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By Ana Marendić, licensed tourist guide and art historian, Split, Croatia · Last updated: June 2026 · ~9 minute read
Split Airport (SPU) is located in Kaštela, approximately 25 km northwest of Split's old town, with travel time of 30–45 minutes by road depending on traffic. Five main transport options exist: pre-booked private transfer (~€35–60), a regulated taxi from the airport rank (~€30–40), Uber or Bolt rideshare (~€20–35), the Pleso Prijevoz shuttle bus to Split's main bus station (~€8 per person), and the local Promet bus #37 (~€4). For most visitors, pre-booking a private transfer or using Uber/Bolt is the easiest balance of cost, comfort, and reliability. This guide, written by a licensed Split tourist guide, compares every option with current 2026 prices, practical tips, and recommendations by traveller type.
For most travellers arriving at Split Airport, the best transport options are:
Split Airport sits in the town of Kaštela, on the coast between Split and Trogir. It is approximately 25 km northwest of Split's old town and 5 km southeast of Trogir.
The airport handled around 3.6 million passengers in 2024 and is Croatia's third-busiest international airport after Zagreb and Dubrovnik. It is served by major European carriers including British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Lufthansa, KLM, SAS, and seasonal charters from across Europe and (in summer) direct flights from North America.
There is no direct rail link to Split city centre. There is no metro. There is no walking option — the airport is too far from the city. All transport to Split goes by road.
The single road connection follows the coastal D8 highway, which can become congested during summer afternoons. Plan for longer journey times if you are arriving between 16:00 and 19:00 on a peak-season day.
A pre-booked private transfer is the most reliable option for first-time visitors, families, and anyone arriving late at night. A driver waits in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign, takes you directly to your accommodation, and handles luggage.
Pricing (approximate 2026):
Pros: No queuing, guaranteed availability, fixed price, English-speaking driver, child seats available on request, drops you at the exact address.
Cons: More expensive than rideshare; requires advance booking.
Where to book: Welcome Pickups, Kiwitaxi, GetTransfer, and a number of Croatian operators (Octopus Transfers, Atlas Travel) handle Split Airport transfers. Book at least 24 hours in advance, longer in peak season.
Licensed taxis queue immediately outside the arrivals hall. Split Airport has regulated fixed prices for taxis to popular destinations, displayed at the rank.
Pricing (approximate 2026):
Pros: No advance booking needed; English-speaking drivers; cards usually accepted.
Cons: Can queue at peak arrival times; some drivers add small surcharges for luggage despite the fixed rate.
Tip: Confirm the price with the driver before getting in. If a price is quoted significantly higher than €40 for the old town, walk away and take the next taxi.
Both Uber and Bolt operate in Split. They are typically the cheapest convenient option and the easiest to use for travellers who already have the apps installed.
Pricing (approximate 2026):
Pros: Cheaper than taxis; cashless payment; fare visible upfront; English-speaking drivers common; no queuing once requested.
Cons: Drivers must wait in a designated pickup area (follow Uber/Bolt in-app instructions for the exact location at SPU); availability can be lower late at night or in winter.
Tip: Order the ride as you walk to baggage claim, not after. By the time you exit, the driver is usually waiting.
Pleso Prijevoz runs a regular shuttle service from Split Airport directly to the Split main bus station (next to the ferry port and a 5-minute walk from the old town).
Pricing (approximate 2026): €8 per person; pay cash to the driver or buy online in advance.
Schedule: Buses depart approximately every 30 minutes during peak hours, less frequently in early morning and late evening. The shuttle is timed to most major flight arrivals.
Journey time: Approximately 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Pros: Cheapest convenient option; reliable; reasonable luggage capacity; drops you within walking distance of most central accommodation.
Cons: Last stop only — you walk from Split bus station to your accommodation; no door-to-door service; can be crowded after major flight arrivals.
Tip: The shuttle stop is directly outside the arrivals exit. Buy your ticket on board or in advance via the Pleso Prijevoz website.
