How To Get From Hvar Town to Stari Grad (and back) in 2026
The 20-minute journey from Hvar Town to Stari Grad is one of the best decisions you'll make on the island. Here's every way to do it, from the €2-4 bus to the scenic drive through lavender fields that most visitors never take, with current 2026 timetables and prices throughout.
UPDATED MAY 2026
A visit to Hvar isn't complete without a trip to Stari Grad, and after three visits, it's the town we wish we'd based ourselves in from the start.
Hvar Town is the shining light of the island: Venetian architecture, ancient fortresses, the best restaurants and bars, and the harbour at golden hour. But at the height of summer, it can get genuinely overwhelming, and that's when Stari Grad starts to look very appealing.
Quieter, cheaper, more characterful and with a pace of life that feels authentically Dalmatian rather than tourist-facing - Stari Grad rewards everyone who makes the 20-minute journey across the island.
Ancient limestone lanes, historic churches around every corner, konobas serving whatever came in that morning, and a Riva where locals actually outnumber visitors.
The journey between the two towns is straightforward once you know your options. This guide covers everything: bus times and prices, taxis, car and scooter hire, and the two driving routes, including the scenic one through the lavender fields that most visitors never take.
HOW TO GET FROM HVAR TOWN TO STARI GRAD
PUBLIC TRANSPORT ON HVAR ISLAND
BY BUS
The bus is the cheapest and most convenient way to get from Hvar Town to Stari Grad - and easier than most people expect.
Cazmatrans runs up to four services a day on the route, with the journey taking around 20 minutes. Buses are timed to connect with some ferry arrivals from Split, making it an easy connection for those coming straight from the mainland.
Tickets are bought directly from the driver, cash only, no advance booking needed.
The bus departs from Hvar bus station, located just outside St Stephen's Cathedral near Konzum supermarket and the market hall.
It arrives at Stari Grad bus station, on the outskirts of the old town, next to Studenac supermarket - a short 5-minute walk into the centre from there.
Cazmatrans also links Hvar Town and Stari Grad to the Stari Grad ferry port (during specific hours), Jelsa, Vrboska and Sučuraj.
THE DETAILS
Who | Cazmatrans bus company
Cost | €2-4 per trip, cash on the bus
Journey time | 20 minutes
Timetable Hvar to Stari Grad | 08:20, 09:45, 12:15, 16:30 (summer season, subject to change)
Timetable Stari Grad to Hvar | 08:00, 10:05, 14:30, 22:05 (summer season, subject to change)
Note | Always verify current times before travelling at cazmatrans.hr as schedules change seasonally
BY TAXI
When the bus doesn't fit your timing or you're travelling with luggage in the summer heat, a taxi is the easy alternative. Expect to pay around €30-45 for the Hvar Town to Stari Grad route - more to Jelsa or Vrboska.
Worth splitting between a group.
Hvar Transfer | hvartransfer.com
Tihi Taxi | tihi-hvar.com — 24 hours, useful for late night returns from Hvar Town
CAR RENTAL
A rental car is the most flexible way to get between the towns and explore the rest of the island at the same time.
A small car runs around €35-80 per day, depending on season and vehicle.
Both must be returned with a full tank. Note that driving on the Dubovica-Sveta Nedjelja dirt road is typically excluded from standard insurance.
SCOOTER HIRE
A cheaper and genuinely fun option for getting between the towns.
A 50cc scooter doesn't require a licence but previous riding experience is strongly recommended - the road between Hvar Town and Stari Grad is well-maintained but has some winding sections. Always wear a helmet.
Rent | Suncity
Cost | Around €25-35 for 24 hours
DRIVING FROM HVAR TO STARI GRAD
There are two routes worth knowing about, and both have their appeal depending on whether you're prioritising time or experience.
THE QUICK ROUTE (20 minutes)
Take road 116 (Miće Mačija) east from Hvar Town, following it through Milna and past Zaraće and Dubovica. At Dubovica, bear left before entering the tunnel that cuts through the limestone hills.
Once through, the road winds down to Stari Grad Port — follow road 116 around the outskirts of town, turn left onto Obala dr. Franje Tuđmana and then left again at Put Gospojice into the centre.
THE SCENIC ROUTE (40-60 minutes)
If you're not in a rush, and on Hvar you shouldn't be, the scenic route through the hills is worth every extra minute.
Instead of following the 116 east, turn left out of Hvar Town and follow Jerka Mišetića up through the hills toward Brusje, the 16th-century shepherd settlement that sits in the middle of the island's lavender fields. Stop and wander if you have time.
Continue toward Velo Grablje with views across to Brač in the distance, then wind down into Stari Grad where the road joins the 116 just outside town.
We'd take this route every time.
HVAR TOWN TO STARI GRAD: MAP & DIRECTIONS
To make navigating between the two towns easier, we've put together a detailed Google Map covering both driving routes - the quick tunnel road and the scenic route through Brusje and Velo Grablje — along with key stops, parking and bus stations along the way.
To save it, click the map and hit the star next to the map title. It'll save directly to Your Places in Google Maps, ready to use on the ground.
Tip: download the map before you leave Hvar Town — signal can be patchy on the hill roads between the two towns.
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN CROATIA
Honest take: if something goes wrong, a medical emergency, a missed ferry, a scooter accident on a Croatian coastal road, travel insurance is the difference between a stressful story and a catastrophic one.
After 10+ years of full-time travel, here's what we use and recommend:
FOR TRAVELLERS | World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travellers and intrepid families. Their policies offer coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Get a quote from World Nomads →
READ | Our ultimate guide to travel insurance
ARE YOU PLANNING TO VISIT HVAR SOON?
Make the most of your time on Hvar with our essential Croatia travel guides.
EXPLORE HVAR
Start with these guides to help plan your time on the island:
Hvar Island Guide — 21 things to know before you visit
WHERE TO STAY ON HVAR
Where to Stay on Hvar Island — hotels, guesthouses and hostels
MORE CROATIA
Dubrovnik | 10 Things to Do in Dubrovnik
HEADING TO CROATIA? YOU’LL LOVE THESE GUIDES
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