I have been driving in Croatia since 2000 and have been living in Croatia since 2013 and have learned a lot about driving and hiring cars in Croatia.
Here is my comprehensive guide to car rental in Croatia. Plus, I have covered everything you need to know about driving in Croatia. From information like what constitutes a valid driver’s license, street signs, additional fees, how to get the best prices on your car, and child seats.
Croatia is a beautiful country in southeastern Europe, across the Adriatic Sea from Italy. It shares its borders with Slovenia to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the southeast, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast.
This ideal location in the Balkans makes it perfect to drive between these European countries, so a car rental in Croatia is highly recommended.
Croatia has plenty of fascinating sites to explore and some beautiful stretches of coastline, particularly the famous Dalmatian coast. Being one of the most picturesque European countries, driving in Croatia is essential to any trip to Croatia, especially on the roads hugging the dramatic Adriatic coast.
Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!
Rental Car In Croatia & Driving FAQs
Below I have written thousands of words on what it’s like to drive in Croatia and about renting a car. But if you want quick answers, then these FAQs will help.
Scroll down for more info if these do not answer your questions.
What side of the road does Croatia drive on?
We drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Are there toll roads in Croatia?
Yes. But there are ways to avoid them if you’d prefer to save cash and take the scenic route.
How easy is it to drive in Croatia?
Driving in Croatia is nothing to be frightened of at all. The roads are in very good shape – in fact, I would say excellent. Admittedly, we have many narrow small goat tracks in rural areas, but we also have a superb freeway, the A1, which is super-easy to navigate. Generally, depending on your driving skills and experience, driving in Croatia is likely no different from driving in your home country.
Is it safe to drive in Croatia?
Totally. Be prepared for people speeding and taking more unnecessary risks than you’d be used to in North America or Australia.
Do you need a vignette for Croatia?
No. Tolls here in Croatia are paid directly at toll gates if you do not own an electric payment unit.
What is the speed limit in Croatia?
50 km/h (31 mph) within inhabited places or up to 80 km/h (50 mph) where explicitly permitted. 90 km/h (56 mph) outside inhabited places. 110 km/h (68 mph) on expressways (brza cesta).
How much does it cost for a Croatia car rental?
It varies depending on the car category and season. For example, in high season, you’ll need to fork out more than 65 euros a day for a small car and much more for bigger cars. Though you’ll pay much less during the low season, we’ve seen them as low as 20 euros.
How can we save money on a car rental?
Book early, choose a manual car (not automatic), and come on off-peak season. Use an aggregation site like this one.
Can I drive a rental car from Croatia to Montenegro?
Yes, you can. You can rent a car in Croatia and drive to Montenegro and other European countries. That said, however, most, if not all, Croatia car rental companies that allow border crossings will try to charge a so-called cross-border fee. We have more information about this below.
Can I drive from Dubrovnik to Split or vice versa?
Yes. A road trip from Dubrovnik to Split, or Split to Dubrovnik, is one of the greatest and most popular Croatia self-drive tours. You can either drive across the short coastal section of Bosnia-Herzegovina or circumvent it and that new bridge – known as the Pelješki most. The Pelješac Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge in Dubrovnik-Neretva County and saves you from having to cross the Bosnian border. Generally, the Split to Dubrovnik drive time is about 3.5 hours, depending on possible border delays and how often you stop. We have much more information about traveling between Split and Dubrovnik here.
Does Croatia require an international driver’s license?
Yes. By law, an International Driving Permit is required. That said, many car hire companies don’t ask to see it.
Do I need to rent a car while in Croatia?
Renting a car in Croatia is highly recommended if you wish to explore beyond major cities and the coast, offering flexibility to visit remote beaches, national parks, and small villages. Public transport exists but is less convenient for such explorations.
What are the top rental car companies in Croatia?
The top rental car companies in Croatia include Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, Avis, and Budget. These companies offer a wide range of vehicles and have multiple locations across the country, making them reliable choices for travelers looking to explore Croatia’s scenic landscapes and historic cities.
What are the best locations in Croatia for hiring a car in Croatia?
The best locations in Croatia for hiring a car are Zagreb, for exploring the capital and nearby regions; Split, ideal for visiting the Dalmatian coast and islands; Dubrovnik, for the southern coast and Montenegro; and Zadar or Pula for easy access to the Istrian peninsula and national parks.
Book Your Rental Car Quickly
Driving In Croatia Tips And Tricks
There are numerous options for getting around Croatia, and car rentals in Croatia may be one of the best. There are several luxury car rental options for you to choose from.
Although car hire in Croatia is easy, it is essential to remember that Croatia’s traffic laws may slightly differ from those in your own home country.
If you’re looking to rent a car in Croatia, here is our Croatia car rental guide to help you make an informed decision.
Things You Should Know When Renting A Car In Croatia
Renting a car in Croatia, in fact, in any foreign country, can be a little nerve-wracking until you get your bearings.
Here are a few tips to get you started looking at Croatia car hire. I hope they will take some of that fear or those worries away.
As these tips are in no way intended to be a complete list and are subject to change, be sure to ask your car rental company for the latest information to make sure you stay on top of any new regulations or policy changes.
Prices tend to keep rising the closer it gets to July and August. This is due to the increasing number of rental car bookings and fewer available options. With so many tourists, you’ll want to secure the right size and model for you and get a reasonable rate.
Best Car Rental Companies That Service Croatia
Wondering what Croatia’s best car rental company is? When it comes to the best car rental companies in Croatia, there is one stand-out booking system:
- Discover Cars– I have used them since 2022 and found the booking system great to narrow down our needs and often has the cheapest options
- Auto Europe – they have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and hold 24,000 car rental locations worldwide
- Rental Cars
- Economy Car Rentals
- Cheap-O-Air Car Rentals
- Hertz Croatia
- E-Sixt
- Budget Car Rental Croatia
- Avis
- Oryx Car Rental
- Holiday Autos
- Adriagate
- Best Rent Dubrovnik
- EasyRent
- Kompas Rent A Car
- Kompas No. 1
- Uni-Rent
- Last Minute Rental Car
- Dollar – Thrifty
- Nova Rent
Brands We Use And Trust
Tips For Renting A Car
Check out the info I suggest you know before booking:
Just Show Up Without Booking Ahead
Um, NO! Please ignore any advice that says to show up and book your Croatia car rental when you arrive. Maybe that works in the low season, but in summer, you can forget about driving away in any rental car if you wing it.
You’ll be left to catch the bus. This is the first and foremost car rental Croatia tip I can offer you. Keep this in mind!
One-Way Car Rental Fees When You Return The Car
When renting a car in Croatia, be aware of one-way rental fees. For example, if you plan to pick your vehicle up at Dubrovnik AIrport and then return it to Split or want a car rental from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, be prepared to pay an extra fee.
If you want to avoid this cost, think about your route and how you can circle back to the place of pickup and drop the car back there.
Long-Term Car Hire In Croatia
Long-term car hire in Croatia is an attractive idea for anyone who plans to stay in the country for more than five days. Though it may seem like an expensive way to get around, long-term hire rates are very reasonable and cheaper than short-term hires. This, of course, also means that you can see much more of Croatia than you would if you relied on public transport.
Costs, Rules, And Extra Charges When Picking Up Your Car
As mentioned above, you’ll get slugged an extra fee to pick up and drop off your car at two different locations. You need to prearrange other pickup and drop-off locations. I would try to rent a car in Zagreb and drive to Dubrovnik (or vice versa) to make the extra fees worth it.
But, if you just want to go from Split to Zadar or Split to Dubrovnik, think about a private transfer or the bus to avoid hefty one-way fees.
