Dubrovnik Airport to the Old Town and Lapad: bus, taxi, Uber and Bolt
Dubrovnik Airport sits at Čilipi, about half an hour south of town. Here is every way in, checked against the operators and what travellers reported in 2025 and 2026.
Short answer
The cheapest direct way is the Platanus airport shuttle: 10 EUR one way, 15 EUR return, leaving about 30 minutes after every flight lands. It stops at the Old Town on the Ploče gate side (not Pile) and ends at the Gruž bus station. For Lapad, stay on to Gruž and take city bus 7, or take a Bolt, Uber or taxi (travellers report about 22 to 55 EUR).
The airport shuttle bus (Platanus)
The official shuttle waits just outside Arrivals and runs after every landing, from the first flight to the last.
Platanus airport shuttle
- One way:
- 10€
- Return:
- 15€
- Children:
- Under 6 years old travel free
- From the airport:
- Approximately 30 minutes after every flight arrival
- Stops into town:
- Old town (Ploče gate), about 30 min; Gruž main bus station, about 35 min (final stop)
- Tickets:
- Online, at the airport counter in Terminal B, the bus station and the cable car stop; not sold on board
- Luggage:
- One suitcase included, stored inside the bus by staff
The Old Town stop is on the Ploče side, by the cable car stop above the Old Town, not at Pile. Pile is on the far side of the Old Town. If you are staying near Pile or in Lapad, read the next section before you get off.
What reviewers say: Tripadvisor 3.0 (158 reviews) on 29 Sep 2026. Reviews written between May and September 2026 keep coming back to the same points: in peak season the bus can be full with people standing, a ticket does not guarantee a seat on the first bus, some departures ran 30 minutes or more late, and a few buyers were charged twice when the online checkout failed.
From the shuttle to the Old Town, Pile or Lapad
- Staying inside the Old Town: get off at the first stop (Ploče gate) and walk in. The Old Town is car-free, so no bus, taxi or transfer reaches your door.
- Staying in Lapad or Babin Kuk: stay on the shuttle to the last stop, the main bus station in Gruž. City bus 7 starts right there (stop Kantafig) and runs along the harbour and through Lapad to Babin Kuk.
- Bus 7 runs on working days and Saturdays only. On Sundays and holidays, or late at night, a short Bolt, Uber or taxi from Gruž is the simple fix.
- Staying near Pile: city bus 6 links Pile with Lapad and Babin Kuk every day, from early morning until after midnight.
- Buy a city bus ticket before you board if you can: it is cheaper than paying the driver.
City bus 7: Kantafig (bus station) to Babin Kuk
- Route:
- Kantafig (main bus station) - Gruž harbour - Lapad - Babin Kuk
- Days:
- Working days and Saturdays; not on Sundays and holidays
- From Kantafig:
- Roughly hourly, 06:30 to 19:40 on working days, fewer on Saturdays (timetable valid from 07.09.2026)
City bus 6: Pile to Babin Kuk through Lapad
- Days:
- Every day
- From Pile:
- First 05:30, last 01:15, about every 15 minutes in the daytime
City bus fares (Libertas)
- Ticket in bus (one ride):
- 2.50 EUR
- 1 hour ticket:
- 1,73 EUR
- Daily ticket (24 h from first validation):
- 5,31 EUR
- Three-day ticket (72 h):
- 11,95 EUR
Pre-bought tickets are sold at newspaper kiosks and Libertas stalls at major stops; paying the driver costs more.
Taxi, Uber and Bolt
Faster than the bus and door to door outside the Old Town, but the price depends on the day.
Airport taxi rank
- Where:
- In front of terminal building B (arrivals)
- Receipt:
- Drivers are obliged by law to issue a receipt
- Reported price to the Old Town:
- 35-55 EUR, not fixed (guide updated 2 Sep 2026)
The airport does not publish a fixed fare table online. Agree the price for your exact address before you get in, and ask for the receipt.
Uber and Bolt
- Pickup:
- The app shows the pickup point; there are pickup signs at the terminal
- Reported fare, Uber:
- around €25 to €30 (2026 guide)
- Reported fare, Bolt:
- 22 Euro (one traveller, 2025 forum reply)
Both apps show the price before you confirm. Cars cannot enter the Old Town, so you walk the last stretch from the nearest drop-off.
What reviewers say: Travellers on the Tripadvisor Dubrovnik forum in 2025 said both apps work at the airport, that you simply request again if a driver cancels, and that the apps came out cheaper than walk-up taxis. A 2026 guide adds that cars get scarce on very early or late flights outside June to October.
Pre-booked transfer or a rental car
Baggage & Smile (transfer and porter)
- Base:
- Ul. Frana Supila 6, just outside the Ploče gate
- Services:
- Airport transfers, porter service to Old Town accommodation, luggage storage
- Price:
- On request
Useful if you land with heavy bags and are staying inside the Old Town, where the last part is stairs. Ask for a quote before you fly.
What reviewers say: Tripadvisor 5.0 (305 reviews) on 29 Sep 2026. September 2026 reviewers mention an on-time 05:30 airport pickup, quick replies to messages, and porters carrying bags up and down the Old Town steps.
Car rental at the airport
- Where:
- Numerous car rental offices at the airport
A car is handy for Konavle and Pelješac, less so for the Old Town, where parking is the hard part. Read our parking guide before you pick a rental.
