athens to dubrovnik

In my opinion, by far the best way to do this route is in the next two segments:

• Take Jat Airways flight ( http://www.jat.com/active/en/home.html ) from Athens to Podgorica (capital of Montenegro) costing a fair 170 EUR. The flight is not direct, it has one change in Belgrade, but it should not bother you because you are only in transit.

Overnight in Podgorica

• Take a bus from Podgorica to Dubrovnik provided by Božur company (here you can check the timetables: http://www.busterminal.me/timetable ) at 06:00 with arrival in Dubrovnik at 10:45.

I did a different route because I wanted to see some of what was in between Greece and Croatia.

I went from Thessaloniki, which is Greece's second largest city and interesting for a few days, to Bitola, to Ohrid to Tirana to Kotor. Yes, transportation isn't direct but it was interesting.

Another option is the JAT flight but get off in Belgrade, spend a few days there and then take the train to Bar and the bus to Kotor and another bus to Dubrovnik.

It really depends some on whether you want to see some of the countryside and towns between Athens and Dubrovnik or just get from point A to point B.

Ruth

If you have time, go through Albania:
either Ruth's itinerary via Florina - Bitola/Haraklia - Ohrid - Sveti Naum - Pogradec - Elbasan - Tirana;
via Ioannina - Argirokastro/Gijrokaster - Berat - Tirana;
via Corfu - Saranda/Butrint - Albanian Riviera - Vlore/Avlona - Apollonia - Tirana ..

http://www.balkanology.com/overview/article_croatia_to_greece.html

(This page is a bit dated, as international train service to/from Greece has been shut down. But otherwise, I think everything else stands up as accurate today.)

Thanks to everyone, especially Dave Elmstrom. Because time was a big factor in my choice I was becoming very frustrated by the options. Then, looking at a map, I hit on the Italian ferry option which as it turns out is faster than any alternative except for flying and less than 1/2 the cost of flying. Downside is two consecutive nights on ferries but I'll pay a little extra for a reclining chair and I'll have Dubrovnik to look forward to when I wake up.

PS. I fully intend to return and visit both Albania and Montenegro slowly but this week I have to get to Dubrovnik.

The ferry solution is most probably neither cheaper nor faster than the flight Athens - Tirana ar 9.40 (95 EUR) plus bus to Shkodra - Ulcinij - Dubrovnik solution, but much more relaxing.
Congratulations!
Which places will you visit from Bari: Matera, Castellana, Alberobello?