Car hire on Hvar: what to plan
A car makes sense if you want to reach the south coast, the stone villages and the beaches east of Hvar Town at your own pace. You do not need one for Hvar Town itself, the Pakleni Islands or a day on the water. Many visitors combine a few days on foot and by boat with one or two days behind the wheel. If a boat day is on your list, see our Hvar boat trips page first.
For any rental, you need the vehicle papers, insurance, a valid driving licence and the rental contract or permission to use the vehicle. Do not assume that every foreign licence covers every kind of scooter or motorcycle. Check the licence class with the hire desk before you pay.
Compare rental car prices at Split Airport (SPU) before you take the ferry to Hvar on Economybookings.com.
Bringing a car or hiring on the island
Two ways to have wheels on Hvar.
Take your own car on the ferry
The car ferry from Split runs to Stari Grad on Jadrolinija line 635. A person pays €5.90 off season and €8.40 in season, a child aged 3 to 12 pays €3.00 or €4.20, and a standard car pays €35.60 or €47.60 per direction. Season means 29 May to 27 September 2026. The car price covers the vehicle, not the passengers. A standard car means up to 9 seats, up to 5 m long and/or 2 m high. Larger vehicles pay a separate class.
Ferry guide →Arrive by catamaran and hire locally
The fast catamarans from Split to Hvar Town carry people, not cars. If you hire on the island, you collect the vehicle after arriving. Book early for July and August, and read the pick-up and drop-off terms before you go.
How to get to Hvar →Come in from the east
The shorter ferry from Drvenik to Sućuraj runs on line 632 and takes 30 minutes. A person pays €2.40 off season or €4.10 in season, and a standard car pays €13.50 or €19.70. The ticket is valid for any departure on the printed day. From Sućuraj, allow about 90 minutes by car to Hvar Town.
Our pick: a wine tour with a driver
If you would rather not drive after a tasting, this tour includes a driver, transport and tastings at three wineries.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Hvar tours without a car
Boat trips, island days and tastings with live prices and availability, for days when you would rather not drive.
Roads, tunnels and scooters
The rules that matter on the island.
The Pitve to Zavala tunnel
This tunnel is about 1,400 m long and 2.3 m wide, with a low rough rock ceiling. Cars pass in turns under traffic lights. Bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles are not allowed in it. Do not plan a scooter trip to the south coast beaches through this tunnel. The access to Pitve leaves road 116 near Jelsa, and you can read more on our Jelsa and Vrboska page.
The other tunnel
The tunnel between Selca and Dubovica is a different, lit tunnel on the main road towards Hvar Town. The Pitve rules do not apply to it.
Hill roads
The old road through the hill villages is narrow and winding. The main connection uses the other tunnel. Drive slowly, and expect to reverse or wait where two vehicles meet.
Scooters and helmets
Wear a helmet and fasten it. The police treat a missing helmet on a moped or motorcycle as a traffic offence. There is no single rental price for scooters on the island, so compare offers at the hire desk.
Alcohol and driving
Drivers should not drink. The police ask everyone not to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you plan a tasting, see wine tours on Hvar and arrange a driver or a tour.
Parking and Hvar Town access
Why many people leave the car outside the centre.
Vehicles need a permit in the signed permanent traffic-restricted zone of the old town. Do not count on driving up to a hotel or apartment in the historic centre. Ask your host about access and a parking space before you arrive.
The city parking operator raised hourly, daily and prepaid prices on the Dolac 1 car park in 2026, with a new price list from 1 March 2026. Prices change, so check the sign or the operator before you leave a car for a full day. The same rule applies at beach car parks, where space can be tight in July and August.
Local buses on the island sell tickets from the driver. A ticket for the national coach network does not automatically cover local island services, so check the current local timetable. For planning around a car-free day, see things to do in Hvar.
Car hire on Hvar: frequently asked questions
Do I need a car on Hvar?
Not for Hvar Town, the Pakleni Islands or boat days. A car or scooter helps for the south coast, the hill villages and Stari Grad.
Can I take a scooter through the Pitve tunnel?
No. The Pitve to Zavala tunnel is closed to bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles.
Can I drive into Hvar old town?
Not freely. The old town has a signed restricted zone that needs a permit. Ask your accommodation about access.
How much does the car ferry cost?
For Split to Stari Grad in 2026, a standard car pays €35.60 off season and €47.60 in season, plus a fare per person. Check the current timetable and price list before you go.
Do I need a special licence for a scooter?
Not every licence covers every two-wheeler. Show your licence at the hire desk and confirm that it is valid for the vehicle.