Cross-Border Car Rental Split to Trieste, Italy

Split

Trieste

Hire a car from Split to Trieste to explore the northern Adriatic with comfort and confidence. Find competitive rates on cross-border rentals in one place.

SPU Airport → Trieste: ~420 km

Average Drive: ~5h 30m

Border Crossing: Rupa–Jelšane

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Route Overview

Car rental Split to Mostar

Key facts before you go – distance, documents, and the best time to drive.

Parking Mostar

~€0.77/hour in the central zone

Old Town is pedestrian-only

Permit

Required at booking

Cannot be added at counter

Insurance

BiH endorsed

CDW valid in Bosni

One-way drop-off

Not standard on this route

Confirm per supplier

Moderate Crossing

Easy to Moderate Crossing

The Split → Trieste journey is longer than the short Istrian routes and passes through Croatia and Slovenia before reaching Italy. The route is straightforward on major roads, but allow extra time for traffic, motorway stops and any border checks.

Document Required

📘 Passport

📋 Insurance certificate needed

👨‍✈️ Driving Licence

💳 Credit Card

Why go: Trieste’s waterfront, historic cafés and Austro-Hungarian architecture make it a distinctive northern Italian destination. The journey also lets you experience the Croatian coast, Slovenia’s Karst landscape and the northern Adriatic in one road trip.

Demand & Border Queues

Jan-Mar

Low

Apr–May

Mild

Jun

Mild

Jul–Aug

Peak

Sep–Oct

Mild

Nov–Dec

Low

ℹ️

May–June and Sep–Oct offer the best mix of price and short border queues. Book 4–6 weeks ahead for July–August.

Vehicle fleet

Car Categories Available

Browse our range of vehicles to find the perfect match for your cross-border adventure.

City Friendly Fiat 500

Mini

Fiat 500 or Similar

3–5

Manual

Best Value Renault Clio

Economy

Renault Clio or Similar

Manual

Road-Trip Ready Volkswagen Golf

Compact

Volkswagen Golf or Similar

Automatic

Road-Trip Ready Skoda Octavia

Standard

Skoda Octavia or Similar

Manual

Group Travel Renault Trafic

Van/Minivan

Renault Trafic or Similar

4-5

Manual

All-Terrain Renault Captur

SUV

Renault Captur or Similar

2–3

Manual

Which crossing to use from Split

Choose your crossing based on your route and expected queues. Border waits can change significantly during summer and peak travel periods.

Crossing	Distance from SPU	Drive Time	Peak wait	Notes
Rupa–Jelšane Recommended	~400 km	~4 hrs	30–60 min	Main motorways route towards Slovenia, Italy, and Central Europe via Rijeka.

Ready to Book?

Split to Trieste by Car

Explore Kotor, Budva, Herceg Novi and Podgorica with a rental car approved for
international travel. Book today and travel with confidence

Find Your Car

Vehicle Guide

Which car category suits the Split – Trieste drive?

The A1 and D8 are both well-paved modern roads – this is not terrain that requires anything special. The deciding factor is where you plan to park along the way.

Family Trip: Personalised rental options for families planning trip to Croatia with kids and luggage

Van/Minivan

7-9 seats

Ideal for family journeys and seating everyone comfortably

Automatic SUV

5 seats

Best for long beyond city routes and handling different terrains

Full-Size Cars

2-5 seats

Comfortable city and long coastal drives for groups of 3-4 adults

Tips for this trip

If traveling with kids, book child seats during online booking and pay at pickup.

For coastal drives, a few suppliers also offer roof racks for extra luggage or sports equipment.

Ferry crossing is not permitted for all car types. Confirm with supplier before booking.

Solo drive: Ideal for solo adventures below options lean toward smaller, efficient cars

Convertible

4 seats

Open top on Croatia’s Adriatic coastline & enjoy scenic views

Compact Automatic

5 seats

Easily plan multi city trips with reduced stress on steep roads

Electric Economy Cars

4-5 seats

Smart, clean, and nimble, built to own solo city drives

Tips for this trip

Dubrovnik Old Town is pedestrian-only. Use nearby paid parking for the rental car, then walk in.

