Split Airport is five to ten minutes' drive from our villas. If you hire a car, you pick it up there and you're by the pool shortly after. Still, not everyone needs one. Here's our honest view, and what matters when renting and parking.
Do you need a car at all?
Not for the beach, the supermarket or the restaurants in Kaštel Stari; all of that is walkable. The train takes about 15 minutes to Split, and Uber works reliably here.
A car makes sense if Krka, Šibenik, Omiš or the hinterland are on your list, if you're travelling with small children, or if you plan more than a couple of trips. Plenty of guests just hire one for two or three days in the middle of their stay.
What to watch when renting
- Credit card: most companies want a credit card in the driver's name for the deposit. Debit cards are often not accepted.
- Pick-up: take photos or a short video all the way round, including wheels and windscreen.
- Fuel: full-to-full is usually the cheapest option.
- Crossing borders: if you want to go to Mostar, Međugorje or Montenegro, tell the rental company in advance. Cross-border trips often cost extra and need the right insurance.
- Dubrovnik: since 2022 the Pelješac Bridge bypasses Neum, so you can drive all the way to Dubrovnik without a border crossing.
A few traffic rules
- Speed limits: 50 in towns, 90 outside, 110 on expressways, 130 on motorways
- Alcohol limit 0.5‰, and 0.0 for drivers under 24
- In the winter months (late October to late March) dipped headlights are required during the day
- Phone calls hands-free only
Tolls
Motorways are tolled. In 2026 you still pay at toll booths, by card, cash or ENC device. As things stand, a barrier-free system is due to start on 1 March 2027, using either an ENC device or a registered number plate linked to a payment method. With a hire car, ask the company how they handle it.
Parking in Split
The old town is pedestrianised; you can't drive in. Around it there are parking zones, paid at machines, by text message or with the "Split Parking" app. The SMS numbers are in our insider tips. Zone 1 has a time limit, and in summer it's practically full from mid-morning.
Our advice: for Split, leave the car in Kaštela and take the train. Split station is right by the harbour and the old town.
Parking in Trogir
The old town sits on a small island and is car-free. The car parks on the mainland side by the bridge fill up quickly on summer evenings. Since Trogir is only about ten minutes away, Uber or a taxi is often the more relaxed choice.
And at the villa
Each villa has four private parking spaces right by the house. Villa Just be Alive also has a wallbox for electric cars. More on our page holiday home with EV charging.
How to get here in the first place, by plane, car or ferry, is covered in Getting to Kaštel Stari.