Is there a regular public bus from the airport?
Yes, but it is not built for flights. Libertas suburban lines 11 (to Molunat) and 27 (to Vitaljina) pass the airport on the Čilipi road.
Libertas lines 11 and 27
- Line 11 from Dubrovnik:
- 10:00, 14:20, 20:10
- Line 27 from Dubrovnik:
- 10:15, 14:15, 20:15
- Days:
- Not running on Sundays and holidays (timetable valid from 15.05.2026)
Only a few runs a day and no link to flight times, so it only makes sense on a tight budget with light bags. The official price list does not show the fare for the airport stop; ask the driver.
The way back: shuttle from town to the airport
- The shuttle starts at the Gruž main bus station, stops at Grawe about 5 minutes later and at the Cable Car stop (above the Old Town) about 10 minutes later.
- The ride takes about 35 minutes from the bus station, 30 from Grawe and 25 from the Cable Car stop; allow more in summer traffic.
- In September 2026 it leaves Gruž every day at 03:30, 04:30, 05:30, then every half hour from 06:00 to 19:30, then 20:30 and 21:30.
- From 25 October 2026 there are far fewer departures and they change day by day (26 October has six), so check the timetable for your date.
- Tickets are not sold on board: buy online or at the Platanus office at the bus station or the Cable Car stop, and be at the stop about 10 minutes early.
Good to know
It is Ploče, not Pile
Many guides still send you to Pile. The shuttle's Old Town stop is on the Ploče side by the cable car stop; Pile is a walk through or around the Old Town from there.
In peak season, the first bus may be full
2026 reviewers describe packed buses and people left for the next one. Your ticket is valid for any departure that day, so if one fills up, wait for the next rather than paying for a taxi in a hurry.
Check your card before paying twice
A few 2026 reviewers were charged twice after the online checkout errored. If the site fails, check your banking app before retrying, or buy at the Terminal B counter.
Very early or very late flight
Outside June to October, app cars get scarce around dawn and late at night. Pre-book a transfer or check the shuttle timetable for your exact date.
Questions people ask
How much is the bus from Dubrovnik airport to the Old Town?
The Platanus shuttle costs 10 EUR one way and 15 EUR return; children under 6 ride free. One suitcase is included.
Does the Dubrovnik airport bus stop at Pile Gate?
No. It stops at the Old Town on the Ploče gate side, by the cable car stop, and then ends at the Gruž bus station.
How do I get from Dubrovnik airport to Lapad?
Take the shuttle to the last stop (Gruž bus station), then city bus 7 from the Kantafig stop there to Lapad; it does not run on Sundays and holidays. Otherwise a Bolt, Uber or taxi goes door to door.
How much is a taxi from Dubrovnik airport to the Old Town?
There is no published fixed fare. 2026 guides report about 35 to 55 EUR. Agree the price first; drivers must give you a receipt.
Is there Uber or Bolt at Dubrovnik airport?
Yes, both pick up at the airport; the app shows the pickup point and the price before you confirm.
When does the shuttle leave Dubrovnik for the airport?
In September 2026 it leaves the Gruž bus station from 03:30 to 21:30, every half hour for most of the day, calling at Grawe and the Cable Car stop. From 25 October 2026 departures are fewer and vary by day.
On Du As Locals
The neighbourhoods in this guide
More practical guides
Sources
Prices, timetables and opening hours change every season. Each fact above links to where it comes from and says when we read it; official pages always win over this guide. Traveller reviews are summed up in our own words.
- Baggage & Smile: own site (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Bolt: Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Dubrovnik Airport: services (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Dubrovnik Airport: taxi and rent-a-car (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Libertas: city lines map (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Libertas: city timetable (valid from 07.09.2026) (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Libertas: price list (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Libertas: suburban timetable east (valid from 15.05.2026) (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Platanus: Dubrovnik airport shuttle (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Platanus: Dubrovnik to airport shuttle (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Uber: DBV pickup (official, checked 29 September 2026)
- Absolute Croatia: airport shuttle (updated 26 Sep 2026) (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- Croatia Guidebook: airport to city (updated 2 Sep 2026) (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- Croatia Unscripted: how to get from Dubrovnik Airport (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- Kompas: Dubrovnik bus guide (third party, checked 29 September 2026)
- Tripadvisor forum: Bolt/Uber from the airport to the cable car (traveller reviews, checked 29 September 2026)
- Tripadvisor: Baggage & Smile reviews (traveller reviews, checked 29 September 2026)
- Tripadvisor: Platanus reviews (traveller reviews, checked 29 September 2026)
What we left out, and why
- An official fixed taxi tariff: the airport site lists only the rank and the receipt rule, so taxi prices are given as reported ranges.
- The exact location and fare of the Libertas line 11 / 27 stop at the airport: not on the official timetable or price list.
- Return-ticket validity rules for the shuttle: a guide says open return, the operator page does not say; readers should check when buying.
- Welcome Pickups and other pre-booked transfer prices: no page readable today (403), so no operator price is quoted.
- Taxi and Uber prices from older Tripadvisor threads (quoted in kuna, 2016 to 2022).
- A 14 EUR return fare quoted by one blog: the operator says 15 EUR.
- Reddit threads: reddit.com blocked automated reading today, so no Reddit experience is cited.