To get the most out of Croatia, the best thing to do is set off on an adventure in your own vehicle: to drive along the Dalmatian coast, to visit the islands on the ferry schedule, and to explore the villages in the hinterland at your own pace!
Here is our practical guide to renting a car in Croatia without any stress.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
1 – Where to Rent a Car in Croatia: Top Rental Companies
Our preferred platform
Our first instinct is to check out the offers on DiscoverCars.
This platform allows us to easily compare offers from different rental companies: prices and conditions. And every time, we find good deals.
Where to take your car?
If you’re arriving by plane and heading straight out on a road trip, pick up your car at the airport. It’s easier to get the hang of driving on wide main roads than in the narrow streets of a historic city.
If you’re starting your trip by exploring a city like Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik, don’t rent a car until you’re ready to go on a road trip. You don’t need a car to get around there—the historic centers are easy to explore on foot.
Here are the largest car rental hubs in Croatia:
- Split Airport (SPU): See available deals
- Zadar Airport (ZAD): View Offers
- Zagreb Airport (ZAG): See available deals
- Dubrovnik Airport (DBV): View Offers
- Pula Airport (PUY): See available deals
When to rent a car
Croatia is a very popular destination, especially in the summer. We therefore recommend that you book as soon as you have your travel dates, so you can choose from a wider selection of cars and get the best prices! You won’t find any last-minute deals between June and September. As soon as you’ve chosen your dates, book your car!
What are the best car rental agencies in Croatia?
In Croatia, you’ll find all the major international brands at the airports in Split, Zadar, Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Pula, as well as local rental companies.
So far, we’ve had nothing but positive experiences with no problems. When you read the comments, remember that the millions of people who haven’t had any problems don’t take the time to leave comments…
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
2 – What kind of rental car should you choose for Croatia?
Our top 3 tips for choosing your car are:
- Not too wide
- A good engine
- Automatic if possible, but in Europe, you’ll find more cars with manual transmissions
What size car?
Don’t rent a car that’s too wide or too long. Roads in inland villages and on the islands can be narrow, with sharp turns along the coast. Mini, economy, and compact cars are perfectly suited for most trips.
Which engine?
Croatia has winding coastal roads and some hilly terrain in the interior, but also long stretches of well-maintained highway between Zagreb and the coast. Any engine size is suitable. For a comfortable ride on long distances, we recommend avoiding the smallest engine sizes.
Automatic or manual?
As in many European countries, most cars have manual transmissions.
Rental agencies offer automatic cars, but they’re often more expensive. And there aren’t as many of them. So book early.
On Discovercars.com, you can use the “Automatic Transmission” filter on the left if that’s a must-have for you.
WHERE TO STAY IN Croatia
See our complete selection of the best destinations in Croatia
See our tips by city:
See our recommendations by hotel type:
3 – Permits, rules and credit cards
Minimum age
The official driving age in Croatia is 18.
However, most car rental companies in Croatia require:
- be over 21 years of age
- have held a driving licence for one year or more
- additional charges apply if you are under 25 years of age
Do I need an international permit?
To drive in Croatia (for a short stay), you can use your home country’s driver’s license if:
- it has a license number,
- he has a photograph,
- it has a validity date,
- it is written in Latin letters,
European, American, Canadian, Australian… licenses are accepted.
Do I need a credit card?
The answer is “maybe”. If you rent a car without taking the 0 deductible from the rental company, they will systematically take a deposit with your credit card. Some rental companies refuse to accept debit cards. If you take out insurance that sets the deductible at zero, you don’t need a credit card.
4 – Taking out insurance
Compulsory insurance
Liability insurance is mandatory in Croatia.
It is automatically included in the price of all car rentals.
Supplements
As for supplemental coverage, it depends on your risk tolerance and your budget. On the roads along the Dalmatian coast, which are often narrow and winding, we recommend purchasing coverage that reduces your out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident.
3 main options:
Option 1
Your personal car or home insurance covers car rentals (but read the fine print, it’s rare).
Option 2
Take out the rental platform’s insurance.
Advantage: better price than the rental company’s
Disadvantage: you’ll have to leave the deposit when you pick up the car, and pay in advance in the event of damage. Since we’ve been using Discovercars, we’ve always taken their insurance. And in all cases, refunds were made within 7 days.
Option 3
Take the car rental company’s complementary service. It’s more expensive, but you won’t have to pay anything up front and you won’t have to do any paperwork in the event of damage.
