Cheap flights to Split

When to fly

Split generally experiences hot, sunny and dry weather in the months of May to September, with temperatures on average in the 20s. Throughout this time, the city is a popular holiday destination. The months of July and August, in particular, are Split’s busiest in terms of tourism as this is when the weather is warmest and driest. This is reflected in higher travel and accommodation prices, as well as availability. If you wish to travel to Split during this time, you should try to book your flights as well in advance as possible, in the hope of getting better deals.

If you time your holiday in the middle of July then you should not miss the opening ceremony and following events of the Split Summer Festival. This spectacular event attracts thousands of visitors for a month-long programme of drama, opera, ballet, music, dance and street theatre performances, which take place across various venues in the city, including historic buildings, such as Diocletian’s Palace, as well as the city streets and squares.

The pre-peak months from April to June, as well as post-peak September and October are both good times to visit, as the weather may be almost as warm as it is in the peak season. During these months you may be able to find slightly cheaper flight prices, although this can still be a popular time. There may also be slightly fewer crowds than in the main peak season, when Split is heaving. The pre-peak month of May hosts the annual Festival of Flowers. This event is held in the ancient cellars of Diocletian’s Palace which are filled with beautiful and artistic floral displays.

December, January and February are the coolest and also the wettest months, although the temperature is still mild, with averages of around 5 to 11 degrees. This period is Split’s quietest in terms of tourism, so it’s a good time to search for cheap flights to Split and lower accommodation rates.  

Destination overview

The second-largest of Croatia’s cities, Split is also one of the oldest cities in the region, situated around the foundation of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s palace. Its huge complex of narrow streets and squares cover the majority of central Split and contains shops, homes, and hotels, all in the classic Croatian style of sun-bleached stone walls and terracotta red roofs. The palace enclosure also contains other important historical landmarks such as the Cathedral of St Domnius. Visitors to Split will discover a city rich in history and culture as well as a warm and welcoming destination that is ideal for sightseeing and soaking up sun on the beach.

As well as its abundance of historic treasures, splendid beaches and the outstanding natural beauty of the surrounding countryside, Split has also become popular for its nightlife. Much of this is based on the Bacvice entertainment complex on the waterfront. The city is also an excellent spot to reach nearby islands Hvar and Brac, noted for their lively club and bar scenes, which peak during the warmer months.

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How long is the flight to Split?

Flights to Split, Croatia from the United Kingdom range from about 2.5h-11h. Your flight will be on the shorter end of the spectrum if you’re departing from a city that offers direct flights, such as London. Your flight will be a few hours long, however, if you book a flight that has a stopover or two along the way to Split, such as when travelling from as far north as Edinburgh or Glasgow in Scotland.

Where can you get direct flights to Split from?

You can book direct flights to Split from a couple of major cities in the UK. If your city of departure is London, you can choose from daily direct flights via easyJet and British Airways. You can also choose from direct flights if your departure city is Manchester, with Jet2 and easyJet providing a few direct flights daily. easyJet also provides daily nonstop flights to Split from Bristol. If you do encounter layovers en route to Split, you can expect to make these in common layover cities for this flight like London, Dublin, Dusseldorf, and Geneva.

How do you get from Split airport to the city centre?

Split Airport (SPU) is about 23 km from the Split city centre. To reach the city centre from the airport, you have several options. You can take a taxi from outside the airport’s arrival terminal and into the city centre in about 20 minutes or so. The fare will be around £30-£42, with the precise cost depending on your exact destination in Split. You can also take an airport bus, located just outside the terminal, to Split city centre for about £3.60. If you prefer to drive yourself, you can also rent a car from a number of car hire companies at the airport.

What are some things to do in Split?

Split is Croatia’s main ferry port and is quickly earning a reputation as a city with an incredible dining and nightlife scenes, as well as offering plenty for holidaymakers to see and do. Split is decked out with sculptures by its most famous resident sculptor, Mestrovic, and you can get an even better understanding of his works by visiting Mestrovic Gallery. Do like the locals and visit Bacvice Beach, where soft sands and warm waters make it an obvious choice for relaxing and splashing around on gorgeous days. At Matejuska Cove, you can walk past docked boats and enjoy sipping on some of the best local beer while gazing at the sea in this colorful bar scene. Set in Split’s Palace Complex, you’ll find Cathedral Sveti Duje, where you can climb to the top of the bell tower and enjoy views across the city and out to the sea.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Split?

British citizens need a valid passport to enter Split, Croatia, although a visa is not required.

Split climate

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When is the best time to fly to Split?

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Getting around Split

Most of Split’s attractions are close enough to each other that you can easily walk. Local buses can take you to the outskirts and the airport.

Split Airport (SPU) (www.split-airport.hr) is located near the town of Trogir, around 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Split.

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What is good to know if travelling to Split?

• Diocletian’s Palace, built toward the end of the third century and beginning of the fourth century AD by Roman emperor Diocletian, is one of the region’s most significant historic sites. It is the world’s most complete set of Roman palace ruins, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Monument in 1979. It is such an iconic status that its image is featured on Croatian banknotes. 
• The Ivan Mestrovic Gallery is an art museum dedicated to the work of Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic and contains 192 of his sculptures, 583 drawings, four paintings, 291 architectural plans and two furniture sets. The museum also contains exhibits detailing the artist’s life and work, including items such as personal correspondences to friends and family, which allow visitors an intimate glimpse into the mind of the fascinating artist. 
• Stari Pazar (or Green Market) is a large, bustling open-air street market located between the Silver Gate of Diocletian’s Palace and the main city bus stop. All kinds of items are available here, from local produce and household items to clothes and souvenirs. 
• Split Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of St Domnius, lies within the grounds of Diocletian’s Palace and was originally the Roman emperor’s mausoleum. Over the centuries, it was further adapted toward its new role, with the Romanesque bell tower added later on. This tower offers great views of the city and is a prominent symbol of Split. 
• Marjan, a hill on the coast in the south of Split, is a wonderful oasis of greenery located only a short walk from the historic city. Popular among joggers, bikers and hikers, this Mediterranean pine forest has been a place of relaxation and recreation since Roman times.

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What airport do you fly into for flights to Split?

Booking a flight to Split (SPU) is your only option if you intend on flying to Split. It is only a 11.9 km journey from Split to Split’s city centre.