
Car
It is also possible to drive to Korčula from Split, though this would entail both driving and taking a car ferry over to the island. From Split, a 3 and a half hour drive (via Ston) would take you to Orebić, the town directly across from Korčula where you would pick up the car ferry. From Orebić, drivers would find the Orebić-Dominče (Korčula) ferry, which runs 14 times a day in the offseason and 18 times a day in the peak season. This ferry runs year round, and the ticket price will depend on how you’re traveling. One important thing to note is that this ferry will take you to Dominče, about two kilometers from Korčula Town. You can find the 2018 timetable here.
Plane
There are currently no flights to Korčula island, but passengers can travel to either Dubrovnik or Split airport and transfer to Korčula from there.
