Summer 2027 bookings are open, and the Dalmatian coast is one of the most popular places to take a motorhome. Split sits in the middle of it: the airport is close, the old town grows around a Roman palace, and from the city you can drive to waterfalls, take a car ferry to an island or follow a spectacular coast road to Dubrovnik. If you are searching for motorhome rental in Split, here is what you need to know before you book.

This is a research guide rather than a trip report. The figures come from the CampervanPlanet Split page as of early November 2026, and the routes are the ones it describes. Where we add general knowledge, we hedge it, and you should always check current rules and ferry timetables before travelling.

For the country as a whole, see our guide to Croatia campervan rental for summer 2027, and for the basics of hiring a van abroad, read our campervan rental guide.

What motorhome rental in Split costs

The Split page lists typical daily prices by season, and the pattern is clear. June to August is peak season at about €317 a day. May and September are the best-value shoulder months at about €237 a day, and April and October are about the same at €237. November to March is the budget window at about €196 a day. The page headline gives offers from €157 a day.

Set against each other, the numbers tell a simple story. Moving a week-long trip from July to September saves roughly €80 a day, or more than €550 over seven days, and it also gets you warmer sea, quieter beaches and ferries that are not packed. A winter rental costs about €120 a day less than peak summer, but the island ferries run a reduced timetable and the weather is changeable, so it suits city and culture trips more than beach holidays.

As always, the from-price is for the entry-level vehicle. Compare the same berths, the same dates and the same insurance level, because the headline rate says little about the real cost. Our overview of the low-season versus peak price gap by country shows how large the swings are across Europe.

When to go: May and September are the sweet spots

The page is enthusiastic about the shoulder months, and so are we. In May and September temperatures are about 16 to 25°C, days run 13 to 15 hours, ferries to the islands are uncrowded and the trails on Marjan Hill are pleasant. September also offers warm seas with fewer tourists.

June to August is hot, at roughly 22 to 32°C, with long sunny days perfect for beaches and island hopping to Hvar, Brač and Vis. The trade-off is a very busy waterfront in Split, packed ferries and the highest prices of the year, so book well in advance. April and October are about 12 to 20°C, with terraces reopening in spring and Krka National Park still pleasant for day trips in autumn.

Winter, from November to March, is mild but rainy by Mediterranean standards. The page cites January highs around 10°C and lows near 5°C, with snow rare, although the cold bura wind can make the coast feel sharper. Diocletian’s Palace is queue-free and prices are low. It is a good time for sightseeing, less so for island trips, because ferries run less often.

Pick-up in Split and other Croatian cities

The page highlights Split with airport pick-up and calls it an ideal base for Hvar, Brač and the Makarska Riviera. It also lists other Croatian pick-up cities: Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Zadar, Pula and Rijeka. That makes one-way routes possible, such as collecting in Split and returning in Dubrovnik, though drop-off fees can apply.

If you fly into Split, collecting at the airport is the simplest option. It saves you from carrying luggage into town, and you can head straight for a campsite instead of paying for a night of city parking. If you plan to see the city first, many travellers prefer to collect the van on the day they leave, as parking a motorhome in the centre is difficult and expensive.

The page also notes that the rental company named in each offer hands over the vehicle and applies its own terms, so read the conditions for cross-border travel before you plan a trip into Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro or Slovenia. Ask the company directly if the route matters to you.

Route one: the Brač island car-ferry escape

The page describes a three- to four-day trip with about 60 km on the island plus a car ferry, rated easy and suitable for any campervan. You roll onto the Split to Supetar ferry, which takes about 50 minutes and has up to 14 sailings a day in summer, and then explore Croatia’s sunniest island on four wheels. May and September are the best months.

The route crosses Brač on a winding road to Bol, famous for Zlatni Rat beach, and then climbs a paved road up Vidova Gora, at 778 metres the highest peak of any Adriatic island, with views across to Hvar. The page notes there is no car ferry linking Hvar and Vis directly from Split, so the way to reach them is by foot-passenger catamaran day trips, with the motorhome left at a campsite in Split.

The practical lesson is to check ferry timetables and prices for a motorhome in advance. Vehicle length affects the fare, and in summer a queue at the port can add hours. Booking a sailing for a particular time, where the operator allows it, takes some of the stress out of the trip.

Route two: the Split to Dubrovnik coast road

This four- to five-day route covers about 230 km along the Adriatic Highway, the D8, hugging cliffs for much of the way. The page rates it easy and again recommends May and September. You start through the Cetina river gorge at Omiš, cruise the dramatic Makarska Riviera beneath Biokovo mountain, and then cross the Pelješac Bridge, which opened in July 2022, to avoid the Bosnian coastal strip at Neum entirely.

Before Dubrovnik the page suggests stopping at Ston for oysters and a walk along its 5.5 km walls. Dubrovnik itself is a walled city that is difficult for large vehicles, so plan your stay at a campsite or on the outskirts and take a bus or taxi into the old town. We would also leave extra time for photo stops, as the road is narrow in places and drivers need to take it slowly.

If you are collecting in Split and dropping in Dubrovnik, compare the offers on the Dubrovnik motorhome rental page. Each pick-up has its own listing, and prices differ.

Route three: the Krka waterfalls and Šibenik loop

The shortest route is a three- to four-day loop of about 200 km, rated easy, which you can do from Split over a long weekend. You drive up the coast through UNESCO-listed Trogir and the photogenic peninsula village of Primošten, explore Renaissance Šibenik with its stone cathedral, and finish at Krka National Park, walking the wooden boardwalks around the Skradinski Buk cascades. You return to Split on the A1 motorway.

The page includes a useful note: swimming at the main falls has been banned since 2021 to protect the ecosystem. That is a good reminder to check the current rules before you go, because national parks change entry arrangements, opening hours and fees. You can drive in via Lozovac, or take the included boat up the river from Skradin.

The loop works well in May, September and October when the park is less crowded. In July and August, arrive early in the morning, bring water and expect queues. A van does not need to be large for this route, so a compact model will do if you are travelling as a couple.

Booking tips for Croatia

Book early for July and August. Compare the full cost, including insurance, deposit, any cross-border fee and cleaning charges. The page explains that many offers take a deposit online, often 10 to 20 per cent of the price, with the rest at pick-up, and that the company holds a refundable security deposit on the main driver’s card, so check your limit. Our explainer on insurance, deposits and excess walks through the terms.

Camping rules are strict on the Croatian coast. Overnight parking outside campsites is generally restricted, with fines in many places, so plan your nights at official sites and reserve in July and August. Check the latest rules locally, as they can differ between municipalities.

When you are ready, you can compare Split motorhomes on CampervanPlanet. Code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 takes €20 off your booking at checkout, and if you book through our links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.