Self-Launched Dalmatian Coast Island Hop: Dubrovnik to Trogir
8 days · Croatia
Katarina Line charges £2,445
No-markup version: ~£645 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Trade the deluxe cruise ship for the same stunning Dalmatian itinerary at a fraction of the price. This self-launched route takes you from Dubrovnik through Slano, Mljet, Korčula, Vis and Hvar before finishing in Trogir — hitting every highlight of the original Katarina Line cruise using local ferries, budget guesthouses, and self-bookable experiences. You'll swim in the same coves, walk the same ancient walls, and visit the same Blue Cave, but with the freedom to move at your own pace and the savings to spend on extra wine tastings.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Dubrovnik — Old Town & Cable Car
Dubrovnik
Arrive in Dubrovnik and check into a hostel or guesthouse in the Pile or Lapad neighbourhood — both within easy reach of the Old Town. Spend the afternoon exploring the UNESCO-listed Old Town on your own, then take the cable car up to Srđ Mountain for panoramic views over the city and islands. Pick up your ferry schedule for the week and grab dinner on the Stradun.
🚌Fly into Dubrovnik Airport; airport bus to Pile Gate (~£5). Local bus within city ~£1.50.
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Pile/Lapad — e.g. Fresh Sheets Hostel or Villa Pattiera (~£25-40/night)
- →Self-guided walk around Dubrovnik Old Town (free, or ~£28 for city walls entry)
- →Cable car to Srđ Mountain — book direct at the lower station (~£12 return)
- →Evening stroll along Stradun and dinner at a konoba (local tavern)
Day Trip to Ston & Elaphiti Islands
Dubrovnik / Slano / Ston
Take a public bus or shared minivan to Ston (~1.5 hours, ~£8 each way) to walk the medieval ramparts and visit the famous oyster farms along the Mali Ston bay. In the late afternoon, catch a short ferry from Dubrovnik's Gruž harbour to one of the Elaphiti Islands (Šipan or Lopud) for a swim before returning to Dubrovnik for the night.
🚌Public bus Dubrovnik–Ston; Jadrolinija local ferry to Elaphiti Islands
🛏Same Dubrovnik guesthouse/hostel (~£25-40/night)
- →Bus from Dubrovnik to Ston (~£8 each way, bus from Gruž bus station)
- →Walk Ston's medieval walls and saltworks — entrance ~£8
- →Oyster tasting at a Mali Ston oyster farm (~£10)
- →Ferry from Gruž to Lopud or Šipan for a swim (~£5 return, Jadrolinija ferry)
Ferry to Mljet — National Park & Monastery
Mljet
Catch the morning Nona Ana catamaran from Dubrovnik's Gruž harbour to Polače, Mljet (around 1.5 hours, ~£15). Spend the day exploring Mljet National Park — walk to the famous salt lakes and take the short boat ride to St Mary Isle and its 12th-century Benedictine monastery. Rent a bicycle to explore more of the island if time allows. Stay overnight in a private room or apartment in Polače or Pomena.
🚌Nona Ana catamaran from Gruž harbour, Dubrovnik
🛏Guesthouse or private apartment in Polače or Pomena (~£30-45/night) — book via Booking.com or direct
- →Catamaran Dubrovnik to Mljet (Nona Ana / Jadrolinija, ~£15 one way)
- →Mljet National Park entrance fee (~£15, includes boat to St Mary Isle)
- →Visit 12th-century Benedictine monastery on St Mary Isle
- →Optional: rent bicycle at the park (~£8/half day)
Ferry to Korčula — Old Town Walk & Dalmatian Lunch
Korčula
Take the local ferry or catamaran from Mljet to Korčula Town (Jadrolinija, ~£10). Check into accommodation in or near the Old Town. Wander the medieval grid-pattern streets of Korčula Old Town, said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo — entry to the town is free. Find a waterfront konoba for a leisurely Dalmatian lunch of fresh seafood and local pošip white wine. In the evening, watch for the traditional Moreška sword dance if dates align.
