Last updated: 29 July 2026
Why Rent a Car in Split?
Split's Diocletian's Palace is the city's main attraction and is entirely pedestrian — cars cannot enter the historic walls. The case for renting from Split is exploring central Dalmatia: Krka National Park's waterfalls 90 minutes north, the medieval town of Trogir 30 minutes west, the Sinj region inland for traditional villages, and ferry-and-drive access to the islands of Brač and Hvar.
🏆 Top Drive from Split
Krka National Park and Trogir — a full-day loop — this is the drive that makes renting a car in Split truly worthwhile.
Compare Car Rental Providers in Split
Split is Croatia's most popular rental hub for Dalmatian coast road trips. The market is competitive with good local options, but automatic transmission vehicles are scarce and command a premium.
| Provider | Coverage | Best For | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|
 Localrent.com | Operates in Croatia — local agencies from its 60-destination network, small deposits | Lowest prices from local Croatian operators — 15–20% prepaid, small or no deposit | Check Prices |
 Economybookings.com | Covers Croatia among 150+ countries — 800+ rental companies, 20,000+ pickup points | Seeing the widest range of offers in Croatia in one search | Check Prices |
 QEEQ | Covers Croatia among ~200 countries — 1,000+ rental partners | Price Drop Protector — automatic rebooking if the rate falls before pickup | Check Prices |
 AutoEurope | Books Croatia through its broker network — ~190 countries, 28,000 pickup points | One-way itineraries in Croatia and across Europe — 70 years of them | Check Prices |
 GetRentacar.com | Croatia is in its directory of 80 countries with active listings | Local marketplace prices in Croatia — debit cards accepted, from age 18 | Check Prices |
Driving Tips for Split
Croatia's right-side driving rules apply — 130 km/h on the A1 motorway connecting Split to Zagreb, 90 km/h on rural roads. Fuel costs about €1.65/L. Winter tyres are legally mandatory November 15 through April 15, and rental companies typically swap to winter rubber automatically during this period — confirm at pickup if you're driving inland to ski areas.
Local tip: Split's Old Town has no parking access — use the Sukoišan or Bačvice garages east of the historic centre. Both are within a 10-minute walk and offer reasonable hourly rates.
Best Time to Visit & Drive in Split, Croatia
Split's rental cycle mirrors Dubrovnik but with a slightly more business-traveler component. Peak prices apply from late June through early September. The optimal driving windows for Krka National Park, the Trogir UNESCO town, and the inland Dalmatian wine routes are May, early June, and September. The cheapest months are November through March when the city is comfortable for exploration but the surrounding Adriatic islands have reduced ferry schedules. The Split Summer Festival in July fills hotels but doesn't dramatically affect rentals. Croatian winter tyre laws apply November 15 through April 15. Easter sees a moderate spike. Avoid renting during major weekends in July and August. The Diocletian's Palace Old Town has virtually no parking — pick up the rental specifically for trips outside the city, using the Sukoišan garage for any necessary central parking.
Car Hire at Split Airport (SPU)
Split Airport (Resnik / SPU) places rental desks in the arrivals hall, with about 10 brands competing for tourist business. Croatian operators Active Car Hire and Sixt's Croatian subsidiary often offer better rates than the international brands. The airport sits 25 km west of central Split, with the Trogir UNESCO town just 5 minutes away — worth a stop on the way.