The only problem youll have is you wont be able to drive through small villages, but many of them are better to explore on foot! This part of Bosnia actually separates Croatian territory into two parts, separating the Dubrovnik region from the rest of Croatia. Happy exploring! Parking in popular destinations in Croatia can be a real hustle, and it costs money. I am trying to decide between buses or a rental car for my family of 3 (2 adults and a 3 year old). Copyright 2014-2023 MissTourist | All Rights Reserved |. And if you purchase anything using these links, we earn a little commission with no extra costs for you. This is really the question of hard negotiation with car rental companies, as they prefer (of course!) Thanks in advance for your reply, were looking forward to experiencing Croatia! Just be sure there is enough space for all your passengers and their luggage and you should be good to go! Note: Drivers from the UK need a full driving licence, their driving licence code, proof of address like a bank statement and photo ID to rent a . Do rental companies have an extra charge to take a car onto a ferry connecting to islands like Hvar and Korcula? Search Adriagate. I have an Indian Driving License but no IDP. It happened to us just this past winter in Spain. You also need a valid driving licence (more on requirements in the guide below) and a valid ID. A validdrivers license from your home country is sufficient to drive in Croatia. CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS IN CROATIA! Any suggestions to keep a 5 five year old will be appreciated. Well, that highly depends on what type of car youd like to drive and which season youll be visiting this beautiful country! We always use Rentalcars.com when searching for and booking a car online, and we highly recommend using this site. Here is a video of a fellow traveller that crossed there: You do NOT need to buy any additional insurance to cross that strip of land, but make sure your car has a green card a proof that your car has a minimum level of insurance required to be in Bosnia. If you are four or more people traveling together, you will need to rent a full-size car with a big trunk, or even a van in order to comfortably fit you and your luggage. If you dont want to pay the extra charges (it can get quite costly, actually) youll need to bring a baby seat with you, In my opinion, the GPS option is completely unnecessary as Google maps works great in the country and it is available offline if previously downloaded. The A1 motorway connects Zagreb with Ploce to the south; The A6 motorway connects Zagreb with Rijeka to the west, The A8 motorway connects Rijeka with Kanfanar in Istria (this road is mostly a 4-lane motorway although there are still a few sections with a single-carriageway road), The A9 motorway connects Pula with the Slovenian border via Kanfanar, The A3 motorway connects the Slovenian border to the west with the Serbian border to the east via Zagreb. So, what do I do with my car when I arrive at a destination? The exact amount of safety deposit for car hire Croatia depends on a vehicle, and a car rental company, but the amount usually comes to anywhere between 1.000 and 3.500 if you don't take extra insurance. Some information on this site isn't maybe completely accurate at the moment, due to the changed circumstances caused by coronavirus pandemic. Campings in Croatia are awesome, well-equipped, and youll find them all along the coast. Depending on the length of time rented, daily rates ranged from $41 to $75. Additional Fees for Car Rentals in Croatia, 6. The vieeeews! 1. Just take a look at the above picture wouldnt you want to rent a car and drive along that beautiful coastline? EasyRent. What route do you recommend taking? I will be coming from Venice. Any suggestions? So, youll only need to apply for an international drivers license if your current drivers license is not written in Latin letters. Fifty-five percent of executives are very or extremely concerned about labour shortages, according to KPMG. They are brokers and work with all major car rental companies in Croatia. Youll feel much more independent without feeling like you need to rely on anyone else. I still dont understand why this happens, but it apparently happens all the time. Thanks for the great tips! We will be traveling around 3 weeks and will also travel to Slovenia. No issues crossing over to Slovenia with a car rental Croatia as Slovenia is a member of EU. Besides sea and beaches with beautiful islands there are also many beautiful places that you can look after which lies in country side. Their prices are competitive, and what's even better, you have all offers in one place, and you can easily compare them, and shop for the best car rental Croatia deal. This post might also contain affiliate links to other sites, like accommodation or activities. Its possible to arrange it, but youll pay extra. Is it anything to worry about, have you heard of ant issues getting it back? Every car company has different rules when it comes to cross-country car hire, and they approach every rental individually. There are a few situations that we can think of where you'll be better off without a car. My husband and I are planning a 10 day trip to Croatia in June and were trying to figure out our itinerary. Can we do it? Hi Im