Split on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, Split can be done on a budget, especially outside July and August. Allow about €90 a day per person in high season for a hostel or shared room, simple meals and local transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €40 | €90 | €220 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €90 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €50 | €120 |
| Local transport | €8 | €20 | €50 |
| Per person, per day | €88 | €205 | €480 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Split day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walking Diocletian's Palace and the Peristyle
- Marjan Hill's paths and viewpoints
- Bačvice beach, home of the local game picigin
- The Riva promenade
- The Pazar green market
- Kašjuni beach below Marjan
Cheap eats
- Burek from a bakery: about €2.50–4
- Soparnik (Swiss chard pie): about €3–5
- Ćevapi in somun bread: about €8–12
- Konoba marenda (brunch) dishes: about €8–14
- Pizza slice: about €3–5
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels inside or just outside the palace and in Varoš, with dorm beds roughly €25–50 in summer.
Getting around cheaply
Walk the centre. Local buses go to Trogir, Klis and the airport. The airport shuttle bus runs to the ferry port for about €8–10; taxis cost much more.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Diocletian's Palace and the Peristyle (free), and the cathedral (about €10–15)
- Lunch: burek and yoghurt, about €5
- Afternoon: Marjan Hill walk and swim at Kašjuni (free)
- Evening: ćevapi and a beer in Varoš, about €15
- Total: about €90 including a hostel bed
More ways to save
- Buy ferry tickets online or at the Jadrolinija office early.
- Avoid restaurants with picture menus on the Riva.
- Carry a refillable water bottle; fountains in the city are safe.
- Take the local bus to Trogir instead of a boat transfer.
- Picnic on Marjan Hill instead of eating out at every meal.
- Visit Krka from Šibenik by bus rather than on a tour.
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Common questions
How much do I need per day?
About €90 per person in high season: €40 for a bed, €25 for food, €15 for sights and €8 for transport.
What is free in Split?
Diocletian's Palace, Marjan Hill, the Riva, Bačvice and Kašjuni beaches and the Pazar market.
How do I get from the airport cheaply?
Take the airport shuttle bus to the ferry port for about €8–10, or local bus 37.