Car Hire in Split

Why hire a car in Split?

The capital of Dalmatia and the second-largest city of Croatia, Split has been steadily building its profile as a popular vacation hub. The city’s millennia-old history and splendid Adriatic beaches speak for themselves, but Split can also be a hub for exploring the rest of Southeast Croatia.

Top ways to enter Split

• Split Airport. Located some 20 km (12 miles) from the city, Split Airport is especially active during the summer months when it has flights by more than 40 different airlines. Other international airports in Croatia include Zagreb Airport (415 km / 258 miles from Split), Zadar Airport (143 km / 89 miles), and Dubrovnik Airport (246 km / 153 miles).

Top sights and activities

• St. Duje’s Cathedral. Dating back to 305 AD as the resting place of the Roman Emperor Diocletian who was both born and died in the Split area, this has often been called the oldest cathedral in the world. Also known as the Cathedral of St. Domnius, a bishop and another native of Split, the church shows a wonderful mixture of architectural styles.
• Sphinxes. St. Duje’s Cathedral is part of the Diocletian Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Some of the most unusual attractions of the complex are the two Egyptian sphinxes that date back to 3,500 years and were obtained by Diocletian himself during his reign as the emperor was a known admirer of Egyptian culture. One of the sphinxes is in the main square of the palace while the other one can be found in St. John’s church (or previously, the Temple of Jupiter).
• Varoš. Just as historical as the Diocletian Palace, but with much less grandeur and perhaps more ambience, Varoš was for centuries the working class district of Split for centuries. Nowadays characterized by its steep, narrow streets and many heritage buildings, Varoš provides access to the neighbouring Marjan Hill and forest park which  is further to the west.

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 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 neighbouring country, especially Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia which 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.
• Petrol stations are usually open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., although many work until 10:00 p.m. during summer.
• Proof of insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, 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 — open ones and 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 is given a ticket that shows where they entered the toll road. They then need to present the ticket when leaving the toll road and pay for the distance travelled. 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.

Payment can be made either in cash or by credit card. You can also purchase a smart card or an expiring seasonal smart card that includes 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

• Šibenik. Not as large as Split or as famous as Dubrovnik, Šibenik is nonetheless one of the loveliest destinations in Dalmatia. Known for its impressive cathedral and many other historical landmarks, as well as family-friendly public beaches, this gem of a town is only an hour’s drive north of Split.
• Krka National Park. Just north of Šibenik, Krka is one of the most beautiful nature areas of Croatia. Named after the river that the park surrounds on both sides, the area is known for its waterfalls, the island monastery of Visovac, and a great variety of flora and fauna.

Most popular cars

The most hired car in Split is the Opel Astra, followed by the VW Golf and the Opel Corsa. The most popular car types are compact, mini, and economy.

Car hire prices in Split

• Small cars - starting at US$9 per day
• Medium cars - starting at US$12 per day
• Large cars - starting at US$21 per day
• Station wagons - starting at US$14 per day
• SUVs - starting at US$13 per day
• Convertibles - starting at US$60 per day
• People Carriers - starting at US$48 per day
• Premium cars - starting at US$106 per day

Money-saving and other tips

These are some good methods to save money on your car:

• Compare rates of different car providers
• Book your car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Split is the cheapest in February.