The same goes for picking up or dropping the car out of office hours. It’s possible to arrange it, but you’ll pay extra. Just keep that in mind.
Before you leave with your rental car, inspect your vehicle for any damage and, in case there is any, make sure it is recorded. This is one tricky way companies like to make extra money each summer!
A credit card is compulsory when renting a car in Croatia. Not a debit card. The company will pre-authorize your credit card for a security deposit, so remember if you plan to use your credit card on vacation in Croatia.
Before you make a car rental booking, check that you have adequate funds on your card that you won’t need for the duration of your car hire, and then some days afterward while you wait for the refund to be processed. The specific amount ranges from 500 to 3,000 euros, from what I found through research.
You need to be 25 years old to get a rental car in Croatia unless you pay a young driver surcharge for your car rental.
Don’t forget to refill your car rental before returning it. If not, the fee will be HUGE.
There are extra charges to travel across Bosnia-Herzegovina – wrong, wrong, false… see below.
Toll Roads
Croatia has some toll road systems, and you must pay a fee when using roads that fall under this category.
The costs are well worth the expense if you need to travel long distances. However, if you are in no hurry when driving on your Croatia holidays, I suggest you use scenic routes along the coast whenever possible to get maximum visual pleasure. If you are worried about unknown costs, use this calculator to determine fuel and toll road charges or this price list for Croatian toll charges.
You can also find helpful info on:
- Motorway Zagreb-Rijeka
- BINA Istra
Motorway Signs – The Ultimate Driving In Croatia Tip
Croatia rental car companies will inform you of some of the unique road signs in Croatia. Motorway signs in Croatia have the letter A followed by two digits. They also have a green background and a motorway picture in white. On the other hand, country roads have the letter Z and four numbers, while state roads are denoted by the letter D, followed by two digits.
Headlights
Another good car rental in Croatia tip is that, as a rule, headlights should be used at night and in instances when the visibility on the road is less than 100 meters.
From October to March, the law requires that dipped headlights are used during daylight hours.
And trust me, you will get pulled over. I have been done three times for this! It took me a long time to adjust to this rule – whoopsie. So, don’t make my mistake and turn on your headlights when driving in winter.
Seatbelts
As is the case across Europe, wearing a seatbelt is compulsory. At the publication date, the fine for not doing so was 500 HRK / 65 EUR /84 USD.
Wind
Be warned about the wind. Wind gusts on the A1 from Zadar north to Zagreb reach hellish speeds of 90 and 100 km/h, and they don’t close the roads unless the wind exceeds 140 km/h! Drive slowly when it’s windy.
Minimum Age
The minimum driving age for renting a hire car in Croatia is 22. It is also worth noting that drivers 70 years or older must pay an additional insurance premium to rent a car in Croatia.
Reasons Not To Get A Car Rental In Croatia
There are a few things to remember when renting a car in Croatia. Driving in Croatia can be overwhelming for first-time drivers on the right-hand side of the road. Additionally, drivers here are not as careful or considerate as in Australia or the United States.
Some drivers don’t signal. They love to pass even when it’s not allowed, and many places don’t have accurate road signs.
However, don’t let that put you off renting a car in Croatia. After all, driving is a way that allows you to discover the small towns and secret spots that you can’t get to by bus.
These are the only reasons I suggest you don’t get a car rental in Croatia:
- If you plan to get a tan at the beach and don’t want to make many day trips, why waste money on car rental and parking fees?
- Plan on only staying within the old towns of cities like Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Split, or Zadar. You’ll probably be better off without a car because finding parking can be nearly impossible (especially in Dubrovnik and Split). The local public transport network in those areas is reliable and inexpensive
Taking The Car On The Ferry
Your rental car in Croatia is permitted on the local ferries, i.e., those going from the mainland to the islands and back. However, you cannot take your rental car across to Italy by ferry. Valid registration papers are required to be in the driver’s name for international ferries.
My Local Tip: Book your car ferry tickets as soon as you arrive in Croatia or online. They fill up so fast, and you could be left waiting behind.
Avoid Unexpected Charges When You Pick Up The Car
The costs of hiring a car across the globe can be expensive, including in Croatia. Research to avoid getting caught by extra or unknown charges, especially with cheap car rental Croatia companies. Be sure to ask upfront about the following things.
- One-way hire fees
- Out-of-hours pick up and return
- Extra driver charges
- Exclusions for taking the car off-road
- Last-minute cancellation fees
- Additional costs for GPS and car seats
Compare car hire companies. When we first hired our vehicle in Croatia, I was shocked to see the price ranges for the exact vehicle. Now, I always tell everyone to be sure to spend time comparing costs between rental car suppliers. Even the cheapest car rental companies here in Croatia offer very well-maintained vehicles, so do not be worried about that.
Considering the above car rental Croatia tips, you are assured of a much better experience driving in Croatia.
Download this FREE app from iTunes from Hrvatski Auto Klub (Croatian Auto Club). It provides detailed traffic and travel information and roadside assistance services and is available in English, German, Italian, and Croatian.
Ask Your Car Rental Company In Croatia About…
- If the car requires diesel or petrol, trust me; it’s an expensive mistake. I did it once
- Local tips and suggestions when it comes to the scenic routes for your journey
- Additional expenses (if any) for driving across the border to Italy, Hungary, etc.
- Ask about road signs that you need to be aware of
- Young-driver surcharges
- Discount car rental companies often have offices at each airport. Ask about the one-way drive fee if you don’t plan to return the car to the place of hire
What Kind Of Car Should You Rent?
Go for the smallest car possible. Parking spaces are tight here, so that’ll give you an advantage.
For families, you’ll need to go slightly bigger and rent a car with adequate space for your luggage. Look for the display showing how many bags and people can fit inside.
Vans are available for groups. They do have the most room but remember, they are much harder to park in the cities. So, maybe book a private transfer with Octopus Transfers Croatia instead.
What Is The Alcohol Limit On Croatian Roads?
The Blood Alcohol Limit is 0.05% percent for those over 24 (0.00% for those under 24). Be safe and smart, and try not to drink anything while driving in Croatia.
Which Documents Do You Need When Driving In Croatia?
You will always need to keep the vehicle registration and insurance paperwork in the car. Please leave them in the glove box for easy access in case you’re asked for them.
Which Driving License Will You Need?
American visitors might wonder, “Can you drive in Croatia with a US license?” The answer is pretty straightforward and applies to all foreign visitors.
International licenses are valid within Croatia when used in conjunction with an international driver’s permit. In my experience (and many others I know), rental car companies in Croatia don’t ask for an international driver’s license. Still, I would not take a risk and suggest that it is a good idea to obtain one before you start your vacation.
Also, these licenses are valid for the first six months only. If you plan to stay longer, both must obtain a Croatian driving license after this grace period has lapsed.
Do You Need A Special Border-Crossing Card To Enter Bosnia-Herzegovina?
Short answer. No. Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro are included in the green card that your car rental insurance company supplies for travel within Croatia.
Some rental car companies try to charge you extra, but it is not required. You can read more about it on the National Green Card Bureau website to avoid being scammed into paying extra.
Automatic Or Manual?
The majority of rental cars in Croatia are manual transmissions. If you prefer (or need) an automatic vehicle, you’ll need to ensure you book well in advance and be prepared to pay a lot extra.
Even then, you may get here to discover that they do not have a manual transmission rental car available. I have heard that story several times, so you’ve been warned.
Which Lane Is Used When Driving?
The general road conditions in Croatia are safe. In Croatia, drivers must keep right when driving and overtake on the left. The A1 Motorway provides premium access for long-distance driving between the major cities.
What Are The Speed Limits In Croatia?
