5 night trip in croatia itinerary - please help!

We are planning a short trip to Croatia - flying from Vienna - here%26#39;s what we are thinking:

Fly into Split

1 night in Split

2 nights in Hvar

2 nights in Dubrovnik

Fly out of Dubrovnik, back to Vienna

Any suggestions on the itinerary? We plan to do day trips from Dubrovnik to Mljet Islands? Should we do Korcula too - or will we be packing in too much?

Can you please recommend what is the best way to travel internally?

Should we rent a car, or is it too much of a hassle - we can use bus/ferries too.

Thanks so much for your help!

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I think you are tight for time as it is and if you do one day trip from Dubrovnik don%26#39;t do another one. Mljet is quite a distance as is Korcula. I would enjoy the city and the places local to it - the Elaphiti islands are much closer.

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Remember that the transfer time between Hvar and Dubrovnik is a minimum 6 hours, so that either takes time out of Hvar or Dubrovnik.

The fastest travel from Split to Hvar is the catamaran service.

The ferries from Stari Grad on Hvar to Dubrovnik only run twice weekly - you need to know if they go on the day you plan to travel. Check out www.jadrolinija.hr for timetables.

If they do not go on the planned day of travel, then catamaran to Split and bus from Split to Dubrovnik is your next best option.

Personally, I would go straight to Hvar and do 2 days there, allow 1 day for travel from Hvar to Dubrovnik and do 2 days in Dubrovnik.

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Great advice from Mutiny. Skip Split and get to Hvar as quickly as possible and then spend two nights there before moving on to Dubrovnik. Also-- no day trips should be considered in that little time in Dubrovnik. Enjoy Dubrovnik and then get to other places on your next trip!

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Thats great advice! I think we%26#39;ll plan to get Hvar asap and enjoy Hvar instead of spending time in Split.

Also, does it help to rent a car - I read that getting to Dubrovnik from Hvar is quicker by car? Or should we stick to the bus/ferry option?

Thanks so much for your inputs!

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A rental car is a personal choice.

Parking in Hvar and Dubrovnik is challenging but not impossible - you need to check if your accommodation has parking space.

Once you get to Dubrovnik, a car is pretty much useless as it is a walking city.

On Hvar, a car can be helpful to see other parts of the island but useless in Hvar town.

Car ferries are much more expensive than passenger ferries. You also need to arrive early, up to one hour in advance of the sailing, to ensure you get on the ferry that you have planned for.

But you have the flexibility to do what you want and stop along the way.

I have booked a car for our trip to Croatia in September, but then I have a 2 year old (therefore extra luggage) and am driving from Budapest. It makes sense for me but you need to work out what makes sense for you.