Cheap Car Rental Split Airport –
Save upto 70% with Local Expert Tips

An estimated refundable deposit of €200-€1,500 is typically held by the supplier on the credit card until the vehicle is returned. This deposit is determined considering the applicable excess amount and the selected car category. Credit card deposits are usually released within 5 to 14 working days after the rented vehicle is returned in its original condition and without incurring any fines.

You can lower the deposit amount by purchasing additional coverage products from the Supplier when you pick up the rental vehicle. Always confirm before booking.

Find deals for Split Airport car rentals from as low as €5/day for smaller vehicle groups. The prices vary based on factors such as pick-up and drop-off locations, duration, insurance/coverages, car category, additional equipment, etc. As a general guide:

At Split Airport, most car rental companies permit drivers aged 21+(sometimes 18) and under 75 to rent cars. Drivers aged 18–24 are classified as young drivers and pay a daily surcharge (typically €5–15/day). Few suppliers impose restrictions for drivers 75 and over, requiring a medical certificate or refusing hire entirely

Always check the supplier specific age policy at the time of booking to avoid any confusion during pick up at the rental counter. 

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 hill climbing.

Yes, returning the vehicle outside the supplier’s operational hours is possible. 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. Return the hired vehicle to the same on-site car park adjacent to the terminal, and if booked with an off-airport supplier, return to their branch location (not the terminal).

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.

Most suppliers allow a 59-minute grace period after your contracted return time. However, once you exceed the 60-minute mark, a portion of the daily rate or an additional day’s charge typically applies. Note that if you are charged for an extra day, local taxes, airport fees, and daily insurance coverage (CDW/TP) will also be billed for that extra day.

While en route, if you know you won’t be able to arrive on time, call the supplier depot/desk where you are dropping off the car. If you tell them you’re late for genuine reasons such as refuelling, airport traffic, or car park navigation, they may extend your grace period as a courtesy.

A full-to-full fuel policy is usually followed by most suppliers, under which you are provided a car with a full fuel tank and must also return it full. For a same-to-same policy, you need to return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel it had at pickup.

If you return the vehicle with an amount of fuel not in accordance with the agreed amount, the supplier often charges a higher-than-local price and service fee.

You cannot drive directly to any Dalmatian island as all crossings require a car ferry service (most commonly Jadrolinija). Most suppliers permit this but require advance written permission, and loading a car onto a ferry incurs a separate ferry ticket fee not covered by your rental.

Ferry car tickets must be pre-booked separately – walk-on vehicle spaces sell out weeks in advance in July and August. Your rental supplier’s permission does not reserve you a space on the boat.

For the best overall suitability, factoring in security, daily rate, and walk time to Old Town, below are the top parking options for rental car visitors:

When driving from Split Airport, only routes using the A1 motorway incur tolls, and the D8 coastal road (to Split city and Trogir) is completely free. Below are the major toll routes from Split Airport:

Croatia uses a distance-based ticket system wherein you collect a ticket on entry and pay on exit based on the distance travelled. No vignette required. Have a card or small cash ready before you reach the booth.

No, the entire Diocletian’s Palace and old-town peninsula are a strict traffic-restrict zone, meaning vehicle access is heavily restricted. 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.