Split Car Rental: What You Should Know
Posted on: 20th November 2025
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 required minimum age to hire a car with most companies in Split is 21 years. 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 the age of 25.
✔️ Driving Licence
A valid driver’s licenceheld for at least 1 year is essential for hiring a car in Split. Travellers with EU/EEA licences can book without any additional permits. However, non-EU licences, especially those printed in a non-Latin alphabet, must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified official English translation.
✔️ Documents
Besides a valid driving licence and a credit card for a refundable security deposit, all renters must provide their ID Proof or 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. These include:
| 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 |
To find the right vehicle for your travel plans, consider different factors such as required seating, boot space, mileage limits, optional add-ons, and your budget. Once you have assessed your needs, compare available vehicles from different companies to book the best match for your trip. Keep in mind that early reservations can help you explore maximum availability and secure the desired car hire at the lowest possible price.
💰 Rental Costs & Fees in Split
Car hire prices and related fees for booking in Split are determined by several varying factors, including your chosen rental company, vehicle category, deal type, location, and seasonality. The average cost of renting a Mini or Economy car at SPU Airport starts from $9 per day, whereas prices for Luxury vehicles typically start from $40 per day. Similarly, opting for weekly and monthly or long-term deals is a practical way to get lower daily costs in nearly all vehicle categories.
✔️ Extra Fees to Watch For
Additional costs depend on your rental preferences and any optional add-ons. The charges for each selected service are added to your final booking quote. Some of the common add-ons include GPS navigation, child seats, booster cushions, additional drivers, winter tyres, and additional insurance. So, you must always check the terms section when browsing through deals to understand basic and other extra fees, such as young driver charges, airport convenience fees, before booking.
✔️ Fuel Policy
A majority of car hire companies in Split provide their vehicles with either:
- A Full-to-Full fuel policy, wherein you receive a vehicle 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
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Theft Protection, and Third Party Liability (TPL) are some of the necessary and standard insurance coverage often included in many hire deals for Split. 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.
Apart from the basic coverage, renters can include optional add-on insurance in their booking for complete peace of mind. These options may offer partial or full coverage for rental vehicles and include SCDW or Zero Excess coverage, which reduces financial responsibility to a great extent or even removes it. Another great option is the Full Protection Coverage, which covers basic as well as additional insurance for most unexpected expenses.
It is best to confirm if the optional coverage overlaps with the existing insurance before adding it to your rental.
📌 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 branch located nearby, you may also board their shuttle bus to collect 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 rental companies offer their services from offices in the 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. Some of the most popular one-way trips from Split include those to major cities, such as Dubrovnik, Zagreb, and Zadar. In any event, a drop-off fee is charged based on the distance between the two locations, vehicle type, seasonality, and other factors.
If permitted, travelling one way from Split to authorised neighbouring states or EU countries also requires informing your rental company in advance. An additional cross-border fee will apply, depending on the supplier and the country you plan to enter. Travelling to non-EU countries, like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro, may require additional visas and paperwork. Make sure to check the related terms to plan a smooth cross-border journey and avoid penalties.
One-way rentals and ferry travel with hire cars are often restricted by many rental companies 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 with rental cars is allowed, travellers must inform their supplier in advance and ensure extra insurance for the trip.
Please note that ferry tickets for cars can cost more than passenger tickets. 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 I rent a car under 25 in Split?
Yes, travellers under the age of 25 can rent a car in Split. Although the minimum age limit set by most suppliers is 21 years, a Young Driver Surcharge is usually charged for those below 25. Additionally, vehicle categories like luxury or large-sized SUVs or vans may have higher minimum age requirements. Please enter your correct age to find eligible vehicles and carefully check the rental terms and policies before confirming your reservation.
2️⃣ Can I reserve a Split car rental without a credit card?
Renting a car in Split without a credit card can be challenging, since most suppliers use it to verify the booking and hold a security deposit. Please note that the card should be valid and in the primary driver’s name. In any case, it is best to check the payment policy of your selected supplier before booking.
3️⃣ Where can I return a rental car at Split Airport (SPU)?
If your car hire company is located on-site, you can easily return the vehicle near the main terminal building of Split Airport. Simply park the car in the supplier’s designated bay, and follow the signage to the Car Rental Centre. Return the keys and contract to the concerned counter. For after-hours returns, please notify the rental company in advance and leave the keys inside the drop-box. Use the shuttle transfers to return the car to an off-site office if the supplier is located outside the airport.
4️⃣ Is it possible to rent a car in Split with no deposit?
Hiring a car with most 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 rental period, it must be provided at the time of pick up. 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 hiring a luxury car in Split varies by individual renter preferences, including the selected model, booking duration, availability, and supplier. 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 for an ideal rental.
6️⃣ Can I take my car rental on a ferry to Hvar or Brač Island near Split?
You may be permitted to take your rental car on a ferry from Split to the island destinations in Croatia, but only with prior approval and extra charges. 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. Always review the terms and conditions for ferry travel requirements when making a booking.