Getting Around Hvar Town: Taxi Prices, PickApp, Bolt & Uber
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Getting around Hvar Town is easy, but there are a few things I wish we’d known before arriving. Taxis are surprisingly expensive, the historic center is pedestrian-only, and your hotel’s location can make a big difference in what you spend.
During our September 2026 visit, we paid €20 for a taxi ride that lasted a few minutes, and nearly every ride between town and our hotel cost the same. Fortunately, we also found PickApp, a local taxi app that works much like Uber.
In this guide, I’ll show you where to find taxis when you arrive by ferry, what they actually cost, whether Uber or Bolt work on Hvar, how to use PickApp, and why you should look closely at your hotel’s location before booking.
Getting Around Hvar Town: The Quick Answer
Walk. The historic center is compact, much of it is pedestrian-only, and most restaurants, shops and sights are a few minutes apart. If you’re staying outside the Old Town, carrying luggage or exploring the rest of the island, you’ll need another mode of transportation aside from walking.
| Transportation | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Old Town, harbor, restaurants, shops | Free, but expect hills and stairs |
| Taxi | Hotels outside the center | We paid €20 for a few-minute ride in September; expect more in July and August |
| PickApp | Pickups from your hotel | Our rides cost about €20 plus tip in September; expect more in July and August |
| Public bus | Stari Grad, Jelsa, Vrboska | Run by Čazmatrans; schedules vary by season |
| Water taxi | Pakleni Islands | Frequent in summer, sparse off-season |
| Rental car or scooter | Beaches and villages outside town | Not needed if you’re staying in town |
My recommendation: If you’re staying near the harbor, plan to walk almost everywhere. If your hotel is farther out or uphill, download PickApp before you arrive and budget for rides.
Do You Need a Car in Hvar Town?
No, and if you’re spending most of your time in Hvar Town, I wouldn’t rent one.
The harbor, St. Stephen’s Square, the waterfront restaurants and the stone lanes of the Old Town are all close together, and cars are restricted from much of the center anyway. A car wouldn’t get you any closer to where you want to be.
What a car can’t fix is the terrain. Hvar Town is much hillier than it looks in photos, which matters more for where you stay than how you get around. I cover that in Where to Stay in Hvar Town.
Getting From the Hvar Ferry to Your Hotel
The passenger catamaran from Split docks right on Hvar Town’s waterfront, steps from the Old Town. The catch is that taxis can’t drive onto the pedestrianized waterfront, so there won’t be a line of cars waiting beside the boat.
We arrived with rolling suitcases and needed a ride to Hotel Podstine, so we had to walk to the taxi rank while rolling along our suitcases.
Where Are the Taxi’s in Hvar Town?
The taxis wait at Dolac, the parking and bus station area behind St. Stephen’s Square. It’s a short walk from where the catamarans dock. Here’s how we got there:
- After getting off the ferry, follow the waterfront to your left.
- Continue along the harbor with restaurants and shops on your right.
- When you reach St. Stephen’s Square, turn away from the water.
- Walk diagonally through the square toward the road and parking area behind it.
- You’ll find taxis waiting by the bus station.
The walk wasn’t hard with rolling suitcases, though the stone paving is bumpier than a ferry terminal. We got a taxi without an advanced reservation. There’s also a supermarket beside the parking area, handy for water and snacks before heading to your hotel.
Can a Taxi Take You Directly to Your Hotel?
It depends on where you’re staying. Hotels outside the pedestrian-only center can usually be reached by car. However, there are some roads that cars can not easily go down. Places inside the Old Town may mean walking from the nearest road with your bags.
Before booking, check:
- Can a car reach the property directly?
- Are there stairs between the nearest road and the entrance?
- How far is the nearest taxi pickup point?
- Does the hotel help with luggage?
These small details make a big difference when you arrive after a ferry ride.
What If Your Ferry Arrives in Stari Grad Instead?
Not every boat goes to Hvar Town. Car ferries coming from Split dock at Stari Grad, about 16 km away, so check which port your ticket says.
From Stari Grad you have two main options to get to Hvar town:
- Bus: Čazmatrans buses are timed to meet the ferries and take about 30 minutes to reach Hvar Town. Check the current timetable on the Hvar Tourist Board website.
- Taxi: Guides put it at roughly €30–50, a big jump from the short in-town rides we took. Ask the price first.
For the full journey, see my guide on Ferry From Split to Hvar.
How Much Does a Taxi Cost in Hvar Town?
Our short ride from the taxi rank to Hotel Podstine cost €20 during the first week of September. The drive took a few minutes, and that price wasn’t a one-off. Every ride between our hotel and town cost about the same becuase prices are pre-set. A round trip ran about €40.
