Getting Around Split

There are a couple of reasons why connections between Split and Pula are needed by many people: Pula has ferry connections to Venice and Ryanair connects Pula to London and Dublin.

Here are two options of doing this trip:

It takes around 5-6 hours by car if you use the highway. There is a road toll on the new highway.

Another option is to take the Split-Rijeka overnight ferry.

Best way of getting to Split from Zagreb is to use the new A1 motorway (opened June 2005). Driving 375 km kms takes around 3 - 3,5 hours on this very good motorway, compared with more than 7 hours needed if the old road is used. The road toll for a car/motorcycle is around 160 kunas.

We were supposed to leave Ljubljana early but a heavy rain made it impossible to bring the luggage to the car. We already started to think about leaving the next day. But then suddenly it stopped raining for a while, just enough to put everything in the car, and then at 8:00 we left. Though we usually drive to Split by different route this time we wanted to try the one via Zagreb. It's a longer route (approximately 530 km) but there is a motorway all way long to Split which means you can drive faster. We made it in six hours with two coffee & snack brakes. Motorway toll was 162 Kunas (June 2010).

We drove to Novo mesto and then after crossing the Croatian border the road led us close to Zagreb, Senj, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Paklenica National Park, Zadar and Šibenik to Split. We followed the the direction to the port which was very well marked and easy to find. Unfortunately, a 14:00 ferry boat just left so we had almost three hours to kill in Split until the next one at 17:00. But it was fine, the sun was shining and we enjoyed our walk along the sea and a drink in one of the bars along the promenade.

On the return we took the 'standard route' which is the shortest one between Split and Ljubljana (approximately 456 km). Before Rijeka we left the motorway. After crossing the Croatian border we wanted to continue to Metlika and then to Ljubljana, but somehow we missed the sign. Instead we appeared on the road through Novo mesto which is a bit longer. It took us 6,5 hours with two short brakes. Motorway toll was 130 Kunas (June 2010).

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I found out from experience that if you follow the signage to get into the old town center, you go out of your way, and it takes and drops you into an area a way from the center. Then, you have to find a parking place; nearly impossible. I suspected there was a "diversion" to try and get traffic to find another method into the old town area. So I asked a local person, and he guided me into the local bus station and boat area on the Riva; only one block form our apartment.
The other way loops around on Domovinskog road instead of taking the main cesta toward the south side. This way you avoid a lot of traffic backup and maybe find a place to park easier. The signs split the road when you get off the main exit to old town; just go further down.

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There are some parking spots right at the Riva Blvd, but you pay for them dearly; like $2 per hour, and then there is a 2 hour limit in certain places there. If you want to drive right up to the Riva,and can only stay one hour, that cost is 50 kuna, or $5 per hour. A bit further out; like maybe one mile, you pay $1.50 per hour. If caught parking illegally, then the fine could run $150-200 for get the vehicle back. Good luck trying to find a place on the street to park

Some road distances to Split from:

- Zagreb (Croatia): 410 kms.
- Berlin (Germany): 1.467 kms.
- Brussels (Belgium): 1.673 kms.
- Madrid (Spain): 2.458 kms.

Checking the website, you’ll find more road distances together with the driving times and the best routes.

Pic: The Dalmatian coast, some kms. south o Split.

The transportation system in Split was very convenient. The bus, train and ferry systems are all together. They are conveniently located in the Old City Center, by the waterfront. There is an English-speaking attendant available who can assist you with your connections. Also there is a travel agency here too if you need a hotel etc. We had no problems at all arranging our tickets for our trip to Slovenia by bus. We dropped in the day before we wanted to go and checked out the times. We bought the tickets on the day we traveled. They have AtM's here too.

If you're staying right in Split, a car really isn't necessary and could be more trouble than it's worth - parking is in very short supply. However, most people who come here are visiting Split as part of a more extended Croatian holiday and there's no doubt, having your own wheels makes exploring the surrounding countryside so much easier,

We do hire cars when we're in Croatia, though for our next visit, we're bussing it from Bosnia to Split and, as we're staying right in the middle of the city, we won't pick up a car until we're ready to leave for the island part of our holiday. That will solve the problem of where to park!
The closest parking to the Old City is on the Riva in front of the south entrance, we've always got a space in there but usually only after driving around a few times. Once you have a space, you can stay all day however.

We've used both Europcar and Sixt to hire cars in Croatia, Sixt was definitely the cheaper and the company we'd use again. We booked on the internet with Webcarhire and found them absolutly satisfactory and easy to use. They only have an airport office in Split.

You won't find any bargains - car hire in Croatia's expensive and there's no getting around it. Petrol's not cheap either.

Taking the car on the ferries is easy - the whole operation is very efficient. Check the Jadrolinja website for times and tarriffs.