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How to Get to Brac Island

How to Get to Brac Island

Brac Island Croatia Travel Guide

Air Travel

Airports Serving Brac

Split Airport (SPU) serves as the main gateway to The central area Dalmatia, including Brac. This airport is conveniently near the historic town of Trogir. Brac also has a small local airport (BWK) near Bol, mainly for charter and depending on the time of year direct flights from a number of European cities.

Flight Information

  • Major carriers: Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Austrian Airlines, SAS.
  • Low-cost carriers: Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, Vueling, Norwegian, Eurowings.
  • Typical routes involve direct flights from major European cities.

Seasonal Flights & Airport Services

Seasonal flight availability and price fluctuations significantly influence travel costs. High season (July-August) sees the most frequent flights and highest prices; booking several months in advance is smart. Shoulder season has good frequency and competitive prices. Low season (November-April) means reduced schedules and lower prices.

Split Airport Facilities

  • Restaurants and cafes, duty-free shops, car rental agencies.
  • Atms & currency exchange services.
  • VIP lounge and free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal.

Flight Deals

Compare flight prices using Skyscanner for the best deals. Dollar Flight Club can alert you to low fares.

Delayed Flights

For flight delays or cancellations, AirHelp assists passengers with compensation up to €600.

Airport Transfers

Transfers from Split Airport to Brac are straightforward via bus, taxi, or private transfer to the ferry port, then ferry or catamaran.

Transfer Options from Split Airport to Brac

To Split Ferry Port

  • Shuttle services (Pleso Prijevoz) or local bus line 37 run from the airport to Split city center.
  • Taxis and Uber are available outside the terminal; cost about €30-€40.
  • Pre-book a private transfer for a direct ride to the ferry port.
  • The ferry port stands a short walk from the main bus terminal.

From Split Ferry Port to Brac

  • To Supetar (Brac): Car ferries (Jadrolinija) run frequently year-round (50 min journey).
  • Booking car ferry tickets in advance during high season is smart.
  • To Bol (Brac): Passenger-only catamarans (Jadrolinija or Krilo) are faster (1 hr journey).
  • Direct water taxi/speedboat from a marina near Split Airport is the fastest option, with a higher cost.

Land Transportation

Borders & Trains

Croatia shares land borders with Slovenia, Hungary (Schengen, no checks), Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro (non-Schengen, checks remain). No train connections reach to Brac Island; Split is the most proximate train station.

Mainland Bus Network

Mainland Croatia boasts an extensive long-distance bus network. Buses connect to Split from various cities (Zagreb, Dubrovnik), then transfer to a ferry for Brac. Major bus companies include Autotrans, Flixbus, and Arriva.

Driving in Croatia

Driving occurs on the right. Speed limits are 50 km/h (urban), 90 km/h (outside urban), A speed of 130 km/h (motorways). Headlights are on during daytime in winter. Blood alcohol limit is 0.05% (0.0% for professional/under 24).

Sea/River Arrivals

Ferry & Catamaran Services

Ocean travel serves as the main way to reach Brac Island. Jadrolinija is the main ferry operator. Their car ferry route from Split to Supetar (Brac) operates frequently year-round (approx. 50 minutes). This route is for vehicle access to Brac.

Additional Sea Routes

  • Another car ferry connects Makarska to Sumartin (Brac) in about 1 hour.
  • Passenger-only catamarans (Krilo Shipping, Catamaran Line) offer seasonal, faster service from Split directly to Bol (approx. 1 hour).
  • Other seasonal catamaran routes connect Brac with Hvar, Korcula, and Dubrovnik, good for island hopping.

Port Connections & Checks

Bol also has a small cruise port for smaller cruise ships or yachts. River transit choices are not applicable for Brac Island, as it is a sea island featuringout significant navigable rivers.

Arrival Procedures

  • For domestic ferry arrivals from the main landmass Croatia, no checks are in order.
  • Upon arrival at Brac's ferry ports, land transportation is readily available (taxi stands, bus stops).
  • Supetar serves as the main hub for island-wide bus connections.

