Renting a Car at Split Airport

Last updated: 30 July 2026

Split Airport (SPU) is Croatia's second-busiest, located 25 km west of Split near the town of Kaštela. The modern terminal has rental desks in the arrivals hall — Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, and Croatian operators ORYX and Last Minute Rent share the space. Split is the starting point for the Croatian Adriatic coast — from Makarska to Dubrovnik — and the national parks of Krka and Plitvice.

🎯 Quick Tip

ORYX Rent a Car is Croatia's best domestic operator — newer fleet, transparent pricing, and easy one-way rentals between Split and Dubrovnik (the most popular route on the Croatian coast). Book directly on their website for the best rates.

Compare QEEQ, Localrent, Economybookings, AutoEurope & GetRentacar at SPU

Localrent.com

Specialises in local Croatia operators that often undercut international brands at SPU

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Economybookings.com

Aggregates 800+ rental companies including all major brands operating at SPU

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QEEQ

Strong fleet selection at Split Airport with competitive Croatia rates

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AutoEurope

Best for premium brands and one-way drops within Europe from Split

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GetRentacar.com

Marketplace of local owners and agencies with live inventory in 80 countries — check live listings at SPU

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Airport Pickup Tips

SPU's rental desks are in the arrivals area — a compact space. Present passport, EU license or IDP, credit card. Croatian operators accept international licenses. If planning to cross into Bosnia (Mostar day trip) or Montenegro (Kotor), confirm cross-border insurance. The green insurance card (Zelena karta) is required for Bosnia/Montenegro. Pickup: 10-15 minutes.

Dalmatian coast roads have stone walls on both sides — check mirrors and passenger-side panels. SPU fleet cars drive the D8 coastal road which has aggressive speed bumps. Check the undercarriage and test brakes. Croatian coastal salt air corrodes exposed metal — look at the wheel arches.

Explore Split by Car

Split is the perfect base for exploring Dalmatia by car. Drive along the coastal road to the ancient city of Trogir, the dramatic Krka waterfalls, and the Makarska Riviera's stunning pebble beaches.

Top drive from Split: Krka National Park and Trogir — a full-day loop

Full Split Car Hire Guide →

Hotels near Split Airport

Landing late or returning the car before an early flight? The map below compares live hotel prices around Split Airport and nearby areas — handy for the night before pickup or drop-off:

Getting from Split Airport to the City

SPU is 25 km west of Split center. Take the D8 coast road or A1 motorway (20-30 min). For Dubrovnik, D8 coast (3.5 hours) or A1 motorway (3 hours). For Plitvice Lakes, A1 north (3 hours). For Krka National Park, A1 north to Skradin exit (1 hour). For Makarska, D8 south (1 hour). For Mostar (Bosnia), cross at Metković (2 hours).

ORYX and Last Minute Rent operate from Kaštela, near SPU, with free transfers. ORYX is Croatia's premium operator with the newest fleet and best customer service ratings. They offer smooth one-way returns between any Croatian airport or city.

What to Know Before Driving from SPU

Croatia drives on the right. Motorway limit: 130 km/h. The A1 is tolled (Split-Zagreb approximately €25). The D8 coast road has 90 km/h limit on open sections, 50 km/h through villages. Croatian police use radar extensively on the D8. Parking in Split's historic Diocletian Palace area is prohibited — use the Lora or Sukoišan lots. Ferry to the islands departs from Split harbor.

The D8 is the main coastal road linking Split to Dubrovnik. It's scenic but winding and slow (3.5 hours for 230 km). The alternative is the A1 motorway inland, which is faster but misses the views. For the best experience, take the A1 one way and the D8 the other. Croatia requires headlights on at all times.

Fuel Stations Near SPU

INA and Petrol stations are on the D8 and A1 near SPU. Fuel: Eurosuper 95 approximately €1.55/L, diesel €1.50/L. The INA at the SPU airport junction is the closest. Fill up before Dubrovnik-bound drives — the D8 south has fewer stations. Bosnian fuel (accessible at Metković border) is cheaper by €0.10-0.15/L.

Local Driving Tip

Split's Diocletian Palace area has virtually no parking — use the Sukoišan garage east of the old town (15 kuna/hour) and walk 5 minutes in. The A1 to Zagreb is well-maintained but expensive at roughly 200 kuna for the full 4-hour drive.

Car Hire at SPU — FAQ

Do I need a credit card to rent a car at Split Airport (SPU)?
Not necessarily. GetRentacar accepts Visa and Mastercard debit cards with about 15% paid online and the balance to the owner. The other platforms leave the decision to the local supplier, and most of them want a credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Croatia?
Most suppliers set a minimum of 21 and add a young-driver surcharge below 25. GetRentacar is the exception here: its marketplace rents from age 18. QEEQ shows the young-driver fee inside the displayed total, so the price you compare is the price you pay.
Which car rental platform is cheapest at Split Airport (SPU)?
No platform wins everywhere. Localrent lists local operators and is usually the price floor in Croatia, with small deposits and 15–20% prepaid online. Run it against one broker on the same dates and compare the total including insurance and deposit, not the daily rate.
Is it cheaper to rent at SPU or in Split?
Airport locations carry concession fees that typically add 10–15% to the base rate, so a city branch can be cheaper. Against that, off-airport pickup costs a shuttle and time, and one-way drop-offs are simpler from the airport. For short rentals the premium is often smaller than the transfer into Split.

More Airport Car Hire in Croatia

✈️ Dubrovnik (DBV) ✈️ Zagreb (ZAG)