Car hire in Croatia

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Want to Rent a Car in Croatia? Here’s What You Should Know:

Car hire in Croatia

Croatia is a wonderful and unique miniature country located in the Balkans in the middle of mountains, forests and the sea. This is a pearl country with a rich history, nature, unique cuisine and cities, located on the Adriatic coast. But besides these, there are other treasures. Every year this country pleases tourists with this. Croatia can be visited almost at any time of the year, but it is better near the coast due to the warm and unique Mediterranean climate.

Since the country is quite tiny - only 56,600 km2, you can comfortably travel both by public transport and by car. In Croatia, relatively low prices for car rental.

Croatia 1

About renting a car in Croatia.

As already mentioned, Croatia is better travel in a rented car. You will be more comfortable and more convenient, you have the right to choose where to stay.

What do you need to provide to the rental company? First of all, these are international or national driving licenses, a bank card (best of all, a credit card), an experience of 2 years, age of 21 years, a voucher (if the reservation is made online). In some companies, the age is required from 25 years. Therefore, carefully read the terms of the lease.

Rent a car in advance: via the Internet or by phone. In the high season, free cars are simply not to be found. The main places for renting cars: airports and railway stations. Upon receipt of the car, be sure to check it for defects. Pay attention to fuel policy.

What is worth seeing.

Croatia is very rich in beautiful nature and culture. Therefore, you can easily find a place to your liking. You should start, of course, with the capital of Croatia - Zagreb. The city was founded at the end of the 11th century, therefore, lovers of medieval architecture, you are here! Of the sights, of course, there are Zagreb Cathedral, Mimar Museum, Medvedgrad, City Gate and Lotrsczak Tower, Basilica Sacred Heart of Jesus, Maksimir Park. The largest ski resort Sljeme is also located here.

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The Croatian capital is located in the center of the country, so there are two options for where to go further: to the east or to west.

In the west is the coast of the Adriatic Sea - the pearl of Croatia. Visit cities such as Dubrovnik, Zadar , Split, Rijeka, Pula. These cities are based on typical Mediterranean architecture.

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On the way to these cities, you can see beautiful Croatian forests. They are located in the Plitvice Lakes National Park. It is located about 100 km from Zagreb. Unique nature, isolation from the bustle of the city… What else do you need for happiness?

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In the east of the country there are the cities of Slavonski Brod, Osijek, Virovitica. They are less fabulous, but also worthy of attention.

The Best Road Trip Destinations in Croatia

Croatia, with its stunning coastline, historic cities, and picturesque landscapes, is an ideal country to explore by a rented car. A road trip through this Balkan gem offers travelers the freedom to discover hidden gems and popular attractions at their own pace. Here are some of the best destinations to include in your Croatian road trip itinerary:

1. Dubrovnik

Start your journey in the "Pearl of the Adriatic." Dubrovnik's ancient city walls, limestone streets, and breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea make it a must-visit destination. Don't miss the opportunity to walk along the city walls and take a cable car ride for panoramic views.

2. Split

Drive north along the coast to reach Split, home to the impressive Diocletian's Palace. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a living museum where you can wander through ancient Roman ruins and enjoy vibrant cafes and shops.

3. Plitvice Lakes National Park

Head inland to experience the natural wonder of Plitvice Lakes. This national park boasts a series of 16 terraced lakes connected by waterfalls, surrounded by lush forests. Park your rental car and explore the wooden walkways that wind through this magical landscape.

4. Istrian Peninsula

Drive to the heart-shaped Istrian Peninsula, known for its charming hilltop towns, truffles, and excellent wines. Visit Rovinj, a picturesque coastal town, and explore the inland villages of Motovun and Grožnjan.

5. Zadar

Return to the coast and visit Zadar, famous for its unique sea organ and Sun Salutation installation. Enjoy spectacular sunsets and explore the city's Roman and Venetian ruins.

Tips for Your Croatian Road Trip

  • Plan your route in advance, but be flexible for unexpected discoveries.
  • Book accommodations ahead, especially during peak season.
  • Be prepared for toll roads and keep some cash handy.
  • Always carry your driver's license and rental car documents.
  • Take breaks to enjoy the scenic viewpoints along the coastal roads.

A road trip through Croatia offers an unforgettable experience, combining history, nature, and culture. With your own vehicle, you can explore at your own pace and create lasting memories of this beautiful country. Remember to check local driving regulations and enjoy the freedom of the open road in Croatia!

For more information on Croatian destinations, visit the official Croatian tourism website.

Peculiarities of traffic rules in Croatia.