Yulia! If you choose to rent a car at the airport, it usually will often cost more as the car rental company has to pay extra for a license to operate at the airport. Any car in Croatia need to be insured, and green card (needed for traveling to non-EU countries like Montenegro and Bosnia) comes with the basic car insurance. The average cost over the course of the entire year is 29. you dont need to purchase additional insurance if your credit card provides the coverage. During these times the weather is sunny and warm, which means youll be able to stop off at the best beaches and lakes for a refreshing swim. This concerns me; heaven forbid I hurt someone in an accident and they want to sue!! The Tasmanian Government stepped in, offering a $1,000 Hire and Drive Reimbursement grant to encourage Tassie locals to consider sharing their cars. In some cases it may be better to rent a car from a company situated near your hotel and pick up the car only once youve settled in. Queues at borders can be long, particularly in high season (July, August), from my experience I would count an hour between Croatia and Bosnia in Neum, and another hour at Croatia-Montenegro border. insist that the car rental company gives you this paper. So i wonder whether they charge the additional costs as well when i just use the Croatia Bosnia corridor in order to visit Dubrovnik? There are many others throughout the country, but those are the ones with the heftiest toll fees. There is also this app it operates in over 60 Croatian cities, can help you find the closest parking to your location and you can also pay for the spot online, too! However, try to be firm and insist on using the green card, and refuse to pay extra. How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car in Croatia? If you are below 21 years of age, you'll still be able to rent a car in Croatia. A/C is a must-have as summers here are really hot. Hello,Frank and Vera.Nice information.Thanks.We are a family of four,none of us can drive.We are looking for a car to take us from Split to Dubrovnik stopping at Mostar (to save a day and a day trip)but all I find is that I can save money only if one person skips as a silly rule that car or van can have only 3 persons or less or next 8 persons or less paying exorbitant amounts.Please point me to some cheaper alternatives.My time is also limited for me to allow me to travel by bus. Oryx is a company based in Zagreb but with offices all over Croatia. Can it be avoided with our own rental car insurance proof? Ive booked a car through rentalcars, and Ive also decided to buy the Full Protection cover with them, though a friend warned me that at the car rental office (itll be with Alamo), that there they will try to sell me Ferry insurance as well. We are heading over in October.. to the lokva rogocznica area I believe, looking forward to getting out and about. This is not true the green card is enough. However, car rental in many places is still surprisingly cheap. Buses are ok if travelling to Dalmatia, but not on islands or in Istria. We figured as we had prepaid for the car this would be covered. If you prefer to book directly with a car rental company, as opposed to renting through a broker, you'll find all major international car rental companies in Croatia. 2) We were also told for our week long rental which I had already paid for insurance through Expedia, that we would really need to buy two additional insurances (one was car body, the other for tire damage) or they could charge us for small scratches etc. If you only plan to stay in big towns like Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik, you'll probably be better off without a car. Shop around! RECOMMENDED CAR TYPE: Though this is not the most common type of vacation for Croatia, if youre going to be heading on an off-road adventure, be sure to let the rental company know about it, as extra insurance will be applicable. i would like to rent a car in split; what is the closest rental car pickup/dropoff location to the downtown area? Also, to get the lower security deposit/hold should the extra insurance be purchased from the rental company or would the insurance offered though the broker site recommended in the article result in the lower credit hold? Any other thing should I take into account? Enjoy your driving in Croatia! While Croatia is a small country, it's also pretty long. Do you have any advice about this issue? I recommend driving a mini Fiat 500 or a Fiat Punto as they can easily navigate the tiny back roads without any hassle. The company was the Gold Car, thanks for asking! It does not matter what country you are renting your car in, before driving the car out of the lot, its important to do a few checks: NOTE: Do not forget to refill your tank when returning the car. Well be making an overnight stop at Velika Kladusa in Bosnia on our way. In New South Wales, the average daily cost of a rental car listed on Kayak between December 1 and January 31 was 72 per cent more expensive compared to the same time last year. It means you have greater flexibility if you want to rebook later. I am positive is has to do with the illiquidity of the lending market ie banks lending to companies. I also listed 2 prices for high and low season, so youre prepared no matter what time of year youre traveling! The company has offices in all major Croatian towns, including Zagreb, Split, Zadar, Rijeka, Pula, and Dubrovnik. Why Hire a Car in Croatia 1. Ive never been to Croatia but it is definitely on my destination list. However, you will need to pay a cross-border fee. A credit card is mandatory when renting a car in Croatia. PRICE: HRK 200 (US $29.5) HRK 227 (US $ 33.5) per day. