Dubrovnik to Split with 22 month old (car rental or ferry), Split-Zagreb (car rental)

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tranquilytee
tranquilytee

My family and I (5 adults, 1 toddler) will be in Croatia in June/July 2016. Our itinerary is set: we fly into Dubrovnik and out of Zagreb.

Two questions:

  1. We're trying to figure out the best way to travel from Dubrovnik to Split in one day. With a toddler, we don't want to take the bus. I understand that if we rent a car, we'll be able to drive up the coast, but that we might get caught in traffic. I've heard that the ferry takes twice as long as driving. Is there a ferry option that we could book in advance instead, and, if so, would it be a better option that renting a car? (I already checked with Jadrolinija, and they won't be running ferries from Dubrovnik to Split.) Although, it looks like Kapetan Luka sails from Dubrovnik to Split and sells tickets online?

  2. I'm assuming we can just rent a car from Split to Zagreb (we'll be stopping for two nights around Plitvice). I think the LP said that children up to age 5 need to be in car seats. Is this correct? If so, am I correct in thinking that the car rental companies should have car seats available to rent (will probably book car rental online in advance)?

Thank you!

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emmeff
emmeff

With a toddler, we don't want to take the bus.

The bus might still be your best option. The bus journey is 4 to 5 hours. As you say, a ferry, if operating, would take much longer. A one-way car rental will be expensive.

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flumy
flumy
In response to #0

Hi!

  1. You shouldn't be bothered by the issue whether to use bus or boat from Dubrovnik to Split. Honestly it is a pretty straightforward bus journey that takes only slightly more than 4 hours of nice and scenic trip. For example you can easily plan and book online your journey through Croatia bus website ( http://www.croatiabus.hr/en/home/ ) and even not to bother with the queues and waste of time. Here just keep one thing in mind. The price of the bus ticket usually doesn't include the baggage which is usually priced on the spot at 1 EUR per piece.

  2. The best favor you can do to yourselves is to rent a car for Plitvice NP especially when you have a toddler. This is longer route than the previous one and Plitvice is not a bus hub, but more or less, just a passing station without much traffic of passengers (most of the passengers arrive by agency buses or cars). In case that you plan to rent a car, you should definitely demand the child seat and yes, it is compulsory in Croatia for a child of your age. Everything we are talking right now is easily done online, but please be aware, you should do it well in advance because during June/July months the availability of cars becomes very poor due to high demand.

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tranquilytee
tranquilytee
In response to #1

Thanks!

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tranquilytee
tranquilytee
In response to #2

Thanks! I will take a look at the Croatia bus website. If my toddler wasn't with me, we'd likely take the bus ... I'm just worried about him getting cranky on the bus (vs him getting cranky in a rental car where he wouldn't be bothering anyone else).

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flumy
flumy
In response to #4

Please, do not bother yourself with the possibility that a toddler could become cranky. It is the most natural expectation from a child of that age. It is absolutely legal for his age :-).

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tranquilytee
tranquilytee
In response to #5

Thanks! :)

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mediterrane0
mediterrane0

U can fly with tradeair.com one's per week from Dubrovnik to Split.
Anway, It' s the fantastic scenic road with very good road conditions so bus is great option. Buses run almost every hour. U can buy directly the tickects before the depart or online.

If u r not just running u can go from Dubrovnik to Korcula by boat then to Hvar . Stop in Korcula to visit the town n island. From Kocula take a connection by catamaran to Hvar town. Stay there , do visits.
Croatia is country of 1000 islands so don't miss the sights, the food , the sea . Zilion ppl r coming to Croatia to visit the islands.

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tranquilytee
tranquilytee
In response to #7

Thanks!

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