Speed limits in Croatia exist and are marked:
- In built-up areas is 50 km/h
- Open roads up to 80 km/h
- 130 km/h on motorways
Don’t speed! Now that would sting your holiday budget. The fines for speeding ranged between 500-15,000 HRK / 65-2,000 EUR /84-2,500 USD at the time of publication.
Driving In Croatia – What It’s Like
Croatia is a large country, but it’s also one that is packed with things to see and do. Driving is the best way to see it all at your own pace.
Of course, driving in a foreign country can be difficult simply because you don’t know the landscapes and terrain. Let’s see what to know when renting a car in Croatia, in every direction.
Heading South
Most of you will start in Istria or Zagreb and want to join the A1 motorway. This rather busy road handily connects Zagreb with Ploce. This is a key plus point because it means you can get from A to B much easier than the old coastal road. Moreover, driving is easy, thanks to the multiple well-maintained lanes.
When you reach Plčce, if you’re venturing further south to Dubrovnik, you still have another 100 kilometers to go, but you are on a rather scenic coastal road (D8), which takes the boredom out of driving. This road provides beautiful panoramic views. However, you may get stuck behind a slow-moving truck, but there are overtaking opportunities, which speeds up the whole thing.
The road is somewhat slow going, so please do have patience. Any coastal road the world over has bends and turns and high cliff passes, but this adds to the scenery and drama. You’ll pass through several villages along the way and are highly advised to stick to speed limits.
Alternatively, you can reach your southern destination from the north by a couple of other ways, including the D1 road, which heads inland and skirts past Plitvice Lakes National Park and Knin, before heading down the coast to join the aforementioned D8 road.
The Adriatic Coastal Road (D8) heads from Rijeka to Dubrovnik, which is probably the most scenic road in the country. Be aware that the section between Rijeka to Zadar is harder to pass, but fewer cars are on this stretch, so it’s not particularly slow.
There are toll roads at specific parts of these journeys. The A1 motorway is one of these roads, with the Zagreb to Split road having a toll that amounts to around 175kn (soon to go up in price) for each direction.
Heading West
You can reach Rijeka on the A6 motorway from Zagreb, with around 150 kilometers between the two cities. In Rijeka, the multi-lanes end, and as you head further west to Istria, you are met with two-lane roads. You will go through the Ucka Tunnel to get to Istria, and when you venture onto the Istarski Y road, a two-lane stretch.
There are tolls on this particular stretch of road, and it costs 54kn (soon to be more) to go from the tunnel into Porec. If you want to avoid toll roads, you can get to Rijeka and Istria from Zagreb using the two-lane state roads that pass through Gorski Kotar, Jelenje then onto Rijeka.
Urban Driving
As you can imagine, the peak times and summer months are hectic, so driving will probably prove to be a stressful situation. If you’re venturing through coastal towns during a rare rainy summer day, be aware that there will be a crazy number of cars on the road.
No matter what time of day, the cities are bustling, but don’t let this put you off because places like Zagreb are fantastic to drive around. The big cities are always busy, especially during the rush hours (7.30-9.30 am and 4.30-6.30 pm). Most of the big towns and cities in Croatia have public transport, so you could go down this route if you don’t want to brave the traffic.
Countryside Driving
The countryside in and around Croatia is undoubtedly rewarding and is worth checking out. More traffic will likely be around during the summer, but these roads are never too busy.
Remember that country roads can be twisting and winding, and sometimes the night lighting isn’t the best. Many also don’t have the central white line, but care and attention are needed. Be careful of wildlife on the roads in these parts of the country and farm vehicles, which could slow you down.
As you can see, Croatia isn’t a complex country to explore via road, and provided you take your time and use updated maps; you’ll have an enjoyable road trip experience!
Driving In Croatia Essentials
I am often asked about factors related to driving in Croatia. Ultimately, I tell everyone that you can drive in Croatia. You need to be aware of a few factors:
- Many village roads are often narrow, unpaved, and have room for one-way traffic. Take your time and be prepared to reverse.
- There are plenty of places to stop and rest along the way. Croatia has some of the best gas stations we’ve encountered on our European adventures. Including some with kids’ activity centers and healthy food.
- Driving in the country is always on the right-hand side of the road. So those from Australia or the United Kingdom might find it a little tricky.
- Drivers in Croatia often go fast, ignoring speed signs and overtaking on corners and across double lines. Stay focused and be extra alert.
- Turning right at a red light is strictly prohibited unless there is an additional green arrow.
- If you violate the rules, you may be asked to pay a fine, which can be done on the spot. Be sure to ask for a receipt.
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HELP Is At Hand!
- Contact the Croatian Auto Club Emergency Service on 987 if you have an accident or require emergency support on the road.
- Police: 192
- Fire Brigade: 193
- Ambulance: 194
- While you are driving in Croatia, stay up-to-date on driving conditions that are broadcast on the radio in English and German via HRT 2 (98,5 MHz)
Reading And Speaking Croatian
Here are some very helpful words and phrases you might need to know while driving in Croatia:
| Autocesta | motorway |
| Benzin | petrol |
| Bezolovni benzin | unleaded super 91/95 gas/petrol |
| Desno | right |
| Dizel | diesel |
| Državna cesta | State roads |
| pukla mi je guma | I have a flat tyre |
| Ja sam bio u nesreći | I have been in an accident |
| Izlas | exit |
| Lijevo | left |
| Osiguaranje | Insurance |
| The car broke | Auto se razbio |
| Ulaz Zabranjen | No Entry / Do Not Enter |
| Ulaz | Entrance |
| Gdje mogu kupiti benzin? | Where can I buy petrol? |
| Gdje je policijska stanica? | Where is the police station? |
What has been your experience with car rental in Croatia? What was your experience driving in Croatia? Let us know in the comments!
I had no idea there were so many car rental agencies in Croatia. Wow! Thanks also for the list of do/don’t – always helpful to know the ways of the local area as opposed to taking something for granted.
You are welcome. I was surprised at how many people did not drive while on holidays here as they were so intimidated, so I figured a little info would help encourage them :)
Great tips about renting a car in Croatia! Traveling around Croatia by car seems to be the best way see the country, you can stop whenever and where you want. I do prefer sailboat, but car is probably the second best option, and probably a lot cheaper :). The rules when it comes to driving are exactly the same as back home in Norway, so seems like an easy country to drive in for us Europeans.
Yes, for any Europeans the transition is easy – not so for us Aussies. And totally agree #1 way is by boat – the water is unbeatable. BUT it still can’t get you to the little old towns :)
I’ve rented cars over the past 12 years going in and out of Croatia. Recently I’ve settled on Last Minute Rental Car as my favourite. you can’t beat excellent customer service and late model cars. Pink and black branding.
That’s great to know thanks Grant. I just added that one to the list.
Some good tips here SJ. I’ve driven in Croatia – stunning drives! – but we had our own car that we’d driven from home in the south of France. I’m sure this will be very helpful for people wanting to rent and drive.
Thanks Phoebe, yes its a great way to see the place. I hope people find useful.
SJ – Great article. We rented a car and drove all the way up and down the coast while we were in Croatia. It is a great way to get around, and we found it extremely easy. I recommend it to all!
Super!! What was your itinerary Corinne? In which direction did you drive?
We never drove in Europe until this last trip when we rented a car in Germany. Is Croatia a more sane place to drive compared to Italy? After witnessing the seemingly haphazard manner of drivers there, I don’t think we will ever drive in Italy, at least not in the southern portion of the country.
As always your posts make me want to go to Croatia. We’ve narrowed our 2015 Europe trip down to three choices now (Dubrovnik is one!), and it’ll be up to flight prices to make our final decision next month!
