Split Car Rental: What You Should Know
As convenient as it is to have a self-drive car hire to traverse through Split’s iconic Roman architecture and historic landmarks, booking a preferred vehicle requires you to consider several aspects. From finding the right car to understanding rental costs and local driving rules, careful planning is key to ensuring a perfect itinerary. In this blog, we have listed down everything for you to know about renting a car and maintaining comfort, convenience, and flexibility throughout your Croatian adventure.
📋 Requirements for Renting a Car in Split
Renting a car in Spit is easy, but travellers must meet certain requirements to book and pick up a desired vehicle without any hassle. Apart from the additional terms and conditions of different rental companies, given below are the standard ones to keep in mind before booking:
✔️ Minimum Age
Typically, the minimum age to hire a car with most companies in Split is 21. However, drivers as young as 18 years old may be able to book specified car types with additional restrictions. For the most part, a Young Driver Surcharge applies to renters under 25.
✔️ Driving Licence
✔️ Documents
Along with a valid driving licence and a credit card for a refundable security deposit, all renters must provide ID Proof or a passport to book a car hire. They are also required to present the Rental Confirmation Voucher when collecting the vehicle in Split. Please remember that your supplier may deny the booking or mark it as ‘No Show’ if any of the required documents are missing.
Popular Car Types to Hire in Split
When hiring a car, you can choose from a wide selection of vehicles across diverse segments popular among travellers in Split.
| Car Type | Best For | Benefits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy / Compact | City driving, short trips | Easy to park, fuel-efficient, budget-friendly | Not ideal for rough roads |
| SUV / 4WD | Coastal drives, mountainous areas | Spacious, better handling on uneven roads, comfortable for families | Can be restricted to higher age groups |
| Luxury / Premium | Special occasions, long drives in comfort | Extra comfort, advanced features, stylish | Extra coverage often required |
| Minivan | Group travel, families, large luggage | Seats 5–7, ample luggage space, ideal for road trips | Difficult parking due to large size |
Think about your travel preferences, like the required number of seats for passengers, any extras, and budget when searching. Weigh up offers by different companies and choose the one that best fits your trip. Book at least four to six weeks in advance to explore the maximum available options and get the cheapest rental car.
💰 Rental Costs & Fees in Split
Car hire prices in Split are determined by factors such as your chosen supplier, vehicle category, and availability. The average cost of booking a mini or economy at SPU Airport starts at $9 per day; a luxury often starts at $40 per day. In the same way, a weekly, monthly, or long-term rental is a practical way to lower daily rates across nearly all vehicle categories.
✔️ Extra Fees to Watch For
Additional costs depend on your travel preferences and any optional add-ons. The charges for each selected service are added to your final booking quote. So, you must always check the terms section when browsing through deals to understand basic and other extra fees, such as young driver charges and airport convenience fees, before booking.
✔️ Fuel Policy
Car hire companies in Split provide their vehicles with either:
- A Full-to-Full fuel policy, wherein you get a car with a full tank and must return it full to avoid missing fuel charges, or
- A Same-to-Same fuel policy, where you must return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel it had at the time of pick up.
🛡️ Insurance options
Car hire deals in Split usually include standard insurance — Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Theft Protection, and Third Party Liability (TPL). A CDW lowers your financial responsibility in case of any damage to the rental vehicle, whereas Theft Protection can prove beneficial if it is stolen. TPL is mandatory in Croatian law and covers any damage or injury caused by you while driving a hired car.
SCDW or Zero Excess is optional insurance that can also be purchased at the time of booking. These options reduce or sometimes eliminate the excess amount payable for hired vehicles. A Full Protection policy is another option that provides basic and added insurance coverage for potential expenses.
Before adding optional coverage, always check whether the benefits overlap with insurance already included in your chosen deal.
📌 Where to Rent a Car in Split
You can hire a car at Split Airport (SPU) to pick up your vehicle directly from the on-site counters upon arrival. If your rental company has a nearby branch, you may also board their shuttle bus to pick up your vehicle. This is an ideal pick-up point for travellers planning to start their trip from the airport itself and explore Split downtown and the surrounding areas.
Alternatively, many leading international and local suppliers offer their services from offices in Split city centre. Travellers already staying in downtown areas or those needing a more flexible pick-up or drop-off point closer to their accommodation can specifically benefit from this option. When booking online, you can select the most convenient location to collect or return a vehicle and ensure the best travel experience from start to end.
