Dubrovnik Ruđer Bošković Airport

Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) serves Dubrovnik, Croatia's stunning Adriatic gem and one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. The "Pearl of the Adriatic" has seen tourism surge since its role as King's Landing in Game of Thrones. The airport is located 20 km southeast of the Old Town.

The airport has a single terminal that underwent major expansion in 2016. Traffic is highly seasonal—extremely busy May-September, much quieter in winter.

Key airlines: Croatia Airlines, British Airways, easyJet, Vueling, Ryanair, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and numerous European carriers (many seasonal).

DBV is southeast of the city along the coast:

• To Dubrovnik Old Town: 20 km, 25-35 minutes
• To Lapad/Babin Kuk: 18 km, 20-30 minutes
• To Cavtat: 6 km, 10 minutes
• To Montenegro border: 35 km, 40 minutes

Uber operates in Dubrovnik and is the most convenient option.

• To Old Town: €35-45
• To Lapad: €30-40
• To Cavtat: €15-20
• To Kotor (Montenegro): €100-120

Taxis available from the rank:

• Fixed rates posted
• Generally reliable; confirm price before departure

Tip: Uber prices can surge during summer peak; compare with taxi rates.

Atlas Shuttle Bus

Atlas operates the official airport bus:

• Route: Airport → Pile Gate (Old Town entrance) → Main Bus Station
• Frequency: Timed to flight arrivals/departures
• Journey time: 30-40 minutes to Pile Gate
• Cost: €9 one-way, €15 return
• Purchase: At Atlas counter in arrivals or online

The bus stops at the Pile Gate—most convenient for Old Town accommodation.

Cavtat Bus

A local bus connects to Cavtat (the nearby beach town):

• Check schedules at arrivals—service is limited

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
P1 (covered)	€25/day	Terminal adjacent
P2 (open)	€15/day	Short walk

Book online for potential discounts, especially in high season.

DBV has limited but adequate dining:

Landside:

• Café/bar

Airside:

• Café/restaurant: Light meals, sandwiches, Croatian wines
• Taverna: More substantial local food
• Coffee shops

Eat in Dubrovnik before heading to the airport—Old Town has far better options.

Network: DBV Airport Free WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Adequate for browsing
• Time-limited; registration required

SIM cards available from:

• Kiosks in arrivals (limited hours)
• Better to purchase in Dubrovnik from A1 or HT (Hrvatski Telekom)

Croatian prepaid SIM: €10-20 for voice and data.

ATMs available in:

• Arrivals hall
• Departure area

Currency: Euro (€)—Croatia adopted the Euro in January 2023.

ATMs offer fair rates. Currency exchange desks have poor rates—avoid them.

Airside:

• Duty-free (alcohol, perfumes)
• Croatian souvenirs (lavender products, olive oil, ties)
• Wine shop

Best buys: Croatian wines, lavender products from Hvar, and traditional silk ties (the necktie originated in Croatia).

Primeclass Lounge

• Location: Airside
• Access: Priority Pass, various credit cards, or €30-35 walk-in
• Amenities: Food, drinks (including Croatian wine), WiFi
• Hours: Follows flight schedule, typically 06:00-21:00

Small but comfortable; a welcome escape during busy summer departures.

Most visitors stay in Dubrovnik Old Town, Lapad, or Cavtat rather than near the airport.

Dubrovnik is one of Europe's most beautiful cities—a UNESCO World Heritage walled city on the Adriatic coast:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Old Town Walls: 30 min—walk the complete 2 km circuit for stunning views
• Stradun (Placa): 30 min—main street through Old Town
• Fort Lovrijenac: 35 min—"Gibraltar of Dubrovnik," Game of Thrones filming location
• Cable Car: 35 min—ride to Mt. Srđ for panoramic views
• Lokrum Island: 40 min (ferry from Old Port)—beaches, botanical gardens, peacocks
• Rector's Palace: 30 min—Gothic-Renaissance palace with museum

Day trips:

• Cavtat: 15 min—charming coastal town, less crowded than Dubrovnik
• Elafiti Islands: Half-day boat trip—Koločep, Lopud, Šipan
• Kotor, Montenegro: 2 hours—dramatic fjord and medieval town
• Mostar, Bosnia: 2.5 hours—famous bridge and Ottoman heritage
• Mljet National Park: 2 hours by ferry—pristine island with lakes

Game of Thrones locations:

• Fort Lovrijenac: Red Keep exterior
• Minčeta Tower: House of the Undying
• Pile Gate area: Various King's Landing scenes
• Trsteno Arboretum: Tyrell gardens (30 min north)

Food & drink:

• Fresh seafood: Sea bass, octopus salad, black risotto
• Peka: Meat or seafood slow-cooked under a bell
• Ston oysters: From the nearby town of Ston
• Rozata: Croatian crème brûlée
• Croatian wine: Plavac Mali, Pošip, Malvasia

Local tips:

• Cruise ship crowds: Avoid Old Town 10:00-15:00 when ships are in port
• Summer is brutal: July-August are extremely hot and crowded; May-June or September are better
• Stay outside the walls: Accommodation in Old Town is expensive and inconvenient (no cars, lots of stairs)
• Dubrovnik Card: Includes museums, city walls, and bus transport—good value if sightseeing
• Swim spots: Banje Beach (near Old Town), Sveti Jakov, Lokrum Island
• City Walls tip: Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and heat
• Prices: Dubrovnik is Croatia's most expensive destination—budget accordingly