How to get from Brac to Hvar
Why visit Hvar?
Hvar is a Croatian paradise for the rich and famous. Culture, traditions, Venetian architecture, and Greek agriculture blend so beautifully here that it’s hard to choose our favourite part. In fact, Hvar Island is home to the highest number of UNESCO sites in the world!
From the picturesque lavender fields to the ancient fortresses, there is so much to explore here—and that’s only during the day. Hvar travel guides say it’s the Ibiza of Croatia. At night, the island transforms into an electric party destination, attracting top-tier celebrities like Beyonce and Tom Cruise.
What are the 4 ways to travel from Brac to Hvar?
There are 4 ways to travel the 20 kilometre (12 miles) distance from Brac to Hvar. You can choose between the ferry, ferry via Jelsa, ferry via Milna and day trip. The journey takes 50 minutes - 9 hours and the quickest way is by ferry. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by ferry via Jelsa with tickets starting at €12.50 ($14.40).
Where to stay in Hvar?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Hvar at the bottom of this page.
Brac to Hvar by Ferry
Bol is Brac’s tourist centre, where you will find most of the accommodations on the island. When travelling by ferry from Bol to Hvar, you can travel with Jadrolinija.
Note that it is available only from June to September. If you’re travelling from Bol (Brac) to Hvar outside these months, you’ll have to take a different route.
The direct ferry from Bol, Brac to Hvar Town takes around 50 minutes. Ferry ticket prices start from €27 ($31).
Departure and arrival stations
Ferries depart from Bol Port, on the south coast of Brac Island, within walking distance of many hotels in Bol.
You will arrive at the Port of Hvar, just beside Hvar Town.
Ferry Schedule from Bol, Brac to Hvar
IMPORTANT NOTE: Jadrolinija is a popular ferry company and often gets fully booked. Buying a ticket online does not guarantee a trip at your preferred time. Jadrolinija operates on a first-come, first-served basis. So even with an online ticket, if the ferry you booked is already full, you may need to queue for hours at the port for a seat.
Brac to Hvar by Ferry via Milna
If you’re already on the western side of Brac Island, then you can take the ferry from Milna instead of from Bol. Milna is a lovely Dalmatian fishing village also worth exploring once you’ve had your fill of Bol.
Note that the catamarans operating from Milna (Brac) to Hvar run only during the high season from June to September.
If you’re staying in Bol but can’t take the ferry from there, we first explain how to get from Bol to Milna via Supetar in the first two sections below.
Already in Milna? You can jump straight to Step 3.
Step 1: Bol to Supetar by Bus
There are no direct buses from Bol to Milna. You’ll first have to take a bus to Supetar, a town 35 km north of Bol. Supetar is Brac’s largest and most urban town, and it is also worth a visit if you have extra time.
Arriva is the only company operating buses from Bol to Supetar. These buses depart eight times a day. But if you want to catch the ferry from Milna to Hvar on the same day, you’ll need to take the first or second bus from Bol, which leaves at 07:40 or 10:45.
A ticket costs €26 ($30) for the 1-hour bus ride from Bol to Supetar.
Buses depart from Bol Bus Station, just beside the marina.
- 24/7 customer support
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- 24/7 customer support
Step 2: Supetar to Milna by Taxi or Bus
From Supetar, you’ll have to travel 20 km southwest to reach Milna. Buses to Milna depart five times throughout the day.
If you were able to take one of the first two bus trips from Bol to Supetar, you’ll arrive in time to catch a connecting bus to Milna at 10:10 or 12:25. The ride takes 30m, and a bus ticket costs €4.60 ($5.30).
Alternatively, a taxi can take you from Supetar to Milna at about the same time. Rates start from €35 ($40).
If you plan to stay overnight in Supetar, the earliest bus to Milna departs at 6:10 the following day.
Buses depart from Supetar Bus Station. They park at Milna Bus Station, 900m east of Milna Pier.
Alternative option: Direct Taxi from Bol to Milna
Are you travelling in a group? If yes, and you don’t have extra time to explore Supetar or Milna, you can also take a direct taxi from Bol to Milna. It’s a bit expensive, but it saves you the hassle of making a transfer in Supetar. It also cuts your journey to just 1 hour.
Rates start from €85 ($98).
Step 3: Milna, Brac to Hvar by Ferry
The ferries from Milna to Brac are available only during the tourist season (June to September).
TP Line offers two daily departures while Kapetan Luka has one. If you follow the suggested timetable in the steps above, you’ll arrive in Milna in time for the last ferry of the day.
The ferry ride takes 30-45m. Ferry ticket prices start from €14.80 ($17).
Ferries depart from Milna Pier and arrive at the Port of Hvar.
Ferry trips from Milna, Brac to Hvar are limited, so we highly recommend booking online beforehand to secure a seat. Note that booking may not be available until a few weeks before your desired travel date.
Brac to Hvar by Ferry via Jelsa
If you’re travelling between October and March, the ferry from Bol to Hvar Town and the ferry via Milna will not be available.
During this low season, your only option to travel from Brac to Hvar is a ferry from Brac to Jelsa — a small harbour town on Hvar Island, about 25 km northeast of Hvar Town.
Step 1: Brac to Jelsa by Ferry
Ferries depart from the tourist centre in Bol.
