Car hire reviews
Car hire in Split is one of the most practical decisions you can make if your trip includes the Dalmatian coast, nearby islands by ferry, or inland routes toward Krka, Šibenik, or Dubrovnik. Inside central Split, a car is more burden than blessing because parking is tight and traffic around the port can be chaotic. That is why Split Airport pickup is usually the best option: more suppliers, easier stock availability, and a cleaner start to a road trip. City pickup can still work if you are spending a few nights in town first and only renting for the onward leg. Driving around Split is not difficult, but summer congestion, one-way streets, and old-town parking charges can be irritating if you choose the wrong base. A compact car is usually the sweet spot. The reviews below focus on the real questions travellers care about: queue times, insurance pressure, car condition, and which suppliers are easiest to deal with at Split Airport.
Counter intelligence
16 min
Best: Sixt (10 min)
45% low
High at: Goldcar
0%
0 of 20 reviews
83%
Got car they booked
Based on 20 reviews across 9 locations and 37 suppliers. Average rating: 3.8/5 · Typical wait: ~16 minutes · Higher upsell reports: Goldcar
Quick insights
Quick research insights on suppliers and pickup locations in Split.
Locations in Split
3.8
Good
20 reviews
Croatia C.
8 Mar 2026
Picked up near the port and drove to Hvar. The Fiat 500 was perfect for Croatian coastal roads. No airport surcharge.
Thomas L.
6 Mar 2026
I rented from Goldcar at Split Airport for a quick business trip. While the car itself—a Fiat 500—was clean and did the job for getting to my meetings, the pickup process really tested my patience. After a long flight, the last thing I wanted was to stand in a queue for nearly 45 minutes. There seemed to be only two agents working the desk, which caused a massive bottleneck. The staff member who finally helped me was professional enough and clearly trying to work through the backlog, but the lack of staffing was frustrating. I also had to go through the usual hard sell on their 'Super Relax' insurance, which I declined. It wasn't a terrible experience, but the delay meant I arrived at my first appointment much later than planned. If you're in a rush, be warned that efficiency isn't their strong point here.
Thomas L.
25 Feb 2026
I rented from Hertz at Split Airport for a week of solo travel along the coast. The process was pretty smooth overall. I had a reservation for 9 AM, and there was a short queue, but I was at the counter within ten minutes. The agent did try to upsell me on their super insurance, which I declined since my credit card covers it, and they didn't push back or make it awkward. I received a VW Polo which was perfect for the narrow coastal roads—clean and with a full tank. The hold on my credit card was exactly what was quoted. A solid, reliable experience without any nasty surprises.
Kennedy V.
8 Feb 2026
The car was fine and the price was good but they really push their own insurance hard at the counter. I had cover through my credit card so I declined but it felt uncomfortable.
Tom B.
7 Feb 2026
Collected from the port area, just minutes from the ferry terminals. Perfect base for reaching Hvar and Brač. No hidden charges.
Thomas L.
30 Dec 2025
We booked with Goldcar for our honeymoon trip along the Dalmatian coast and found them to be a solid choice overall. We arrived at the Split airport desk around 9 AM and, luckily, the queue wasn't too long. The staff member was professional, though she did give us the usual hard sell on their 'Super Relax' insurance. We stood our ground since we had separate coverage, and it wasn't too much of a hassle. We were given a fairly new VW Polo, which was perfect for the coastal roads. Drop-off was surprisingly straightforward, which was a relief after hearing horror stories about other companies. They checked the car quickly, and we got our deposit back within five days. If you're on a budget but still want a reliable car, I'd recommend them—just be prepared to decline the extra coverage firmly.
Kate W.
20 Oct 2025
Europcar at Split was straightforward. Pre-booked online, picked up in 10 minutes. Drove around Dalmatia for a week without any issues. Fair price too.
Thomas L.
15 Oct 2025
I usually stick with big names like Hertz for peace of mind, but my experience at Split Airport was genuinely frustrating. I arrived at the counter around 9 AM, expecting a quick pickup, but the queue was incredibly slow. It took nearly 45 minutes just to reach the booth. The staff member was polite enough but pushed the insurance upsell quite aggressively. I declined since my credit card covers me, but I was surprised to find an extra 'cleaning fee' and a vague administrative charge on my final invoice that wasn't mentioned clearly at the start. The car, a well-worn VW Golf, was fine, but the hidden costs definitely soured the trip. I won't be using Hertz here again.
Priya Sharma
11 Oct 2025
Pickup tends to run efficiently outside Saturday peaks, though a few cars show the usual island-hopping scuffs, so photo the bodywork before rolling out.
Dalmatia D.
18 Sept 2025
Cheaper than the majors and the car was just as clean. No pressure on extras. Perfect for island hopping.
Elena V.
1 Sept 2025
Expect newer Volkswagens and brisk paperwork, but the security hold can feel hefty and cross-border permissions need asking for in writing before you leave the airport.
Tom A.
13 Aug 2025
Goldcar's headline rate was excellent and the hatchback was clean, but staff leaned hard on tyre-and-glass cover and the fuel rules needed double-checking.
Split F.
5 Aug 2025
Picked up near the ferry terminal for Brač and Hvar trips. The Fiat was ideal for Croatian coastal roads.
AdriaticAndy
13 Aug 2025
Goldcar's headline rate was excellent and the hatchback was clean, but staff leaned hard on tyre-and-glass cover and the fuel rules needed double-checking.
Elena
1 Sept 2025
Expect newer Volkswagens and brisk paperwork, but the security hold can feel hefty and cross-border permissions need asking for in writing before you leave the airport.
Priya Sharma
11 Oct 2025
Pickup tends to run efficiently outside Saturday peaks, though a few cars show the usual island-hopping scuffs, so photo the bodywork before rolling out.
Tom
7 Feb 2026
Collected from the port area, just minutes from the ferry terminals. Perfect base for reaching Hvar and Brač. No hidden charges.
DalmatiaDriver
18 Sept 2025
Cheaper than the majors and the car was just as clean. No pressure on extras. Perfect for island hopping.
CroatiaCoast
8 Mar 2026
Picked up near the port and drove to Hvar. The Fiat 500 was perfect for Croatian coastal roads. No airport surcharge.
SplitFerries
5 Aug 2025
Picked up near the ferry terminal for Brač and Hvar trips. The Fiat was ideal for Croatian coastal roads.