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. (And the last time no one checked for the green card at those borders the ones around Neum). Dont even ask why this is the case, as it makes no sense to me. Rather, get up a little speed before the hill and keep a steady pace going up. With our secure online booking system you can search the cheapest prices online for Car Hire Croatia. Having the convenience of your own transportation makes a huge difference when traveling in Croatia! If youll be traveling out of Croatia, make sure the car rental company allows cross border travel. Here are the very few rental companies that charge a senior driver fee in some countries. Austria isn't quite so bad, but after the Nordics and Switzerland it is probably the most expensive country in Europe. But seriously, just follow common sense rules and you will be fine! from Zagreb to Split is about 200 kunas (~US $30). a VW Golf) for a week this summer (27 July - 3 August 2019), across all destinations . You mentioned that you should be able to drive a croatian car rental into Bosnia and Montenegro with no further insurance other than a green card. Motorways are marked with the letter A, while motorway road signs are always green in color. You want to have enough time to do paperwork, and inspect the car (to avoid any hidden charges for sudden damages). Have you heard of them and are they okay? how much the parking costs and how easy is it to find it depends on the season, the city, distance to the center, etc. You generally don't need to worry about driving in Croatia as the road infrastructure is great here. Copyright 2023 | Built on Wordpress using Generatepress Theme | Web Hosting by WPX Hosting, Where to go in Croatia: 16 Places Not To Miss, Driving in Croatia: All You Need to Know Before You Go, Travel Croatia on Budget: Money-saving Tips. If you are planning to do a longer road trip and you are thinking of going to other EU countries by car, the green card insurance will also be enough (oh, the beauty of the EU!). Well-established international rent a car company with 15 branch offices all over Croatia, from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, Enterprise is a rent a car Croatia company that maintains a good review score for both, the quality of the cars and staff efficiency. Better safe than sorry! The average price to hire a car in Croatia is just 56.80 per day, whilst the most expensive hire car in Croatia is a Mercedes GLE car for a (premium) class from Green motion costing 658.20 per day. What do you think of these two issues? I have a question regarding car hire companies.. which company is the best to use in split airport? Hello. But its just a bad luck, for the most time car rental goes fine. Ive noticed that Croatian car rental companies do not offer PLI coverage that compares with, say, the UK or USA. This piece of document proves that your car has at least a minimum level of insurance required and it is recognized and accepted by different European countries. Also, if you are a US citizen, check Bonzah, they offer pretty good prices too! Do all/most of the companies allow this, or are there certain rental companies that are better for these pick-up/drop-off locations? And if you head south youll end up driving on this road sooner or later. Do you have any good companies that youve personally used in the city and not the airport of Dubrovnik? You can rent a car in Dubrovnik and drive to Montenegro, or take your car rental from Croatia to Bosnia and back. I`m trying to find a car rental company that allows border crossings to as many Balkan countries as possible. They have many highways and the views you can catch from a simple 10 km road trip are stunning! I recall seeing a comment on another website regarding a requirement the the credit card have raised/embossed characters. Of course, every company charges different rates, so youll have to do a lot of comparing to find the best and least expensive car hire. My son would need the car to get back to the airport in Zagreb. I booked a rental with enterprise for my holiday on Oct 11th. Last week of June our family (mum, dad & two teens) have a quick trip to Croatia from NZ for our sons sport. The first time they absolutely claimed we had to pay for the green card (and we were going from Dubrovnik to both Bosnia and Montenegro so we bought it). You can arrange different pick-up and drop-off locations. So, again, to have your car rental sitting in a parking lot makes no sense. The simple answer is No! When planning your road-trip, use this site to schedule which stations youll need to stop at along the way. You can get international drivers licence in AAA office for about $30. Would love your advice on how Croatian rental car companies compare to international companies when it comes to renting a car in Croatia and driving to Hungary, Slovenia and Italy before returning in Croatia: Book as far in advance as possible! Do not try to take off or stop in any hurry. 