Car Rental in Split

Why rent a car in Split?

Split is a great place to visit by car. Not only you’ll get to explore its historic, fun city and its surrounding beaches, you’ll also have the freedom to travel to all of the landmarks of the surrounding Dalmatia region.

Top ways to enter Split

• Split Airport. Also known as Split-Resnik, the second-busiest airport in the country served 3.1 million travelers in 2018. The airport is especially active during the summer months when it hosts flights by more than 30 different airlines. Located 24 km (15 miles) northwest of the city center, the airport can be reached in about 20 minutes by car.
• Zadar Airport. Another international airport on the Dalmatian coast that’s mainly active during the summer months, Zadar Airport handled just over 600,000 travelers in 2018. The airport is popular with low-cost carriers like Ryanair, easyJet, and Vueling. Located 152 km (94 miles) northwest of Split, the airport can be reached in about 90 minutes.
• Dubrovnik Airport. Serving the picturesque coastal city of the same name, Dubrovnik Airport is near Croatia’s borders with Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the last decade, the airport has been growing at a fast pace - nowadays, it offers flights not only to and from European destinations, but also the Middle East and the United States. Located 245 km (152 miles) southeast of Split, Dubrovnik Airport can be reached in about 3 hours and 20 minutes, with most of the road taking you right along the coast.
• Zagreb Airport. Serving the capital of Croatia, Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport is the busiest in the country. Unlike the airports serving the country’s coastal destinations, most flights served by Zagreb Airport are active year-round. Located 418 km (260 mi) north of Split, Zagreb Airport can be reached in about four hours.
• By sea. If you’re arriving in Split by ferry, you can conveniently pick up a rental car at Split Aci Marina Port. During the summer and early autumn months, there are frequent ferry services connecting Split with other Croatian coastal destinations, Croatian islands, and some cities in Italy. The services are much more limited during the colder months of the year, so it’s important to look up the schedule in advance. Some ferry companies permit bringing a rental car on deck while others do not; regardless, you should always ask your rental car provider if they also permit it.

City facts

• The second biggest city in Croatia, Split is the capital of Split-Dalmatia County. Nearly 350,000 people live in the city’s larger metropolitan area.
• Founded by Greeks, the city has also been ruled by Romans, Hungarian, Venetians, and the French during different times of its varied history.

Top sights and activities

• Diocletian’s Palace. Another great remnant of Diocletian’s reign in ancient Split, this retirement complex has changed very little throughout the ages. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it can be found at the very heart of the Split Old Town. On a more modern note, Game of Thrones fans will recognize it as the place where dragons were kept in Meereen.
• The Egyptian sphinxes. Brought to Split almost 2000 years ago from the other coast of the Mediterranean, these two sphinxes are some of the most unique Egyptian artifacts in Europe. You’ll find one of them in Peristil square while the other is in front of Jupiter’s temple.
• St. Duje's. First built during Roman times as the emperor Diocletian’s mausoleum and later refurbished into a Catholic cathedral, St. Duje’s Cathedral (or the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, as it’s sometimes called in English) has a unique mixture of architectural styles. Having acquired its Christian status more than 1,400 years ago, it may be the oldest Catholic structure in the world retaining its original structure. Remember to climb to the church’s stunning bell tower as you’ll get the best city views anywhere in Split from there.
• Split Archaeological Museum. If you liked some of the landmarks above, you’re very likely to enjoy a visit to Split’s main archaeological museum. Located in the northern part of the city center, it chronicles the eras when Split was ruled by various famous empires and the cultural heritage they left behind.

Traffic and parking

• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 130 km/h on motorways, 110 km/h on main highways, 90 km/h on most other roads, and 50 km/h in populated and built-up areas.
• During autumn and spring (from October to March) you need to drive with your headlights on, even during the day.
• If you’re driving with a foreign car, it needs to have a nationality sticker on the back. This is important if you’re arriving in Croatia by car from a neighboring country, especially Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia that are not part of the European Union.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers and drivers under the age of 24. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines, an EU-wide licence ban, or even imprisonment.
• Gas stations are usually open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., although many will work until 10:00 p.m. during summer.
• The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.

