How to get from Dubrovnik to Mljet
Why visit Mljet?
Mljet is the southernmost of Croatia’s islands in the Adriatic. A third of the island is a National Park — a panoramic display of natural beauty. Best explored on a bicycle, Mljet is perfect for those looking for a slow and serene holiday.
Among the island’s highlights are the Small and Big Lakes, St. Mary’s Island and its Benedictine monastery, as well as Odysseus’ Cave (named after the Greek hero who legends say took shelter here after a shipwreck!). It’s easy enough to explore all these in a day, but we recommend that you stay overnight at least to fully appreciate the magic of Mljet.
What are the 4 ways to travel from Dubrovnik to Mljet?
There are 4 ways to travel the 80 kilometre (50 miles) distance from Dubrovnik to Mljet. You can choose between the private transport, ferry, car ferry via Prapratno and day trip. The journey takes 1 hour to 10 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by ferry. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by ferry with tickets starting at €8.70 ($10.10).
Dubrovnik to Mljet by Ferry
The cheapest and most direct way to travel from Dubrovnik to Mljet is by ferry. Krilo (Kapetan Luka) and TP Line operate on this route during the tourist season.
Prices start from €8.70 ($10.10). The travel time ranges from 1 hour to 1 hour 40 minutes, depending on the port where you will arrive at.
Departure and arrival stations
Both ferries depart from Port Gruz in Dubrovnik. This port is around 4 km away from the Old Town.
Meanwhile, there are two major ferry ports in Mljet:
- Pomena Port is already part of the National Park, and it is the best choice for tourists.
- Sobra Port is an alternative option if your hotel is located in central Mljet or if you’re visiting somewhere around the area.
Option 1: Ferry from Dubrovnik to Pomena, Mljet
Option 2: Ferry from Dubrovnik to Sobra, Mljet
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Dubrovnik to Mljet by Car Ferry via Prapratno
If you’re travelling by car from Dubrovnik to Mljet, then you won’t be able to take the direct ferry.
Car ferries can only enter Mljet via Prapratno, a village located about 60 km northwest of Dubrovnik.
Foot passengers can also take this route, but it’s less convenient than the direct ferry since Prapratno is a 1-hour drive from Dubrovnik.
Step 1: Dubrovnik to Prapratno by Car or Bus
Depending on the traffic, the drive from Dubrovnik to Prapratno Ferry Port takes about 1 hour. Expect a scenic journey via the D8 highway.
Don’t have a car but want to go with this option? You can rent one for €10 ($11.60) a day, if you’re returning the car to Dubrovnik. Check Skyscanner for the best deals.
Travelling as a foot passenger?
If you’re planning to take this route as a foot passenger, you can hop on a bus from Dubrovnik — but there are no direct buses to Prapratno. Buses are available only up to Ston, which is still 4 km away from Prapratno. Bus fares from Dubrovnik to Ston start at €6 ($7).
There are bus departures daily, but schedules can vary. It’s best to visit BookAway or GetByBus for the latest schedule before you go.
Once you arrive in Ston, you can take a 10-minute taxi to Prapratno Ferry Terminal for around €9 ($10.40).
Step 2: Prapratno to Sobra by Car Ferry
Jadrolinija sails from Prapratno to Sobra several times a day, all year round. The journey takes only 45m.
A ticket costs €6.10 ($7.10) per person, while rates per car start from €25.50 ($29.50).
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.
Check our guide for Croatia ferry companies for more details.
Step 3: Sobra to Pomena by Car
Sobra is a port village in central Mljet. If your destination is the main tourist area at Pomena, then you’ll have to drive around 30 km to the island’s west coast. The journey takes around 35 minutes.
If you don’t have a car, you can simply take a bus. Bus 18 should take you straight from Sobra Port to Pomena in 55 minutes for about €4 ($4.60).
Dubrovnik to Mljet by Day Trip
Many tourists prefer to visit Mljet for just a day. If you’re one of those, then you have the option to join a worry-free day trip from Dubrovnik to Mljet.
GetYourGuide offers a tour of the island that lasts for 10 hours 30 minutes. This includes transfers to and from Mljet. This tour features a hike to the National Park, a visit to Elaphiti Islands and the Blue Cave, snorkelling in crystal-clear waters, cliff jumping, as well as some free time to explore further on foot.
This day trip kicks off at 07:30 and you can expect to be back at Dubrovnik in time for dinner. Day trip rates start from €120 ($140) per person.
Dubrovnik to Mljet by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Dubrovnik to Mljet.
Rates start from €525 ($610) for a 6-seater private speedboat ferry. Divide the cost and that’s about €87 ($100) per person. Travel time is around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Private Transport options from Dubrovnik to Mljet
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Dubrovnik to Mljet. 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 Dubrovnik to Mljet
What is the distance from Dubrovnik to Mljet?
The distance from Dubrovnik to Mljet is 80 kilometre (50 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Dubrovnik to Mljet?
The fastest way to get from Dubrovnik to Mljet is by ferry and takes 1 hour.
What is the cheapest way to get from Dubrovnik to Mljet?
The cheapest way to get from Dubrovnik to Mljet is by ferry with ticket costs starting from €8.70 ($10.10).
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.
Faye is a writer and full-time mom. She loves planning trips to the beach, tasting new cuisines and discovering gems in the Philippines. But if she had to choose, London is her favourite place in the world and she can't wait to travel there again with her hubby and baby!
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.
