- Quick Answer: Is Split, Croatia Expensive?
- Understanding Split’s Cost Structure in 2025
- Accommodation Costs: Where to Stay in Split
- Food and Dining: Is Split Expensive for Food and Drink?
- Transportation Costs in Split
- Activities and Entertainment Costs
- Comparing Split to Other Croatian Cities
- Comparing Split to Similar European Cities
- Daily Budget Breakdown for Split
- Money-Saving Tips for Split
- Special Considerations and Hidden Costs
- When Split Becomes More Expensive
- Final Verdict: Is Split Worth the Cost?
Quick Answer: Is Split, Croatia Expensive?
Split, Croatia is moderately expensive compared to other European destinations, but significantly more affordable than Western European cities. Budget travelers can explore Split for €40-60 per day, while mid-range visitors should expect €80-120 daily. The city offers excellent value for money considering its stunning Adriatic coastline, rich history, and vibrant culture.
Split sits in the middle range of Croatian destinations – more expensive than inland cities like Zagreb but considerably cheaper than ultra-touristy Dubrovnik. Whether Split is expensive depends largely on your travel style, accommodation choices, and dining preferences.
Understanding Split’s Cost Structure in 2025
Currency and Payment Methods
Croatia adopted the Euro in January 2023, making it easier for European travelers to budget. Most establishments accept cards, but carrying cash is recommended for smaller vendors and local markets. Current exchange rates favor international visitors, making Split relatively affordable for those from stronger currency zones.
Seasonal Price Variations
Split’s costs fluctuate dramatically by season:
Peak Season (July-August): Accommodation prices can triple, restaurant menus increase by 20-30%, and booking availability becomes scarce.
Shoulder Season (May-June, September-October): Mid-range properties cost around €70-€100 per night in shoulder season, offering the best balance of weather and value.
Low Season (November-April): Accommodation drops to €30-50 per night, but many attractions close and weather becomes unpredictable.
Accommodation Costs: Where to Stay in Split
Budget Options (€20-50/night)
Hostels and Guesthouses
- Dormitory beds: €15-25/night
- Private rooms in hostels: €35-45/night
- Basic guesthouses: €40-50/night
Popular budget areas include Veli Varoš and neighborhoods just outside Diocletian’s Palace.
Mid-Range Hotels (€70-150/night)
Budget to mid-range hotels hover around €90 to €100 per night, providing comfortable accommodations with modern amenities. These properties typically include:
- Air conditioning
- Private bathrooms
- WiFi and breakfast
- Central locations within walking distance of major attractions
Luxury Accommodations (€150-400/night)
Hotels in Split start at 150–200 euros per night and can range up to 600–800 euros for the most luxurious options. Premium properties offer:
- Seafront locations
- Spa facilities
- Fine dining restaurants
- Concierge services
Accommodation Comparison Table
| Category | Price Range (€/night) | Features | Best For |
| Hostels | €15-45 | Shared facilities, social atmosphere | Backpackers, solo travelers |
| Mid-Range Hotels | €70-150 | Private rooms, standard amenities | Most travelers |
| Luxury Hotels | €150-400+ | Premium locations, full services | Special occasions, luxury seekers |
| Apartments | €50-120 | Kitchen facilities, more space | Families, longer stays |
Food and Dining: Is Split Expensive for Food and Drink?
Restaurant Pricing Breakdown
Casual Local Restaurants (Konovas) You can expect to pay around 8-15 EUR for a simple meal like grilled fish, pasta, or a traditional meat dish in local establishments away from tourist centers.
Mid-Range Restaurants A similar meal in a mid-range restaurant will be around USD / EUR €50 for a two-course dinner excluding drinks.
High-End Dining In the very best restaurants of major tourist destinations Dubrovnik, Split, and Hvar, a two-course dinner excluding drinks and tips will be around US$80.
