Jadrolinija Cancels Split–Ancona Ferry Until July: What Travellers Need to Know

Croatia’s state ferry operator Jadrolinija has announced the temporary cancellation of all sailings on its Split–Ancona route from 13 May until 2 July 2026, suspending a total of 15 departures across six weeks. The operator cited rising fuel costs and supply chain pressures as the reason, stating the move is aimed at “optimising operating costs and adjusting the scope of services to current market conditions.”

For travellers planning to cross between Croatia and Italy this spring, the cancellation removes one of the most popular overland-to-sea connections in the region — a roughly 10-hour overnight crossing used heavily by road-trippers and island-hoppers heading into or out of Dalmatia.

Alternatives still running

Jadrolinija’s services on the Split–Bari and Dubrovnik–Bari international routes continue as per their published schedules throughout this period. Both Bari crossings take approximately 8–9 hours overnight and connect Croatia to Puglia in southern Italy — a practical option for anyone building a broader Southern European road trip.

SNAV, the competing Italian operator on the Ancona corridor, continues to run its seasonal service on the Ancona–Split route from 1 April through 4 October 2026. For travellers who specifically need Ancona — perhaps for onward rail or road connections northward through Italy — SNAV remains the direct alternative on that sailing.

What to do if you’re already booked

Anyone holding Jadrolinija reservations for sailings between 13 May and 2 July should contact Jadrolinija directly or check with their booking platform for refund or rebooking options. Demand for Dalmatian coast ferry crossings rises steeply from July onward, particularly for vehicle tickets, so rebooking as early as possible is advisable.

Split remains easily reached by air from across Europe — Croatia’s connectivity has only improved this month — and Dubrovnik offers its own Bari crossing as a southern alternative. For a full overview of how to move around the region by ferry, bus, and road, our Balkans transport guide covers border crossings, ferry routes, and overland options across the region. The Croatia country page has practical entry and arrival information for first-time visitors.

Jadrolinija expects the Split–Ancona service to resume in full on 2 July, ahead of the peak summer season.