Croatia IS better to drive than most of Italy in my experience. Way less traffic and better roads. But the same crazy over taking and parking takes place. If you are in Dubrovnik, you can go without a car. The buses are good to get you from A-B. But if you plan to go beyond, like Split or Zadar, hire a car, and the coast road or the freeway are both very easy to navigate. Here is hoping that the flight prices bring you to my Croatia :)
I never thought of driving in Croatia. Great info!
That is why I wrote this, it’s the second best way to see the place. The first = sailing Croatia :)
You are so brave! You made renting a car in Crotia seem easy peasy. Thanks for the great info.
You are welcome, it is possible. And worth the scenic drives, I promise.
Do not rent cars BUDGET / AVIS
A reservation which was not honored ! …
Refusal to reimburse the taxi bills ( accompanied flow blue card 200 euros)
I commit on their advice ….
Unprofessional and dishonest ……
I go to court, a consumer association , and I share my experience with you
Por favor, no alquilar coches BUDGET / AVIS :
Una reserva que no fue honrado ! …
La negativa a devolver las facturas de taxi ( 200 euros )
Me comprometo sus consejos ….
Poco profesional y deshonesto ……
Voy a la corte , una asociación de consumidores , y comparto mi experiencia con ustedes
Ne surtout pas louer les voitures BUDGET/ AVIS:
Une réservation qui n’a pas été honorée!…
Refus de rembourser les factures de taxi(accompagnées des débits carte bleu 200 euros)
que j’ai engager sur leur conseil….
Pas professionnel et malhonnête……
Je vais en justice , association de consommateur et je partage mon expérience avec vous
My gosh, that is terrible. I am sorry that they did that to you! Did you book directly or through a third-party?
Great tips! The only ‘right side of the road’ driving we’ve done ourselves was in the US. And I found it very nerve-racking!
Yes it is a little at first I agree. Just remember FRIGHT RIGHT. When you give yourself a fright about which side you should be on think ‘fright right’. Hope that helps.
Pleased to share this very I believe helpful information that’s aimed at lending a helping hand to all those about to depart on some travel activity get greater value and save right now considerable of effort in tracking things down!
I’ve only recently started considering renting a car when I travel – it can make things a lot more convenient and mean I’m not planning my schedule around an iffy, all-day bus. But I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to try it in a foreign country!
Ohhhh we love hiring cars. I dislike waiting for buses and trains – although paying for parking can sometimes be a pain too.
Interesting. So if I rent a car in Croatia I can safely take it across the border to Bosnia & Herzegovina? That’s really good to know. I would love to do a road trip through the Balkans one day.
The rule applies to cross the boarder to get to Dubrovnik (don’t forget your passport), but how long you can stay in Bosnia you’d have to double check.
I am DEFINITELY bookmarking this post for a future trip – it is jam packed full of very useful information! I am glad to see I don’t have to get special insurance like Italy or Ireland, I just went through that this year!
Glad to be able to help. We found getting all of the info tricky, so we knew others would benefit. Have a fab trip when you come.
Factual blogs like this are the best! Those who are uncertain might rent a car there now.
hi, just stumbled on your blog and have a question about cost! Do you think that in June, it would be more budget friendly to have a rental car or to rely on public transport? Great blog, thanks!
In June public transport is operating at max, meaning there are lots of services. The buses and ferries are a great, way to see the sights and fairly reliable. The only downside is if you have a short amount of time and or want to see things a distance away from one other it can be limiting. In short, give it ago!
Have been visiting Croatia for 12 yrs and own a house on Hvar island.
Car rental prices much more expensive than most other European countries. Why???
Pleasure to drive along the coast and inland.
Croatia car rental prices are very high. Slovenia is much cheaper. So for a long trip, rent a car in Slovenia. And be prepared to argue with the rental people about ‘damage’ when you return the car. I am British-Croatian, and rent cars several times a year in Croatia.
Another tip:
Parking close to the old city of Dubrovnik a nightmare – cost and finding it. If you have a car find accommodation outside the walls of the old city and ask about parking space.
Thanks for the extra ideas there Beatrix :D
Hi, your blog is awesome.
Next October, my husband, my son, Salman (he would be 13 months by then) and I are planning to go to Croatia. This would be our first overseas trip with Salman. Been to more than 40 countries as a couple.
I was not sure about going to Croatia as our first trip as a parents, but your blog convinced us that we could do it.
I have lots of questions. But for now, my question is what types of rental cars are available in Croatia. Do they have AT or mostly manual? Is the AT car more expensive? Thanks
Great choice – I am sure he will love it. They have both types, but very few automatics, they are more expensive and rent out very fast. If you need help booking accommodation, we can also help you book a car and get a good package deal. Just ask us here:
Thanks for your reply. I have not yet worked on the travel details, but will do it soon. I will contact you if need further assistance. Do you still live in Croatia?
Yup, we sure do. Happy planning.
If anyone plans to drive between Croatia & Bosnia in their own car (as we did last year) – don’t panic if your car insurance people won’t cover Bosnia. We couldn’t find a single company in the UK who would cover us for Bosnia and we’re just told vaguely we could “buy it at the border”. Turns out we could! Despite a fairly small border crossing (near the Bosnian town of Bihac) on a Sunday afternoon, a nice chap sold us a month’s policy for about 40euro. It was checked by other officials later in the trip & was completely legal & valid :)
And by the way – LOVE your blog & LOVE Croatia xx
Thanks for the tip to our readers – glad to know that!! And of course, thanks for the kind words :D
Do you have any recommendation for a free Navigation/GPS App that would work without internet connection (offline) in Croatia? I don’t want to pay 125 Euros for a Navigation system to a car rental company.
You could use google maps – although your data roaming charges could add up quickly depending on your carrier.
Very nice and informative blog. Thanks a ton. I have booked a rental car at Zagreb. airport I will be traveling to Hvar and Dubrovnik, which means:
1. I will take a local ferry boat to go to Hvar from Split
2. While driving to Dubrovnik, I will pass through Bosnia and Herzegovina
I understand from the different websites that I need not pay any additional fees to the car rental company as Local Ferries are allowed with the rental car and also crossing border of Bosnia and Herzegovina is allowed/included without any additional fees.
Could you validate if my understanding is correct?
Yes, that is how I understand the rules also. Have a wonderful holiday!
Hi! I am going in september with my parents to Croatia, Bosnia and Montengro. The car pick up through Sixt or Avis will be in Zagreb and drop off in Dubrovnik. I see that you already specify not to pay for the border crossing but here is what the conditions of these car rental companies say:
“”Cross Border Rentals are allowed to the following countries:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegowina, Czech Republic, Denamrk, Finland, France, Germany, Great-Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City.
For entering above mentioned countries a Cross Border Fee applies (4.- EUR/day, max. 12.- EUR/rental).
BMW, Mercedes-Benz, VW and Audi vehicles may not be taken into:
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Serbia & Montenegro, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
A written permission issued by the Sixt branch is mandatory to cross the border with cars from the group SDMR and higher.”””
Any opinions? I am a bit scared of having a problem when crossing to the other countries. It will be just day trips but still :)
thanks for all the tips and help!
Hi Sarah-Jane,
Thank you so much for all of this helpful information!
I will be renting a car with Oryx in Dubrovnik and will be driving north towards Zadar (crossing Bosnia to get there). However on my insurance papers with Oryx it says that driving through Bosnia will cost 38.75.
I’m afraid we will have to pay this? I dont get much wiser from the information on the website of the National Green Card Bureau. So my question remains, is this fee obligatory? What if we refuse to pay it?!
Im hoping you can help me!