When you travel to another country, you definitely need to take into account the peculiarities of traffic rules. If you have chosen comfort and are traveling around this beautiful country by car, then you should know that Croatia is no exception. Although the rules of the road differ little from Europe, there is its own originality and chips. You also need to pay attention to the character of local drivers. Naturally, there are toll roads in the country, the driver must be sober, with an international driver's license. Croatia is a country with right-hand traffic. In general, the rules are similar to other European countries. Main features:

  • ban on the use of radar detectors;
  • permissible blood alcohol content for persons is 0.5 ppm;
  • children under 3 must be transported in the front seat in special seats with their backs to the movement with the airbag deactivated in a special seat;
  • children from 3 to 5 years old are transported in the rear seats in special restraint systems;
  • children from 5 years are transported in the back seat in special seats;
  • talking on the phone while driving is possible only on speakerphone;
  • dipped headlights must always be on from the last Sunday in October until the last Sunday Martha. The rest of the time - only in poor visibility, in a tunnel or at night.

In Croatia, fines for traffic violations are relatively high. For example, for drunk driving, the sanction ranges from 132 to 2000 €. For an unfastened seat belt - 66 €. For the use of radar detectors - 264 €. Of course, this is less than in Spain or France, but also unpleasant.

About the speed limit.

Carefully study the speed limit in Croatia. Its observance will save you from unnecessary expenses and nerves. The main points are presented below. Be aware that there are many control systems on the roads. Driving regulations:

  • maximum speed in towns and cities — 50 km/h;
  • outside cities and towns — 90 km/h;
  • on highways — 110 km/h;
  • on toll highways — from 60 km/h to 130 km/h.

About roads.

Croatia has both toll roads and free roads.

  • Croatian free roads mainly pass through settlements, through fields and mountains, near beaches, restaurants and cafes. These roads are the most picturesque, as traffic is slow on them. Driving along them, you will see all the Croatian nature and history.
  • Toll roads in Croatia are mostly motorways. They are in excellent condition and good quality. They are owned by three owners: Hrvatske autoceste, Bina Istra and Autocesta Zagreb - Macelj. The price will depend on the type of vehicle and distance. Most of the tracks belong to “Hrvatske autoceste”. Payment is made by credit card or cash. You need to take a ticket at the entrance, and pay at the exit.

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Croatian drivers.

Drivers in Croatia are quite emotional. They love to overtake and are looking for all sorts of loopholes to do it. Even on narrow and steep mountain roads. So stay as close to the lane as possible. This will save you from unnecessary nerves.

How to rent an electric car.

In Europe The electric vehicle industry is developing very well. The most popular are, of course, Tesla, Audi e-tron and Mercedes EQS, Nissan Leaf, but mostly the creation of Elon Musk. In Croatia, there are few electric car rental offices - there are more of them in neighboring Hungary. In Zagreb at the address: Radnička cesta 80 Zagreb Tower, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia. This is the local “Rent-a-Tesla”. They can rent Tesla Model S, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y. Tesla Model 3 is available in 2 trim levels: Dual motor and Standard+. The price for the first set is 160€, for the second - 130€. Tesla Model S and Tesla Model Y cost between 260€ and 195€, respectively. Please note that you need to rent a Tesla Model S for a minimum of 7 days, and for the rest - a minimum of 3 days.

About electric filling stations.

Croatia has a very developed system of electric filling stations. Most of them are located in large cities and tourist centers: Zagreb, Split, Zadar, Dubrovnik.

Good to know

Most Popular Agency

Oryx

Most popular car class

Standard

Average price

30 € / Day

Best price

21 € / Day

Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental

January
€263
February
€193
March
€179
April
€213
May
€261
June
€340
July
€386
August
€240
September
€122
October
€87
November
€198
December
€239

Popular rental locations in Croatia

Required documents for rental cars

Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!

A valid international driver's license is required!

TOP-10 car rental Tips:

Download Google maps offline

Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.

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Book a car in advance

Croatia is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.

It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.

Which car to choose

Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Audi A1 or Opel Corsa. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting Renault Megane Estate in Croatia will cost €31 per day.

What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car

Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.

The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.

Insurance recommendations

Rental companies in Croatia may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:

  • Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
  • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
  • Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
  • Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
  • Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.

If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged. Croatia 7

Check out the fuel policy

When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Croatia for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.

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Mileage without limits

The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.

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Compare conditions of different rental companies

When choosing a rental car in Croatia, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.

How to choose a rental company

It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.Croatia 10

Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Croatia are EUROPCAR with an average rating of 9.9 points and SIXT (rating - 9).

Getting a car at a rental office

Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.

Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.

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