Overview: car trip from Dubrovnik Airport to Split

The roads in southern Croatia wind in between the rugged Dinaric Alps and the shimmering Adriatic Sea. As you depart from the Dubrovnik Airport to Split, the salty air of the coastal islands will greet you as you travel north. Once back on the mainland, you’ll travel through villages and pass by ancient olive groves, each offering a window into a traditional agrarian lifestyle that many believe to be a relic of the past.

This drive takes 3.5 hours and follows 157 miles (254 km) of highways, country roads, and shining suspension bridges. On the way, you have the opportunity to visit sites important to Croatian culture, such as Medjugorje, a Catholic pilgrimage site. You can also cross into Bosnia to visit Mostar and its famous bridge. Overall, this drive will show you a little bit of everything the region has to offer during your stay in Split.

About Split

Before stepping off the plane to begin your transfer from the Dubrovnik Airport to Split, get to know your final destination a little bit better!

Split: fit for an emperor

Split is one of the Mediterranean's oldest settlements, as it is in the perfect location on the Adriatic Sea for local and long-distance shipping. Split’s written history began 1,700 years ago when the Greeks saw its potential and founded Aspalathos. The Roman Emperor Diocletian chose this humble trading port with stunning rock beaches and lush vegetation for his retirement palace in the 4th century BCE. The construction of Diocletian’s Palace is considered the beginning of Split’s history as a major city.

From Dubrovnik Airport to Split: travel tips

Keep these tips in mind when planning your Dubrovnik Airport to Split transfer!

Remember that Croatia uses the euro now

Things may look a bit different in your wallet from the last time you were in Croatia! In 2023 Croatia adopted the euro and it has fully replaced the kuna. The bigger supermarkets and stores will accept card payments, but for the most part, you will need cash for stops at restaurants and shops during this journey.

How to get from Dubrovnik Airport to Split

The trip from Dubrovnik Airport to Split will take you through beautiful Dalmatia. The Dalmatian region makes up the bottom half of Croatia and has mountainous terrain, rocky shores, and hundreds of islands. Life in Dalmatia is slower and more agricultural. Villages and towns are small and intimate, as most of the country’s population lives in cities in the north. It is the perfect place to escape and relax. However, it is a double-edged sword, as traveling in this region requires pre-planning and patience.

The Dinaric Alps run entirely through Dalmatia. Their rugged beauty makes it difficult to build train and highway networks. Recent infrastructure projects have improved the roads and bridges but you will still have sections of road that cling to cliff sides and make tight turns through small towns. With this in mind, you have limited options for your journey from Dubrovnik Airport to Split. The only direct way to reach your accommodation in Split is by car.

Things to do when you get to Split

The drive from Dubrovnik Airport to Split is just the beginning of your Croatian vacation! Split has a little something for everyone.

Start your day on the Riva Promenade

Split’s waterfront Riva Promenade is lined with rustling palm trees, chatty cafes, and white tablecloth restaurants overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Croatia has a passionate coffee shop culture, so order a kava s mlijekom (coffee with milk) and watch the sailboats, yachts, and fishing boats glide around the harbor.

When is the best time to visit Split

Visit Split during the spring (March through June) or in September for the best experience. You won’t be the only person traveling from the Dubrovnik Airport to Split during the shoulder seasons, but you can still avoid the worst of the crowds.

July and August can be brutal, with highs of 90° F (32° C) and very little shade during the hours of 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Split’s glistening white limestone buildings keep the interior cool and comfortable, but the lack of trees around the old city center creates an urban heat island effect on the streets.