Less than two hours by car! The only other option is to ride on a bus, which takes around 3.5 hours or more to reach Zadar. For the fastest transfer, hire a private driver instead of a rental car.
What is the easiest way to get from Split to Zadar?
You canât beat the convenience and simplicity of hiring a driver for your transfer. Your driver will meet you at your address in Split and take you to all the sightseeing stops you want to visit before arriving safely in Zadar.
How do you get from Split to Zadar?
By bus or private car! The ferry, train, and flight infrastructure between Split and Zadar is lacking and an inefficient way to travel in this region. To drive in Croatia, you will need an international driverâs license. Alternatively, take the bus or hire a private car service.
What is the fastest way to get from Split to Zadar?
Driving is the fastest way to travel from Split to Zadar. This drive can be done in less than 2 hours and covers a distance of 98 miles (159 km). When in Croatia, make sure you have an international driverâs license or hire a local driver.
Is Zadar worth visiting?
Of course! Zadar is a classic Mediterranean city with warm shores and friendly people. It is a short distance from several national parks as well. Take a boat tour, lounge on the beach, go hiking, and try all the local cuisine!
Is Zadar nicer than Split?
Thatâs all up to you! Zadar is far smaller and more intimate than Split. If you are looking for a quieter beachfront that still has the amenities of a large city (like an international airport!), Zadar is an excellent option.
If the crowds in Split have become too much and youâd like to see the calmer side of Dalmatia, take a road trip from Split to Zadar! Zadar is the smaller, calmer cousin of Split and Dubrovnik. Daytrip makes traveling around the Croatian coast simple with its door-to-door private transportation and hand-picked sightseeing stops.
With a Daytrip driver, youâll be able to visit areas of Dalmatia that are usually difficult to reach by public transportation. Admire the forests, lakes, and waterfalls in Krka National Park, or take family photos in picture-perfect Primosten.
When you reach Zadar, youâll be greeted once again by the classic limestone buildings with red-orange terracotta roofs that are the hallmark of cities on the Adriatic Sea. Your driver will navigate the narrow, ancient roads right to your doorstep for the next part of your Croatian vacation.
About Zadar
As with much of the Mediterranean Coast, Zadar has been the envy of neighboring empires for over three millennia. It was originally founded by the Illyrians, who settled in the southern Balkans and the coastal areas youâll be traveling through as you make your way from Split to Zadar.
It became a significant port city under Roman rule around the 1st century BC. By the Middle Ages, Zadar was part of the Byzantine Empire before falling under Venetian control in the 11th century. Between 1797 and the end of WWII, it was under Austrian, French, and Italian control, respectively.
During Italian rule (1918-1947), Zadar had a mostly Italian-identifying population. Croatian assimilation was part of the stateâs agenda, but resentment was growing in the form of the Yugoslav Partisan Movement. Allied bombing in WWII resulted in 80% of Zadar being leveled and most of the Dalmatian Italians left as a result.
After most of the Italian population left, Zadar became part of Yugoslavia. This union of southern Slavs installed highways, railroads, and an airport to encourage internal tourism and immigration to the coast.
As Yugoslavia fell apart in the 1990s, Zadar was once again at war, this time with the Serbs. From 1991 to 1995, the city experienced bombings, sieges, and riots, before becoming part of the newly independent Croatia.
Today, Zadarâs main industries are tourism, agriculture, and seaborne trade. The restoration of major historical sites and infrastructure after the Yugoslav Wars has kept Zadarâs old-world charm while still connecting it with the world. It welcomes thousands of visitors a year to its sunny shores and beautiful natural landscapes.
From Split to Zadar: travel tips
As your road trip from Split to Zadar approaches, these travel tips will help you make the most of your adventure.
Go beyond the city walls
Split and Zadar are both major cities on Croatiaâs southern coast, but they arenât everything there is to see in Dalmatia! Go to those hard-to-reach places you wonât be able to reach by bus when you travel with Daytrip. The ruins of Salona will transport you far into Dalmatiaâs Roman past, and with a car, they are more accessible than ever!
Prepare for your activities
Consider the dayâs activities when you pack for your trip. If you visit Salona, a wide-brimmed hat, water bottle, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended due to the lack of shade around the ruins. Sturdy walking shoes and insect repellant will be your best friend at Krka National Park.
How to get from Split to Zadar
Like much of Croatia, the 98-mile (159 km) journey from Split to Zadar is the most efficient by car. Buses travel far slower than cars and the mountainous terrain of the Croatian coast makes train infrastructure difficult to implement and upkeep.