Kind regards,
Gina
Greetings. Great tips. We arrived at Dubrovnik airport only to be told we had to pay 75 euros for the green card to travel to Montenegro & Bosnia. (and another 30 euros because our plane was late!) Our contract said nothing of either of these costs. What recourse do we have? Is there anywhere that definitively says “Both Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro are included in the green card system that your car rental insurance company supply for travel within Croatia”? I couldn’t find it on the site.
You can take it up with the HQ of the car rental company. There is no reason I know of that BiH needs to be charged as extra. I try to keep up with changes these policies and can’t see that it changed. Sadly some places charge it when they do not need to. You can also reach out to the insurance ombudsmen Hope you work it out.
Thanks for this amazing piece of knowledge. Just made our trip planning eaiser.
We had a bad experience recently renting with Budget in Croatia, so I would urge caution. I had made the reservation through Budget USA, and had read the terms and conditions carefully and even called Budget USA in advance to make sure there would be no hidden fees. I specifically had them confirm that there would be no fee for adding the spouse as an extra driver. When my husband returned the car, he asked the counter agent to confirm that the amount we were being billed in kuna was the same as the amount on the reservation in USD. He was told yes, but when we got our credit card statement we found out we had been charged more than twice that, thanks to not just the “extra driver fee” but also a border crossing fee because we (honestly) acknowledged that we had crossed into Slovenia. These fees were not previewed with us, and when I called Budget USA to complain, they were totally unhelpful and unsympathetic. So even a “reputable” international company may rip you off. Never again.
Love the blog. Hubs and I rented a car at Split airport. A friend had recommended we download europe maps on our gps. We were trying to get from the airport to the hotel in kaštela. GPS did us wrong. Ended up on a non-street and scraped the whole side of our car on a 4 ft high stone wall. ?? Took buses the rest of the time even though they were at times mildly incomprehensible.
Loved (almost) every minute of it and miss it so.
OH NO!!! That’s terrible. What a crap start to a holiday. Glad to know you still had a great time.
Hi
I am travelling to Croatia for 3 day and would like to know about car rental.
I work in Munich Germany since one year. I have an Indian driving license. I got information that I cannot rent a car after stay of 6 month in Germany until I get a german license.
Will this rule apply to me in Croatia also as I will be a visitor there? Or I can drive over there with my Indian license?
Thanks for your help
I really can’t say 100% for an Indian licence – BUT no for so many others, so I do not see what you’d be any different. Happy travels.
Is it possible to rent a motorcycle in Croatia? I would love to travel through their coast with a motorcycle, like cruising you know?
I’ll look into it for you – send me an email at chasingthedonkey at gmail dot com and we can chat.
Love this post, down and dirty driving in Croatia! Only two tips I might add, both learned from experience of living here, would be:
1) If you are in any kind of accident, look in the glove compartment of the rental car for the accident report form. Two copies of the form are required to be in every car at all times to assist with exchanging information between drivers, etc. Also in that glove compartment, or somewhere else in the car, should be a sexy orange safety vest which must be worn when you are outside the car fixing a tire, and so forth. AND,
2) If you plan to drive to Croatia from Slovenia or Austria, or the reverse, make sure you stop at a petrol station or kiosk for a toll “vignette” sticker. You can buy them by week, month or year. But fines are steep if you don’t have one. Not every road requires them but larger highways do, so best to check…
Thanks Melissa, that is very helpful information I should include. I will copy this and add it to the post if that’s okay? VERY HELPFUL xx
Driving around Croatia would be a dream come true for me! Im pretty sure many of us would love to wander around this beautiful country because what is the better way to discover this beautiful place other than roam around!
Hello! On the Jadrolinija ferry site, there are two passenger car options available that one can reserve for the car ferry. One option is for a shorter length than the other. Would an Opel Astra (4-door) be considered a compact car on the ferry?
I would think yes, but you should check with them directly to be safe :D
We are travelling to croatia in about a week and we dont want to spent too much money on hostels or hotels so we were thinking of camping in our rental car… Do you have any tips where we could stay and park without it being illegal or unsafe ?
Thanks
I really can’t. I don’t think that’s either safe or legal. You can find bargain hostels here:
Wow! So much to read! Thank you for all this info! My husband and I are planning on 2 weeks in Croatia this August-September. We were thinking of flying into Zagreb, renting a car and flying out of Dubrovnik, but flights are a lot cheaper in and out of Zagreb. If we meander from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, what is the fastest/easiest drive back to Zagreb like at the end of our trip? Also, if we head to some of the islands. is it most common to take the rental car with you?
Thanks,
Heidi
There is a freeway which takes you most of the way from DBK to ZG. Yes you can take your car with you to the islands, you just have pay for a ticket for the car on the car ferries. Safe travels.
Hi,
Thanks for the information. I am looking to hire a car from Dubrovnik to drive into Montenegro for the day.
know that it is covered by the green card but are there any extra costs when crossing the border?
Many thanks
Hello, you need to tell the company where you are going, but no there should not be – but please do ask them first to be sure.
We are planning to pick up rental at Zagreb airport, drive north to Slovenia Bledlakes, down through Croatia, many stops then Montenegro and return to Croacia. Spending last days in Dubrovnik and dropping off the car at airport.
? About green cards insurance, cross borders rules, one way car hire fees, any other problems you can think of. Australian LHSide of the road senior resident, but I have driven on the right in USA a few times, France, Spain, Italy and Switzerland many times. Usually in automatic manual on the right is the hard one to change. Regards Paul should keep you awake
No no, no other problems. Be sure to keep emergency numbers handy, and book through a reputable company (so you don’t get stung with silly fees later). Best wishes and enjoy the ride guys.
The most difficult part here was the right hand road. I got used to this only after a week.
Hi there,
I was hoping to get your opinion on rental car versus public transportation debate I’m having with myself. We have just a few days and want to spend most of our time on the coast. I was thinking about renting a car from Zagreb to Split, with stops at the lakes and Zadar on the road. We only have 2 days to do this at the beginning of September. Based on my research it seems like there is plenty of transportation to get us there. But my concerns are this 1) that it will take too much time and 2) that there isn’t a great way to get around within the cities between the sites, hotel, etc. How is the local transportation in Split, Zadar and the Lakes?
Thanks, this site has been a tremendous resources!
Best,
Allie
My advice… if you can drive, do it. Buses really slow you down and the connected are not so great in September. Enjoy!
Hey Sarah. Love the blog! Has been a gold mine of info for our trip to Croatia in September. Just wondering if you can direct me to info about car seat laws/requirements in Croatia? We’re travelling with our 4 and 6 year olds and I can’t find any specific info other than kids need to be in “appropriate car restraints”. Thanks!
Under EU law, seat belts must be used in all vehicles. Children over 1.35 m can use an adult seat belt. Those under 1.35 m must use equipment appropriate to their size and weight when traveling in cars or lorries. It is now against the law to use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat – unless the airbag has been deactivated. Sadly, no one checks this. I see kids jumping about in cars all of the time and not in seats, so just use seats that are appropriate for them as determined by the manufacturer. Car rental seats are notoriously old and many people tell me don’t look clean and unsafe. So if you have them, bring them.
Amazingly informative blog! Family and I are planning our first trip to Croatia. Quick question: How difficult and long does the border crossing through Bosnia take when driving from Split to Dubrovnik? We are planning to be there beginning of September. Thanks!
It varies – quickest time for me was 5 mins, and once my friend was there for hours. You really need to plan the worst case scenarios.
Hi, I’m visiting Croatia with my 2 kids(5,8 yrs).
Do I need to bring my booster seats, or the triangle shaped seat belt holders(without booster seats) meet Legal requirement?
Many thanks!
I really can’t say for sure – ask the rental car company to be sure. Happy travels.
