Self-Launched Split to Dubrovnik Island Hop: Trogir, Hvar, Mljet & Dubrovnik
4 days · Croatia
Go Croatia Sail charges £550
No-markup version: ~£292 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A DIY version of Go Croatia Sail's 4-day Premier boat cruise from Trogir to Dubrovnik — same route, same islands, same swim stops and national park, but you travel by public catamaran and bus and sleep in hostels and guesthouses instead of a cabin. You'll start in UNESCO-listed Trogir, hop to Hvar for the fortress and nightlife, catch the catamaran to Mljet for the national park lakes, then finish in Dubrovnik with the city walls, Mount Srd cable car and a Lokrum swim. Croatia in high season is not cheap, but the public ferry network is excellent and this comes in at roughly half the tour price — and you get to choose your own pace. Book ferries in advance via Jadrolinija or Krilo (Kapetan Luka) for July/August dates. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget-traveller estimates in GBP.
Day-by-day
Trogir Old Town to Hvar
Trogir / Hvar
Arrive in Trogir early and wander the UNESCO World Heritage old town on its tiny island — the Cathedral of St Lawrence and the Kamerlengo fortress take about an hour. If you're coming from Split, local bus #37 runs from Split bus station to Trogir in ~30 minutes for about £3. Late morning, take the bus back to Split (or direct from Trogir) and catch the catamaran to Hvar town — Krilo/Jadrolinija fast boats run several times daily in summer, roughly 1h from Split, around £13-16. Check into a hostel or guesthouse in Hvar town or Stari Grad, then climb to the Spanish Fortress (entry ~£8) for sunset views over the harbour. Dinner at a konoba off the main square (peka or grilled fish, ~£15-20) and drinks at Hula Hula or Carpe Diem for the evening scene.
🚌Local bus Split–Trogir ~£3; catamaran Split–Hvar ~£14
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Hvar town / Stari Grad (dorm £22-30, private room from £45)
- →Trogir Old Town walk (free)
- →Catamaran Split to Hvar
- →Spanish Fortress sunset climb (~£8)
Hvar to Mljet via Korčula or direct catamaran
Hvar / Mljet
Morning swim at Pokonji Dol or Dubovica beach, then take the catamaran south. Krilo runs a Hvar–Korčula–Mljet–Dubrovnik line in summer; direct Hvar–Mljet is around 2h (£18-22). If timings don't suit, hop Hvar–Korčula (~1h, £10) for a couple of hours in the walled old town, then Korčula–Mljet (~1h, £12). On Mljet, base yourself in Pomena or Polače near the national park entrance. Hire a bike (~£10/half day) or kayak (~£12) and spend the afternoon on the lakes — the small island monastery of St Mary in Veliko Jezero is worth the rowboat crossing. Park entry is ~£20 in high season (includes the boat to St Mary). Cheap konoba dinner in Pomena (~£12-15).
🚌Catamaran Hvar–Mljet ~£20 (or via Korčula ~£22)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Pomena/Polače, Mljet (£20-30 dorm, £45+ private)
- →Mljet National Park lakes & St Mary island (~£20 entry)
- →Bike or kayak hire (~£10-12)
Mljet to Dubrovnik via the Elaphite Islands
Mljet / Dubrovnik
Morning swim in the clear water at Saplunara or Odysseus' Cave if you have time, then take the catamaran from Sobra or Polače to Dubrovnik (~1h15-2h, £15-20). Some summer services call at Šipan or Lopud in the Elaphite archipelago — if you want a beach stop, get off at Lopud for Šunj sandy beach and take a later boat on (Lopud–Dubrovnik ~45 min, £8). Arrive Dubrovnik and check into a hostel in the Old Town or Lapad (book early — August prices spike). Late afternoon walk the city walls (ticket ~£30, best after 4pm for light and fewer crowds), then swim at Buža cliff bar and grab sunset drinks. Dinner in the Old Town (~£18), and Revelin or Culture Club for a night out if you're up for it.
🚌Catamaran Mljet–Dubrovnik ~£17; optional Lopud stop ~£8
🛏Hostel in Dubrovnik Old Town or Lapad (£28-40 dorm)
- →Dubrovnik city walls (~£30)
- →Buža cliff bar swim (free/drink spend)
- →Optional Lopud/Šunj beach stop
Mount Srd, Lokrum and Dubrovnik Old Town
Dubrovnik
Ride the cable car up Mount Srd first thing (~£22 return, or hike up the switchback trail free in ~45 min) for views over the Old Town and islands. Come down and take the shuttle boat from the Old Town port to Lokrum island (~£22 return, includes island entry) — swim off the rocks, see the botanical gardens and the Game of Thrones Iron Throne replica. Back in town, join a self-bookable Game of Thrones or history walking tour if you want context (GetYourGuide from ~£15-20), or just self-guide with a free walking tour (tip-based). Finish with a last gelato in the Stradun and onward bus/ferry or airport transfer (Libertas bus #10 to the airport ~£5, or Atlas shuttle ~£8).
🚌Cable car ~£22 (or hike free); Lokrum boat ~£22 return; airport bus ~£5
🛏None — trip ends in Dubrovnik (or add a night, £28-40)
- →Mount Srd cable car or hike
- →Lokrum island boat & swim
- →Optional GoT/history walking tour (~£18)
Self-launched vs. Go Croatia Sail
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Go Croatia Sail | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£292 | £550 |
| Duration | 4 days | 4 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £258 per person (47%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Go Croatia Sail-style trips? Check them out here.~£292
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 Split to Dubrovnik Island Hop: Trogir, Hvar, Mljet & Dubrovnik cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £292 per person for 4 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 Go Croatia Sail?+
Yes — Go Croatia Sail charges around £550 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £292 — a saving of roughly £258 (47%) per person.
How long is the Croatia trip?+
This itinerary runs 4 days, covering 4 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 adventure, beaches, culture 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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