For island hopping or scenic coastal driving, compact cars are overall best choice.

Convertibles can be limited on islands (like Hvar) and during peak season, making early booking crucial.

Business Travel: For the right balance between comfort, cost, and professionalism choose from the versatile options below.

Luxury Car

4-5 seats

High budget premium options for corporate needs

Automatic Sedans

4-5 seats

Classic business car blending comfort & efficiency

Standard Cars

4-5 seats

Ideal comfort and space for business trips

Tips for this trip

VAT invoices/receipts for business expense claims are generally provided by suppliers upon request.

High-end options are best found at major airport hubs like Zagreb (ZAG), Split (SPU), and Dubrovnik (DBV).

Opt for premium insurance coverage to reduce liability for damages.

Long Stay: For trips spanning 21 days or more across Croatia, here’s a breakdown of best options.

Monthly Rental

For 30 days or more

Any car type

Long Term Car Rental

Varied vehicle options

For 3 weeks or more

Automatic Car

4-9 seats

Mountain & Coastal Hill Ready

Tips for this trip

Costs are lower in the off-season (Nov-Mar) than in the high season (July-Aug).

Unlimited mileage is included with most long term rentals extending flexibility and convenience.

For early returns, no refunds (partial or full) will be provided for long term rentals.

Coastal Road Trips: Review our breakdown of the best categories for coastal drives in Croatia.

Convertible

2-4 seats

Ideal for enjoying top-down views of the Mediterranean coastline

One Way Rentals

Select any car

Pick up in one city, return in another for enhanced flexibility

Compact SUV

5 seats

Perfect for coastal trips: elevated views & extra space

Tips for this trip

One way routes are subject to a fee which is generally upward of €100.

For driving between Split and Dubrovnik skip the Neum Corridor in Bosnia and travel via the Pelješac Bridge to avoid border crossing woes.

If your coastal trip is on a motorway, expect to pay tolls, which typically range from €10 to €30.

Eco-Travel: Choose from 3 matching low-emission and eco-friendly options suited for sustainable travel.

Electric Car

4-5 seats

Modern eco friendly EVs to enjoy a greener way of driving

Hybrid

4-5 seats

Great alternative to traditional gasoline vehicles for long drives

Small Compact

4-5 seats

These hit the right spot for island hopping & coastal drives

Tips for this trip

EV charging stations are widely available across all major hubs, including Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb and Zadar.

Utilize apps like Chargemap and PlugShare to check real-time availability, charger type, and user reviews for charging points.

Charging stations might be limited on islands – for island hopping trips hybrids are a safer choice.

Explore beyond Croatia

Other Cross-Border Car Rental from Split

While not every cross-border trip is the same, driving a hired vehicle from Croatia to neighbouring countries is relatively easy and hassle-free if you know what to expect in advance. For information about entry requirements, costs and rental rules, refer to the dedicated guides below:

Split

Kotor

Distance: ~318 km

Drive Time: ~4h 45m

Karasovići–Debeli Brijeg

The Split → Kotor route is a longer coastal journey than Dubrovnik → Kotor. The route can use the…

Why go: Kotor’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, dramatic Bay of Kotor scenery and medieval stone streets make it one of Montenegro’s most rewarding coastal destinations…

Split

Ljubljana

Distance: ~440 km

Drive Time: ~5h

Bregana–Obrežje

The Split → Ljubljana route crosses the Croatia–Slovenia border once, typically via the Bregana–Obrežje corridor.

Why go: Ljubljana’s compact historic centre, riverside cafés and Ljubljana Castle make it an easy city break from Split. The journey also gives you the opportunity to explore…

Split

Mostar

Distance: ~170 km

Drive Time: ~2h 45m

Vinjani Donji

The Split → Mostar route crosses the border only once, usually at Vinjani Donji near Imotski. It's one of the…

Why go: Mostar's 16th-century Stari Most is UNESCO-listed and framed by Ottoman old-town lanes and riverside cafés. The fortress village of Počitelj and the turquoise…

Split

Trieste

Distance: 420 km

Drive Time: ~5h 30m

Moderate Crossing

The Split → Trieste journey is longer than the short Istrian routes and passes through Croatia and Slovenia before…

Why go: Trieste's waterfront, historic cafés and Austro-Hungarian architecture make it a distinctive northern Italian destination. The journey also lets you experience the…

Travel tool

Cross-Border Rental Checker

What to expect when driving a Croatian rental car into a neighbouring country — and what to check with your supplier.