€20 isn’t outrageous for a popular destination, but it adds up fast if you’re going back and forth.
In our experience, taxi prices in Hvar Town were set. We paid €20 for a few-minute ride in September, and drivers quoted the same price without any haggling, regardless of which driver was asked. Fares do seem to change by season, though, and you can expect higher prices in July and August.
Don’t assume a short ride will be cheap! A few minutes in a taxi here can cost as much as a longer ride back home.
Is There Uber or Bolt in Hvar?
Don’t count on either. Uber works in Split and other mainland cities, but neither Uber nor Bolt reliably operates on Hvar Island. You may be able to open the apps and search, but that doesn’t mean a driver will show up.
Hvar has its own alternative which is called PickApp.
How to Use PickApp in Hvar
PickApp is a local taxi-booking app on Hvar, and the Hvar Tourist Board lists it among the island’s taxi services. If you’ve used Uber, it’ll feel familiar. It was easy to download from the app store on my iPhone. You enter your pickup and destination, see the fare, and request a ride. You can see your driver’s details and follow them on a map.
How Much Does PickApp Cost?
Every PickApp ride we took between Hotel Podstine and Hvar Town cost €19.90 before tip, essentially the same as the €20 taxi.
So was it worth it? Absolutely, for the convenience and comfort (we had to change our clothes everytime we walked back to the hotel because we were drenched with sweat). From the hotel, we could request a ride without asking the reception to arrange us a taxi pick-up. The driver came to us, and we knew the price before we accepted. That mattered most after a long, hot day or when we were heading out to dinner. I’d use it again without hesitation.
How Do You Pay?
PickApp says you can pay by cash or card, either in the car or through the app. We usually paid cash and added a few extra euro’s as a tip.
Is PickApp Available Year-Round?
Check before you rely on it outside summer. Like most things on Hvar, service is busiest in the tourist season, and drivers may be scarcer after the crowds leave.
One of our drivers told us she lived on another part of the island and drove during the busy season for extra income. It was September, and she had only a couple of weeks left before finishing for the year and heading home. It was a small conversation, but it showed how much life on Hvar revolves around the season.
Walking Around Hvar Town
Once you’re in town, walking is the best way to explore, and wandering the Old Town is half the fun. The narrow stone streets, staircases and little passages hide restaurants and shops you’d miss if you were rushing between sights. In the evening, as it cools down and the restaurants fill up, the town takes on a different feel and can sometimes get crowded. Even with the crowds, we really enjoyed exploring Hvar Town at night!
Just remember that walking around Hvar Town and walking to Hvar Town from your hotel are two very different things.
Should You Rent a Car, Scooter or ATV?
Not if you’re mostly staying in Hvar Town. We didn’t, and we had no trouble getting around.
The island is much bigger than the town, though, and a rental car makes sense if you want to reach beaches, vineyards and villages like Stari Grad, Jelsa and Vrboska on your own schedule. Parking near the center is a hassle in summer, so I wouldn’t rent one just to drive around town.
You’ll also see scooters and ATVs advertised everywhere. The island roads are narrow, winding and steep in places, so if you’re not already comfortable on a scooter, Hvar isn’t the place to learn. We didn’t rent anything, so I can’t compare rental companies.
Getting Around Hvar Island by Bus
Čazmatrans runs the island’s buses, connecting Hvar Town with Stari Grad, Jelsa and Vrboska. Buses leave from the Dolac bus station, the same spot as the taxi rank.
- Stari Grad: historic streets, a quieter feel, and the main car ferry port. About 30 minutes by bus.
- Jelsa: a pleasant waterfront, restaurants and nearby beaches.
- Vrboska: a small village nicknamed “Little Venice” for its canals and stone bridges.
We only had two days, so we stayed around Hvar Town. If you go further, check the timetable first, especially outside peak summer. The Hvar Tourist Board website links to the current schedule. Buses get you to towns, not necessarily to every beach.
Water Taxis to the Pakleni Islands
Just across the water from Hvar Town are the Pakleni Islands, known for coves, swimming spots and beach clubs. Small taxi boats run there from the harbor:
- Palmižana: restaurants, beaches and walking paths
- Jerolim: rocky coastline and swimming, including clothing-optional beaches
- Mlini: a relaxed swimming spot on the island of Marinkovac
In peak summer, boats leave frequently. In shoulder season it’s more like once an hour, and in winter they rarely run. Most people buy a return ticket. Before you pay, check where to meet the boat for the return trip and when the last one leaves.
Water taxis are perfect for a beach day on one island. For more islands or places farther away, a boat tour makes more sense. We took one, including an attempted visit to the Blue Cave, and it turned out a little differently than we’d expected!