The Promet Split local bus #37 runs Trogir–Split with a stop at the airport. It is the cheapest option but slower than the Pleso shuttle.
Pricing (approximate 2026): €4 per person; pay cash to the driver.
Schedule: Runs roughly every 30–60 minutes; significantly less frequent on Sundays and public holidays.
Journey time: Approximately 50–75 minutes — the bus stops frequently along the coast through Kaštela suburbs before reaching Split.
Pros: Cheapest option; runs year-round.
Cons: Slower; limited luggage space; the bus terminates at Split's suburban bus station (HŽ stanica / Sukoišan), which is a 15–20 minute walk or a short taxi ride from the old town — not at the central bus station.
Tip: Bus #37 is best for solo travellers with a small backpack who are staying east of the centre or near Bačvice beach.
All major rental companies operate at Split Airport — Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise, plus several Croatian operators (Oryx, Last Minute, Carwiz).
Pricing (approximate 2026): €25–40 per day in shoulder season, €60–120+ per day in peak summer.
Pros: Maximum flexibility; useful if you plan day trips to Klis, Salona, Krka National Park, or beyond.
Cons: Driving and parking in central Split is genuinely difficult. Diocletian's Palace is a pedestrian zone. Parking in the old town costs €3–5 per hour and is limited. Driving in is unnecessary if you are staying near the centre.
Recommendation: Only rent a car if you specifically need it for day trips. For a Split-focused trip, use rideshare or taxis instead. For day-trip ideas, see our things to do in Split guide.
Pre-book a private transfer. The €10–15 premium over Uber buys you peace of mind on arrival in an unfamiliar city, a guaranteed driver waiting with your name, and door-to-door service to your accommodation. After your first day, you can use Uber, Bolt, or walking for the rest of your trip.
Pre-book a private transfer with child seats. Most operators include car seats free or for a small surcharge if requested in advance. Avoid the shuttle bus and local bus with small children — luggage and stroller management is significantly harder.
Take the Pleso Prijevoz shuttle bus (€8). It is reliable, drops you at the central bus station within walking distance of most central accommodation, and is significantly faster than the local bus.
Pre-book a transfer. Buses are limited or unavailable in the late evening, and rideshare availability drops. A pre-booked transfer is the only fully reliable option for late arrivals.
Pre-book a transfer to the cruise port (also called Gradska Luka). Most transfer operators serve the cruise port at the same prices as the old town. The cruise port is on the same side of the city as the old town, so journey time is similar (30–45 minutes). For what to do once your ship docks, see our cruise stop in Split guide.
Use Uber or Bolt. Lower-friction than taxis, cashless billing, English communication, expense-report friendly receipts.
The arrivals area is small and easy to navigate. Most international flights pass through one terminal. Passport control is fast for EU passport holders; non-EU visitors face slightly longer queues during peak summer arrivals.
ATMs and currency exchange are available in the arrivals hall. Avoid Euronet-branded ATMs — they offer significantly poorer exchange rates than regular bank ATMs (Erste, Zaba, OTP, PBZ).
SIM cards and mobile data: EU SIMs roam for free under EU regulations. Non-EU travellers can buy a Croatian SIM at the airport (look for the Hrvatski Telekom or A1 kiosks) or use an eSIM (Airalo, Holafly) activated before landing.
Luggage trolleys are free in the arrivals hall.
Restrooms are available immediately after passport control.
Wi-Fi: Free airport Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal.
Drinking water: Tap water in Croatia is potable. Fill a bottle at the airport restrooms or buy bottled water at the small shop near arrivals.
For your return journey, plan to arrive at Split Airport at least 90 minutes before international departures, 60 minutes before domestic. Summer peak-time check-in queues can be long.
The same five transport options apply in reverse:
Tip: If you are checking out of accommodation in the old town with luggage, request your transfer to pick you up from the nearest car-accessible street (usually the Riva or the bus station). Diocletian's Palace is a pedestrian zone — cars cannot enter to collect passengers directly from your accommodation.
