Did you know it’s easy to reach Croatia from Italy by boat? There are daily ferries crossing the Adriatic from Ancona to Split. In this post, I’ll tell you all you need to know about the Ancona to Split ferry including up-to-date prices and timetable.
Quick Takeaway: The fastest ferry from Ancona to Split takes 9 hours and costs from as little as €63 for a foot passenger. Click here to book with Direct Ferries.
Reaching Croatia by ferry is one of the best ways to arrive and offers fantastic views of the Croatian islands and Split harbour. There are up to four ferries each day from Ancona to Split operated by Jadrolinija and SNAV.
I’ve just taken the Ancona Split ferry after visiting a friend in Milan and found it to be an excellent way to travel between the two countries, with the bonus of arriving right in the heart of Split’s old town (Stari Grad).
Upon arriving in Croatia, you can continue to relish the stunning coastline by embarking on a cruise tour with Elegance Cruises from Sail Croatia.
Boring stuff: I have visited each of the places I recommend and give you my honest opinion, warts and all. All photos are my own unless otherwise stated and may not be reproduced without permission. Affiliate links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
You might also like my other Italy ferry articles:
Can You Catch A Ferry from Ancona to Split?
It’s easy to catch a ferry from Italy to Croatia with two daytime and two overnight crossings from Ancona to Split every day. There is also a ferry service from Ancona to Zadar in northern Croatia (another beautiful place to visit).
You can travel as a foot passenger or with a vehicle on both Jadrolinija and SNAV services between Ancona and Split. If you need to hire a car our partners at Discover Cars have excellent rates for Europe. Click here for more info.
Why take the Ancona Split Ferry?
- Enjoy a leisurely trip without the stress of flying
- Cheap – tickets from just €60.00
- Amazing views of Croatia’s islands
- Discover some of Europe’s most idyllic beaches
- Arrive refreshed after a good night’s sleep
- Arrive right in the centre of Split
There are many reasons to visit beautiful Croatia and it’s definitely one of my favourite destinations in Europe. Think long, hot summers, crystal clear waters, amazing food, charming old towns and friendly locals. It’s basically like Italy but cheaper.
Split is an absolutely gorgeous city about halfway down the Dalmatian coast between Zadar and Dubrovnik. It’s famed as the home of Roman emperor Diocletian (check out my guide to Heraclea Lyncestis if you like Roman history).
There is tons to do in Split from wandering around the old town to taking boat trips, swimming at nearby beaches, and just taking in the relaxed vibe. Although Split is getting more popular, it’s still not as overrun as Dubrovnik.
Ancona Split Ferry Price
SNAV
- Foot passenger €63
- With Bicycle €73
- Motorcycle €136
- Car €164
- 2 berth cabin €121
- 4 berth cabin €127
Jadrolinija
- Foot passenger €66
- With bicycle €81
- Motorcycle v120
- Car €157
- 2 berth cabin €156
- 4 berth cabin €133
Click here to book with Direct Ferries
Ancona to Split Ferry Timetable
| Company | Depart Ancona | Arrive Split | Duration |
| SNAV | 10:30 | 20:00 | 9h30m |
| SNAV | 19:30 | 07:00 | 11h30m |
| Jadrolinija | 10:00 | 19:00 | 11h00m |
| Jadrolinija | 19:45 | 07:00 | 11h15m |
How to buy tickets for the Ancona to Split Ferry
You can purchase tickets at the port in Ancona, however, as the route sells out it’s best to book in advance and this can be done online through companies like Direct Ferries.
Prices start from as little as €60 one-way for a foot passenger. Prices increase in summer and around holiday periods. Use the widget below to get a quote today:
Book today with Direct Ferries
How to Get to the Ancona Ferry Terminal
Getting to Ancona
I took the bus from Milan to Ancona with Itabus. The ticket cost €15 and the journey took 8.5 hours instead of the 6.5 it was supposed to take (heavy traffic coming out of Bologna).
There are daily trains from cities across Italy to Ancona. Milan to Ancona takes 3 hours and Rome to Ancona takes 3.5 hours.
Getting to the Passenger Terminal
The port is within walking distance of the city centre, but you have to go to the main terminal to check in. You can walk from the bus or train station which takes around around 20 minutes.
You can also take the free shuttle bus number 20 which runs between the railway station, bus station, terminal building and dockside.
Check-In for Foot Passengers
The ticket says that check-in closes 120 minutes before departure but I checked in around 90 minutes before the sailing. There are desks for Jadrolinija and all the other ferry companies that operate out of Ancona.