Read Blue Cave Tour From Hvar.
What Transportation Actually Cost Us
Rather than estimated fares, here’s exactly what we paid in September 2026. Our hotel, Hotel Podstine, is outside the historic center.
| Transportation | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Old Town, harbor, restaurants, shops | Free, but expect hills and stairs |
| Taxi | Hotels outside the center | We paid €20 for a few-minute ride in September; expect more in July and August |
| PickApp | Pickups from your hotel | Our rides cost about €20 plus tip in September; expect more in July and August |
| Hotel-arranged taxi | Getting to the ferry | Our hotel reception booked a taxi to the ferry for €20 |
| Public bus | Stari Grad, Jelsa, Vrboska | Run by Čazmatrans; schedules vary by season |
| Water taxi | Pakleni Islands | Frequent in summer, sparse off-season |
| Rental car or scooter | Beaches and villages outside town | Not needed if you’re staying in town |
Good to know: Hvar Town’s center is pedestrian-only, so every taxi and PickApp ride dropped us at the same spot, whether we were heading into town or to the ferry. From there, it’s a short walk.
These are our costs, not guaranteed fares. At about €20 a ride, one round trip is €40, two round trips a day is €80, and two round trips a day for two days is €160. That’s a lot to spend getting around such a small area.
Why Your Hotel Location Matters More Than You Think
Hvar has beautiful hotels outside the center, many with great views, swimming areas and quieter surroundings. But before you book one, think about how often you’ll want to go into town.
A listing that says “15 minutes from the harbor” doesn’t tell you how steep that walk is. At Hotel Podstine, heading down into town was easy. Coming back was not because the uphill stretch was steep, there was little shade, and even in September it was very hot. That’s exactly when a €20 ride starts to look tempting, again and again.
Say a hotel outside the center is €50 a night cheaper. If you spend €40–80 a day on rides, you may not be saving anything. Location isn’t everything, and some travelers happily trade convenience for a pool and a view. But compare the total cost, not just the room rate. Look at the walking route on Google Maps, check the elevation, and estimate how many trips you’ll make each day.
For a closer look at each area, see my Where to Stay in Hvar Town.
Our Best Tips Around Hvar Town for Getting
- Download PickApp before you arrive. You’ll have a backup, and you can get a car from your hotel.
- Ask the price before getting into a taxi. A short ride isn’t necessarily a cheap one.
- Not all taxi’s accept cards. Ask before you get in.
- Check your hotel’s actual walking route. Distance alone won’t tell you how steep it is.
- Wear shoes you can walk in. The Old Town is all stone lanes, steps and uneven surfaces. This isn’t the place to break in new sandals.
- Plan ahead with luggage. Taxis can’t reach the waterfront, so expect a walk between the ferry and the taxi rank.
- Leave extra time to catch your ferry. I’d rather arrive early and have a coffee on the harbor than drag my bags across town while the boat gets ready to leave.
- Check schedules outside summer. Buses, water taxis and even PickApp drivers thin out after peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Around Hvar Town
What is the best way to get around Hvar Town?
Walking, especially if you’re staying near the harbor or historic center. Taxis and PickApp are useful if you’re staying outside the center or carrying luggage.
Is there Uber in Hvar?
Not reliably. Uber operates in Split and other mainland cities, but don’t expect to find drivers on Hvar Island. PickApp is the local alternative.
Is there Bolt in Hvar?
No, Bolt isn’t a reliable option on Hvar either. Visitors use regular taxis, PickApp, buses or rentals.
What is PickApp in Hvar?
PickApp is a local taxi-booking app that works like Uber. You enter your pickup and destination, see the fare and request a driver. You can pay by cash or card. Our rides between Hotel Podstine and Hvar Town cost €19.90 before tip.
Where do you find taxis after arriving by ferry in Hvar Town?
At Dolac, the parking and bus station area behind St. Stephen’s Square. From the ferry, follow the waterfront left to the square, walk through it away from the water, and you’ll see the taxis.
Can you walk everywhere in Hvar Town?
Within the historic center, mostly yes. The town has steep streets and stairs, though, and hotels farther from the harbor can mean a tough uphill walk.
Wrapping Things Up: Is Getting Around Hvar Town Easy?
Yes. The Old Town is compact and a joy to explore on foot, and taxis and PickApp cover the rest. Our biggest surprises were paying €20 for a few-minute ride and how much the hills shaped where we were willing to walk. If you do one thing before booking, look carefully at your hotel’s location and the route to town. Once you’re there, wandering Hvar’s old streets will probably be one of your favorite parts of the trip.
