Compare Split Airport car hire

Dramatically reaching out into the Adriatic Sea, Split is a city that combines history, art and culture with a buzzing contemporary bar and foodie scene. There’s plenty to see on foot but with a cheap car hire deal in 2025, Split and the surrounding Dalmatian Coast area is ripe for exploration.

Language: Croatian | Currency: Euro (€) | Avg. Flight time: 2 hrs 34 mins

For those arriving by air, there’s plenty of choice for cheap car hire at Split Airport (SPU). Numerous providers are based at the main terminal, from big brands such as Europcar, Hertz and Sixt to smaller, more local companies.

You should be able to bag yourself a bargain on Split car rental by wisely booking in advance.

Once you’ve collected your rental car, you’ll find the journey to the city centre takes just over half an hour.

Car hire companies that have desks at Split Airport include:

• Avis/ Budget (Tel: +385 91 314 3011)
• Hertz (Tel: +385 21 895 230)
• Sixt (Tel: +385 21 797 063)

There’s a handful of car hire companies with offices in Split’s centre if you’d rather spend a few days exploring the city on foot before heading further afield. You’ll find them near the ferry terminal and across the bay on Trumbiceva obala.

Croatia has the same driving rules as many other European nations, with cars driving on the right hand side of the road. Like many of the old cities in Croatia, a large portion of Split is pedestrianised which can make getting around by car difficult if you don’t plan your journeys beforehand.

The area around the Old Town and the Diocletian’s Palace is tricky to navigate so it’s best to park slightly further out and walk into the centre. If you’re not staying in Split, you’ll want to find parking for the day. There are no spaces at all in the walled Old Town but there’s a large car park near the port as well as on-street parking options.

When it comes to leaving Split for day trips, you’ll find the roads are well maintained and signposted. You should exercise caution on the narrow, winding coastal roads though, and make sure you carry cash with you as the motorways are usually tolled.

Trogir

Driving time: 45 minutes

The beautifully preserved town of Trogir sits on its own small island and is connected to the mainland by a single bridge. Its maze of streets, and its mix of Renaissance and Baroque buildings make it pretty picturesque for a day trip or as a wonderful stopping point on your way to Ciovo Island just beyond. You’ll find a great selection of bars and restaurant overlooking the water on the south side of the island, while the 13th century Trogir Cathedral is nestled at its centre.

Solta

Travel time: One hour

While a lot of the islands off Croatia’s coast are easiest to reach by boat, it’s possible to get to some by car ferry too. Solta lies less than 20km (12 miles) south of Split and is ideal for a relaxed day enjoying quiet beaches and wonderful cafes serving up regional delicacies and locally produced wines. The ferry to Solta leaves from Split’s harbour and takes an hour to reach the main port of Rogac.

Makarska

Driving time: 75 minutes

Heading out to the Makarska Riviera affords travellers access to picturesque fishing villages and coastal views. The area makes a great road trip destination for those after stunning sandy beaches as well as opportunities for adventure sports in the Biokovo Nature Park. The main port town of Makarska is just over an hour’s drive from Split and boasts a great nightlife scene as well as a few interesting museums.

1. Most of the area inside Split’s historic city walls is pedestrianised. You’ll need to bear this in mind if you’re trying to get from one side of the town to the other.
   
2. Parking can be hard to come by in high season. The best option is to try to find on-street parking early in the day or head to the large car park near the port.
   
3. Traffic in Split can get quite bad at certain times of the day during the summer. In the early morning and late afternoon, you’ll typically find the narrow streets full of commuters and tourists trying to get in or out of the city.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.