What to expect when visiting 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.
4 ways to get from Brac to Hvar
There are 4 ways to travel the distance of 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Brac to Hvar by ferry (50 minutes), ferry via Jelsa (1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes), ferry via Milna (1 hour 55 minutes to 2 hours 25 minutes) and Day Trip (9 hours). The journey duration ranges between 50 minutes - 9 hours and the quickest way is by ferry. The lowest priced tickets start from €12.50 ($13.70) for the ferry via Jelsa.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 €25 ($27).
Departure and arrival station
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
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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 explain how to get from Bol to Milna via Supetar below.
Those already in Milna can just go 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 from 07:40 to 19:25. But if you want to take the ferry from Milna to Hvar within the same day, you must take the first bus trip that departs at 07:40.
A ticket costs €28 ($31) for the 1-hour bus ride from Bol to Supetar.
Buses depart from Bol Bus Station, just beside the marina.
Step 2: Supetar to Milna by Taxi or Bus
From Supetar, you’ll have to travel 20 km southwest to Milna. Buses to Milna depart five times throughout the day.
If you take the earliest bus from Bol to Supetar, you can catch a connecting bus to Milna departing at 10:10 or 12:25. The ride takes 30m, and a bus ticket costs €5.70 ($6.20).
Alternatively, a taxi can take you from Supetar to Milna in about the same time. Rates start from €32 ($35).
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.
Rates start from €67 ($73) for this 1-hour journey.
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. The earliest ferry leaves at 08:30, and the latest departs at 15:50.
The ferry ride takes 30m - 40m. Ferry ticket prices start from €15 ($16.40).
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.
The only option to travel from Brac to Hvar in the low season is a ferry from Brac to Jelsa, a small harbour town on Hvar Island, 25 km northeast of Hvar Town.
Step 1: Brac to Jelsa by Ferry
Like the other route, ferries depart from the tourist centre in Bol.
Jadrolinija sails from Bol (Brac) to Jelsa in central Hvar once a day, every afternoon, all year round.
Ferry departure times can vary throughout the year — they could be at 17:10, 17:40, or 17:50. Check the latest schedule on the Jadrolinija website beforehand so you don’t miss the ferry.
A ticket costs €7 ($7.70) for the 20-minute catamaran ride from Bol to Jelsa.
Want to get to Hvar earlier? We recommend booking with KSC Naranca, which operates between May and October. Their fares are only slightly higher, and their ferries depart at 12:45 and 13:00 — much earlier than Jadrolinija’s afternoon boat. This way, you can maximise your time in Hvar.
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 06:40 to 21:45 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 €5.50 ($6). 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.
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 ($60).
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 ($150).
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
Frequently Asked Questions about Brac to Hvar
What is the distance from Brac to Hvar?
The distance from Brac to Hvar is 20 kilometers (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 ($13.70).
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!
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.
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.
