Getting from Split Airport (SPU) to the city center takes 30 to 45 minutes by road and costs between €3 and €50, depending on your choice. The airport is in Kaštela, about 24 km northwest of the old town. You have five main options: the official shuttle bus (€9), the local public bus (from around €3), a taxi from the rank (€35–50), Uber or Bolt (€25–40), or a pre-booked private transfer.
There’s also a sixth option that most guides miss: arranging for a rental car to meet you at arrivals, so you don’t have to worry about transfers at all. As a family agency welcoming travelers here since 1999, here’s our take on each option.
Split Airport
All options at a glance
Option | Price | Time to center | Best for |
| Official shuttle bus (Platanus) | €9/person | 40 min | Solo travelers & couples, light luggage |
| Public bus (line 37) | €3–5/person | 50–60 min | Backpackers with time to spare |
| Taxi from the rank | €35–50 | 30–40 min | Groups landing without a plan |
| Uber / Bolt | €25–40 | 30–40 min | App-comfortable travelers |
| Private transfer (pre-booked) | fixed quote | 30–40 min | Families, night arrivals, door-to-door |
Rental car at arrivals | from €60/day | you set the pace | Anyone planning day trips anyway |
The shuttle bus: cheapest sensible option
Here’s an important update for 2026: Pleso Prijevoz, the shuttle operator mentioned in older guides, stopped running the Split route in February 2026. The official airport shuttle is now run by Platanus. It leaves about 30 minutes after each flight arrives and costs around €9 per person. The bus drops you at Split’s main bus station, next to the ferry port and just a five-minute walk from Diocletian’s Palace.
The main thing to consider is the drop-off point. If your accommodation is near the old town, the shuttle is ideal. If you’re staying in Bačvice, Žnjan, or west toward Marjan, you’ll still need a short taxi ride or a walk with your luggage. For very late arrivals, don’t assume a bus will be waiting. Always check the schedule with your landing time.
The public bus: cheapest, full stop
Local line 37 connects the airport area with Split for about €3 to €5, but it’s the slowest option. The ride takes 50 to 60 minutes, with frequent stops and limited space for luggage. This choice works best for a solo traveler with just a backpack and no time pressure. For two or more people, the shuttle costs only a little more and saves about 20 minutes.
Taxi, Uber & Bolt: door to door, at a price
A metered taxi from the rank outside arrivals costs €35 to €50 to the center, depending on traffic and your exact address. Confirm the approximate fare before you leave. Politely ignore anyone inside the terminal who whispers “taxi?” because unofficial drivers are the main tourist trap at SPU.
Uber and Bolt both operate at Split Airport, usually costing €25 to €40 to the center, with pickup in the parking area in front of the terminal. Here’s a local tip: order your ride while you’re walking to baggage claim, not after you exit. By the time you’re outside, your driver will likely be waiting. Prices can go up during the busy summer months, so compare both apps.
Private transfer: the door-to-door fix
A pre-booked private transfer means a driver will be waiting with your name at arrivals, ready to help with your bags, and you’ll pay a fixed price to your exact address. There’s no meter, no surge pricing, and no compromise on drop-off. We recommend this option for families who need car seats, groups of four or more (where the per-person cost is better than the shuttle), and for any arrival after 22:00, when buses are less frequent and rideshare options may be limited. Book with your flight number so the driver can track any delays automatically.
The sixth option: a rental car waiting at arrivals
Before you book any transfer, ask yourself if you’ll want a car later in your trip. If you plan to explore the Dalmatian coast or the hinterland, picking up a rental at the airport solves both your transfer and your day trips in one step.
With our meet-and-greet at Split Airport, your car will be waiting in the rental parking area just 10 meters from arrivals. The handover takes only a few minutes, and the service is available daily from 08:00 to 20:00, with after-hours delivery if arranged in advance. Economy manual cars start at €60 per day (automatics from €80), with free cancellation up to 24 hours before and a 10% discount for booking directly online. When you compare costs, a return airport transfer for a family can be close to the price of a full day’s rental, and the rental lets you visit places.
Rent a car for the best experience
Getting to Trogir instead? You're already there
A detail that surprises many visitors: Trogir is closer to the airport than Split is. Only 5 km away. A taxi to Trogir costs around €10–15, and if that's where you're staying, don't board anything headed to Split. The same goes in reverse for your departure day: from Trogir, leave far less buffer time than the Split guides suggest.
Our verdict by traveler type
If you’re traveling solo with a backpack, take the shuttle bus for €9. For a couple with luggage staying near the old town, use the shuttle if the timing works, or Bolt if it doesn’t. For a family of four, choose a private transfer or a rental at arrivals. The shuttle’s per-person cost plus a taxi from the bus station usually cancels out any savings. If you land after 22:00, pre-book a transfer, as it’s the only option guaranteed to be waiting. If you’re planning day trips, a rental car at arrivals solves your transfer needs for the whole holiday.
No matter which option you choose, book fixed-price options in advance for July and August. Transfers will be up around peak flight times, and our airport rental cars are usually sold out by mid-June for the summer.