How do I get from Split Airport to the city?

The Promet Split airport shuttle bus (€8, 30–40 minutes to the city bus station on the Riva) is the cheapest option. Taxis cost €25–€35. For groups or those heading directly to the ferry terminal (to catch an island ferry), a pre-booked private transfer is the most convenient.

How far is Split Airport from the city centre?

Around 25 km northwest of Split's city centre, near Kaštela. The journey by bus takes 30–40 minutes in normal traffic; longer in summer peak.

Is there a direct bus from Split Airport to the ferry terminal?

The Promet airport shuttle bus goes to the city bus station, which is immediately adjacent to the ferry terminal (Trajektna luka) on the harbour. From the bus station it is a 2-minute walk to buy ferry tickets and board your boat.

How much is a taxi from Split Airport to the centre?

Around €25–€35 for a metered taxi to Split's old town area. Bolt app is available and often slightly cheaper.

Can I get a bus directly to Trogir from Split Airport?

Yes — Trogir is only 7 km from the airport. Local bus 37 connects the airport to Trogir bus station for around €2. Journey time: 15 minutes. This makes Split Airport convenient for those based in Trogir.

How do I get from Split Airport to Hvar?

Take the airport shuttle or taxi to Split ferry terminal, then the Jadrolinija car ferry or catamaran to Hvar. Total time: 2–3 hours depending on connections. Consider timing your arrival to match the next ferry departure.

Is there car rental at Split Airport?

Yes — all major rental companies have desks in the arrivals hall. Split is an excellent pick-up point for exploring Dalmatia by car.

What should I do if I miss my ferry connection?

Don't panic — ferries to Hvar, Brač and other central Dalmatian islands run frequently (every 1–2 hours in summer). Missing one ferry means a short wait for the next.

Split Airport Transfers 2026 | Bus, Taxi & Private Car

Split Airport (SPU / LDSP) at Kaštela is one of the most conveniently located airports in Croatia — close enough to the city to reach in 30 minutes, and positioned for easy connections to the island ferry terminal. The newly expanded terminal (2022) is the most comfortable airport in Dalmatia. This guide covers every transfer option so you arrive at the right place, at the right time, ready to catch your ferry or find your hotel.

Where is Split Airport?

Split Airport is at Kaštela, 25 km northwest of Split’s old town along the coast of the Kaštela Bay. The road runs through the bay’s string of small fortress towns — Kaštel Gomilica, Kaštel Lukšić, Kaštel Stari — before reaching Split. Trogir, the UNESCO-listed old town on its own island, is just 7 km from the airport — the closest major destination.

Option 1: Promet Split airport shuttle bus

The Promet Split shuttle is the standard public transfer, operated by Split’s municipal transport company.

Route: Airport → Kaštela → Split Bus Station (Autobusni kolodvor) Price: ~€8 one way (buy at the ticket kiosk in arrivals or from the driver) Journey time: 30–40 minutes in normal traffic; 40–55 minutes in summer peak Frequency: Every 30 minutes in summer, aligned with major flight arrivals; less frequent in winter

Why it matters: Split Bus Station is located immediately next to the ferry terminal (Trajektna luka / Gazenica). Walk 2 minutes from the bus station and you’re at the ferry ticket office. This makes the shuttle the optimal transfer for travellers heading straight to the islands.

From the bus station you can also take local trams or buses into Split’s city centre (5–10 minutes) or the Riva waterfront (short walk).

Option 2: Taxi

Official taxis are available from the rank outside arrivals.

Cost: €25–€35 to Split city centre or the Riva Journey time: 25–35 minutes in low season; 35–50 minutes in July–August

Bolt: Bolt rideshare operates in Split and works at the airport — often 15–25% cheaper than the official taxi rank. However, there can be a short wait for the driver to arrive at the pick-up area designated by the app. Both are legitimate choices.

Tip: If travelling to a specific address in the old town (pedestrianised zone), confirm with the taxi driver the closest vehicle access point. Much of Diocletian’s Palace area is not accessible to cars; you’ll need to walk the last 200–400 metres with luggage.

Option 3: Pre-booked private transfer

Pre-booked private transfers offer a fixed price, driver at arrivals, and door-to-door service without queuing.

Cost: €35–€55 for a standard car; €60–€80 for a 7-seat minivan Where to book: Online comparison sites, your hotel, or local companies (Croatia Transfer, Star Transfers, and similar)

Best for: Families with children, travellers with multiple large bags, groups of 3–8 people where splitting the cost makes sense, and anyone staying at a Trogir or Kaštela accommodation (very short drive from the airport).