Toll roads

There’s a toll to be paid for using most Croatian motorways. There are two types of tolls in Croatia, the open ones and the closed ones. On open toll motorways, which are mostly tunnels, bridges, and short stretches of highway, the driver pays when arriving at the road. On closed toll motorways, the driver pays when arriving at the road and is given a receipt for their payment that shows where they entered the toll road. They then need to present the receipt when leaving the toll road. If you lose the receipt, you’ll need to once again for the maximum length of the toll road. If your receipt is more than 24 hours old, for example, because you stay for the night somewhere along the toll road, you’ll need to provide a valid explanation of the situation at the exit toll booth.

The payment for the toll road can be done either in cash or by credit card. You can also purchase a smart card or an expiring seasonal smart card that will include a 10% discount. Both types of smart cards are non-refundable. Some rental cars are equipped with an electronic toll responder the price of which is usually included in the rental price. Do ask your car rental provider about it in advance. Find out more about the toll roads in Croatia on the European toll road website.

Ideas for day trips

• Salona. An ancient Roman colony and once one of the greatest cities of that Empire, Salona still retains a well-preserved amphitheater, basilica, and other landmarks from the Roman times. From Split, Salona can be reached in less than 20 minutes by car.
• Trogir. This small, often-overlooked historic city sits just 27km west of Split and makes a great day trip destination. Since 1997, Trogir has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on account of its numerous, well-preserved Venetian buildings.
• Makarska Riviera. Named after its largest town which is located an hour’s drive southeast of Split, the Makarska Riviera is a 66 km (41 mile) long coastal stretch that’s often considered among the most beautiful in all of Croatia. Sandwiched between the mountains and the Adriatic Sea, the area is characterized by narrow, but pretty sandy beaches, as well as scenic coastal villages just behind them.
• Zadar. Just 110 km (68 mi) from Split, Zadar is another gem of a town along Croatia’s Adriatic coast. Its most famous attraction is the Sea Organ, a unique instrument that uses wind and waves to create music. There are also many opportunities for water sports or simply a relaxing day on great beaches like Kolovare, Borik, and Vitrenjak.
• Plitvice Lakes National Park. Divided into upper and lower lakes, Plitvice is one of the most attractive nature areas in Croatia. It is not allowed to swim in the lakes because of the many unique flora and fauna species that live here, but it’s still great to go a longer hike or a boat trip to enjoy this serene place.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Croatia is the VW Polo, followed by the Opel Corsa and the Skoda Fabia. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact.

Further destinations

• Dubrovnik. Often thought of as one of the most scenic towns in Europe, Dubrovnik has quickly become one of Croatia’s most visited travel destinations. Known for its magnificent walled city and as the filming location for the Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik also offers easy access to some of the most beautiful South Dalmatian beaches. The drive from Split takes three hours, and you’ll be traveling right along the coast for a large part of the way.
• Istria. As famous for its coastline as Dalmatia, but culturally and historically distinct, the Istrian peninsula is a very interesting travel destination. In addition to ancient sites and cozy beach towns like Pula and Rovinj, the region is notable for its close ties to Italy and some areas remain officially bilingual to this day. The drive from Split to Istria takes about three and a half hours, and you can visit charming Rijeka, Croatia’s third-largest city, on the way.
• Zagreb. Croatia’s inland capital is just as interesting to visit as the coast, but very different from the country’s south in terms of history, architecture, and atmosphere. If Dalmatia is in many ways quite similar to the rest of the Mediterranean, Zagreb has a Central European vibe to it, especially when it comes to architecture and history. The capital is also Croatia’s main hub of culture and entertainment.

Car rental prices in Split

• Small cars - from $9 per day
• Medium cars - from $11 per day
• Large cars - from $14 per day
• Station wagons - from $15 per day
• SUVs - from $11 per day
• Convertibles - from $60 per day
• Vans - from $38 per day
• Premium cars - from $81 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are things you can do to get a good rental car deal in Split:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Zagreb is the cheapest in February when renting a car is about 80% cheaper renting a car in August, the most expensive month.