2. if yes, can it be done through the rental company? So thats why Im worried. Thanks for the blog. It should have been arranged in advance (IMO). For the latest news how coronavirus influences travel in Croatia, and what measurements we are taking, check our Visiting Croatia in times of Covid-19 post. Thanks Peter. I dont want them telling us we need to return the car if we arent ready. It's worth booking online even a few hours before you go to pick the car up. However, if youre not afraid of a little cold, and dont want to hit the tourist hotspots, winter just might be the perfect time to head to the coast of Croatia. All roads are asphalted, and wide enough, with clear road signs. Things to Consider When Renting a Car in Croatia 5. Without extra insurance, you as a customer are partly liable for any damage. So, I hope you liked my post, traveler! Can spouses drive a car rented in Croatia for free or do I need to purchase the extra driver for my husband? If true is that still current? Hidden additional fees that you werent aware of can leave you way over budget after your road trip. Toll fees can be paid in both cash and credit/debit card, which makes life a whole lot easier for those on a road trip! It belongs to Bosnia, and, thus, it counts as a cross border transfer (yes, even if it is like 6 km). We are planning the same, Hi Frank so glad I found your site! Its a good idea to familiarise yourself with these limits, but as a rule, always keep your eyes peeled for speed limit signs that will guide you according to the appropriate speed limit. Thanks. Do you have any experience renting a car from the company Sixt? RentalCars will then compare all the available cars and give you the prices for the city you are arriving in. Car rental companies also offer additional equipment to rent like GPS, WiFi hot spot packages, child and baby seats, an extra driver, etc. Contacts | t: +385 98 983 6950 | e: [emailprotected] |Website. We have CHASE credit cards and full coverage on our card now. Am I still permitted to drive in Croatia and Bosnia? and another question on if not driving car so easy to commute to one city to another city ? A car is definitely the best way to explore Croatia. Thank you for supporting our blog! Zip car charges rental rates per hour, in many cases starting at $11 per hour, or daily rates starting at . The exact sum depends on the company; please check with the company or it will also say on the site right away if you are using any of the price comparison websites, Check if the company youre hiring your car from is charging additional fees for, Ask the car rental company if there are any, Check if there is a fee for picking up the car in premium locations, for example, car hire in, Inspect the car thoroughly for scratches and dents on the exterior. Kompas Rent A Car. Are you wanting to road trip across Croatia or do you need to look for car hire companies that allow cross-border travel? If you decide to cover that with public transport, it will take a longer time, and sometimes travel isn't straightforward. ), Best Hotels in Split, Croatia Accommodation Recommendations, 5 Unmissable Things to do in Pula, Croatia, Where To Stay In Plitvice Lakes The Best Hotels, Iceland Car Rental Everything You Need to Know Before You Go, 6 Top Places to Stay in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Within the final 48 hours, prices almost always go up. Make sure the driver is in full control at all times, Its important to drive slowly when there is ice or snow on the roads to compensate for the lack of traction your tires will have on the road, Make sure youre accelerating and decelerating slowly. 3. Be sure to ask the rental company whether the car you want to hire has a GPS. I really recommend these businesses as theyve made booking rental cars a breeze whenever Ive hired a car abroad! Frankaboutcroatia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. PRO TIP: Never try booking at the last minute during peak season in Croatia (which is June to September) as you may not find a vehicle to rent, and if you do, the price will be heavily escalated due to the high demand! However, I would take this cost as definitely one of the costs worth negotiating about with the car rental companys representative. you ask. So how much can you expect to pay to rent a car in Croatia? Frank, Unfortunately, Im foreign is not going to help you much if youre pulled over for not following the laws of the road. Do I need to get any specific insurance while there? Things to Consider When Renting a Car in Croatia, 5. You bring both US drivers licence and international with you. Thanks for the notes. It connects Rijeka to the northwest with Dubrovnik to the southeast. Would I be better off taking the ferry to Rovinji and renting the car there and dropping off in Dubrovnik? You will be able to pay in kunas or in eur and pay in cash or by card. Many guests staying in our apartment in Komarna do just this. Most have offices in the larger Croatian towns and at airports. The rates go up as the demand increases and as the inventory decreases. Expect to pay anywhere between 15 and 20 more a day for an automatic transmission. With car hire prices so high try to book a deal that only requires you to pay a small deposit now. Is there a company that will let us pick up in Zagreb and drop off in