Exploring Brac Island: A Travel Guide

Brac Island is one of the most accessible of the larger Dalmatian islands, with regular and frequent ferry crossings. The island is a 30-minute drive from Split Airport, with ferries running from Split to Supetar on Brac, and from Makarska to Sumartin. The ferry from Split to Supetar takes 50 minutes, with regular crossings during the summer (typically every 90 minutes). The cost of a one-way ticket for a car and four adult passengers is around €40. There is also a fast catamaran ferry service from Milna on Brac to Split, which takes 30 minutes.

If you're travelling by plane, the closest local and international airports are Split and Dubrovnik. Brac also has its own small airport near the town of Bol, with scheduled passenger flights from Split Airport, Zagreb, and Graz in Austria.

Getting to Brac Island by Ferry

Brac Island is one of the most accessible of the larger Dalmatian islands, with regular and frequent ferry crossings. The simplest way to get to the island is to fly to Split and take a ferry to Supetar on Brac. The ferry port is a 30-minute drive from Split Airport, but allow longer in peak periods.

Getting from the airport to the ferry port

You can hire a car at the airport and take it on the ferry. This means you don't have to carry your luggage onto the ferry as a foot passenger. Alternatively, take a taxi to the ferry port. The approximate cost is 35-40 euros, depending on the time of travel, and 40-50 euros for an 8-seater minibus. There are several bus services that run from the airport terminal to Split's main bus station, which is next to the ferry port. These leave from right outside the terminal building and include a shuttle service run by Croatia Airlines. A typical one-way bus ticket costs around 5.50 euros per person. The local bus service 38 stops on the main road outside the airport and is a 50-minute journey into the centre of Split. It is about half the price of the shuttle services but does not take you as close to the ferry port and is much slower.

The ferry from Split to Brac

The ferry from Split to Supetar takes 50 minutes, and there are regular crossings during the summer (typically every 90 minutes). The cost of a one-way ticket for a car and four adult passengers is about €40. The ferry timetable for the Jadrolinija line from Split to Supetar can be found on the Jadrolinija website.

There is also a regular car ferry service from Makarska on the mainland directly to Sumartin at the southeast end of the island. This crossing is convenient if arriving from the direction of Dubrovnik. The service runs only five times a day in peak season, and booking in advance is recommended.

There is a fast catamaran ferry service from Milna on Brac to Split on Wednesdays. It departs from Milna in the morning and returns late in the afternoon, so it is convenient for a day trip to Split. Both Jadrolinija and Kapetan Luka run this service. The crossing takes 30 minutes.

Also convenient for day trips to Split is the daily service that departs from Bol in the early morning and returns late in the afternoon. Line 9603 on the Jadrolinija website. The crossing takes one hour and 10 minutes.

Transfer by private taxi boat

Private taxi boat transfers from the quay near Split airport to Brac Island can be arranged. Prices will depend on your destination on Brac, the number of people in your party, and the time of travel, but will typically be in the region of 400-600 euros.

Brac airport

Brac has its own small airport near the town of Bol. Light aircraft can fly into this airport, and there are scheduled passenger flights from Split Airport. Zagreb and Graz in Austria. Information on the Brac airport website.

Car hire

You can arrange car hire from Split Airport. Car hire is also available on the island. Scooters and bicycles can also be rented. The local bus company, Arriva, runs buses several times a day between the principal towns on the island. Timetables can be found on the Arriva website.

Getting to Brac Island by Plane

Brac Island is accessible by plane, with its own small airport near the town of Bol. The airport is used for commercial passenger flights, mainly charter traffic from Europe during the summer season. During the high season, Croatia Airlines runs direct flights to Brac Airport only once a week (on Saturday).

In summer 2018, Eurowings will connect Brac with Germany; Adria Airways will connect Brac with Ljubljana; Skywork Airlines will connect Brac with Berne; TUIfly will connect Brac with Rotterdam; and Luxair will run flights to Luxembourg.

In addition to these, there are some smaller companies that operate charter flights. Schedules and operators change too frequently, but you can do a live search for flights through the form on Brac Airport's website.