Driving Considerations on Brac

Road conditions on Brac are generally good on main routes. Some smaller village roads or routes to hidden coves might be gravel or unpaved, requiring slower driving.

Road Safety Tips

  • Drive carefully, especially on curves and when encountering local traffic.
  • Parking can present challenges and prices in popular towns like Bol and Supetar during high season.
  • Search for designated, often paid, parking lots to avoid fines.

Booking & Documents

Booking bus tickets in advance for mainland intercity travel, especially for popular routes or during peak season, is a good idea. For self-driving, required documents include a valid driving license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.

Important Documents

  • International Driving Permit (IDP) if your domestic license is not in English or lacks a photo.
  • Proof of insurance, often presented as a Green Card.
  • Confirm IDP requirement with your Rental car company.

Driving Reminders

  • Be aware of the blood alcohol limit (0.05% generally, 0.0% for professionals/under 24).
  • Roads on Brac can be narrow and winding, specifically in older villages and mountainous areas.
  • Drive with caution.
  • Headlights must remain on during daytime in winter (last Sunday in October to last Sunday in March).
  • Vehicle spaces on ferries can sell out fast during high season.
  • Booking car ferry tickets online for car ferry is a clever choice.

Departure Information

Airport Departure

Croatia levies no specific exit fees or taxes for tourists departing the country. For flights from Split Airport (SPU), plan to arrive at least 2-3 hours before international flights. For domestic or Schengen flights, 1.5-2 hours is usually sufficient.

Airport Amenities

  • Allow extra time during high season due to increased passenger volume.
  • Split Airport offers various facilities: shops, restaurants, cafes, duty-free stores.
  • Confirm you have all your documents, especially passport and boarding passes.

Ferry Departure

If you are taking a car ferry from Supetar back to Split, arrive at the port at least 30-60 minutes before departure in high season, as vehicle spaces can fill quickly. Booking car ferry tickets online is a smart choice to secure your spot.

Port Facilities

  • For passenger catamarans, arrive at least 20-30 minutes before departure.
  • Ferry terminals in Supetar and Split offer waiting areas, small kiosks, and cafes.
  • A relaxed approach to departure, with ample time allowances, will ease stress.

No Exit Fees

Croatia does not levy specific exit fees or taxes for tourists departing the country.

Timely Arrival

Arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before international flights, 1.5-2 hours for domestic/Schengen. For ferries, 30-60 minutes for car, 20-30 for passenger.

Stress-Free Departure

Allow ample time for departure processes to reduce stress and allow for thinking about your Brac experience.

Departures

Split Airport SPU Information

Split Airport (SPU) is the main air hub for Brac. It stands conveniently near Trogir not on the islands. It hosts various facilities: dining, shopping, car rental, ATMs, and currency exchange.

Transfer to Brac Ferries

  • Shuttle buses or local bus line 37 to Split city center and ferry port.
  • Taxis and Uber are outside the terminal.
  • Private transfers offer direct service.

Ferry Connections from Brac

Jadrolinija is the main ferry operator connecting Brac to the mainland. The main route for vehicles is Supetar (Brac) to Split. Passenger-only catamarans also run directly from Bol (Brac) to Split.

Departing from Brac Ports

  • Car ferry from Supetar to Split operates frequently.
  • Book car ferry tickets online in advance, especially in high season.
  • Passenger catamarans from Bol to Split are more rapid.

General Travel Information

Border Crossings

Croatia is a schengen country, so border checks with Slovenia and Hungary are lifted. Checks remain with non-Schengen neighbors like Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Driving Rules

Drive on the right. Observe speed limits. Headlights are on during the day in winter. A strict blood alcohol limit applies. Roads on Brac can be narrow and winding.

Public Transport Links

Mainland Croatia uses an extensive bus network for inter-urban travel. Buses connect to Split from major Croatian cities, with transfers to Brac ferries.

Seamless Travel

Planning your air, land, and sea connections in advance leads to a more satisfying and efficient journey to and from Brac Island.