Cheap Car Rental Split –
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Primary as well as all additional drivers must carry a valid driver’s licence (if the licence has multiple parts, you must present all of them), a valid original ID card/or passport, a credit card (in the main driver’s name), and a Rental Confirmation Voucher when picking up the hired vehicle in Split.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required in addition to a National Driving Licence if the DL of you or any of the Additional Drivers is not clearly identifiable, e.g., it is in a non-Latin alphabet (e.g. Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese).

EU driving licences are fully valid for renting a car in Split, no IDP required. An IDP, however, is mandatory if your licence is not in Latin script (e.g. Arabic, Japanese, Cyrillic). US, Canadian, and Australian drivers with Latin-script licences are not legally required to carry one, but some local suppliers will ask for one regardless.

Recommendation: Obtain your IDP before leaving your home country, as it cannot be issued in Croatia. Cost is typically €10–20 from your national motoring association.

As with most major EU countries, car hire companies in Split permit drivers aged 18 and above to rent a car. A young driver surcharge will be applied to drivers under 25 (typically €5 – €10 per day). Drivers under 25 renting a car in Split will likely have limited car choices. They will likely face no trouble booking Economy, Mini, or Compact models, but Luxury vehicles, large SUVs, and high-performance cars are often off-limits to young drivers.

Yes, plenty of rental offices are located within 200m of the bus and train platform exits. While there are no dedicated car rental desks inside the train/bus station premises, the train station and bus station are clustered together in the same waterfront precinct as the ferry terminal, making it easy to walk between suppliers’ car hire counters. This is the most convenient option for passengers arriving by long-distance coaches from Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Sarajevo, or Mostar, and by rail from Zagreb and Knin.

For a road trip along the Dalmatian coast starting from Split, the best overall choice would be a Compact or Medium-sized car (such as a Volkswagen Golf, Opel Astra, or similar hatchback). Compact cars offer the best balance of handling winding coastal roads, easy manoeuvrability/parking, and space for 3–4 people + luggage.

If you’re driving Hvar’s steep interior mountain road or the Makarska Riviera coastal road, choose a car with adequate power (like an SUV) for sustained hillclimbing.

While the main city is mostly flat or gently sloped, with no real steep driving concerns, several neighbourhoods like Marjan Hill, Meje, Manuš, and the approaches to Mosor above Split are built around several steep hillsides, which an automatic transmission will handle better. Renters travelling with multiple passengers and extra luggage, and not used to driving a stick on steep hill starts, should definitely consider renting an automatic.

The rental fleet in Croatia is predominantly manual. Availability of automatic car rentals is limited and sells out quickly during peak season (June-August). Book at least 6–8 weeks ahead for summer travel.

For after-hours returns, confirm the key drop procedure with your supplier at the time of booking. An out-of-hours surcharge of approximately €32–50 typically applies. Returns are to the same desk you collected from – city centre, airport, ferry port or bus station as applicable.

Remember to photograph all panels and the dashboard fuel level before handing over keys. Keep all fuel receipts. This will help dispute any false missing-fuel claims later on.

No, the entire Diocletian’s Palace and old-town peninsula is a strict traffic-restriction zone, meaning no rental cars or other vehicles can enter. The Palace zone is blocked by physical rising bollards and licence-plate cameras at every entry point, and violations are automatically recorded and billed to the credit card with fines ranging from €200–€500.

Alternative: Instead, park at Parking Brodarica (east side), Parking Sukoišan or Parking Bačvice Garage and walk in through the Golden Gate or Silver Gate.

The A1 motorway from Split to Zagreb is a toll road (costing ~€25–28 for a standard car each way), however, the D8 coastal road, which runs north to Trogir and south to Omiš and Dubrovnik, is toll-free. Tolls are collected on an open ticket system: collect a ticket at entry, pay on exit. Cash, card and ENC payments are accepted at most booths.

No, the city’s mandatory Palace perimeter drive isn’t at all difficult to navigate when you know beforehand what to expect. Often catching first time visitors by surprise, Split’s one-way street system forces all vehicles travelling near the old town on a mandatory circuit around the outside of the Palace walls. This means vehicles must travel around the outside of the walls without cutting through, adding 10–15 minutes to any cross-city route.

Pro tip: Always enter your supplier’s exact address into your navigation app rather than ‘Split city centre’, the one-way system will route you correctly if given the precise destination. Set your GPS before leaving the rental bay, not while already near the perimeter loop.

The best alternatives to parking near Split Old Town are parking further out and using a short Bolt/Uber into the centre, using the Joker Centar Garage (free 3 hrs with mall validation). For July–August peak days, don’t try to park within 5 minutes of the Palace after 09:30. The parking near the waterfront is 2-hour maximum, and anyone who parks there for a full day of sightseeing returns to a ticket or a tow. The removal fee starts at €120, and the fine is billed directly through the rental company. Below is the quick comparison table for better decision making:

No, the car ferry from Split docks in Stari Grad, 20 km away, not in Hvar Town. From the dock at Stari Grad on the north coast, you need to drive another 25 minutes to reach the scenic Hvar Town. Always confirm that island driving is permitted in your rental agreement before buying a ferry ticket. Written authorisation must come from the supplier and be pre-arranged at the time of booking, as without this document, Jadrolinija ferry staff have the authority to deny vehicle boarding.

The best car route for your Split to Hvar journey would be: Split → Stari Grad (2-hour ferry), then drive across the island’s mountainous interior to Hvar Town (~25 min, scenic but steep).

If you’re travelling to Brač or Hvar on foot and planning to leave your rental car in Split, the Train Station Lot (Obala kneza Domagoja) directly across from the ferry terminal is the ideal choice for all day island day trips. This specific garage charges around €25–35/day and is the closest secure option to the ferry boarding point. Sukoišan Garage (multi-storey, 15-min walk) is a cheaper alternative for 6–8 hour stays.

Remember to avoid parking in Zone I street parking near the ferry port for a full day, as the maximum allowance is 2 hours, and you will most likely receive a fine or be towed.