Option 4: Bus 37 to Trogir

If you’re based in Trogir, take local bus 37 from the stop directly opposite the arrivals exit.

Cost: ~€2 Journey time: 15 minutes Destination: Trogir bus station, a short walk from Trogir’s old town island

This is one of Europe’s most convenient airport-to-town connections — trivially easy and extremely cheap. Trogir is an excellent and often underrated base for exploring central Dalmatia.

Option 5: Car rental

Split Airport has a full complement of rental company desks in the arrivals hall — Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Budget, Sixt, Dollar and local operators. Pick-up is efficient with the expanded terminal.

A rental car from Split gives you maximum flexibility for:

Exploring the Dalmatian hinterland (Sinj, the Cetina canyon, Imotski)
Reaching Krka National Park and Šibenik independently
A north–south road trip toward Zadar or south toward Dubrovnik

If you’re planning to rent a car but also want to island-hop, note that Split’s ferry terminal is close to the city — you can park your car in Split (Kopilica park-and-ride), island-hop by ferry, and return to the car when you’re done. See renting a car in Croatia for full details.

Getting from Split Airport to island destinations

The combination of airport shuttle + ferry is smooth if you plan the connections:

Destination	Connection	Total time
Hvar Town	Shuttle + catamaran (Jadrolinija or Krilo)	~2–2.5 hours
Hvar Stari Grad	Shuttle + car ferry (Jadrolinija)	~2.5–3 hours
Brač/Supetar	Shuttle + car ferry	~2 hours
Vis	Shuttle + car ferry or catamaran	~3.5–4 hours
Korčula	Shuttle + catamaran	~3.5–4 hours

Key tip: Check the Jadrolinija timetable before booking your flight. A midday arrival gives you the best window to catch afternoon ferries. A very early morning arrival (before 7 am) may mean a 2-hour wait for the first popular island catamaran.

A transfer option that combines Plitvice

If your itinerary includes Plitvice Lakes and you’re flying from Split to Zagreb (or the reverse), a private transfer with a Plitvice stop is popular. This Split-to-Zagreb transfer with Plitvice entry handles the logistics and is a smart way to see Croatia’s most famous national park without a separate day trip.

Getting to Split Airport (departures)

By shuttle bus: The Promet shuttle departs from Split Bus Station for the airport, roughly every 30 minutes. Allow 1.5–2 hours before your flight departure from the city centre. The bus schedule is available at the bus station and online (promet-split.hr).

By taxi/Bolt: Book 30 minutes before you want to leave your accommodation. Allow for summer traffic on the road to the airport.

From an island: Ferries to Split take 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the island. Add the shuttle bus time and security at the airport. For morning flights, the night before in Split is wise — last ferries from Hvar are typically in the evening, but check the specific timetable.

Practical airport information

Facilities: The 2022 expanded terminal has multiple cafes, a restaurant, duty-free, newsagent, and car rental desks. Post-security facilities are comfortable by Croatian standards.

Check-in: Arrive 2 hours before departure for international flights. Summer security queues can be 20–30 minutes.

ATMs: In the arrivals hall. Use bank ATMs rather than standalone currency exchange desks for better rates.

Left luggage: No official left-luggage facility at the airport. In Split city, luggage storage is available at the bus station (adjacent to the ferry terminal) — very convenient for travellers who want to explore the old town before an afternoon or evening flight.

Split Airport and nearby destinations

Split Airport is not just a gateway to the city — it’s well-positioned for several nearby destinations that many travellers overlook:

Kaštela: The string of small fortress towns (Kaštel Gomilica, Kaštel Lukšić, Kaštel Stari, etc.) running between the airport and Split along the Kaštela Bay are pleasant coastal towns with far fewer tourists and much lower prices than Split proper. If your flight arrives early and check-in is hours away, these towns reward an unhurried coffee stop.

Trogir (7 km from airport): One of Croatia’s most underrated cities — a UNESCO-listed old town on its own island, connected to the mainland by a bridge. Trogir’s Cathedral of St Lawrence, the medieval loggia and the warren of stone lanes are world-class attractions most visitors rush past on the way to Split. Bus 37 from the airport (€2, 15 minutes) is the best value airport-to-town connection in Croatia.

Salona (ancient Solin): The ruins of the Roman city of Salona — capital of the province of Dalmatia and birthplace of Emperor Diocletian — are just 8 km from the airport near Solin. Less visited than Diocletian’s Palace in Split (whose stones were recycled from Salona), but significant for history enthusiasts. Easily combined with a Split airport stop.

