Journey from Dubrovnik to Rome: Our Personal Travel Diary

We adore Italy and travel a lot from Dubrovnik to the beautiful cities of Rome and Florence. So far we become experts in this and know all the tricks and tip for a pleasant, quick and comfortable travel.

After a years, this route has become second nature.

In this diary-style guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how we travel (frequently) between these iconic cities: from choosing the best flights to catching the right trains — and all the little discoveries in between.

Our favourite things to do in Dubrovnik:

• 🏰 Enjoy Views from the City Walls
  Start your day early with a peaceful walk along Dubrovnik’s ancient city walls. The sunrise over the Adriatic Sea is breathtaking and the city is wonderfully quiet.
• ☕ Sip Coffee in Old Town
  Grab a coffee at one of the charming cafés tucked into Dubrovnik’s narrow streets—perfect for people-watching and soaking up the medieval vibe.
• 🚠 Take the Cable Car for Stunning Views
  Hop on the Dubrovnik cable car for a quick ride up Mount Srđ. From the top, enjoy panoramic views of the red rooftops, shimmering sea, and surrounding islands—a must-do for first-timers.
• 🚤 Take a Boat Trip to Lokrum Island
  Just a short ferry ride from the Old Town, Lokrum offers peaceful nature trails, a botanical garden, and secluded swimming spots—great for a half-day escape.
• 🍤 Savour Fresh Seafood by the Harbour
  Dine at a seaside konoba (traditional tavern) and indulge in fresh Adriatic seafood like grilled fish, octopus salad, or black risotto.
• 🌿 Explore Hidden Gardens and Quiet Corners
  Beyond the main tourist spots, discover peaceful gardens like the Arboretum Trsteno or find quiet spots in tucked-away alleys to enjoy a slower pace.
  

Our Favourite Way to Travel This Route (In Brief)

Croatia and Italy are in last years well connected by numerous flights. Therefore, the easiest way to travel from Dubrovnik to Italy is by plane.

After trying just about every option, our go-to method is flying from Dubrovnik to Rome, then hopping on a high-speed train to Florence.

It’s fast, smooth, and honestly—pretty enjoyable. The flight takes about an hour and a half, and once we land in Rome, we’re usually on a train to Florence within an hour or two.

The trains are comfortable, scenic, and run so often that we don’t even stress about booking too far ahead. It’s the perfect mix of speed and experience—and it leaves us more time to actually enjoy each city.

✈️ Flying from Dubrovnik to Rome

Airlines that run this route (e.g., Croatia Airlines and Ryanair)

We’ve flown this route many times, and it’s usually the fastest and easiest way to get from the Adriatic coast to the heart of Italy.

Croatia Airlines and Ryanair run regular direct flights from Dubrovnik (DBV) to Fiumicino (FCO), which is Rome’s main international airport. The flights takes just over an hour.

Best times to fly / how often you do this

Flights from Dubrovnik to Rome are frequent from April until end of October, but during the winter only Croatia Airlines flies (twice a week).

You can opt for flying first to Zagreb and then catching Ryanair flight to Rome. For flying directly to Florence, you could opt for taking a plane to Pisa and then taking train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella. We suggest you to buy your plane tickets well ahead to find the cheapest ones. However, Vueling regularly offer sales so you can save a few euros.

Price ranges, flight duration

The flight itself takes just about 1.5 hours, but we usually allow extra time at the airport, since Dubrovnik’s terminal can get busy during peak season. Fiumicino is well-connected to the city by train, and from there it’s easy to catch a high-speed train to Florence.

Prices vary a lot depending on the season, but we usually pay between €60 and €120 per ticket when booked in advance. Occasionally, Ryanair offers cheaper deals if your schedule is flexible.

Spending a couple of days exploring Rome

When we fly from Dubrovnik to Rome, we like to spend at least a couple of days exploring the Eternal City before hopping on the train to Florence.

Rome is a city that deserves more than just a quick stop — its rich history, vibrant neighbourhoods, and amazing food always keep us coming back.

Whether we’re marveling at the Colosseum, wandering through the charming streets of Trastevere, or grabbing espresso at a tiny café, those few days give us a chance to slow down and really soak in the Roman atmosphere.

It’s the perfect way to break up the journey and recharge before continuing north to Florence. In our view, spring is the perfect time to enjoy Rome.

Authentic Roman experiences we love

• ☕ Enjoy a Roman espresso (and maritozzo) ritual
  Start your day like a local by grabbing a quick espresso and eating maritozzo at a classic bar. Join a morning foodie tour through Testaccio!
  
  
• 🏟️ Explore the Colosseum
  To catch a glimpse of history, explore the Colosseum with a guide (and a small group) early in the morning.
  
  
• 🌆 Wind your way around Rome by golf cart
  See Rome’s highlights in just a few hours in a comfortable way—take a golf cart tour with an itinerary tailored to you (hotel pick-up included)
  
  
• 🖼️ Discover hidden art in small museums
  Skip the crowds and explore gems like Palazzo Altemps or Villa Farnesina. These spots showcase stunning Renaissance art in a quieter setting.
  
  
• 🍷 Sip wine in a cosy enoteca
  Unwind in a cozy wine bar with a glass of Italian vino and some local cheeses. Trastevere is packed with charming enotecas to choose from.
  
  
• 🎭 Catch a street performance in Piazza Navona
  Experience the lively spirit of Rome through street artists, musicians, and performers who bring this historic piazza to life.
  
  
• Join a guided food tour through the Rome
  One of the highlights of our time in Rome was a food tour we took near the Vatican, which we’ve written about in detail.
  
  

🧳 Dubrovnik to Rome: travel tips you should know

Traveling this route frequently has taught us a lot — sometimes the hard way! One big lesson: always leave plenty of time between connections.

We’ve missed trains or scrambled through airports more times than we care to admit, especially when flights are delayed or trains get crowded. Now, we build in buffer time so we can relax instead of rushing.

Booking tickets early is another game-changer. We used to wait until the last minute, only to pay more or miss out on the best seats. Nowadays, we use apps like Omio to compare routes and prices, and always book flights and trains a few weeks ahead if possible.

Also, keep your airline and train apps handy. Mobile tickets and real-time updates have saved us more than once when plans changed unexpectedly.

In short: plan smart, stay flexible, and always expect the unexpected — that’s how we keep our trips smooth and enjoyable.

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