You need to present your passport at the desk to get your ticket for boarding. There is a bus stop outside the terminal from where bus 20 goes directly to the dockside.
Upon arrival at the dock you need to go through passport control (I didn’t have my bags checked and no x-rays). You can then walk onto the boat.
Address: Via Luigi Einaudi, 60125 Ancona AN, Italy. Click here for directions.
Port Operating Hours
Monday to Sunday: 08:00 – 21:00
Facilities at the port
- Currency Exchange
- ATM
- Cafe
- Shops
- Lockers
Boarding
Take bus 20 from outside the terminal building. This is a free shuttle bus that takes you to the customs area and from there you walk onto the ship after going through immigration.
Book today with Direct Ferries
About the Ancona to Split Ferry
Jadrolinija – The Marco Polo
I travelled on the Jadrolinija ship Marco Polo. It’s smaller than most ferries I have taken but was clean and comfortable with plenty of seating inside and on deck, a restaurant and a couple of bars.
Facilities on Board
- Sun decks
- Lounge with seating
- Restaurant
- Inside bar
- Deck bar
- Children’s play area
- Gift shop
Food and Drink
There are two bars selling hot and cold drinks and snacks on board. There is also a restaurant with both canteen-style dining and table service. Expect to pay around 20 for a meal (cheaper if you book when purchasing your ticket).
Entertainment
There isn’t much in the way of entertainment on board the Marco Polo so be sure to bring something to read. That being said, the sunset as we left Italy was incredible, and it was easy to pass the time watching the world go by with a few drinks on deck.
WIFI
Unfortunately there is no WIFI on board the Marco Polo Jadrolinija ferry. Also be aware that some providers charge very expensive rates at sea, so check before you depart. I put my phone on Airplane mode until we reached the coast of Croatia and I could use my data plan again.
Book today with Direct Ferries
Arriving in Split
We arrived in Split an hour early at 6 am. The port is located opposite the main railway and bus stations and just a five-minute walk from Diocletian’s Palace and the old town.
There are lots of ATMs, shops, cafes and travel services as soon as you leave the port.
There were no immigration checks on arrival as Croatia is a part of the EU.
Useful Info for Croatia
Currency
In late 2022 Croatia started using the Euro which makes things easier when coming from Italy as you won’t need to worry about exchange rates and having to bother getting hold of the old Kuna.
Phone Coverage
If like me you have a UK phone plan it will work in Croatia as it’s part of the EU (but always best to double-check with your provider – I’m with Lebara).
Electricity
Croatia uses the standard European two-pin plugs (type C and F) using 220 volts.
Things to See and Do in Split
Split is a beautiful destination with a long history dating back to its time as the seat of Roman Emperor Diocletian. I’ve been visiting this sun-drenched coastal city for years and love wandering around the charming old town with its many shops, cafes and restaurants.
Here are some of the top things to do in Split:
- Explore the old town (Stari Grad)
- See Diocletian’s Palace
- Walk along the marina
- Take a boat trip
- Enjoy fresh seafood
- Visit the St Dominus Cathedral
- Stroll around Suma Marjan Park
- Check out the Game of Thrones Museum
For more of Croatia, check out these incredible tours:
FAQs about the Ancona to Split Ferry
The ferry from Ancona to Split takes between 9 and 11.5 hours depending on which service. Daytime crossings are 9 hours and overnight journeys are 11.5.
You can book a cabin on the Ancona to Split ferry to ensure a good night’s sleep. It’s also possible to sleep in the public passenger areas on seats, but not very comfortable and only recommended for budget travellers.
To go to Split from Ancona by ferry all you need to do is buy a ticket and get to the port in Ancona (easily reachable by bus and train from the rest of Italy). The ferry departs from the city centre in Ancona and arrives right in the heart of Split.
Final Thoughts
So, now you know everything about taking the Ancona to Split ferry, what are you waiting for? I’ve been to Croatia many times and taking the boat is definitely the best way to arrive refreshed with absolutely gorgeous views of the city. Book your ticket today with Direct Ferries!
You might like my other articles about Croatia:
About the author:
Steve Rohan is a writer from Essex, England. He has traveled to over 60 countries, lived in Armenia, China and Hong Kong, and is now living the digital nomad life on the road.
Steve prefers “slow travel” and has covered much of the world by train, bus and boat. He has been interviewed multiple times by the BBC and recently featured in the documentary Scariest Places in the World. See the About page for more info.
Where I am now: Yerevan, Armenia 🇦🇲
Wow this is great information! My mom did a trip like this from Italy to Croatia and she absolutely loved it.