Last updated: April 2026 — We are Avax Rent a Car, a Croatian-owned company based in Split. We have included ourselves in this comparison because we believe our offering is genuinely competitive. Where others beat us, we say so. All competitor data was verified from public sources (official websites, Google reviews, Rentalcars.com) in April 2026.
Quick Verdict — Which Company Wins?
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best downtown location | Avax Rent | Obala Lazareta 3 — 2 min walk from ferry port |
| Best for no credit card | Avax / Carwiz | Both accept Visa debit with no deposit hold |
| Best airport desk | Sixt / Carwiz | Dedicated counters at SPU terminal |
| Cheapest economy car | Avax / Fleet | From €34–38/day in shoulder season |
| Best for one-way to Dubrovnik | Avax Rent | No one-way fee on the Split–Dubrovnik route |
| Best loyalty programme | Sixt | Sixt+ subscription and global rewards |
1. Avax Rent a Car
Rating: 4.7★ (628+ Google reviews) | Type: Croatian independent | Split offices: Downtown (Obala Lazareta 3) + Airport meet-and-greet
Avax is a locally owned company operating from the Split waterfront, a 2-minute walk from the Trajektna Luka ferry terminal. The downtown office is the closest rental desk to the Hvar, Brač, and Vis car ferry departures — a genuine operational advantage if your itinerary includes islands.
Pros:
- No credit card required — Visa debit accepted for all bookings
- No deposit hold (or €0–200 depending on vehicle class)
- Free one-way Split → Dubrovnik (no surcharge)
- Free cross-border to Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Hotel delivery in Split city centre
- 24/7 WhatsApp support
Cons:
- No dedicated airport counter — meet-and-greet at SPU arrivals requires WhatsApp coordination
- Smaller fleet than international chains (~15 models in Split)
- No loyalty programme
Starting price: From €34/day (Toyota Aygo X, manual, shoulder season)
View Avax Split Downtown office →
2. Carwiz
Rating: 4.4★ (Google) | Type: Croatian chain | Split offices: Airport desk + city office
Carwiz is Avax’s closest competitor — another Croatian-owned brand that accepts debit cards and keeps deposits low. They have a proper desk inside Split Airport, which is more convenient than a meet-and-greet if you prefer a traditional counter experience.
Pros:
- Visa debit accepted
- Dedicated airport counter at SPU
- Competitive pricing on economy cars
- Growing Croatian chain with multiple locations
Cons:
- Downtown Split office is further from the ferry port than Avax
- Cross-border fees apply for some destinations
- Fewer reviews than Avax in Split specifically
Starting price: From €38/day (economy, shoulder season)
3. Sixt
Rating: 3.9★ (Google, Split Airport) | Type: German multinational | Split offices: Airport only
Sixt is the most searched premium brand for Split car rental. They offer a modern fleet with strong brand recognition and a global loyalty programme. However, they operate exclusively from Split Airport — there is no downtown or ferry port office.
Pros:
- Premium and luxury vehicle selection (BMW, Mercedes)
- Sixt+ subscription model and global rewards
- Dedicated airport counter
- Well-known international brand
Cons:
- No downtown Split office — airport only (25 km from city centre)
- Credit card mandatory — no debit card accepted
- Deposit hold €500–1,500 on credit card
- Cross-border fees €50–150 for Montenegro/Bosnia
- One-way fees apply on Split–Dubrovnik
Starting price: From €55/day (economy, shoulder season)
4. Europcar
Rating: 4.1★ (Google) | Type: French multinational | Split offices: Airport + agent-operated city point
Europcar has a presence at Split Airport and a loosely agent-operated city pickup point. The experience can vary because the city location is not a dedicated Europcar office but a local partner.
Pros:
- Airport desk at SPU
- Wide European network for multi-country trips
- Privilege loyalty programme
Cons:
- Credit card mandatory
- Deposit €500–1,200
- City pickup is agent-operated — inconsistent availability
- Cross-border surcharges €60–100
Starting price: From €48/day (economy, shoulder season)
5. Enterprise
Rating: 3.8★ (Google) | Type: US multinational | Split offices: Airport agent
Enterprise operates via a local agent at Split Airport. The fleet is limited compared to Western European markets, and the brand’s Croatian review base is relatively thin.
Pros:
- Enterprise Plus loyalty programme (global)
- Familiar brand for North American travellers
Cons:
- No downtown Split office
- Credit card required
- Deposit €800–1,500
- Limited fleet selection in Croatia
- Higher base pricing than local competitors
Starting price: From €65/day (economy, shoulder season)
6. Uni Rent
Rating: 4.3★ (Google) | Type: Croatian family-run | Split offices: Downtown + Airport
Uni Rent is a long-established, family-run Croatian rental company. They have both a downtown and airport presence, making them a solid local alternative.
Pros:
- Both downtown and airport locations
- Long track record in Split (20+ years)
- Competitive local pricing
Cons:
- Smaller fleet than chains
- Less digital — booking experience is more traditional
- Mixed reviews on vehicle condition
Starting price: From €40/day (economy, shoulder season)
7. OK Rent a Car
Rating: 4.2★ (Google) | Type: Croatian chain | Split offices: Airport
OK Rent a Car is a Croatian brand with a strong Dalmatia footprint. They operate from Split Airport and several other Croatian cities.
