Planning your split airport to city centre journey before you land can save time, money and stress. Split Airport (SPU) is about 24 km (15 miles) from central Split, with trips taking around 35 minutes in good traffic but much longer during the busy summer season. This guide compares buses, taxis, Uber and private transfers so you can choose the best option for your arrival time, budget and ferry connection.
For more on this part of the trip, also see our Krakow Airport to City Centre: Best Transfer Options.
Quick Takeaways
Start here: Planning your split airport to city centre journey before you land can save time, money and stress.
Planning note: For more on this part of the trip, also see our Krakow Airport to City Centre: Best Transfer Options.
Quick Overview: Split Airport to City Centre
| Transport Option | Journey Time | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Bus (Route 37) | 45–60 min | €3–5 | Cheapest option |
| Airport Shuttle Bus | 30–40 min | €8–10 | Best overall balance |
| Uber / Bolt | 25–35 min | €20–40 | Good value, door-to-door |
| Official Taxi | 25–35 min | €35–50 | Late nights, no app |
| Private Transfer | 25–35 min | €40–70 | Families and groups |
| Shuttle + Regional Train | 45–70 min | €4–8 | Rail enthusiasts only |
Cheapest Option: Public Bus Route 37
The cheapest way to get from Split Airport to the city centre is the local public bus. Route 37 runs between the airport and Split’s main bus station, passing through suburban stops along the coast road.
- Cost: approximately €3–5
- Journey time: 45–60 minutes
- Final stop: Split city centre, near the main bus and ferry terminal
- Luggage: limited storage space inside the passenger cabin
The main drawback is comfort. In July and August the bus can be standing-room only, and fitting large suitcases into a crowded vehicle is awkward. If you’re travelling with a backpack and have time to spare, it works well. If you’ve just landed from a long-haul flight with checked luggage, the saving rarely feels worth it.
Common mistake: some buses from the airport stop area head toward Trogir rather than Split. Always confirm the direction with the driver before boarding.
Best Budget-to-Convenience Balance: Airport Shuttle Bus
For most visitors, the dedicated airport shuttle bus is the easiest first choice. These coaches are timed around flight arrivals, carry luggage in an undercarriage hold, and stop at three of the most useful points in Split:
- Split Main Bus Station
- Split Ferry Port
- Split Train Station
That cluster of stops is ideal whether you’re heading to Diocletian’s Palace, the Riva promenade, or Bačvice Beach — or continuing by ferry to Hvar, Brač, Vis, or Korčula. Tickets cost around €8–10 and can usually be bought at the airport or on board.
Pros: direct route, undercarriage luggage storage, less confusing than local buses, significantly cheaper than taxis.
Cons: can sell out on peak summer arrivals, limited late-night departures, and subject to the same coastal traffic as everything else in July and August.
If your accommodation is inside the pedestrian zone of Split’s Old Town, you will need to walk 5–10 minutes from the terminal area regardless of which bus you take. Cars and coaches cannot enter the historic centre around Diocletian’s Palace.
Fastest Door-to-Door: Uber and Bolt
Rideshare apps are widely used in Split and consistently undercut official airport taxis on price. Bolt tends to be cheaper than Uber in Croatia and is the better default to open first.
- Typical cost: €20–40 depending on demand and season
- Journey time: 25–35 minutes outside peak traffic hours
A few practical notes. Surge pricing is common during Ultra Europe Festival, busy yacht weekends, and the hour before the last evening ferry. If the price looks high, wait 10–15 minutes and check again. Drivers are sometimes restricted from pulling up directly at the main terminal exit, so your app may show a short walk to the pickup point — this is normal and not an error.
Download both apps before you land. Setting up an account on foreign mobile data immediately after arrival adds unnecessary friction.
Official Taxi From Split Airport
Licensed taxis are available at the rank outside arrivals. A metered fare to the city centre typically runs:
- €35–50 during the day
- Higher at night and during peak-season congestion
Taxis are worth using when you arrive after midnight, when you’re too tired to navigate an app, or when you’re splitting the fare across a group. Avoid any driver who approaches you inside the arrivals hall offering a flat rate — use only the official rank outside, a pre-booked transfer, or a rideshare app.
Is a Taxi or Train Better From the Airport in Split?
For nearly all travellers, a taxi or bus is a better choice than the train. Split does not have a direct airport railway station. The journey involves two steps:
- Take a shuttle bus from the terminal to Kaštel Stari station (a separate village north of the airport)
- Board a regional train from Kaštel Stari into Split station
Combined journey time runs 45–70 minutes, the schedule is limited (primarily tourist season), and you still arrive at Split station needing to walk or take another vehicle to your accommodation. The total cost of €4–8 is not dramatically cheaper than the airport bus.
The train option makes sense if you genuinely enjoy regional rail travel and arrive during daylight hours with light luggage. For anyone arriving tired, carrying luggage, or needing to catch a ferry connection, the complexity is not justified. Buses and rideshares are simpler.
Private Transfer From Split Airport
Pre-booked private transfers cost €40–70 for the standard city centre route and make the most sense for:
- Families travelling with children and bulky luggage
- Groups where one vehicle is cheaper than two taxis
- Late-night arrivals when public transport has stopped
- Early-morning ferry departures where timing is critical
Most providers offer fixed pricing, flight-number tracking (so they wait if you land late), and meet-and-greet service inside the terminal. If your accommodation is outside central Split — in Stobreč, Podstrana, or along the Riviera — a private transfer is often the only genuinely practical option.