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay in Croatia a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
5 – Access to rental cars
At Croatian airports, it’s generally easy to find car rental companies. The agencies are well-marked and easily accessible.
In Split, Zadar, Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Pula, the counters are located right inside the terminals or just nearby, and the cars are parked in designated parking lots very close by.
6 – Check your vehicle on pick-up
Checking the car
If you’ve taken the rental company’s complementary service to set the excess to zero, there’s no need to check the condition of the car, but make sure you’ve got the essentials.
Otherwise, for your peace of mind, we recommend that you walk around the car, take photos of any damage, and notify the agency if it is not noted in the car pickup document.
Please note:
- fuel level and mileage, that they correspond to the file
- the entire exterior of the car to detect dents and scratches
- on the roof – It’s often forgotten, but it may be checked on your return.
- below the bumpers
- rearview mirrors
- inside
- tire condition
- the condition of the wing (mud wing above the wheels)
- spare wheel (if applicable, as fewer and fewer cars have a spare wheel)
Mandatory in-car equipment
In Croatia, the following equipment must be available:
- Warning triangle (mandatory)
- Reflective vest (mandatory)
- Spare tire, puncture repair kit, or run-flat tire (required)
- First-aid kit (recommended but optional)
- Flashlight (recommended but optional)
- Fire extinguisher (recommended but optional)
Find out more about toll management
There are tolls in Croatia, particularly on the A1 highway connecting Zagreb to the Dalmatian coast.
You can pay in cash or by card. Therefore, you do not need a pass or vignette from the rental company.
You are generally required to take a ticket when you enter the highway and then pay the toll at another booth when you exit.
Be sure to check the rules with your car rental company, though.
Find out about border crossings
If you plan to explore neighboring countries with the same car, be sure to check with the rental agency. It’s not always allowed, and even if it is, you’ll have to pay an extra fee to ensure your insurance coverage extends to other countries as well!
7 – Preparing to Drive in Croatia
Driving in Croatia isn’t particularly difficult, but you need to be careful on the winding coastal roads and when crossing the Bosnian border at Neum. We also recommend exercising caution in areas with heavy tourist traffic during the summer.
See our full article on driving in Croatia.
General rules
- Drive on the right side of the road
- Respect speed limits:
- In town: 50km/h
- Other roads: 70 to 90 km/h
- Highways: 130 km/h
- Blood alcohol limit: 0.05%
- Seat belts are required
- No phone use while driving
- Headlights on at all times, including during the day
Main hazards
The main dangers on Croatian roads are:
- Excessive speed
- Summer Traffic Jams on the Coast
- The narrow, winding roads along the coast
- Dangerous passing on single-lane roads
- Heavy traffic around Split and Dubrovnik during peak season
What to do in the event of an accident
If someone is injured or there is a conflict, the emergency number in Croatia is 112. The best course of action is as follows:
- contact the emergency services
- contact the police
- contact your rental provider
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Frequently asked questions
Should you rent a car in Croatia?
We highly recommend it. It allows you to freely explore the Dalmatian coast, the islands accessible by ferry, and the inland areas at your own pace.
Is it worth having a 4×4?
No, the main roads are generally well-maintained, and a standard vehicle is sufficient for the vast majority of trips.
What to do if you are fined
You are responsible for any traffic tickets issued during the rental period.
However, it can take up to 3 months for a ticket to be reported to the rental company. In that case, they will send you proof of the ticket and bill you for it, likely adding an administrative fee.
What to do if there’s a problem with the car?
Don’t lose your rental agreement.
It outlines the steps to take if you have a problem with your car.
Most rental companies offer roadside assistance, and the number will be listed on the agreement.
You can then contact the rental company to see how to arrange for a replacement car.
What is the budget required?
The price depends on the season, the type of vehicle, the booking period, and the additional insurance coverage selected. Rates are higher in the summer and more affordable during the off-season.
See the best offers on our preferred platform.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Croatia
- Best of
Top Destinations
; Most Beautiful Cities
; Most Beautiful Islands
; National Parks
- Practical advice
When to go?
How to rent a car in Croatia
Driving tips
Itineraries: Road Trip—10 Days, 2 Weeks, 3 Weeks
- The must-dos
Attractions in Dubrovnik
Attractions in Zadar
Attractions in Split
Attractions in Zagreb
Attractions in Istria
The Plitvice Lakes