The five main options are: pre-booked private transfer (~€35–60), regulated taxi (~€30–40), Uber or Bolt (~€20–35), Pleso Prijevoz shuttle bus (~€8), or local bus #37 (~€4). A pre-booked transfer is the easiest option for first-time visitors and arrivals with luggage; Uber and Bolt offer the best balance of cost and convenience for most travellers; the Pleso shuttle is the cheapest convenient option.
Split Airport is approximately 25 km from Split's old town — a journey of 30–45 minutes by road depending on traffic. The airport is located in Kaštela, on the coast between Split and Trogir.
A regulated taxi from Split Airport to the old town costs approximately €30–40 in 2026. Fixed rates are displayed at the airport taxi rank. Confirm the price with the driver before getting in. Card payment is usually accepted.
Yes — two bus services connect Split Airport to the city. The Pleso Prijevoz shuttle (€8) runs directly to Split's main bus station every 30 minutes during peak hours and takes 30–45 minutes. The local Promet bus #37 (€4) runs Trogir–Split via the airport, takes 50–75 minutes, and stops at Split's suburban bus station.
Yes — Uber and Bolt both operate at Split Airport. Both are typically cheaper than taxis (~€20–35 to the old town) and use cashless app-based payment. Drivers must use a designated rideshare pickup zone; follow the in-app instructions to find the exact location after exiting the terminal.
No — Split Airport is 25 km from the city centre, with no pedestrian infrastructure along the highway. Walking is not feasible or safe. All travel between the airport and Split must be by road.
Approximately 30–40 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Split's cruise port (Gradska Luka) is on the southern edge of the old town, so journey times from the airport are similar to those for the old town itself. Most transfer operators serve the cruise port at the same prices.
Only if you specifically plan day trips outside the city. Driving and parking in central Split is genuinely difficult — Diocletian's Palace is a pedestrian zone, and parking in the old town costs €3–5 per hour. For a Split-focused trip, use rideshare or taxis. Rent a car only if you plan to visit Klis Fortress, Krka National Park, or beyond.
No. Split Airport operates roughly between 04:00 and 23:30 during summer; hours are shorter in winter. No flights operate overnight. If you have a very early or very late flight, plan for taxi or pre-booked transfer — buses do not operate during the airport's closed hours.
Yes — cash (Euros) is accepted for all transport options, though most also accept cards. Pleso Prijevoz and local bus #37 take cash directly to the driver. Taxis accept both. Uber and Bolt are cashless app-only. ATMs are available in the arrivals hall; avoid Euronet machines and use regular bank ATMs for better exchange rates.
Reputable transfer operators monitor flight arrival times and adjust accordingly at no extra cost. When booking, provide your flight number; the company will track delays and your driver will be present when you exit arrivals. This is one of the main practical advantages of pre-booking over walking up to a taxi rank or summoning Uber after a delayed arrival.
After you've sorted out the airport transfer, the most distinctive experience within walking distance of any central Split accommodation is a guided walk through Diocletian's Palace — the 1,700-year-old Roman imperial complex that forms the historic centre of the city.
For visitors with limited time, the Time Walk VR walking tour is an 80-minute small-group experience that combines a licensed Croatian historian with Meta Quest 3 headsets reconstructing the palace as it stood in 305 AD. It departs daily from the Peristyle.
80 minutes · €19 · Small groups · Rated ★ 5.0 across 170+ verified reviews
For complete trip planning:
Ana Marendić is a licensed tourist guide (turistički vodič) registered with the Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sport. She conducts walking tours of Diocletian's Palace and Split's historic centre as the resident guide for Time Walk, a VR-enhanced walking tour of the palace. She is based in Split, Croatia.
This article reflects direct experience advising visitors to Split on airport transport throughout the year, supplemented by current 2026 information from the Split Airport Authority, Pleso Prijevoz, and major rideshare and transfer operators. Prices reflect verified May 2026 rates and are subject to seasonal variation, particularly in peak summer months. Bus schedules vary by season and should be confirmed on the operator's website before travel.
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