🚘 Driving in Split
Travellers can refer to the following table to understand local and nationwide rules to abide by when driving in Split and the Dalmatian region to ensure a safe journey and avoid making any traffic violations.
| Driving Side | Drive on the right-hand side of the road. |
| Seatbelts | Mandatory for all passengers. |
| Mobile Phone Use | Prohibited while driving unless using a hands-free device. |
| Speed Limits | City/Urban: 50 km/h Open Roads: 90 km/h Expressways: 110 km/h Highways (Autocesta A1): 130 km/h |
| Parking in Split | – Limited around the city centre & Old Town; mostly paid zones. – Parking meters and mobile-app payments widely used. – Expect higher prices in Zone 1 near Diocletian’s Palace. |
| Traffic Considerations | Summer congestion near Riva and ferry terminal; narrow streets in Old Town area. |
| Toll Roads | The A1 motorway towards Trogir, Šibenik, Makarska & Dubrovnik is tolled. Tolls can be paid using cash, card, or ENC device. |
| Local Tips | Use the HAK app for live traffic and road closures. Avoid peak hours (8-10 AM & 4-6 PM) in central Split. |
➡️ One-Way Rentals & Island Travel
One-way rentals in Split are quite common and are offered by various companies across different car segments. These are convenient options for travellers to pick up their car in Split and return anywhere in Croatia. One-way routes usually covered by travellers from Split include those to Dubrovnik, Zagreb, and Zadar. A drop-off fee is charged based on the distance between the two locations, vehicle type, and supplier policies.
If permitted, travelling one way from Split to authorised neighbouring states or EU countries also requires informing the supplier in advance. A cross-border fee is applicable depending on the supplier and the country you plan to enter. Road trips to non-EU countries (eg, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro) may require additional visas and paperwork. Remember to check the related terms to plan a smooth cross-border journey and avoid penalties.
One-way and ferry travel with hired cars is often restricted by suppliers in Split. Since the Split Ferry Port is one of the busiest transport hubs, especially in high season, traffic can be heavy and slow-moving. Due to limited parking space, only a few rental companies like Dollar Thrifty and Mack Car Rental operate at Split Port; others generally require you to return the vehicle to their designated office instead. When ferrying is allowed, travellers must notify the company beforehand and ensure they have extra insurance for the trip.
Please note that ferry tickets for cars can cost more than those for passengers. Hence, it is wise to check the prices and timings and book early. Refuel your vehicle before boarding the ferry and allow some extra time for possible delays.
⁉️ Frequently Asked Questions
1️⃣ Can someone under the age of 25 rent a car in Split?
Yes, travellers under 25 can hire cars in Split. Although the minimum age to book with most suppliers is 21, a Young Driver Surcharge is usually applied to those below 25. Additionally, vehicle categories like luxury or large SUVs and vans may have higher minimum age requirements. Enter your correct age to find eligible vehicles and carefully check the terms and policies before confirming your reservation.
2️⃣ Can I reserve a car rental in Split without a credit card?
Renting a car in Split without a credit card can be challenging, as suppliers need it to hold a security deposit. The card should be valid and in the primary driver’s name. In any case, it is best to check the supplier’s payment policy before booking.
3️⃣ Where can I return a car hire at Split Airport (SPU)?
If the supplier is located on-site at Split Airport, return the hired car in the supplier’s designated parking bay of the Car Rental Centre near the main terminal building. Return the keys and contract to the concerned counter. For after-hours returns, notify your supplier in advance and leave the keys inside the drop box. If the supplier branch is off-site, you can simply drop off the car at their depot and use the shuttle transfers to reach the airport.
4️⃣ Is it possible to rent a car in Split with no deposit?
Hiring a car with companies operating in Split requires a mandatory security deposit, which is pre-authorised on the main driver’s credit card. Since the deposit ensures the financial safety of the vehicle during the booking period, it must be made at pickup. As long as the car is returned in its original condition, the deposit is refunded in full.
5️⃣ How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in Split?
The cost of a luxury car hire varies based on individual renter preferences, like the selected model, booking duration, and supplier, among other factors. To view the accurate quote for your specific travel needs, conduct a quick car search in the booking form. Use the applicable filter(s) to choose from personalised options and compare multiple deals to get the best price.
6️⃣ Can I take my car rental on a ferry from Split to Hvar or Brač Island?
You may be permitted to take a hired car on a ferry from Split to island destinations in Croatia, but only with prior approval and at an extra charge. It is to be noted that ferry-crossing policies differ between companies, so you should verify service availability beforehand. Additionally, you will need to purchase the ferry ticket in advance and pay for it separately.