Split Airport is manageable for families — the terminal is compact and the arrivals process is not overly long. The main considerations are transport capacity, car seats, and navigating Split's Old Town once you arrive.
The airport with children
Split Airport has a single passenger terminal. The distance from the gate to the exit is short, which is helpful when managing children and carry-on bags. Restrooms are available near arrivals and are generally clean.
The terminal is air-conditioned. Outside, in July and August, it is hot — have water and sun protection ready for the short walk to your vehicle.
Car seats
Croatian law requires appropriate car seats for children under 150 cm in height. Taxi drivers at Split Airport are not routinely equipped with car seats. Do not count on one being available at the taxi rank.
If you need a car seat, pre-book a private transfer and specify the child's age and weight at the time of booking. The provider can fit the appropriate seat. Alternatively, bring a travel car seat from home for the full duration of your trip — this guarantees you have one for any local taxis or rental cars you use while in Dalmatia.
Vehicle size and luggage
A standard taxi fits four passengers with moderate luggage. A family of four with two large suitcases, hand luggage, and a stroller will be tight in a regular sedan. Request a larger vehicle or minivan transfer at booking to ensure there is space for everything.
Bus line 37 has hold luggage space but loading a stroller and managing children on a bus is cumbersome in summer heat. Most families with young children find a direct transfer far more practical.
Getting to Trogir with a family
Trogir is only 6 km from the airport — a 10-minute taxi ride for around 10-15 EUR. For families, this is a very easy arrival. Trogir's UNESCO old town is on a small island connected by bridges, and while the historic center has stone streets, the edges of town have normal road access. Ask your accommodation about vehicle drop-off.
Getting to Split Old Town with a family
Diocletian's Palace area — the heart of Split's old town — is largely pedestrianized. Taxis and transfers drop off at the nearest accessible point to your accommodation. From there, you walk through stone-paved alleys with your luggage.
Split's old town streets are generally wider and less step-heavy than Dubrovnik's, but strollers can still be challenging in some areas. A compact or foldable stroller is much easier to manage than a full-size pram on the stone streets.
Before booking accommodation inside the old town, ask your host about vehicle drop-off point, walking distance, and whether there are steps between the road and your apartment. Some properties are easy to reach; others involve a longer walk.
Getting to the Hvar ferry with a family
Traveling to Hvar with children requires planning. The car ferry from Split to Stari Grad takes about 2 hours — plan to arrive at the ferry terminal at least 45-60 minutes before departure in peak summer, as car queues can be long. Foot passengers have more flexibility and the catamaran to Hvar Town is faster (about 1 hour).
Bring snacks, water, and something for children to do during the ferry crossing. The on-board cafe sells food but it can be crowded.
For families with a car, arriving early at the ferry terminal is essential in July and August. Some car ferries fill and depart without all waiting vehicles.
Practical family tips
Pre-book your transfer and request a minivan if your group or luggage volume warrants it. The 24 km from airport to Split at the end of a travel day is not the time to discover the standard car does not fit everything.
If your children are young and will need an afternoon nap, a mid-afternoon arrival works well — you arrive, transfer to accommodation, and they sleep before the evening. Early morning arrivals on overnight flights with tired children benefit most from a pre-booked transfer that gets you to your door quickly.