Departure from Split Airport: detailed planning

The night-before rule: For early morning flights (6–8 am), consider spending the final night in a hotel near the airport in Kaštela or Trogir rather than rushing from Split city centre at 4 am. Hotels near the airport are cheaper than in the old town, and the proximity eliminates morning transport stress.

Ferries and flight timing: If you’re arriving from an island by the last evening ferry and have a morning flight, plan very carefully. The last Split–Hvar car ferry arrives around 9–10 pm in summer. Add transit time from the ferry terminal to accommodation, and an early (6 am) morning departure becomes a very short night. Build in a buffer night in Split.

Luggage at the ferry terminal: The ferry terminal (adjacent to the bus station) has luggage storage — perfect if your ferry arrives in the early afternoon and your flight is evening. Store bags, explore Split’s old town, collect luggage before the airport shuttle.

Multiple city connections from Split Airport

Split Airport functions as a hub for travellers routing across Dalmatia:

Split → Zadar: Bus from city bus station (2.5 hours), or car (A1 north). A common day trip or short connection.

Split → Plitvice Lakes: The most convenient day trip en route to Zagreb. By car: 2 hours north on the A1 then local roads. By organised transfer: this Split-to-Zagreb transfer with Plitvice Lakes stop makes it seamless.

Split → Šibenik: 1 hour by bus or car — often done as a day trip from Split to see Šibenik Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the old town.

Split → Makarska and the Makarska Riviera: 1 hour south by bus or car along the Adriatic Highway. Beaches, the Biokovo massif, and the base for Dalmatian hinterland explorations.

Arriving with an early morning flight

Flights arrive at Split as early as 5–6 am in peak season (charter overnight rotations from UK, Germany and other European markets). Options for very early arrivals:

Coffee at the airport and wait for the first shuttle (check time — earliest may be 6–7 am)
Take a taxi directly to your accommodation or ferry terminal even if check-in isn’t open yet — most hotels/apartments can store luggage
Explore Trogir or Kaštela if your accommodation isn’t available until afternoon — bus 37 gets you to Trogir in 15 minutes for a 7 am coffee and walk

Handling flight delays

Croatia’s summer skies are generally clear, but thunderstorm activity in the Adriatic basin occasionally delays flights. If your incoming or outgoing flight is delayed at Split:

AENA/Promet bus: The airport shuttle runs to a schedule rather than flight-by-flight. A significant delay may mean your bus has already left — take a taxi or pre-book a transfer with flight-monitoring (some companies track your flight and adjust pickup time automatically).
Ferry connections: If you have a ferry booked the same evening you arrive, build in buffer time. A 2-hour flight delay plus shuttle time plus terminal queuing can add 3–4 hours to your arrival.
Contacting the ferry operator: Jadrolinija does not hold ferries for delayed passengers. If you miss a booked catamaran, you’ll be accommodated on the next available sailing (typically 1–2 hours later on busy routes).

Frequently asked questions about Split Airport Transfers

How far is Split Airport from the city centre?
Around 25 km northwest of Split's city centre, near Kaštela. The journey by bus takes 30–40 minutes in normal traffic; longer in summer peak.
Is there a direct bus from Split Airport to the ferry terminal?
The Promet airport shuttle bus goes to the city bus station, which is immediately adjacent to the ferry terminal (Trajektna luka) on the harbour. From the bus station it is a 2-minute walk to buy ferry tickets and board your boat.
How much is a taxi from Split Airport to the centre?
Around €25–€35 for a metered taxi to Split's old town area. Bolt app is available and often slightly cheaper.
Can I get a bus directly to Trogir from Split Airport?
Yes — Trogir is only 7 km from the airport. Local bus 37 connects the airport to Trogir bus station for around €2. Journey time: 15 minutes. This makes Split Airport convenient for those based in Trogir.
How do I get from Split Airport to Hvar?
Take the airport shuttle or taxi to Split ferry terminal, then the Jadrolinija car ferry or catamaran to Hvar. Total time: 2–3 hours depending on connections. Consider timing your arrival to match the next ferry departure.
Is there car rental at Split Airport?
Yes — all major rental companies have desks in the arrivals hall. Split is an excellent pick-up point for exploring Dalmatia by car.
What should I do if I miss my ferry connection?
Don't panic — ferries to Hvar, Brač and other central Dalmatian islands run frequently (every 1–2 hours in summer). Missing one ferry means a short wait for the next.