Pick up your car directly after landing at SPU terminal.
Split Airport (SPU) is the gateway to Dalmatia, located 25 km west of Split city centre via the D8 coastal road. The terminal has a single arrivals hall where rental desks operate, or some suppliers meet you outside with a name board. From SPU you have immediate access to the A1 motorway via D8 and the junction near Kastel, making it straightforward to head south to Omis, Makarska or Dubrovnik, or north to Sibenik, Zadar and Zagreb.
This page lists vehicles available for collection at the airport terminal or nearby meeting points. You book online, pay a booking advance by card, and the supplier meets you after your flight with the vehicle ready. The rental agreement is signed at handover, documents are checked, and you drive away. Selected cars are available without a blocked deposit and without requiring a credit card - debit card or cash payment options depend on the specific vehicle you choose.
If you are staying in the city rather than driving out immediately, see Split for in-town collection points. The airport location suits travellers who want to start their route as soon as they land, particularly if heading to islands via ferry, exploring national parks inland, or driving the coast. Trogir old town is just 5 km from SPU via D8, a seven-minute drive, making the airport a practical base for that destination too.
The collection process is designed around flight arrivals. Use the search widget above and type "Split Airport" in the "Specify location" field to see vehicles stationed at SPU. Pickup time corresponds to your landing schedule, and suppliers track flight delays if you provide your flight number during booking.
Clear immigration, collect baggage, and exit the arrivals hall. Your voucher will state whether to go to a desk in the terminal or look for a representative holding a sign with your name outside.
Present your voucher, driving licence and payment card or cash. If the supplier operates a desk inside the terminal, you complete formalities there; if it is meet-and-greet, the representative walks you to the vehicle parked nearby.
The rental contract is signed at handover. The supplier records existing damage on the agreement and in photos. Check the fuel level, note scratches or dents, and confirm emergency contact details and roadside assistance number.
Follow D8 east for Split city or west for Trogir. To reach A1, continue on D8 past Kastel to the motorway junction. Motorways use toll booths accepting cash or card; local roads and the coastal D8 are toll-free.
SPU sits at the hub of Dalmatia's road network. The A1 motorway runs the length of the coast, and the D8 connects every town and village along the shore. Below are common routes and approximate distances from the airport.
5 km via D8 westbound, 7 minutes. Any compact or economy car handles this short coastal run. Trogir's UNESCO-listed old town is walkable, so a Fiat 500 or Peugeot 208 is sufficient for parking in the narrow streets outside the walls. More details on Trogir collection.
25 km via D8 eastbound, 30 minutes. The coastal road passes through Kastel before reaching Diocletian's Palace and the Riva waterfront. A Kia Rio or Opel Corsa is practical for city parking. If you plan to stay in Split rather than drive onward, consider city collection instead.
60 km south on A1 via Omis, about 50 minutes. The motorway tunnels through the Biokovo massif. A Renault Clio or SEAT Ibiza suits this route if you are staying on the Makarska Riviera and not venturing into mountain roads.
230 km south on A1, approximately 3 hours. The motorway crosses into Bosnia and Herzegovina for a short section near Neum - cross-border notification is required. A Dacia Logan MCV or Renault Megane Sport Tourer offers luggage space for longer trips and comfort on motorway stretches.
160 km north on A1, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes. The motorway runs parallel to the coast with views of islands. An Opel Astra or Kia Ceed handles the distance well and provides boot space for exploring Kornati or Krka national parks en route.