Get their book a car way cheaper lol
Sounds like a good plan, tell you get here and there are no cars or the prices are higher…
I was their last year family all over Croatia people know people if you want to rent a car so easy .. and if your not confident driving their the trains work well as do the buses and EKOTAXI
If you have connections in Croatia you can get anything :P But, the average tourist arriving in the middle of July won’t be able to click their fingers and get what they need at such short notice, companies regularly OVERBOOK knowing people cancel. Trains you say, wow, can’t say I’d want to be on a train here in Croatia – which train/s lines do you recommend? None I have found are any good.
Yes they need upgrading .. the trains. The busses are great ???? as in for rental cars .. getting to know locals etc works best
Thank you
What did you do for car insurance?
We always have it attached to our travel insurance.
Hi there, I have a specific question.
I have a german driving license for 8 months. Had an indian driving license for 8 years before. I got it exchanged.
Am I allowed to rent a car in croatia ??
I don’t see why not – so long as your German one is valid.
Thanks a lot
Great blog, so many helpful tips! I read above that Bosnia is included in the green card system. Does the rental car company provide you with an actual “green card” or some type of paperwork that we must show when crossing through Bosnia to Dubrovnik?
You have your rental car papers – keep them in your glovebox / handy when crossing.
Hi, greetings for your blog, ver informative and very fresh.
I have a question: is it lawful to drive in Croatia with a colombian driver´s license?
Thanks, Marco
I really don’t see why not – just bring an international licence with you to be sure.
Hi,
I plan to rent a car from Zadar and drive down to Dubronvik in the span of 4 days in mid-July and i plan to drive along the coastline to enjoy as much as possible the scenic view. How much should i be ready to pay for tolls? Is there anything extra that i should be aware of? Also, any suggestion for city or town to stay for these days, of course Split is a good choice, but are there any other places?
Thank you :)
Peter
Check the link in the article and you can calculate your tolls ahead of time. After Split, you could stop in Gradac, great little place.
Can’t believe we need a minivan, always used my dad’s car in the past, but there are 6 of us coming this year and we need a minivan. We will be in Split and then travel to Slavonski Brod and fly out of Zagreb (so yes pick up and drop off are not the same) for 2 weeks in August. Any suggestions on our best option for an affordable minivan rental?
Did you click the link and get the quotes from Rental car? They aggregate all the best deals. But you better hurry, things for August could already be all booked (and you won’t find any great deals now sadly).
Hi, great and informative blog – thanks.
I was trying to book a rental car through the aggregator on your website. As we have a few weeks available, I thought of driving from Dubrovnik to Prague or Budapest in May 2018. There were no cars available on searching. Do you think this is because I’m taking the car through several borders or could be related to my age (75)?
Yes, for cross border car rental is problematic – you need to phone them directly.
Helpful information….i really approve it.
Hi. Thanks for the information that the standard issue Croatia green card issued with cars rented in Croatia covers Bosnia and Montenegro. I have rented a car and the conditions state: “Vehicles are allowed to go to EU countries, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland, and Norway. It is NOT ALLOWED to go to Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine. Cross Border charges: EUR 45 per rental.” I have looked at the website you linked to but can’t find a clear statement that confirms your advice that such extra charges are not necessary/allowed. Could you provide more detailed info I can take with me in case this comes up when I collect the car? Thanks
The company can charge you what they like for car rental – but to cross into Bosnia, you do not need to pay for the green card.
Really love your blog! Have used it almost every day the last week for planning our week in Croatia.
last year, my husband and i were in Belgrade, Serbia.. we were in city centered hotel.. but we have decided to rent a car so we can see all the city.. we rente4d it in i recommend all of them… this year, for New year, we are going in CRO
Hi,
Great tips.
I always rent a car with rentalcars.com. I agree, It’s very simple and with their full insurance, I never had a problem.
But did you know its insurance appears to exclude any carelessness or negligence or in breach of a traffic law (even unintentionally?) which appears to exclude any accident when you are at fault
I have never heard of such a thing – that is what the insurance is for.
Wow, it seems like you described everything for car rental and driving in Croatia. Who loves traveling and driving will must appreciate this post.
Hi
We are staying in Tucepi. We are thinking of going to the Krka National Park and places like Dubrovnik. Would you suggest hiring a car? The cost of the car I am looking at is £92 for 6 days, so with petrol etc, on top, is it going to cost us a lot extra?
Thanks for your help!
Debbie
Perhaps look at a transfer instead? https://octopustransferscroatia.com/
I’m visiting Croatia for the first time in July – flying to Split and heading up to near Sibernik for a week. As a UK driver it will obviously take some getting used to driving on the right – and as such I’m a little worried about the initial drive from Split airport, probably in the dark, while I get used to everything. Just wondering what it is like when leaving the airport – how busy are the roads/ how well signposted is the route to Sibernik etc? Also, how useful is sat nav in Croatia? I did wonder about getting a taxi and then hiring a car from Sibernik if the airport drive is likely to be too manic?
You will be fine, lots of signs, and GPS works a treat – so def bring that with you (don’t rely on the company to have it, as they always run out in my experience).
Thanks for the info, just have a question? Do all the car rental companies charge the large damage deposit to your credit card? Can it be avoided with our own rental car insurance?
Also, has anyone had any trouble getting the deposit back?
Yes they do – contact them to ask about your insurance, but I do not think so.
Hi SJ, Very nice blog, Well done keep it up. It is really very helpful information. I’m pleased to read you blog. Amazing tips simply awesome. Hope to get more spectacular stuff from you in future as well.
Hi, just wondering if we hire a car in Croatia is it ok to drive to Budapest and back? Will we need any special paperwork?
Some companies allow it – others not. You need to check with them to be sure.
Lots of great info here. We are thinking of renting a car and driving from Zagreb to Split. About how much longer should it be to take the coastal road vs the A1? Thanks.
Around, an extra 60 mins or so. Happy travels.
Hi, we are thinking of renting a car from Zagreb to Dubrovnik and also drive up to Postojna Cave and back Plitvice Lakes and keep the journey. Wondering if the car can drive in Slovenia or need any special documents to cross the border?
Thanks
We are going to Korcula for 2 nights from Split then Dubrovnik for 2 nights. We then fly home from Dubrovnik. We would like a car in Korcula and debating whether to keep the car for Dubrovnik. I was thinking of staying in Dub old town so parking I assume is costly. Other option is private transfer to Dub fir my family of 5. What do you think?
Def do not get a car for Dubrovnik, that is a huge mistake. No parking (and expensive when you find it), plus you just do not need a car there. Happy Travels.
You didn´t list our company: DOLLAR – THRIFTY.
Cool, thanks. I just added it.
I was wondering if it is better to rent a car in Zagreb rather than at the Zagreb airport? It is generally less pricy in the U.S. to rent a car in the City rather than at the airport.
Any advice you can give me on this question is most appreciated.
Kind regards.
You may save some money, but then you’ll spend money getting to the city – so it would be pointless.
Another helpful post, you really have saved us so much planning. Thanks
Thank you for these tips! Driving in Croatia has been so easy so far!
Great information! Just a quick question, we are a family of 4 travelling around the Makarska region for a week in July. My husband is wanting to bring his road bike along. What car would you recommend us renting? And is there any way to rent a bike rack through any of the agencies? Thank you!
I have never heard of any offering that, I would say leave your bike at home and just stick to the beach. Traffic is hectic in July, why risk riding it.
Hey guys, thanks for the great info. We’re planning on flying to Dubrovnik, renting a car and visiting Montenegro and then Theth in Albania. I know you said going to Mont is fine, but any issues crossing the border from Mont to Alb?
Thanks a lot,
Niel
You really should check with the car rental agencies – they all vary.