Daytrip private car transfer from Split to Zadar
Be in Zadar in less than two hours when you hire a private driver through Daytrip! Your driver will take you door-to-door and it is even possible to add excursions to places that you might otherwise not be able to reach by public transit. Travel in comfort and craft the perfect trip that ends right at your front door in Zadar. The total driving time is 1 hour and 50 minutes and trips start at $42 (âŹ39) per seat.
Buses from Split to Zadar
Autotrans operates most bus routes throughout Croatia. Buses for their Split to Zadar route leave 8 times per day in the summer months and cost between $11 to $28 (âŹ10 to âŹ26) per passenger. The trip takes about 3.5 hours, not including getting to and from the bus station, or waiting to get on and off the bus.
When you book a bus ticket in Croatia, you may have to pay an extra $1 or $2 (âŹ1 or âŹ2) fee for each piece of luggage stored under the bus. It is best to have small bills and coins for this fee.
Trains from Split to Zadar
While the Croatian national train service, Hrvatske Zeljeznice, technically has a route from Split to Zadar, it is not an efficient way to travel. In either Knin or Perkovic, you will need to transfer to a bus due to ongoing construction on the train tracks.
Ferries from Split to Zadar
Although Split is a major port for ferry and private boat travel to other destinations, there are currently no direct routes to take a ferry to Zadar. Put your sea legs away for this transfer!
Flights from Split to Zadar
As with the ferries, there are also no direct flights between the Split Airport (SPU) and Zadar Airport (ZAD).
Things to do when you get to Zadar
After your Dalmatian road trip from Split to Zadar, youâll be greeted by a smaller, but just as impressive, city. When you arenât eating delicious seafood or swimming at the beaches, visit these unique sites in Zadar.
Listen to the waves at the Sea Organ
Have you ever put your ear up to a conch shell to hear the ocean? Come to Zadar to hear the unique sounds of the sea. The Sea Organ is the design of the Croatian architect Nikola Basic, whose goal was to reconnect Croatians with the Adriatic Sea. It is a set of 35 organ pipes within marble steps leading down to the water.
As the waves crash endlessly against the promenade, they push air into the organ pipes to produce ethereal musical notes. This clever use of public space combined with engineering and music theories creates an inviting atmosphere to connect with nature in a surprising way.
Give a âGreeting to the Sunâ
A few steps from the Sea Organ, Nikola Basic also designed Greeting to the Sun, a nod to the sunâs importance. This installation consists of 300 multi-layered solar plates that absorb sunlight during the day and create a spectacular light show at night. The energy collected from the solar panels powers half of Zadarâs waterfront lights.
Take a boat to the Kornati Islands
The Kornati Islands National Park, a short boat ride from Zadar, consists of 89 islands, islets, and reefs. Go swimming, snorkeling, and exploring in its secluded bays and coves and experience Croatiaâs marine life up close.
Cool off in Zadarâs museums
If it rains during your stay, or youâd like a midday reprieve from the sun, visit one of Zadarâs museums. The Museum of Ancient Glass showcases ancient glass artifacts, including Roman glassware, jewelry, and decorative items. Watch demonstrations of traditional glassblowing techniques as well. This delicate material rarely survives its thousands of years underground and can tell us about the lives of the people who used to call Zadar home.
The Archaeological Museum of Zadar houses an impressive collection of artifacts from the prehistoric, Roman, and medieval periods. Come visit to learn about Zadarâs many empires that make up its cultural heritage.
When is the best time to visit Zadar
The best time for your road trip from Split to Zadar is during the spring (March-May) or in September after the summer crowds have thinned. The weather is warm, the days are long, and the water is still inviting, but youâll have fewer people to compete with for space on the beach.
Southern Croatia is warm and sunny most of the year, but the summer can be oppressively hot during the day. If you visit between June and August, youâll have the most pleasant time if you take after the locals and rest during the afternoon heat. Push your dinner and bedtime schedule later than you would at home and head indoors between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Visitez ces sites en chemin
The ruins of Salona
The ancient city of Salona was once the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. The beautiful historic ruins are vastly undisturbed, allowing visitors to revel in peace. One of Croatiaâs oldest townsÂ
Klis Fortress
Although its television debut has made it well known, this ancient fortress is still a gem with plenty of space to wander. The City of Meereen from Game of ThronesÂ
Trogir
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this little island is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. Â The Stone BeautyÂ
Primosten
Primosten is a small town in North Dalmatia. This resort town is one of the most photogenic spots on the Adriatic Coast. Enchanting peninsulaÂ
Sibenik
Unlike cities like Trogir and Hvar, which were founded by outside conquerors, the UNESCO-listed town of Sibenik is the oldest Croatian-founded settlement. The Oldest Adriatic GemÂ
Krka National Park
Overflowing with natural beauty, Croatia's seventh national park is also the only one where you can swim! Seven Stunning ScenesÂ