Explore More

Top Locations, Airports and Companies

Browse car rental locations across Croatia, including airports, cities, trusted suppliers, and popular travel routes.

Car Rental Airport
Car Rental Cities
Car Rental Bus & Train Station
Car Rental Companies
Car Rental Port/ACI Marina

7 Airports From €4/day Extended-hours desks at major hubs

Airport	Code	From	Best for
Dubrovnik Airport Book Early	DBV	€4/day	South Dalmatia
Osijek Airport	OSI	€13/day	Eastern Croatia
Pula Airport Popular	PUY	€7/day	Istria
Rijeka Airport	RJK	€7/day	Coastal Road Trips
Split Airport Most popular	SPU	€5/day	Central Dalmatia
Zadar Airport	ZAD	€9/day	National Parks
Zagreb Airport Lowest rate	ZAG	€4/day	Nationwide Road Trips

26 Cities From €5/day City centre pickup available

City	Region	From	Note
Biograd na Moru	North Dalmatia	€40/day	Nautical hub
Čakovec	Northern Croatia	€17/day	Historic Međimurje center
Cavtat Quiet alternative	Dubrovnik Riviera	€27/day	Quiet seaside resort
Dubrovnik Plan parking	South Croatia	€26/day	Vehicle restrictions in Old Town
Karlovac	Central Croatia	€15/day	River junction city
Kaštela	Dalmatia	€20/day	Bay coast town
Mlini	Dubrovnik Riviera	€38/day	Peaceful Riviera village
Opatija	Kvarner	€27/day	Historic seaside resort
Osijek	Slavonia	€15/day	Cultural center
Poreč	Istria	€26/day	Popular seaside resort
Pula Cheapest	Istria	€7/day	Roman sites & wine
Rabac	Istria	€40/day	Scenic resort town
Rijeka	Kvarner	€12/day	Port city base
Rovinj	Istria	€13/day	Romantic coastal town
Samobor	Central Croatia	€15/day	Charming market town
Seget Donji	Dalmatia	€35/day	Quiet coastal village near Trogir
Sesvete	Central Croatia	€41/day	Large Zagreb suburb
Šibenik	Dalmatia	€15/day	Historic Old Town
Slano	Southern Croatia	€30/day	Peaceful coastal bay
Split Great value	Dalmatia	€8/day	Ferry access
Srebreno	Dubrovnik Riviera	€30/day	Coastal bay suburb
Trogir	Dalmatia	€26/day	UNESCO old town island
Umag Downtown	Istria	€13/day	Northern coastal gateway
Vela Luka	Dalmatia Islands	€25/day	Island port town
Zadar Great value	North Dalmatia	€8/day	Islands nearby
Zagreb Capital City Hub	Central Croatia	€5/day	Best value

5 Stations From €26/day Walk-out pickup

Station	City	From	Tip
Dubrovnik Bus Station Book early	Dubrovnik	€29/day	Walk-out pickup near the ferry port
Rijeka Train Station	Rijeka	€40/day	Central pickup near the main station
Split Train Station Ferry connection	Split	€32/day	Steps from the ferry port
Zagreb Bus Station Lowest rate	Zagreb	€26/day	Great for eastern highway access
Zagreb Train Station	Zagreb	€32/day	Walk to downtown hotels