Split? Summer can be quite a bit more expensive, unfortunately. Best Car Rental Companies 4. Since my company often rents with Oryx, and I know people there, I called and asked for the best deal they could make me for a day rental. They also have a free smartphone app with real-time information about road conditions, congestion, and live webcams. Otherwise,I will be missing this beautiful country. Thankyou for sharing this amazing information. They also have a smartphone app with all the rest stops in the country-check it out on their website! Needless to say, our friends returned the car a day earlier in a similar condition and they have never charged them anything. Very insightful and in depth post. NOTE: If your accommodation provides free parking that is an extra bonus-make sure to ask them in advance! "The business model seems to benefit both the rental . In my humble opinion, Croatia is one of the most beautiful destinations to travel through by car! No matter what time of year you decide to go, there is a range of exciting and invigorating experiences you can have along the way. I was advised that IDP is required. Things to Check Before You Rent a Your Car 7. Or, that's what car rental companies will try to make you do. If you are not used to manual ones, it will be worth your while to learn how to drive a manual or take someone along who can drive a manual car, as it will save you a pretty penny! I am traveling to the Bellevue Hotel in Losinj with an adult son. Below is a list of some of the car hire agencies in Croatia. Thank you. You need to be over 25 to rent a car in Ireland via most rental companies. In order to rent a car in Croatia, youll need a valid drivers license from your home country; an international driving licence is only required if your license is not written with Latin letters (for example, if it is in Chinese or Cyrillic). The earlier you book your vehicle, the better rate you will have. Why is car hire so expensive now? One of the reasons that car rentals are so expensive is that car rental agencies sold off most of their cars during the COVID-19 pandemic. If youre going to be on the road for hours, youre going to need to know the rules of the road and other crucial driving tips to get by. Flying into Zagreb and renting an automatic from Sixt. Will I not be able to pick up the car even if I have enough money in my bank account on my debit card? They'll do the same when you return the car (unless you are fully covered, in which case they don't really care.). If something happens on the road (I am sure you will be just fine the roads are great and the drivers are polite! Hi James, Do you know what the deal is? If I want to spend a night in Mostar with a rental car, would they charge me more? My family and I plan to visit Croatia from March 26- April 4. RELATED READ: 8 Things You Should Know About Plitvice Lakes, Croatia. What is the best way to take a ferry from Hvar to mainland, where we can pick a rental car for further driving into Plitvice lakes, Rovinj etc. GET DETAILED INFO ABOUT DRIVING IN CROATIA HERE! I am told that should my son decide to leave earlier than I plan to (4/18-4/28/19) Id still have to pay the full contracted price. Croatia is an absolutely incredible place to go on a road trip! Car theft is rare in Croatia I wouldn't worry about that. However, in the case of accident, you will be directly charged by car rental company for any damages. We fly into and out of Zagreb. Frank, Another thing to consider is traffic and limited parking in the town centers. Book early to secure the best rate (same for the extra services you might need such as GPS navigator, baby seat etc.). We are travelling on a budget, dont have a lot of time and we will be spending the main part of the trip in Umag. Your car should come with a green card accepted in both countries. The only thing you need when crossing the border is the green card a proof that your car has a minimum level of insurance required to be in Bosnia. Weve been looking on carrentals.com, but arent sure about the rules. Booking within a week of your trip will likely cost you more. It should be as going anywhere else. As I mentioned earlier, I recommend looking at RentalsCars.com so you can filter your options to find the best deals for whatever your plans are. Do not power up hills. To my knowledge, majority of bus companies offer up to 80% discount for kids up to 3 years old. I know it will be a busy season when I am in Croatia. Luckily for us road-trippers, there are an abundance of gas stations throughout Croatia. Compare car hire in Croatia and find the cheapest prices from all major brands. Report inappropriate content ratheniska ireland Level Contributor 146 posts 3. Currently, you can expect to pay around 10 kunas (US $1.40 USD) per liter. PRO TIP: When driving in cities, both big and small, try to avoid the rush hours the traffic is absolutely crazy then! PRICE: HRK 200 (US $29.5) HRK 220 (US $32) per day. The major rental car companies in Europe are Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, and Sixt. Waze works miracles! Paid parking (marked as P with a blue background) is quite easy to find and it usually costs anywhere between 1 and 2 EUR per hour (parking machines usually accept only coins and in kunas, the local currency). Would I need an international driver license?