Will do, thanks
I will never forget the Croatian nature, its golden beaches, beautiful women, magnificent waterfalls. I was there only once in transit, but the country stayed for a long time in my heart.
Lots of great info here! Thanks! We are traveling mid June for 10 days from Dub to Drvenik (taking ferry to HVAR) then ending in Split. We have 5 adults and luggage – what’s the smallest car we could get away with? Is mid June crazy there or not too bad?
You need an MPV at a minimum.
One subject I don’t see mentioned – what about the extra insurance car companies try to sell you? What do you recommend as “enough” insurance.
Thanks!!
For me, that would be the lowest excess.
Thanks for sharing….
Hi, I will be spending 10 days in Croatia in late May-early June, it’s a dream trip that I have been planning for over 10 years—as you can imagine, I am super excited! I found your blog a couple months ago—love it—and have been using it to learn about all things Croatian.
I have a question, regarding car hire. We have booked a car, but typically I don’t go for the extra insurance coverage because my credit card company offers additional coverage. But, was wondering what your take on this would be. Should we buy the additional coverage? We booked through RentalCars.com btw, using your link. Thanks!
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Enjoy the trip!! I would ask your insurance company, provided they cover you for everything needed – why spend the cash. Sretan put.
We booked a car through a smaller company but had to cancel since their policy doesn’t allow taking the car to Montenegro?!
Also, they charged 50euro for the Neum passage…
When reading your excellent information I get the impression that taking the car to both Montenegro and the Neum passage should be fine.
I’ll try to book directly with your suggestion.
We are planning to pickup a car in Zagreb and drive to split and then on to Dubravnik and then back to split ( our flight leaves from there). We are travelling with 1 adult, 1 senior and 2 teenagers. We are also planning to take a go to Hvar for a couple of days. Do you recommend taking our car on the car ferry or should we just pick up a car in Hvar? Will we find a place to leave the car in Split?
100% take the car with you :D Parking in Split sucks ass, and you’ll need it from the ferry port.
Hi ! I am travelling with my daughters and would not have opted for renting a car except it seems to be the only sensible thing to do from split to Zagreb via plitvice( to avoid long bus journey ) I am not comfortable with left hand drive and was wondering if the roads are ok? Is there a lot of traffic ? Mid June is when I will do this bit
Why not get a driver? Our company does this https://www.octopustransferscroatia.com/
The roads are fine, and yes, there will be traffic – there is already traffic now. But, if you come from a big city like Sydney the traffic will be a breeze.
Hi ! I was planning to rent a car in Zagreb and drive it to Split over 7 days. Would it be wise to drop off the car in Split before embarking on a tour of the islands? (Kvar, Brac, Korkula) Would be flying back to Zagreb from Split after the islands
It depends on your plans while on the islands. If you plan to stay in one spot and swim, sure you do not need the car. But, if you want to explore the islands, a car is handy. Just be sure to look at car ferries and not the catamarans :D
Great information. Thanks for sharing.
We are renting a car in Zagreb but wish to drive through Slovenia. Any problems with rental companies or border crossings?
Check with your rental company to make sure it’s in your contract / insurance.
I’m thinking of hiring a car in Zagreb and driving to Split and spending a week in Split and another week in Dubrovnik, then driving back to Zagreb.
Are there places to park the car for free (or inexpensive), in Split and Dubrovnik?
Do the hotels offer free parking?
No, sorry. No chance.
Your post is great, thank you for sharing this
I will be renting my car in Dubrovnik and driving up the coast. Since I’m traveling alone and (excuse my nievete if this is nothing to worry about) my family is somewhat concerned that I have to cross the Bosnian border to go from Dubrovnik up the coast. Is there a legitimate concern? Is there anything to know about crossing that border?
Any advise would be so appreciated!
-An unaware American
Everything you need to know is in this post ^^. You will have no issues at all. Happy travels.
I’m very excited about my trip to Croatia. This was a plan of 2 years, and finally, it is happening. I must say you have covered really nice points for the Croatia driving. Thanks again. :)
Hi we are driving from Hungary and need to know about the Toll Roads. Are they all payable in cash at a Toll Booth, or do we need an electronic “e-tag” in the car?
In Croatia, you can pay in cash. I have no clue about Hungary.
We are scheduled to drop off our rental at the Split airport. Is there a designated rental car drop off area, and if so where exactly is it? From what I have read on another forum, there is no designated rental car drop off area. You have to just park the car somewhere that you hope is a safe spot and then go into the airport to track down someone from your rental car company to come out and look the car over. Is this true?
Best to ask the rental company you booked through, and they can advice you direct.
Hi! These are great tips. We’ll be in Croatia late September this year. One question: does the Waze app work in Croatia?
Sorry, I have no idea what that app is.
This is very informative for all who wants to hire or rent a car.
I intend to pick up the car in Zagreb n drive to Slovenia for a few days n continue my journey thru Croatia again going to Bosnia before heading back to Zagreb.
Will it incur high fees to cross the border betw Croatia n Slovenia though I’m dropping the car at the same pick up point?
You have to ask – some companies do not allow it.
In will be visiting your country Croatia in June of 2019. I wish to rent a car and I am 71 years old .Can you tell me what the additional charges will be for the surcharge for my age ? I m in good health, valid drivers license,I can provide paper work to prove I am accident free for years.
It’s really best to ask directly as these change from provider-to-provider. Enjoy.
I am traveling by rental car between Montenegro and Dubrovnik via an Airbnb in Bosnia. I need to be on the 7:30am ferry in Dubrovnick and Google maps suggests the drive from my Airbnb in Bosnia takes 45min. Would this take into account how long a border crossing might take and potential peak time in July
No, it does not – that border can get busy, so I’d travel across the border the day before to be safe.
Hello,
I am wondering is US baby carseats/booster seats will work in the rental cars in Croatia. Do you have any tips/ideas related to this? Thanks for your help!
Thanks,
Dave
Sorry, I do not know. I have never seen US car seats.
I have held the driving license for one year but for some rent car websites, they request for two year; some of them request for one year only. Is it really okay for one year only?
Contact the companies direct as those policies change all the time.
Thank you so much for this post! It’s incredibly informative, and answers many of the biggest Croatian rental car questions that I’ve been wondering.
I was hoping you could provide some insight into one thing that I’ve been going back and forth on. We’re planning to fly into Split this summer, then spend a few nights in Vis, then drive up to Zadar and ultimately make our way to Rovinj. We know we’d like to have a car in Vis, so we’re debating between these two options:
1. Renting a car as soon as we land in Split and keeping it with us for the duration of the trip. If we go with this option, we’d take the car with us on a ferry to Vis and back.
2. Not renting a car immediately upon arrival (since our time in Split will be mostly spent walking), renting a car during our time in Vis, and then renting a separate car once we finish up in Vis to drive to Zadar and then Rovinj. It seems like parking in Split can be pretty difficult, so I’m wondering if this might alleviate some of the headaches that could come with that.
Any suggestions you could offer would be greatly appreciated! Having this all as a resource is remarkably helpful as we plan our trip.
Very nice blog and tips – thanks so much, this helped immensely.
Hi, looking to rent a car in Croatia but i am reading some very poor reviews from customers of all the companies it seems. around ‘ damage’ scams mostly, rude service staff and excess charges on credit cards. please recommend a company with a good reputation IN Croatia? the big world wide companies maybe don’t realise what is being done by their fanchises in Croatia?
Use rental cars – http://www.rentalcars.com/Home.do?affiliateCode=chasingdonkey&preflang=en&adcamp=link&adplat=offline
I was facing a lot of problems during my last visit to Croatia. I hope after going through this content I will not face such problems again. Thanks a lot for this informative piece of content.
