(Photo: Grad Split)
SPLIT, 24 February 2026 – Plans for a direct railway connection between Split city centre and Split Airport were at the heart of a high-level infrastructure meeting in Split today.
The project, which will link the city’s eastern waterfront with the airport via Kopilica, Solin and Kaštela, is seen as a transformative step for both residents and the millions of international visitors who pass through the region each year.
The working meeting was attended by Split Mayor Tomislav Šuta and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butković, along with senior national, regional and local officials.
Railway from Split to Airport Advances
The central topic was the status of the “Connection of Split Airport and the Port of Split” project.
The planned rail route would run from the Eastern Coast area of Split, across Trg Hrvatske bratske zajednice, through Kopilica, Solin and Kaštela, to Split Airport.
(Photo: Grad Split)
Discussions focused on defining the final route to the airport and the necessary amendments to spatial planning documents in Kaštela and Split-Dalmatia County. Coordination with Croatian Roads is also required, as part of the route may follow the D8 state road corridor.
The future rail link is expected to significantly ease congestion during peak tourist months and provide a fast, reliable connection between the airport, ferry port and city centre, a key priority for Split as an international travel gateway.
Mayor Šuta confirmed that the Ministry has contracted a feasibility study for a future high-speed railway between Split and Zagreb. The study will also define the final alignment of the line connecting the airport, officially named “St. Jerome Airport”, to Split.
(Photo: Grad Split)
Six New Trains to Shorten Split–Zagreb Journey
In additional rail developments, Croatian Railways will introduce six new trains this year, cutting travel time between Split and Zagreb by up to 90 minutes.
The announcement signals renewed national focus on rail modernisation, with improved north–south connectivity seen as vital for economic growth and tourism development.
Traffic solutions for Split’s city port were also discussed. An urban development plan is currently being prepared following acceptance of the conceptual design for reorganising entry and exit routes.
The overall solution foresees relocating the main bus station to Kopilica, creating a stronger intermodal hub integrated with future rail services.
Preparations are also underway for the Kopilica City Project design competition programme and for upgrading the railway station at Trg Hrvatske bratske zajednice.
Park & Ride and New Traffic Centres
Officials reviewed plans for a Park & Ride system near Širina, as well as the Lovrinac Park & Ride project. The development of the Dračevac Transport Centre is expected to play a key role in reducing congestion and integrating different modes of transport across the city.
Several road projects led by Croatian Roads were also presented, including works on Vukovarska and Poljička roads, the Zbora narodne garde route near Mall of Split, Zagorski put, and Solinska road with a new roundabout in Solin.
Kozjak Tunnel and Multimodal Platform
Earlier in the day, officials toured works inside the Kozjak Tunnel and on the Mravince–TTTS section, part of the “Multimodal Platform of the Split Agglomeration” project: the Mravince–Stobreč–Dugi Rat–Omiš expressway.
(Photo: Grad Split)
Mayor Šuta expressed satisfaction with the intensity of ongoing works, highlighting the importance of the Kozjak Tunnel and the planned bridge across Kaštela Bay, which will create a new entrance and exit to the city and improve internal traffic flow.
A presentation of the winning design for the future bridge linking Split and Kaštela will be held on 6 March at Split City Hall.