Food Cost Comparison Table
| Meal Type | Budget Option | Mid-Range | High-End |
| Breakfast | €3-6 (café) | €8-12 (hotel) | €15-25 (luxury) |
| Lunch | €6-10 (sandwich/pizza) | €12-18 (restaurant) | €25-35 (fine dining) |
| Dinner | €8-15 (konoba) | €20-35 (restaurant) | €50-80 (premium) |
| Coffee | €1.50-2.50 | €2.50-4 | €4-6 |
| Beer (0.5L) | €2-3 (supermarket) | €3-5 (bar) | €6-8 (premium venue) |
| Wine (glass) | €3-5 | €5-8 | €10-15 |
Money-Saving Food Tips
- Shop at local markets: Pazar (Green Market) offers fresh produce at local prices
- Eat where locals eat: Venture beyond Diocletian’s Palace for authentic, affordable meals
- Cook your own meals: Apartment rentals with kitchens can significantly reduce food costs
- Try street food: Ćevapi, burek, and other local specialties cost €3-6
Transportation Costs in Split
Local Transportation
Single journeys in Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik, are typically priced at USD / EUR €2-4. Split’s public transport system includes:
City Buses
- Single ticket: €2.50
- Day pass: €12
- Weekly pass: €35
Taxis and Ride-sharing
- Base fare: €3-5
- Per kilometer: €1.20-1.50
- Airport to city center: €25-35
Car Rental
- Economy car: €25-40/day
- Parking in city center: €1-2/hour
- Gas prices: €1.50-1.70/liter
Inter-city Transportation
To Other Croatian Cities Zagreb to Split can cost between €24 and €35 and take between 6.5 and 8.5 hours by train. Bus connections are typically faster and similarly priced.
Ferry Services
- Split to Hvar: €6-12 (passenger)
- Split to Brač: €4-8 (passenger)
- Car ferry supplements: €25-45
For reliable ferry information, check Jadrolinija, Croatia’s national ferry company.
Activities and Entertainment Costs
Must-See Attractions
Diocletian’s Palace
- Entry: Free (exploring the streets and squares)
- Guided tours: €15-25
- Cathedral Bell Tower: €6
- Palace cellars: €8
Museums and Cultural Sites
- Split City Museum: €4
- Archaeological Museum: €4
- Ethnographic Museum: €3
- Combined tickets: €10-15
Day Trips and Excursions
- Krka National Park: €20 (entrance) + €30-50 (transport)
- Hvar Island day trip: €35-60
- Plitvice Lakes: €40 (entrance) + €80-120 (organized tour)
Nightlife: Is Split Nightlife Expensive?
Split’s nightlife scene offers options for every budget:
Beach Clubs
- Cocktails: €8-15
- Entry fees: €10-20 (peak season)
- VIP tables: €100-300
City Center Bars
- Local beer: €3-5
- Cocktails: €5-10
- Wine: €4-8
Ultra-Premium Venues
- Bottle service: €200-500
- Cover charges: €20-50
Comparing Split to Other Croatian Cities
Split vs Dubrovnik: Which is More Expensive?
Is Split more expensive than Dubrovnik? No, Dubrovnik consistently ranks as Croatia’s most expensive destination:
| Category | Split | Dubrovnik | Difference |
| Mid-range hotel | €90-120/night | €150-250/night | +67% |
| Restaurant meal | €15-25 | €25-35 | +60% |
| Coffee | €2-3 | €3-5 | +50% |
| Museum entry | €4-8 | €8-15 | +100% |
Split vs Hvar: Budget Comparison
Is Hvar more expensive than Split? Yes, particularly during summer:
| Category | Split | Hvar | Difference |
| Mid-range hotel | €90-120/night | €120-180/night | +33% |
| Beach club cocktails | €8-12 | €12-18 | +50% |
| Restaurant dinner | €20-30 | €25-40 | +33% |
Hvar’s reputation as a luxury destination drives prices higher, especially for nightlife and waterfront dining.