How Long Does It Take to Reach Central Split From the Airport?
Under normal conditions, expect the following:
| Method | Typical Journey Time |
|---|---|
| Taxi / Uber / Bolt | 25–35 minutes |
| Airport Shuttle Bus | 30–40 minutes |
| Public Bus Route 37 | 45–60 minutes |
| Shuttle + Regional Train | 45–70 minutes |
Those figures apply outside peak hours. The coastal road between the airport and Split passes through Kaštela and Solin — a stretch that becomes heavily congested between 3 PM and 8 PM on Fridays and Sundays, and throughout most of July and August. A 30-minute taxi ride can stretch to 60–75 minutes on a busy Friday afternoon. If you are connecting to a ferry, build in at least 30 minutes of buffer beyond the standard journey time in summer.
Where Transport Drops You in Split
Most routes — airport bus, public bus, taxi, and rideshare — end near the cluster of Split’s bus station, ferry terminal, and train station on the western edge of the waterfront. This is one of the most convenient arrival points in the city:
- Ferries to Hvar (Stari Grad and Jelsa), Brač (Supetar), and Vis depart from here
- Diocletian’s Palace is a 10–15 minute walk east along the Riva
- Most central accommodation is within 20 minutes on foot
If you’re staying inside the historic core, note that vehicles cannot enter the pedestrian streets around the Palace. Even private taxis will drop you at the edge of the zone. Ask your accommodation for the nearest vehicle access point before you arrive — it avoids confusion after a long journey.
Late-Night Arrivals at Split Airport
After midnight, the public bus and airport shuttle typically stop running. Your realistic options are:
- Uber or Bolt (check availability before relying on these — demand is high after late summer flights)
- Official airport taxi rank
- Pre-booked private transfer (the most reliable choice for very late arrivals)
During peak summer, the taxi queue after midnight can be long. If you’re landing after 11 PM on a Friday or Saturday in July or August, a pre-booked transfer is worth the extra cost simply to avoid standing in a queue after a full day of travel.
Practical Tips Before You Land
Download Bolt before your flight. App setup on a new mobile connection at the airport takes longer than expected and costs you options.
Carry a small amount of cash. Most airport buses and some smaller services prefer cash. Cards are accepted widely, but not universally.
Check ferry schedules the night before. Many island ferries have their last departure between 7 PM and 9 PM. Missing it means an unplanned night in Split. Jadrolinija operates the majority of state ferry routes and publishes live schedules.
Ignore arrivals-hall offers. Drivers approaching passengers inside the terminal with flat-rate offers are not licensed airport taxis. Use the official rank outside, a rideshare app, or your pre-booked transfer.
Best Option by Travel Style
Best for tight budgets: Public Bus Route 37 — slowest, but cheapest at €3–5.
Best overall: Airport shuttle bus — affordable, luggage-friendly, stops near the ferry terminal.
Best for speed and convenience: Bolt or Uber — usually €20–40 and door-to-door.
Best for families: Private transfer — fixed pricing, flight tracking, no scrambling for seats.
Best for late-night arrivals: Pre-booked private transfer — reliable when buses have stopped and queues are long.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to get from Split Airport to the center?
Public Bus Route 37 is the cheapest option at around €3–5. It terminates near Split’s main bus and ferry station but takes 45–60 minutes and has limited luggage space. The airport shuttle bus (€8–10) is a better balance of cost and comfort for most travellers.
Is a taxi or train better from the airport in Split?
A taxi is better for almost everyone. Split has no direct airport train station — you first need a shuttle to Kaštel Stari, then a regional train into Split, which adds complexity and time without meaningful cost savings over the airport bus. The train is worth considering only if you travel light, arrive in daylight, and specifically enjoy regional rail journeys.
How long does it take to reach central Split from the airport?
Taxis and rideshares take 25–35 minutes in normal traffic. The airport shuttle bus runs 30–40 minutes. Public buses take 45–60 minutes. In peak summer traffic — particularly on Friday and Sunday afternoons — add 20–40 minutes to any road-based estimate.
Are Uber and Bolt available at Split Airport?
Yes, both Bolt and Uber operate in Split. Bolt is generally cheaper. Surge pricing applies during festivals, busy weekends, and ferry rush hours. Drivers may ask you to walk a short distance from the main terminal exit to their pickup point due to airport taxi restrictions — this is standard and not a scam.
Can I take a taxi to Diocletian’s Palace directly?
Taxis can drop you at the edge of the pedestrian zone around the Palace, but cannot enter the historic streets. Depending on where you’re staying, you may have a 5–15 minute walk from the drop-off point. Ask your accommodation for the closest accessible street before you arrive.
Is it safe to take a taxi from Split Airport at night?
Yes, using the official taxi rank outside arrivals or pre-booked transfers is safe. Avoid unlicensed drivers who approach you inside the terminal. After midnight in peak summer, pre-booking a transfer is the most reliable option as queues at the taxi rank can be long.
For live timetables and booking, see the Split Airport ground transport page and ferry schedules at Jadrolinija.
By Mara Vale for Eurly
Last verified: May 2025. Transport schedules, prices, and app availability change seasonally — confirm details with providers before travel.
Mara Vale
Mara Vale writes Eurly travel guides for first-time Europe visitors who want practical routes, realistic pacing, and fewer avoidable planning mistakes.
Eurly guides are written to help readers make confident travel decisions, but opening hours, ticket rules, transit disruptions, and local conditions can change. Always verify key reservations and official schedules before you travel.