🚌Jadrolinija ferry or G&V Line catamaran from Mljet (Sobra) to Korčula
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in/near Korčula Old Town (~£28-45/night)
- →Ferry Mljet to Korčula (~£10, Jadrolinija or G&V Line catamaran)
- →Self-guided walk of Korčula Old Town (free)
- →Visit Marco Polo House museum (~£5)
- →Lunch at a waterfront konoba — grilled fish, pošip wine (~£18)
- →Optional: Moreška sword dance performance (check local listings, ~£12)
Ferry to Vis — Roman Ruins & Local Wine
Vis
Take the regular Jadrolinija ferry from Korčula to Vis (via Split or direct catamaran, ~£12-18). Vis is one of Croatia's most authentic and least touristy islands. Explore the remains of ancient Issa (one of the oldest Greek settlements on the Adriatic), visit the small City Museum, and spend the afternoon at one of the local wine bars sampling Vugava or Plavac Mali — the island's unique local varietals. Stroll the quiet Vis Town promenade in the evening.
🚌Jadrolinija ferry or Krilo catamaran from Korčula to Vis
🛏Guesthouse or private apartment in Vis Town (~£30-45/night)
- →Ferry or catamaran to Vis (~£12-18, Jadrolinija/Krilo)
- →Visit ruins of ancient Issa (Greek/Roman settlement, free)
- →Vis City Museum entrance (~£4)
- →Wine tasting at a local Vis winery — Vugava or Plavac Mali (~£12)
Blue Cave & Ferry to Hvar — Cathedral & Fort
Hvar (via Biševo Blue Cave)
This is a highlight day. Book a Blue Cave and Pakleni Islands boat tour from Vis Town harbour in advance — most local boat operators offer morning departures that take in the Blue Cave at Biševo, a swim at the Pakleni Islands, and drop you in Hvar Town (~£35-50 for the full trip). Arrive in Hvar in the afternoon and check in. Explore the Renaissance cathedral, visit the Fortica fortress above town for sweeping views, then join Hvar's famous evening scene.
🚌Boat tour from Vis includes drop-off in Hvar; alternatively Jadrolinija ferry Vis–Hvar (~£8)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Hvar Town — e.g. Hostel Marinero or budget guesthouses (~£28-45/night)
- →Blue Cave & Pakleni Islands boat tour from Vis (~£35-50, book via GetYourGuide or local operators at Vis harbour)
- →Guided or self-guided visit to Hvar Cathedral of St Stephen (free / small donation)
- →Hike up to Fortica (Spanish Fort) — entrance ~£8, panoramic views
- →Evening drinks and dinner in Hvar Town
Zlatni Rat Beach & Ferry to Trogir
Trogir (via Brač / Zlatni Rat)
Take a morning ferry from Hvar to the Brač island port of Supetar or Bol, and head to Zlatni Rat — Croatia's most famous beach, a striking pebbly spit that shifts shape with the currents. Swim and sunbathe before catching a ferry onward to Split and a short bus or taxi to Trogir (~30 mins, ~£5). Check in to accommodation in or near Trogir and take the UNESCO-listed Old Town walking tour in the late afternoon — it's one of the best-preserved Romanesque-Gothic cities in Central Europe.
🚌Jadrolinija ferry Hvar–Brač; Jadrolinija ferry Brač–Split; local bus Split–Trogir
🛏Guesthouse in or near Trogir Old Town (~£30-45/night)
- →Ferry Hvar to Bol/Brač (~£8, Jadrolinija)
- →Swim at Zlatni Rat beach (free)
- →Ferry Brač to Split (~£8, Jadrolinija)
- →Bus or taxi Split to Trogir (~£5, or local bus line 37 ~£2)
- →Self-guided walk of Trogir UNESCO Old Town (free)
- →Optional: guided Trogir walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£12)
Depart from Split
Split
Take the short bus or taxi from Trogir to Split (30 mins, ~£2-5) in time for your flight or onward journey. If your departure is in the afternoon, spend the morning exploring Diocletian's Palace in Split — one of the best-preserved Roman imperial buildings in the world, and it's free to wander. Grab a final coffee in the Peristyle square.
🚌Local bus line 37 from Trogir to Split bus station (~£2); taxi to Split Airport (~£20)
- →Bus or taxi Trogir to Split (~£2-5)
- →Free self-guided walk through Diocletian's Palace, Split
- →Coffee in the Peristyle square
- →Depart from Split Airport
Self-launched vs. Katarina Line
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Katarina Line | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£645 | £2,445 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,800 per person (74%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Katarina Line-style trips? Check them out here.~£645
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Dalmatian Coast Island Hop: Dubrovnik to Trogir cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £645 per person for 8 days in Croatia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Katarina Line?+
Yes — Katarina Line charges around £2,445 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £645 — a saving of roughly £1,800 (74%) per person.
How long is the Croatia trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Croatia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, beaches, backpacker trip through Croatia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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