Central Dalmatia gateway
Car rental in Split
If you want to enjoy Split properly and still keep the freedom to reach Makarska Riviera, Krka and Plitvice, Split to Dubrovnik, having a car usually makes the whole trip easier.
Split is one of those places where the car matters not just for the airport, but for the rhythm of the whole trip. It keeps routes like Makarska Riviera and Krka and Plitvice flexible and saves you from building the day around transfers.
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Why a car makes sense here
Why a car makes sense here
In Split, the car is what turns nearby places like Makarska Riviera, Krka and Plitvice, Split to Dubrovnik from complicated add-ons into simple parts of the trip. That is why the rental matters even if the city itself is walkable.
Coast, parks, and ferries
The coastal road south to Makarska is scenic; the A1 inland reaches Krka and Plitvice fast. Car ferries to Hvar and Brač leave from Split port — book ahead in summer.
Who this destination suits
Split fits travelers doing a central-Dalmatia loop with beaches, national parks, and island ferries.
Split Airport (SPU)
Road-trip friendly
Clear pricing
Works beyond the airport
Flexible itinerary
Where to pick up
Where to pick up
Split Airport (SPU) is better when you want to land and leave immediately. Split city / ferry port is better when the first days are urban and the car only becomes useful once the wider route starts.
Split Airport (SPU)
Biggest central-Dalmatia fleet, near Trogir — quick access to the coastal road and the A1 inland.
Split city / ferry port
Useful if you arrive by ferry, though the old town around the palace is pedestrian.
Routes worth doing by car
Routes worth doing by car
Split is the beating heart of the Dalmatian coast and the best base for a Croatia road trip. The airport sits north of the city near Trogir, with quick access to the coastal road and the A1 motorway inland. The car opens the Makarska Riviera beaches, the waterfalls of Krka and Plitvice, and the ferry ports for Hvar and Brač. Diocletian's Palace at the core is a walking area.
Makarska Riviera
The beaches and mountain backdrop south along the coastal road — Dalmatia's best beach stretch.
Krka and Plitvice
The waterfalls inland — Krka is closer, Plitvice a longer but unmissable day.
Split to Dubrovnik
The Adriatic Highway south, including the short Neum crossing through Bosnia.
Booking and driving tips
Booking and driving tips
- Compact and intermediate cars usually give the best balance if your trip mixes city streets and longer regional drives from Split.
- Electronic toll coverage is worth keeping active if the itinerary is likely to use fast roads or motorways.
- If this trip depends on weather, beaches, viewpoints, or scattered stops, the car gives you the freedom to adapt the day without losing the plan.
- Book car ferries to Hvar or Brač ahead in July and August.
- Carry your passport for the Neum corridor if driving on to Dubrovnik.
- The A1 motorway is tolled — keep a card handy at the booths.
- Park outside the palace old town and explore Split on foot.
Questions travelers usually ask
Questions travelers usually ask
The useful questions here are usually about timing, station choice, and what kind of car keeps the trip easy.
Do I really need a car in Split?
Usually yes if your trip includes places like Makarska Riviera, Krka and Plitvice, Split to Dubrovnik. That is where the rental stops being optional and starts becoming the easiest way to move well.
Should I pick up at Split Airport (SPU) or in Split?
Split Airport (SPU) is the best low-friction option for immediate departures. Split city / ferry port is better if you want to keep the city stay lighter before the road-trip part begins.
What kind of car works best here?
For most routes from Split, a compact or intermediate automatic is the safest balance between comfort, parking, and simple regional driving.