Getting to Brac Island by Car

Brac Island is the largest island in Dalmatia and the third-largest in the Adriatic. It takes over an hour to drive from the easternmost to the westernmost point and about half an hour to get from the northernmost to the southernmost. The best and most comfortable way to explore the island is by car. The local roads are well-maintained and clearly marked, and driving gives you the freedom to visit some of the island's hidden gems that are beyond the reach of public transport.

If you're travelling to Brac Island by car, you'll need to go through Zagreb and then take the A1 highway to Split or Makarska. From Split, you can take a car ferry to Supetar on Brac (50 minutes), or from Makarska, you can take a car ferry to Sumartin on Brac (60 minutes). Supetar is the better option if you're coming from the direction of Split, while Sumartin port is more suitable if you're coming from Makarska or Dubrovnik.

Out of season, the ferry from Split to Supetar sails nine times a day, while the ferry from Makarska to Sumartin sails three times a day. During the summer season (July and August), the ferry from Split to Supetar sails 14 times a day, and the ferry from Makarska to Sumartin sails four to five times a day.

Useful Information for Driving to Brac Island

• When arriving in Croatia by car, you must carry a valid driver's license, car registration card, and proof of car insurance.
• The speed limit in settlements is 50 km/h and 80 km/h outside settlements (unless stated differently). On highways, the speed limit is 130 km/h.
• Petrol stations in Croatia are open from 7 am to 7 pm or 8 pm every day, and until 10 pm during the summer. Petrol stations that are open 24 hours a day can be found in larger towns and on main international routes.
• In Brac Island, car petrol stations are available in Bol, Milna, and Supetar, and are open all day during the season.

Getting to Brac Island by Bus

If you're travelling to Brac Island by bus, there are connections from all the bigger cities and places to Split. Bus departures from Zagreb and Split are very frequent (every half hour or every hour).

The main bus station in Split is right across the ferry port, from where you can take a ferry to Supetar or a catamaran/hydro-glisser to Bol or Milna. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Makarska (62km from Split), and then take a ferry to Sumartin on Brac Island.

When you arrive at Supetar ferry station, there are bus connections to other towns on the island. Brac has a regular bus service that connects places on the island several times a day. The carrier of the local lines on the island is Autotrans Brac.

The island has two main bus hubs: Supetar and Gornji Humac. These are the key points where many bus routes intersect, allowing you to transfer and reach almost any destination on the island.

Supetar, the largest town on Brac, is particularly well-connected. You can catch a bus from Supetar to any other settlement on the island at least three times a day, and for popular destinations like Bol, buses run as often as ten times daily.

Buses run daily and connect all the main towns and villages, making it easy to travel from one place to another. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Some routes operate less frequently on weekends, especially Sundays, and there are special schedules during holidays. Not all villages are directly connected by bus, so transfers may be required. It's important to check for these when planning your journey and purchasing tickets.

You can buy tickets online directly from the Arriva Croatia website or through their mobile apps. Tickets are also sold at larger bus stations and from drivers at smaller stops, although buying tickets in advance is recommended due to possible limited availability.

For detailed information about routes, timetables, bus stops, and travel conditions, it is highly recommended to download the Arriva mobile app or visit their website. If you purchase your ticket through the app, you can get an additional 5% discount.

Ticket prices are very reasonable. For example, a one-way ticket from Supetar to Bol costs around €6.30.

Getting Around Brac Island

The best way to get around Brac Island is by car or scooter. The roads are in good condition and well-marked, but watch out for sheep crossing! There are gas stations in Milna, Bol, Supetar, and Sumartin. You can rent scooters, buggies, and quad bikes in these towns too. A scooter will cost around €35 per day, a quad bike around €80, and a buggy around €135.

There are also buses on the island, with between five and ten lines running in the summer. Buses are scheduled to connect with the ferries, and you can buy tickets at the bus station or online. A one-way ticket from Supetar to Bol costs €6.

If you want to rent a car, you can do so on the island or on the mainland. Renting on the mainland gives you a better choice of vehicles and lower prices, but you'll have to pay a one-time fee to take the car on the ferry, and you may have to queue. Renting on the island is more expensive, but it gives you the flexibility to only rent a car for the days you need it.

Frequently asked questions