Getting from Dubrovnik to Korcula involves several options – you can get here by direct ferry crossings with a high-speed fast passenger ferry, by car and car ferry, by bus, taxi, water taxi, or private transfer. The distance from Dubrovnik to Korcula is 110 km while the nearest distance across the sea is about 77 km (42 nm approx). There are no direct flights, no bridge, and no train connections. Here is what is available:
How to get from Dubrovnik to Korcula is a question very often asked in emails and the travel forum. The reason for this is that Dubrovnik is a popular place to visit and Dubrovnik Airport is the nearest to the Island, so people usually fly to Dubrovnik, spend a few days there then go to visit Korcula.
The best, cheapest and fastest way to reach Korcula from Dubrovnik is to take a fast passenger ferry (catamaran). You can get a fast passenger ferry to just one port on the island: Korcula Town port. Ticket prices start from 13 Euro. The total travel time is 2 hours. This option is best for foot passengers. If you are driving, there is no direct car ferry from Dubrovnik to Korcula. The alternative transport is a bus to Korcula, a taxi, a water taxi, or a private transfer.
There is at least 1 daily fast ferry getting from Dubrovnik to Korcula all year round. That is the afternoon high-speed passenger ferry that leaves from Dubrovnik, stops in Korcula, and continues to Lastovo. From April to October period, there are several more fast ferries – here is what is available:
All ferries depart from the Dubrovnik ferry terminal and get you to the Korcula Town ferry terminal (map). The ferry terminal in Dubrovnik is very close to its bus terminal and about 2 km away from the Old Town. Fast passenger ferries (catamarans) usually do not sail in bad weather. If that happens, take a bus instead (see details below). Detailed info about ferries from Dubrovnik to Korcula is here.
Here is a video of one of the fast passenger ferries sailing on this route:
If you are traveling by car, there is no direct car ferry from Dubrovnik to the island. There is a car ferry from Orebic to Korcula Town that is sailing all year round.
The driving route from Dubrovnik to the island is first along the coast on road D8 to 20231, Zaton Doli, the crossroads with Peljesac (GPS coordinates: 42.832152, 17.749765) where you will turn left to D 414 road that leads along the Peljesac to Orebic (altogether 121 km). From there take a car ferry (15 min crossing) to Korcula island (Domince port). Car ferries from Orebic to Korcula are very frequent so you will have no trouble finding one that suits your travel plan.
Driving from Dubrovnik is easy. It only takes about 2 hrs. The roads are good, the views are beautiful and the journey can be very enjoyable.
Note: Parking lots in Korcula town can be busy in summer periods. Korcula Old town is a traffic-free zone. If you are coming to the island just for a day, consider using the parking lot in Orebic, very close to the ferry terminal and center of the town, and cross here by foot passenger shuttle.
If you are driving from Dubrovnik Airport, drive in the direction of Split, and don’t turn to the Old town. Instead, cross the bridge (top photo) and just carry on driving as above. Dubrovnik Airport is located in Cilipi, about a 20 km distance from the Old Town. The total driving time from Dubrovnik Airport to Korcula town is about 2.5 hours (including 15 minutes of car ferry crossing).
Here is a video of boarding the car ferry that is sailing across the channel from Orebic to Korcula:
There is a bus that departs in the afternoon from Dubrovnik Via Korcula to Vela Luka, stopping in every village on the Peljesac peninsula (route map) and most of the villages on the island. The bus crosses the channel by car ferry. It takes 3.5 hours to reach Korcula town (timetable below). The current single ticket is about 13.5 euros. This travel option is good in case of bad weather when fast passenger ferries may not sail, otherwise, it is pretty slow. The bus starts at the main bus terminal in Dubrovnik. You can book your bus ticket here.
Uber is operating in Dubrovnik and takes booking for rides to Korcula (see map below). You can also get a local taxi from either Dubrovnik Airport or from the town. The price is calculated on basis of the number of passengers, pick-up time, and season. The standard rate from Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik Airport is about 165 Euros. Get a quote for your taxi.
You can also get a water taxi (private speed boat transfer) to take you from Dubrovnik or from Cavtat (the nearest port to Dubrovnik Airport) to the island. This can be a good option if the weather is fine. The price for this service is calculated on basis of the number of passengers, pick-up time, and season. The standard rate for a water taxi is 505 Euros. Add another 95 Euros from Cavtat (Dubrovnik Airport). More info about water taxis is here.
On the below map, you can see all available routes to reach Korcula from Dubrovnik (and return):
All these options are great ways of traveling especially as the weather is usually very nice. There are some excellent views of the islands, bays, and vineyards as you travel along the coast and along Peljesac Peninsula. All necessary info, timetables, and maps about both ways to get to Korcula from Dubrovnik are on the how to get to Korcula page
Also, see articles about Korcula to Dubrovnik day trip and How to get from Korcula to Dubrovnik