27 Companies From €3/day Avg. rating 4.5+

Supplier	Type	From	Fleet	Rating
Active	Local	€25/day	Economy, Compact, SUV, Luxury, Vans	⭐ 8.0
AddCar	International	€48/day	Economy, Compact, SUV, Luxury, Vans	⭐ 7.0
Alamo Top rated	International	€25/day	Economy, SUVs, Minivans, Full-size	⭐ 9.4
AutoUnion	International	€40/day	Mini, Economy, Intermediate, SUV, Luxury	⭐ 8.5
Autowill	Local	€7/day	Economy, Compact, SUV, Vans	⭐ 7.9
Avant Car	Regional	€6/day	Economy, Sedans, SUVs, Luxury	⭐ 8.6
Avia Rent a Car	Local	€5/day	Compact, Economy, Standard Sedans	⭐ 8.6
Carwiz	Local	€6/day	Economy, Compact, SUVs, Luxury, Vans	⭐ 8.6
Dollar Thrifty Popular	International	€30/day	Economy, Compact, SUV, Full-size, Vans	⭐ 9.2
Enterprise Top rated	International	€24/day	Compact, SUVs, Sedans, Luxury	⭐ 9.4
Europcar	International	€9/day	Economy, Compact, Luxury, Vans	⭐ 8.6
Firefly	International	€17/day	Mini, Economy, Compact, SUVs	⭐ 8.6
Goldcar	International	€10/day	City Cars, Compact, SUVs, Minivans, Luxury	⭐ 10
Green Motion Cheapest	International	€3/day	Economy, Compact, SUV, Vans, Luxury	⭐ 7.2
Hertz Premium choice	International	€63/day	Economy, Compact, SUVs, Vans, Luxury	⭐ 8.7
Keddy by Europcar	International	€7/day	Economy, Compact, Standard, SUV, Vans	⭐ 8.5
Mack	Local	€28/day	Economy, Compact, Standard, SUVs, Luxury	⭐ 8.6
National	International	€13/day	Economy, Compact, Full-size, SUVs, Vans	⭐ 8.7
North Car Rental	Local	€32/day	Economy, Compact, Standard, SUVs, Vans	⭐ 8.6
Nova	Local	€26/day	Economy, Compact, Standard, SUVs, Premium, Vans	⭐ 8.9
Oryx	Local	€38/day	Economy, Compact, Standard, SUVs, Premium, Vans	⭐ 8.6
Prestigio	Local	€28/day	Economy, Compact, Standard, SUVs, Vans	⭐ 8.9
Routes	International	€8/day	Mini, Economy, Compact, Crossover, SUV	⭐ 8.7
Sixt Popular	International	€9/day	Luxury/Premium, SUV, Convertible	⭐ 9.2
Street Rent a Car	International	€9/day	Economy, Compact, Standard, SUV, Luxury	⭐ 8.6
Surprice	International	€13/day	Mini, Economy, Compact, Midsize, SUV	⭐ 6.2
XL Rent a Car Best Choice	Local	€34/day	Economy, Compact, SUV, Passenger Vans	⭐ 9.1

6 Port/ACI Marina From €27/day City centre pickup available

City	Region	From	Note
ACI Marina Dubrovnik	South Croatia	€32/day	Marina base
ACI Marina Korčula Island favorite	Dalmatia Islands	€32/day	Island hub
ACI Marina Slano	South Croatia	€42/day	Quiet bay harbor
ACI Marina Split Lowest rate	Dalmatia	€27/day	Coastal port pickup
Dubrovnik Port	Dalmatia	€30/day	Ferry & Cruise access
Split Port Lowest rate	Dalmatia	€27/day	Ferry access

Editorial Contributor

Josip Stjepan

Croatia Travel & Car Rental Specialist

Josip spent a decade coordinating vehicle logistics for Jadrolinija’s ferry network, matching rental cars to sailing schedules for Hvar, Brač, and Korčula. The job gave him insider insights into where exactly rental companies quietly pass costs onto tourists. Drawing from his extensive knowledge of Croatia’s ferry network, coastal routes, and driving conditions, he helps travellers compare rental options, plan efficient itineraries, understand toll roads, avoid unnecessary fees, and prepare for cross-border travel.

How this content is created:

Based on real ferry and route data
Reviewed by a local Split-based specialist
Updated regularly for seasonal pricing changes

Last Reviewed: October 2026