Comparing Split to Similar European Cities
Split vs Barcelona
Split offers significantly better value than Barcelona:
| Category | Split | Barcelona | Savings in Split |
| Mid-range hotel | €90-120/night | €120-180/night | 25% cheaper |
| Restaurant meal | €15-25 | €20-35 | 30% cheaper |
| Local transport | €2.50 | €2.40 | Similar |
| Museum entry | €4-8 | €8-15 | 50% cheaper |
Split vs Nice, France
The French Riviera is considerably more expensive:
| Category | Split | Nice | Savings in Split |
| Mid-range hotel | €90-120/night | €150-250/night | 50% cheaper |
| Restaurant meal | €15-25 | €25-45 | 60% cheaper |
| Coffee | €2-3 | €3-5 | 40% cheaper |
| Beach club access | €10-20 | €30-50 | 65% cheaper |
Split vs Prague
Prague remains slightly cheaper for accommodation but comparable for dining:
| Category | Split | Prague | Difference |
| Mid-range hotel | €90-120/night | €70-100/night | Split 20% higher |
| Restaurant meal | €15-25 | €12-20 | Similar |
| Local transport | €2.50 | €1.50 | Split 67% higher |
| Beer | €3-5 | €2-3 | Split 50% higher |
Daily Budget Breakdown for Split
Budget Traveler (€40-60/day)
- Accommodation: €20-35 (hostel/guesthouse)
- Food: €15-20 (mix of self-catering and budget restaurants)
- Transport: €3-5 (walking + occasional bus)
- Activities: €5-10 (free attractions + one paid entry)
- Drinks/Entertainment: €5-10
Mid-Range Traveler (€80-120/day)
- Accommodation: €70-100 (mid-range hotel)
- Food: €25-35 (restaurant meals)
- Transport: €5-10 (buses, occasional taxi)
- Activities: €10-20 (museum entries, tours)
- Drinks/Entertainment: €10-20
Luxury Traveler (€200-400+/day)
- Accommodation: €150-300 (luxury hotel)
- Food: €50-80 (fine dining)
- Transport: €20-40 (taxis, car rental)
- Drinks/Entertainment: €30-60
Money-Saving Tips for Split
Accommodation Savings
- Book shoulder season: May-June or September-October offer 30-50% savings
- Stay outside the center: 10-minute walk can save €20-40/night
- Consider apartments: Kitchen access reduces food costs significantly
- Use Radical Storage: Secure your luggage for €5/day instead of expensive hotel storage
Dining Savings
- Eat like a local: Venture beyond tourist areas for authentic, affordable meals
- Happy hours: Bars offer discounted drinks 5-7 PM
- Supermarket shopping: Konzum and Plodine offer reasonable grocery prices
Activity Savings
- Free walking tours: Tip-based tours provide excellent value
- Beach access: Split’s beaches are free, unlike many Mediterranean destinations
- City discounts: Visit Split offers occasional promotion codes
- Off-season visits: Many attractions offer reduced winter rates
Transportation Savings
- Walking: Split’s compact center makes most attractions walkable
- Public transport passes: Daily/weekly passes offer savings for multiple journeys
- Ferry timing: Off-peak ferries cost 20-30% less than summer schedules
Special Considerations and Hidden Costs
Tourist Tax
Croatia imposes a tourist tax of €1-1.50 per person per night, typically collected at check-in.
Tipping Culture
Tipping is a common practice here, starting at 10% in restaurants to rounding up the bill in bars, cafes or taxis. Budget an additional 10-15% for service charges.
Peak Season Surcharges
Many restaurants add 10-20% surcharges during July-August. Always check if prices include service charges.
Parking Costs
Parking costs start at as low as €0.50 per day and can go up to €7 in popular places. Central Split parking averages €1-2 per hour.
When Split Becomes More Expensive
Ultra-Peak Periods
- Ultra Europe Festival (July): Accommodation prices triple
- Split Summer Festival: Cultural events drive demand
- Croatian holidays: Domestic tourism increases prices
Premium Experiences
- Private boat tours: €200-500/day
- Helicopter tours: €150-300/person
- Michelin-rated dining: €100-200/person
- Luxury spa treatments: €80-200/session
Final Verdict: Is Split Worth the Cost?
Split offers exceptional value for money in the European context. While not the cheapest Croatian destination, it provides a compelling combination of:
- Historical significance: UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Natural beauty: Stunning Adriatic coastline
- Cultural richness: Vibrant local scene
- Reasonable pricing: Mid-range European destination
- Convenience: Excellent transport connections
Budget travelers spend €47 per person per day, mid-range travelers spend €115 per day across Croatia, making Split perfectly aligned with national averages.
The city rewards savvy travelers who balance splurge experiences with budget-conscious choices. Whether you’re backpacking through Europe or seeking a luxury Mediterranean escape, Split accommodates every budget level while delivering an unforgettable Croatian experience.
Bottom line: Split, Croatia is moderately expensive but offers outstanding value compared to Western European coastal destinations. With proper planning and local knowledge, you can experience this remarkable city without breaking the bank.