The table below shows models typically stationed at SPU. Availability and terms vary by season and supplier. Use the search widget to see real-time inventory, current terms, and which vehicles qualify for no-deposit or debit-card payment.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500 | Mini | Solo travellers, short coastal hops, Trogir old town |
| Fiat Panda | Economy | Two passengers, light luggage, D8 coastal road |
| Kia Rio | Economy | City parking in Split, efficient fuel consumption |
| Peugeot 208 | Economy | Compact dimensions, easy manoeuvring in narrow streets |
| Opel Corsa | Economy | Balanced boot space and urban agility |
| Citroen C3 | Economy | Comfortable seats, raised driving position |
| Renault Clio | Compact | Standard choice for couples, adequate luggage room |
| SEAT Ibiza | Compact | Responsive handling on winding coastal sections |
| Kia Stonic | Compact SUV | Higher seating, short ferry queues to islands |
| Opel Mokka | Compact SUV | Four adults, moderate luggage, A1 motorway comfort |
| Renault Captur | Compact SUV | Families, raised clearance for rural access roads |
| Dacia Duster | SUV | Gravel tracks to Biokovo viewpoints, robust build |
| Audi Q3 | SUV | Premium interior, long-distance motorway cruising |
| Kia Ceed | Compact | Four passengers, decent boot for week-long trips |
| Opel Astra | Compact | Stable motorway ride, Split to Zadar or Dubrovnik |
| SEAT Leon | Compact | Sporty handling, responsive steering on mountain roads |
| Audi A3 | Compact | Premium finish, efficient engines |
| Renault Clio Sport Tourer | Estate | Extended boot, ski equipment or dive gear |
| Dacia Logan MCV | Estate | Budget-friendly wagon, family luggage for longer tours |
| Renault Megane Sport Tourer | Estate | Comfortable seats, large boot for multi-week itineraries |
| Mitsubishi Space Star | Economy | Tall cabin, easy ingress for older passengers |
These models are examples drawn from typical SPU inventory. Actual availability depends on season, demand, and individual suppliers. Search in the widget to see which vehicles are confirmed for your dates and which payment and deposit terms apply.
A few practical points to smooth your SPU collection and drop-off experience.
Not every vehicle at SPU requires a blocked deposit or a credit card. Terms vary by car, supplier, and season. Here is how to identify and book eligible vehicles.
When you search in the widget above, each result displays its deposit policy and accepted payment methods. Look for "No deposit required" or "Debit card accepted" in the vehicle card. These conditions apply only to the specific car shown - even two examples of the same model may have different terms because they come from different suppliers.
No deposit means the supplier does not block funds on your card as a security hold during the rental. You still have a damage excess stated in the rental agreement; the absence of a deposit is independent of that excess. If you cause damage below the excess amount, you pay the repair cost directly.
No credit card means you can pay the balance at pickup with a debit card or cash, depending on what the supplier accepts for that vehicle. Check the payment-methods note on the search result and in your voucher to confirm which options apply.
When you complete your booking on our site, you pay a booking advance by card online. Cash is not accepted for online payment. The advance secures your reservation; the remaining balance is due when you collect the car at SPU. The voucher and the search result both specify whether the balance can be paid by debit card, cash, or requires a credit card.
If the vehicle does require a credit card and you do not have one, consider asking your bank to raise the limit on your debit card temporarily. Some suppliers accept a high-limit debit card in place of credit for certain models. Full details of accepted payment methods are on our payment and advance page.
Common queries about collecting a car at SPU and driving away.
Yes, selected vehicles at SPU accept debit card or cash for the balance payment. Each car in the search results shows its accepted payment methods. Book the vehicle that states debit card or cash is allowed, pay the booking advance online by card, and settle the balance at pickup with your chosen method.
Some suppliers operate desks inside the single arrivals hall at SPU. Others use meet-and-greet, where a representative waits outside the terminal with a sign. Your voucher states which method your supplier uses, so you know where to go after you land.
25 km via the D8 coastal road, approximately 30 minutes. The route passes through Kastel and offers views of the bay. If you intend to stay in Split rather than drive elsewhere immediately, consider booking collection in the city itself.
Provide your flight number when you book. Suppliers monitor arrivals and adjust the meeting time if your plane is late. The representative or desk staff will wait for you; no extra charge applies for flight delays.
Yes. Take D8 east to the A1 motorway junction near Kastel, then follow A1 south for 230 km, about 3 hours. The motorway crosses a short section of Bosnia and Herzegovina near Neum, so notify the supplier when you book to arrange the required cross-border documentation.
The D8 coastal road is toll-free. If you use the A1 motorway, tolls are charged at booths and you can pay by cash or card. Distances vary: SPU to Zadar on A1 costs less than SPU to Dubrovnik. Keep small bills or a card ready at toll plazas.
Search vehicles stationed at SPU, compare terms, and book the car that matches your payment preferences and route. The supplier meets you after your flight, you sign the agreement, and the coastal roads, islands and national parks are minutes away. For broader options across Croatia, visit our Croatia car rental overview.