I have held the driving license for one year but for some rent car websites, they request for two year is this allow?
Yes, companies can have whatever rules they like, so it’s a good thing you are checking.
Hi, I’m planning a driving trip in June from Split to Dubrovnik hoping to have a few days in split, a few in Dubrovnik and a week driving on islands. We are traveling with another family and have a total of three children (11months – 3 years old) between us. Which islands would be the best for kids? Hoping to get some advice! Thank you so much.
Alison
Here are a few suggestions for you Alison: https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/island-hopping-croatia-best-croatian-islands/ and https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/5-family-friendly-islands-in-zadar-region/ and also https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/best-beaches-in-croatia/
I have two questions. I want to take my rental car on the local ferry from Split to Vela Luka but they said you cannot make advanced reservations. Is 3 hours ahead to line up adequate? Also, I am driving from Dubrovnik to Kotor staying in Kotor 3days and then returning to Dubrovnik. Does Sixt charge a fee for the Green Card that is required?
Yes, three hours will be plenty. As for the green card, that should be zero charge.
Thanks so much this was very helpful for us, can you tell me do car rental companies offer automatic cars?
Yes they do, but not so many – so book very early to not miss out.
very nice, that is very helpful for me!!
I have found this article very useful. Thanks for providing us such nice informative post.
Great post. Thanks for sharing. A lot of useful info in comments as well.
How about using a mobile while driving?
Is it allowed or you might be fined?
I’m mean mostly for navigation, not for talking, that obviously dangerous.
Thank you for your very informative post on renting a car in Croatia. What I am very confused is the green card, according to your post, it should be free and the rental car company should not be charging for this. However, when I checked on rentalcar.com or autoeurope.com, all of the car rental suppliers seemed to charge a fee for it varying from 30 euro to 70 euro? I had clicked onto the link that you provided regarding to the Green Card, but can’t find much information regarding to it should be free of charge? We are planning to go to Kotor for a day trip. What can I do to avoid the ‘compulsory cross boarder charges’ imposed by the rental company?
YES, lots of companies try to charge for it. Your choice is to pay or find one who doesn’t. It’s not illegal for them to charge, so many will make money selling you one.
I rented a car in UNI-RENT. I picked it up in Dubrovnik and had to give it back in Zagreb. I decided to pay for full coverage insurance as they recommended to me because I was also going to Bosnia and I did not want to have any problem in my holidays. When they gave me the car, they told to me that I should call the office if the tyre or the front glass got broken and that I should call the police in case of a collision. I thought everything was quite reasonable.
When I gave the car back in Zagreb I told them that I had done a small scratch in the back side of the car when parking in a natural park in Bosnia. It was a small scratch and I had paid for the full coverage insurance so I thought I was covered… but they charged me with an extra amount of 1000 kunas for that small scratch although I had paid the full coverage insurance. They gave me no option but paying that extra amount. I did not understand it and asked why. One of UNI-RENT workers was pretty rude to me and shouted to me saying that I should have called the police for that scratch although I was in the countryside where there were no policemen… I told him that I still had time enough for calling the police because I was giving the car back earlier than arranged and he answered to me in a rude way saying that I could do that but that I should be careful in the way I explained the accident to the police. That´s not the way to answer back… and anyway, it was not an accident or a collision, it was just a scratch an I finally did not call the police. I travel a lot and you have to call the police to explain a scratch nowhere.
I tried to think over this situation with other workers – that was very polite to me)-. I told to him that it was not an accident and asked him to show me any document in which I could read any definition of what UNI-RENT considers as a car accident because it is not defined in the document I signed. The only document they showed to me was the brochure in paper that the company uses to advertise its services in which you can read: “Every damage on the vehicle shall be reported to the police, which shall be asked to make a report on the road accident or damage”. The only problem is that this brochure is just an ad and is not part of the General Conditions in which neither accident or damage are defined. I paid for the full coverage insurance and I feel UNI-RENT cheated on me as they charged to me an amount for an insignificant scratch when I was supposed to be covered.
Althought it was not a big amount, I felt UNI-RENT cheated on me and that´s what I do not understand. I asked for the Claim Sheet because I didn´t feel ok with what was happening and they told to me that they used it some time ago but that they don´t use it anymore (isn´t it compulsory for any business?).
They told to me that I should write to an e-mail address in case I wanted to claim for anything. I don´t think this is the way… maybe I should have called the police for this then.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND HIRING A CAR WITH UNI-RENT AT ALL
Thank you for your post, it has been really helpful as well as the whole site. However, I am still rather confused about the car rental in Croatia.
I am visiting next year in September and the plan is to flight into Dubrovnik and rent a car for the duration. I will be staying in Dubrovnik for 5 days and then travelling to Montenegro for a further 5 days. The full cover insurance and cross border fee is still leaving me rather confused.
Can you recommend the best car hire company that does charge for cross border fee and includes full cover? Would you recommend collecting the car from the Airport or downtown Dubrovnik?
Many thanks :)
You don’t need a car in Dubrovnik, there is no place to park. Just get a transfer to Montenegro and rent the car there.
My family and I are visiting Croatia this next summer.(July 2020) I have a few travel questions i hope you can answer. Our flight to Dubrovnik arrives at 7:30 p.m. We are staying in Kotor,Montenegro the first few days.Do you know what the border crossing time is like in the evening and how long of a wait we may expect.Would it be ebst to cross early the next morning/ Also, we are driving from Dubrovnik to Split .Is it feasible to drive on a Friday afternoon ? How long of a wait at the border crossings could I expect in July if i am driving in the afternoon or early evening? When is the best time to leave Dubrovnik to avoid hours of delay at the brorder crossing?
Hi! We are renting a car in Dubrovnik. Staying at the Pucić Palace. Is there a rental car company close by or will they deliver our car to us at the hotel?
Also we are returning our car in Split and jumping on a ferry to go to Hvar (without the car). What car rental places are close to the port of Split? Thanks so much!
Just use uber to get to and from the car rental -and that way you can take the cheapest deal you find, no matter the location.
Hi, I have booked a rental car from Pula airport for a week, during this week I want to travel to Slovenia for a couple of days, the Rental company want to charge me 125 euros for a border crossing( ie green card) do I have to pay for this??
Ultimately car companies can charge what they like, it’s illegal for them to add extra fees. It’s up to you to pay it – or find an alternative provider who does not charge.
Good bloge
VERY VERY GOOD
Thanks for sharing this wonderful knowledge. It’s really great article and very helpful. It’s great one.
Many thanks for the detailed blog posting! I really found it helpful for our trip planning
Thanks a lot for sharing this article it was hellpful.
This is not a term we use in the US (dipped headlights). Can you clarify what you are saying? i.e. off during the day and on at night?
Another good car rental in Croatia tip is that, as a rule, headlights should be used at night and in instances when the visibility on the road is less than 100 meters. From October to March, the law requires that dipped headlights are used during daylight hours.
It’s the lowest lights – not the highest setting (high beams). Happy driving.
I’ve always wanted to go to All over the country and now I really want to go!! Very good guide, thanks for sharing!
If you’re thinking of renting a car, you will have to think of the pickup and dropping date and time as well as the type of car you need. However, choosing the right car takes some good thought regarding the purpose you will need the car for and the location you need to drive at.
I’m from US, and have an IPhone . I was wondering if Apple Maps will work in Croatia. Do I need and international plan?
I have never tried to use it, as we use Google maps when we travel ana place. That said, I found this that say ye sit works https://www.apple.com/hr/newsroom/2023/04/apple-brings-new-map-to-austria-croatia-czechia-hungary-poland-and-slovenia