Jadrolinija operates a daily catamaran from Bol (Brac) to Jelsa on central Hvar. It sails once a day, every afternoon, all year round.
The ferry usually departs at either 17:40 or 17:50, depending on the day. Check the latest schedule on the Jadrolinija website beforehand so you don’t miss the ferry.
A ticket costs €7 ($8) for the 20-minute catamaran ride from Bol to Jelsa.
Travelling between May and October? You’ll have more options, and we recommend booking with KSC Naranca. Their ferries leave much earlier in the day than Jadrolinija’s afternoon boat. Prices are just slightly higher, and you’ll get more time to explore Hvar.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Online booking for Jadrolinija isn’t always available. You can check the Jadrolinija website or Direct Ferries to see if tickets can be booked in advance. But be aware — Jadrolinija runs on a first-come, first-served basis. Even with an online ticket, if the ferry’s full, you might still have to queue for hours at the port.
Step 2: Jelsa to Hvar Town by Bus
Ferries dock at Jelsa Port, where you can take a bus the rest of the way to Hvar Town. You can find the bus stop some 350m east (around 5 minutes) from the pier.
Buses from Jelsa to Hvar depart roughly every hour from 06:30 to 22:45 during summer. There are fewer bus departures in the winter months, only three times a day — usually, there’s one in the morning, one close to noon, and another one in the afternoon.
The advertised travel time is 25 minutes, but it really takes 45 minutes when you include all the bus stops along the way.
A ticket costs around €5.50 ($6.30). You will be dropped off at Hvar Bus Station.
Online booking is not available for this route. You can buy your tickets at the bus station in Jelsa or pay the driver when you hop on.
If you don’t want to wait a few hours for the next bus trip after arriving in Jelsa, you can take a taxi to Hvar Town. This option is more expensive though, with fares starting from €55 ($63).
Brac to Hvar by Day Trip
Thinking of spending just one day in Hvar? You can also join a day trip from Brac to Hvar and see Hvar’s most beautiful treasures in just one day.
This group tour includes visiting the popular Blue Cave on Biševo, Stiniva Cove on Vis, Budikovac Island, and, of course, Hvar.
The whole trip will be organised for you so you won’t need to worry about transportation. The tour begins from either Milna or Supetar.
GetYourGuide offers day tours that last for 9 hours. Rates start from €140 ($160).
Best places to stay in Hvar
Important: Tourism in Croatia is very seasonal. Much of the available accommodation in Croatia is fully booked in the summer, but many sites are closed in the winter months. With July and August being the peak season, rates can rise 3 times as high as compared the low season or shoulder months. We recommend booking your accommodation at least 1 month in advance to lock in better rates.
Apartments and Rooms Kampanel - Budget Friendly
Choose to stay here and you’ll be just 45 meters from the main square. You can’t really get much closer! Guesthouse Kampanel is set within a traditional Dalmatian stone house that was fully renovated only a few years ago.
The pops of colour, in amongst the predominately white rooms, give them a fresh and clean feel. Opt for a studio apartment and you’ll get your own kitchenette with a coffee machine and microwave.
- In the centre, next to the main square
- Close to the ferry port
- Clean and modern rooms
- Kitchenette rooms available
Kampanel 10 - Mid Range
Kampanel 10 looks and feels like a luxury boutique hotel, without the luxury price tag. Every detail of the room has been thought about, but it’s the velvet statement pieces that really complete the room.
Here you’re only a stroll away from Hvar main square which is brimming with bars and restaurants, and also the port. That’s if you can steal yourself away from the huge and comfy beds.
- Great location
- Close to the ferry
- Stunning boutique hotel vibe
- Friendly hosts
Rooms and Apartments Villa Town Gate - Mid Range
The location of these apartments makes them the perfect place to stay if you’re a foodie. Situated next to the main gate of Hvar’s Old Town, you’ll find here some of the best food spots in Hvar.
Set inside a traditional stone home, every room is spacious and clean. It won’t be easy to get out of the comfy beds each morning.
- Perfect location
- Family-run
- Large, comfy beds
- Helpful hosts
History Hvar Design Heritage Suites - Treating Yourself
This place is just wow! You won’t be able to stop yourself from saying that when you step into this modern and charming suite. Every suite is large and offers a fully functional kitchen, if you fancy cooking during your stay.
You probably won’t want to cook though, as it’s moments away from bars and restaurants, plus Croatia’s most famous breakfast spot. Your hosts will be the cherry on top, offering a top-notch service and advice.
- Modern and charming suites
- Kitchen in every room
- Great location
- The best hosts
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Brac to Hvar. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Brac to Hvar
What is the distance from Brac to Hvar?
The distance from Brac to Hvar is 20 kilometre (12 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Brac to Hvar?
The fastest way to get from Brac to Hvar is by ferry and takes 50 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Brac to Hvar?
The cheapest way to get from Brac to Hvar is by ferry via Jelsa with ticket costs starting from €12.50 ($14.40).
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Selene is a writer who loves coffee, travel, and planning. After spending a decade in Manila, she left the city and her career in banking to embrace a more laid-back lifestyle. Now, she is discovering the beauty of slow-paced travel and finding joy in meaningful experiences.
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
