Split to Dubrovnik
 

Thinking of a family trip to Croatia with a relatively good deal for the summer from ORD. We were thinking of flying into SPU and drive to DBV. It looks like there's a bit of Bosnia in the way. How is the drive? Are there long stops at the border? Can I take a rental car from Croatia through Bosnia? Our trip would be in mid to late August - I assume the crowds will be crazy, but if anyone has suggestions for quieter areas in the region that would be interesting, it would be nice also.

You no longer have to go through Bosnia, there's a bridge now: Pelješac Bridge

Otherwise, the Adriatic Highway (Jadranska magistrala) is beautiful, but was once considered one of the most dangerous roads in Europe, narrow, winding, in debatable condition, and with lots of traffic including HGVs. This has improved immensely over the last 20 years. Go for it, and be careful in those blind corners.

oh wow. Thanks. Google still says to go through Bosnia. Yes, the drive certainly seems pretty and I doubt the turns are worse than the road to Hana in Hawaii that I just did.

Also, another option is to take a ferry from Split to Dubrovnik. In summer, there are two daily lines:

https://www.krilo.hr/en/sailing-sche...lit-dubrovnik/
https://www.krilo.hr/en/sailing-sche...t-dubrovnik-2/

Have done this drive before the bridge. Not bad at all and would do it again.

This really depends on the time of year, day of week and the overall situation on the border. Sometimes you could literally lose hours on those two border posts 10 kilometers away. The bridge is definitely the way to go.

Though going through / into Bosnia is probably ok for now since most people will be using the bridge.

You can also fly between the two

Wow! That looks amazing.

Unfortunately, it's not L-410 anymore, this year it's a Saab 340. However, the flights take place only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and baggage limitation is unclear - operating carrier advertises 13 kg checked baggage, but when you purchase a ticket as a codeshare through Croatia Airlines, baggage allowance is 23 kg. There was a post on FT recently about someone asking about actual baggage allowance when booking the codeshare - maybe we'll find out soon :)

The summer schedule for those flights hasn't been released yet, but since they're PSO flights, I doubt there will be much change. I'm planning to travel RJK-SPU in the summer on it, so I'm eagerly awaiting summer schedule being loaded too.

That's exactly how it was before as well. Direct purchase - less baggage, codeshare - more baggage. The saab is an upgrade over the Let, but the view will be worse for some as it's a low-wing aircraft.

Interesting! I flew RJK-SPU once while it was a Let, it was a great experience, a panorama flight that actually gets you somewhere :D
Do you know if when booked as OU codeshare you also get access to SPU lounge?

No lounge for for non-OU *G.

Personally I would do the drive. It is a beautiful coastline and not to be missed. I did it long enough ago that when I stopped for a pee I found I was standing next to an anti tank mine... Not a problem now of course. The drive through Bosnia was not a problem back then. At that time you only passed through the Bosnian border if you turned off the highway. A trip up to Mostar is worth considering.

Err... there is no highway. It stops before the Bosnian border, and you have to get checked twice. Bosnia doesn't magically bend around a Croatian highway dissecting it :D

There actually were some options akin to that considered at the time (which would still give Bosnia sovereignty over their territory), but it was heavily opposed by the Bosnian side - just like the bridge that was built nevertheless (because it never actually crosses into Bosnian territory, "just" shrinks their access to international waters, as per their narrative).