Zadar is one of Dalmatia's most rewarding cities — a walled Roman old town with a famous Sea Organ, sunsets Alfred Hitchcock called the world's best, and easy access to the Kornati islands. A private Split to Zadar transfer gets you there in comfort in well under two hours, with a licensed English-speaking driver, a fixed price agreed up front, and door-to-door service from your hotel, villa or the airport. Here is everything you need on the route, 2026 prices, the airport connection and how it compares with the bus.
Split to Zadar at a glance
Split and Zadar are about 160 km apart on the A1 motorway, and a private transfer covers it in roughly 1 hour 40 minutes of driving. It is one of the quickest and most scenic coastal connections in Dalmatia, and because you travel directly, it is comfortably faster door-to-door than any bus.
- Distance: ~160 km via the A1 motorway
- Driving time: about 1 hour 40 minutes, non-stop
- Vehicles: sedans, vans, minibuses and coaches for 1–49 passengers
- Availability: 24/7, including airport and night transfers
- Price: fixed and confirmed before payment
Arriving by air first? Our Split Airport transfer can collect you at the terminal and drive straight on to Zadar — see the Split Airport transfer guide for how arrivals and meet-and-greet work.
The route: what to expect
The drive north from Split on the A1 is fast and easy, running through the Dalmatian hinterland with the Velebit mountains rising to the east and glimpses of the coast to the west. Modern service areas make natural coffee stops, and your driver takes care of tolls, navigation and parking. The A1 also passes close to Šibenik and the entrance to Krka National Park, which is why so many travellers turn this transfer into a half-day of sightseeing.
A private transfer also means everything is included and arranged in advance: door-to-door pick-up from your hotel, villa or the airport, child seats on request, room for luggage, surfboards or golf clubs, and a fixed price that never changes with traffic or a meter. You travel with one professional driver the whole way, so there is no waiting for connections and no repacking between vehicles — you get in at Split and step out at your Zadar address. For business travellers that predictability matters as much as the comfort: you can plan around a guaranteed arrival time rather than a bus timetable.
Split to Zadar transfer price (2026)
All prices are fixed per vehicle, one-way, and confirmed before you pay. The table below shows typical high-season (April–December) pricing; winter rates are confirmed at booking. Because you pay per vehicle rather than per seat, sharing brings the per-person cost down sharply.
For groups of 8–49 — sports teams, tour groups, weddings — our minibuses and coaches are quoted on request. You can compare vehicles and routes on the private transfers page, or read the complete private-transfer guide for the full picture.
Vehicle options
Choose the vehicle that fits your group and budget; all are modern, air-conditioned and driven by licensed English-speaking chauffeurs:
- Sedan (1–4 passengers) — the economical choice for couples and small families.
- Premium sedan (1–4) — executive comfort for business travellers.
- Standard van (1–7) — ideal for families with luggage.
- Premium van (1–7) — extra space and a higher-end finish.
- Minibus & coach (8–49) — for larger groups, priced on request.
Zadar Airport connection
Zadar has its own international airport (ZAD), about 10 km east of the city at Zemunik. We serve it in both directions — Zadar Airport to Split, Zadar Airport to your Zadar hotel, or Split onward to Zadar Airport for a departing flight. As with all our airport work, we track your flight, so if it lands early or late your driver is still waiting. Tell us your flight number when you book and we handle the timing.
Best stops between Split and Zadar
A private car lets you turn the transfer into a day out. The most popular additions on this route are:
- Krka National Park — waterfalls, boardwalks and swimming spots just off the A1 near Šibenik. Combine your transfer with our Krka National Park tour.
- Šibenik — a UNESCO-listed cathedral and a handsome stone old town, a short detour from the motorway.
- Coastal viewpoints — several stretches offer sweeping views over the islands and the Adriatic.
Add a stop when you book and we will include it in your fixed quote. For more ideas, see our roundup of the best day trips and excursions from Split.
Private transfer vs bus
Buses run frequently between Split and Zadar and are inexpensive per ticket, but a private transfer wins on time, comfort and flexibility:
- Bus — cheap per seat, but fixed schedules, luggage limits, a busy bus station at each end, and roughly 2–3 hours with stops.
- Private transfer — about 1h40 door to door, on your schedule, luggage included, and a single fixed price that beats several bus tickets once a family or small group travels together.
What to see when you arrive in Zadar
Zadar packs an astonishing amount into a small, walkable peninsula. The two must-sees sit side by side on the waterfront: the Sea Organ, which turns the movement of the waves into haunting music through pipes built beneath the marble steps, and the Greeting to the Sun, a huge solar-powered light installation that comes alive at dusk. Time your evening here — Zadar's sunsets are famous, and there is no better spot to watch one.
Inside the walls, the circular Church of St Donatus and the Roman Forum date back well over a thousand years, while the marble main street known as Kalelarga runs through the heart of the old town past cafés, shops and gelato stands. Climb the bell tower of St Anastasia's Cathedral for a panorama over the terracotta rooftops and out to the islands. Zadar's Venetian-era land walls and ornate Land Gate are UNESCO-listed, and everything is within a ten-minute walk, so once your driver drops you off you can leave the car behind entirely.
The city is also the gateway to two of Croatia's most beautiful archipelagos: boat trips to the Kornati Islands and the Telašćica nature park leave from the old harbour, and the beaches of Novalja on Pag island are within easy reach. Foodies should try the local Maraschino cherry liqueur, produced here since the 18th century, and a seafood dinner in the stone lanes of the old town. When it is time to move on, we can collect you for the next leg — back to Split, on to the airport, or up the coast.
Why book with Secure Drive
Secure Drive is a licensed Split transfer company rated 5.0 stars across 56 Google reviews. Every booking includes a fixed price confirmed before payment, 24/7 availability, professional English-speaking drivers, flight tracking on airport jobs, and vehicles for 1 to 49 passengers. Questions or special requests are welcome any time through our contact page. To plan your time in the city, Zadar's official tourist board at zadar.travel is a great starting point.
How to book your Split to Zadar transfer
- Send your route, date, passenger count and any stops via the contact page or WhatsApp.
- Get a fixed, all-inclusive quote, usually within a couple of hours.
- Confirm and receive your driver and vehicle details.
- Meet your driver and travel door to door to Zadar.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the transfer from Split to Zadar?
About 1 hour 40 minutes of driving for the 160 km via the A1 motorway, plus any stops. A private transfer is the fastest door-to-door option on this route.
How much is a private transfer from Split to Zadar?
In high season (April–December) a sedan is €198 and a standard van €248, one-way per vehicle. Premium vehicles and minibuses for larger groups are quoted on request, and every price is fixed before payment.
Do you serve Zadar Airport (ZAD)?
Yes, in both directions — airport to city, airport to Split, or Split to Zadar Airport for departures. We track your flight so your driver is there even if the flight time changes.
Can we stop at Krka National Park on the way?
Yes. Krka sits just off the A1 near Šibenik and is our most popular Split–Zadar detour. Tell us when you book, or ask about our full Krka private tour.
Is the price per person or per vehicle?
Per vehicle, one-way. A family of four in a sedan or seven in a van share one fixed fare, which makes private transfer excellent value versus separate bus tickets.
Do you carry large groups?
Yes — 1 to 49 passengers, with minibuses and coaches for groups of 8 and above, priced on request.
Are transfers available late at night?
Yes, we operate 24/7, including night and early-morning journeys. Just give us the time when you book.
Are your drivers licensed and English-speaking?
Every driver is a licensed professional who speaks English, and all vehicles are modern, air-conditioned and insured.