Pros:
- Multiple Croatian locations
- Reasonable pricing
- Good fleet selection
Cons:
- Airport only — no downtown Split office
- Credit card preferred for most vehicle classes
Starting price: From €42/day (economy, shoulder season)
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | Avax | Carwiz | Sixt | Europcar | Enterprise | Uni Rent | OK Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown office | Yes (ferry port) | Yes | No | Agent | No | Yes | No |
| Airport desk | Meet & greet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Agent | Yes | Yes |
| Debit card OK | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Varies | Varies |
| Deposit | €0–200 | €200–500 | €500–1,500 | €500–1,200 | €800–1,500 | €200–500 | €300–800 |
| Economy from | €34/day | €38/day | €55/day | €48/day | €65/day | €40/day | €42/day |
| Free cancellation | Yes | Yes | Conditional | Varies | Conditional | Yes | Yes |
| One-way to Dubrovnik | Free | Fee | Fee | Fee | Limited | Fee | Fee |
| Cross-border free | Yes (MNE, BiH) | Some | No (€50–150) | No (€60–100) | No | Some | Some |
| Hotel delivery | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| 24/7 WhatsApp | Yes | Limited | No | No | No | No | No |
| Google rating | 4.7★ | 4.4★ | 3.9★ | 4.1★ | 3.8★ | 4.3★ | 4.2★ |
| Croatian-owned | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Prices are indicative shoulder-season (April–June) rates for a 3-day economy car rental. Peak season (July–August) prices are 40–80% higher across all companies. Verified April 2026.
Which Company Is Best for Your Trip?
Arriving by ferry or staying in the city centre?
Avax wins clearly — the office is a 2-minute walk from Trajektna Luka (car ferry terminal for Hvar, Brač, Šolta, Vis). No shuttle, no taxi.
Don’t have a credit card?
Avax and Carwiz both accept Visa debit. Sixt, Europcar, and Enterprise all require a credit card — if you don’t have one, those three are not an option.
Flying into Split Airport?
Sixt and Carwiz have the most convenient airport experience with dedicated counters in the terminal. Avax uses a meet-and-greet system via WhatsApp, which works well but requires a short coordination step.
Driving one-way to Dubrovnik?
Avax is the only company that offers the Split–Dubrovnik one-way route with no extra fee. All others charge a one-way surcharge (€50–200).
Crossing into Montenegro or Bosnia?
Avax includes Montenegro and Bosnia cross-border at no extra charge (for rentals of 3+ days). Most international chains charge €50–150 per cross-border trip.
Want a premium or luxury car?
Sixt has the widest premium selection in Split (BMW, Mercedes-Benz). If you want a specific luxury model, Sixt is likely your best option — but expect to pay significantly more and provide a credit card with a large deposit hold.
How We Compiled This Comparison
This comparison is based on:
- Public pricing from each company’s official website and Rentalcars.com (captured April 2026)
- Google review ratings and counts (verified April 2026)
- Official terms and conditions for deposit, credit card, and cross-border policies
- First-hand operational knowledge of the Split car rental market (Avax has operated in Split since 2012)
Disclosure: This article is published by Avax Rent a Car. We are one of the companies compared. We have made every effort to present competitor information accurately and fairly. Where we have a clear disadvantage (e.g., no airport counter, smaller fleet), we have stated it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Split?
Not always. Avax Rent a Car and Carwiz both accept Visa debit cards. However, Sixt, Europcar, and Enterprise all require a credit card. If you only have a debit card, your options are limited to local Croatian companies.
Which car rental is nearest to Split ferry port?
Avax Rent a Car at Obala Lazareta 3 is the closest rental office to Trajektna Luka (Split ferry terminal) — approximately a 2-minute walk.
Is it cheaper to rent from a local company or an international chain?
In Split, local Croatian companies (Avax, Carwiz, Uni Rent, OK Rent) are typically 20–40% cheaper than international chains (Sixt, Europcar, Enterprise) for the same vehicle class. The price gap widens in peak season (July–August).
Can I drive a rental car from Split to Dubrovnik one-way?
Yes, most companies allow one-way Split to Dubrovnik rentals. However, most charge a one-way fee (€50–200). Avax Rent a Car is the only company in this comparison that offers the route with no one-way surcharge.
Can I take a rental car on the ferry to Hvar or Brač?
Yes, you can drive a rental car onto Jadrolinija car ferries to the Croatian islands. You will need to purchase a vehicle ferry ticket separately. Confirm with your rental company that island driving is permitted in your contract.
Is car rental insurance included in the price?
All companies in Croatia include basic CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) and TP (Theft Protection) in the rental price by law. However, the excess (deductible) varies: local companies like Avax typically have €0–500 excess, while chains like Sixt can have €900–1,500 excess unless you purchase additional coverage.
Have a question we didn’t answer? Contact our team or message us on WhatsApp at +385 21 342 364.