London to Split (LGW–SPU) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders enter Croatia visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day rolling period under Schengen rules. Croatia joined the Schengen Area on 1 January 2023. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date with at least two blank pages. UK passports are stamped on entry and exit.

No supporting documents are mandatory, but border officers can ask for proof of accommodation, onward travel, and sufficient funds. The 90-day limit is shared across all 29 Schengen countries, so time in other Schengen states counts against it. ETIAS pre-travel authorization (EUR 7, valid 3 years) is expected to become mandatory in late 2026. Croatia adopted the euro on 1 January 2023, replacing the kuna.

Direct flights from London to Dubrovnik run about 2 hours 30 minutes, to Split about 2 hours 25 minutes, to Zagreb about 2 hours 15 minutes. British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, and Jet2 serve multiple Croatian airports seasonally. No vaccination requirements. UK driving licenses are valid for short visits. Inter-city buses (FlixBus, local carriers) are the standard ground transport. Ferries along the Dalmatian coast connect the islands and run frequently from Split and Dubrovnik ports.

The Gatwick Express runs non-stop from London Victoria to the South Terminal in 30 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes (from £21.50 one-way; advance fares cheaper online). Thameslink trains from London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and Farringdon are slower (35–45 min) but significantly cheaper; often £10–13 on Oyster or contactless. Southern trains also serve the route.National coaches (National Express, Megabus) connect Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station for £6–15. Taxis from central London cost £70–100+ depending on traffic. Driving via M23 and A23 takes 35–60 minutes; multi-storey car parks are directly connected to both terminals by a 2-minute monorail shuttle.