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! We were thinking we would fly into either Dubrovnik or Zagreb and and take the scenic route by driving around the country and staying in hotels along each stop. I have noted that you say drivers license of our country is sufficient to allow us to drive in Croatia. Nobody told us that we should vacuum the car ourselves. And now it is time to start booking a rental car for the road-trip of a lifetime! While the basic insurance covers you for driving on the Croatian islands, it actually doesn't cover the possible damage that can occur on the ferry itself during the crossing. The average cost over the course of the entire year is 29. I will be coming from Venice. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hi James, Within the final 48 hours, prices almost always go up. I wanted to use Avis however there reviews dont fill me with confident also carwiz seems the same, can you personally suggest any companies youve used? I really recommend these businesses as theyve made booking rental cars a breeze whenever Ive hired a car abroad! 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. The cost of renting a car in Thailand, the cheapest country to hire a vehicle in, equals just 11% of the cost of renting a car in Iceland, the most expensive destination. Any concerns regarding credit card physical appearance? Decide what's the purpose of your trip, and how many places would you like to see during your visit, and you'll have a better idea of whether you need to rent a car in Croatia. For Dubrovnik, the best is to leave the car somewhere in Lapad, or Gruz, and use public transport or explore on foot. I still have a question So I have a valid Canadian Drivers license and dont need the International Driving Permit to drive in Croatia 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. Your on line travel guide is terrific. It should be as going anywhere else. 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. 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. RECOMMENDED CAR TYPE: If youre traveling with a whole group of people and want to avoid traveling in a convoy, I recommend renting a bigger vehicle that can serve as a home while youre on the road. 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. Motorway A1 going south only reaches as far as Ploce. Here are a few tips for driving in the cold: If youre driving inland during winter, youre likely to encounter snow at some point. Cheap Car Hire Croatia - Rentalcars.com I will stay in old town. Can we do it? Renting a smaller, compact car is more practical. Anyways, . NOTE: In most cases, your car insurance does NOT include possible damages that can happen on the ferry. Make sure to ask for all receipts, a list of damages, police reports, photos, etc., and anything that your insurance company may require as proof before reimbursing you. You need to be over 25 to rent a car in Ireland via most rental companies. They'll do the same when you return the car (unless you are fully covered, in which case they don't really care.). Do not try to take off or stop in any hurry. And here are our reasons why! This is the most scenic road in Croatia. If you plan to stay do most hotels/hostels/etc provide some sort of parking? In general, a car rental that might cost $30-80 per day might be a lot cheaper to rent by the week.) Thank you for this wonderful blog! The rates go up as the demand increases and as the inventory decreases. Most expensive countries for car hire in Europe revealed Im happy to hear this, thank you! ), 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. However according to their rental conditions of Oryx and another Croation car rental company they claim they are allowed to add up to 70 euros additional costs when you take the car outside a EU country. Youll also experience less traffic than in the summer months (July and August) which makes a road trip a lot more pleasant! Normally, every car in Croatia is insured for accident throughout Europe, they all come with so-called green card, but car rental companies dont always include it in the rental (although they should). Me and some friends are planing a trip this summer. We want to rent a car in Zagreb, than go to Bosnia, Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia. This will help you out a lot, especially when driving on the highways! 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. Besides, only traveling by car allows you to make as many stops as you want in order to discover all those beautiful places along the way. Can spouses drive a car rented in Croatia for free or do I need to purchase the extra driver for my husband? Central Office Contacts | a: Trg J. Rakovca 2, Porec | t: +385 52 434 700 | m: +385 91 206 3070 | e: [emailprotected]| Website. Would appreciate your thoughts/tips, and if you have any other advice Id be very grateful. Luckily Croatia has plenty of ferry routes that can transport you and your car, so you can continue your road-trip! In my opinion, the best time to road-trip through Croatia is from May to June or from September to October. However we have 3 full days on arrival before we need to be in Umag and I would like to take my family to Venice for a day. From. Otherwise,I will be missing this beautiful country. Any questions regarding car rental in Croatia? and how difficult to find in tourist spots? The only way to reach Dubrovnik from Ploce is to drive along national road D8, also known as Jadranska magistrala (Adriatic coastal road). If you only plan to stay in big towns like Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik, you'll probably be better off without a car. Top car rental brands. So, if you dont want to take the risk, extra insurance just for this will be about 15-20 EUR extra. PRICE: HRK 200 (US $29.5) HRK 220 (US $32) per day. Bob did they get back to you about the car insurance and what the cost would be. The question is which one will you be the most comfortable in? When it comes to insurance your credit card typically covers it your US insurance company does not. Youll also need a suitable car for the job! Renting a Car in Ireland: My BS-Free 2023 Guide - The Irish Road Trip Thanks for your site and all the information you provide. Depending on the length of time rented, daily rates ranged from $41 to $75. RECOMMENDED CAR TYPE: If you want to take full advantage of your vehicle and drive it through the many small villages and their back streets, youll need a small vehicle (especially if you are not planning on going far distances). This is why it is so important to inspect the car before renting it and do the same on return. You can try to negotiate with a car rental company to waive these fees. Without extra insurance, you as a customer are partly liable for any damage. I just dropped you a word via email. PRO TIP 2: Oh, and dont forget to double check if the car is equipped with functioning AC this is something you will definitely need during a hot Croatian summer! I`ve heard that border crossings can be a challenge from Croatia to Monte Negro, from Serbia to everywhere and so on. Rather, get up a little speed before the hill and keep a steady pace going up. They try to charge extra. As for the car rental company, we always use Rentalcars.com. Waze works miracles! Airport shuttle seems cheap and regular v cab or other from Lucko. Choose your pick-up location, compare and find the car that best suits you and your budget. We also have a couple of nationwide companies. Hello. 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. i have a quick question. We have CHASE credit cards and full coverage on our card now. Dropoff options (Enterprise rental) are Lucko or Airport. Uber Carshare was one of two credited car share . Is this essential (I will be using the ferries a lot) as the Full Protection seems pretty comprehensive? This is really the question of hard negotiation with car rental companies, as they prefer (of course!) Here are fare examples for the most popular highways: Hint: if you are going on the weekend when the traffic is bad, you can also take an older smaller but prettier road timewise it will take you the same long, but its charming! Parking can be a pain in most European cities and some old Croatian towns are no exception there are very few free parking spaces and you will most likely not find them in touristy places. There are a few general rules that apply in Croatia that you should adhere to at all times on Croatian roads. The cheapest month to hire a car in Croatia is January with prices starting at 13.26 for an Economy class cars. 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. Thanks. If I want to spend a night in Mostar with a rental car, would they charge me more? Thanks for the blog. Contacts (Zagreb Airport) | a: Rudolfa Fizira 21, Zagreb | t: +385 1 6219 900 | e: [emailprotected]. You can drive a rental car from Croatia to Bosnia, Montenegro, or any other European country. Split is the best place. i would like to rent a car in split; what is the closest rental car pickup/dropoff location to the downtown area? My son would need the car to get back to the airport in Zagreb. If it`s not exaggerated, do you know how long we should count on border crossings to take? from Zagreb to Split is about 200 kunas (~US $30). Be sure to adjust the wing mirrors, rearview mirror and the seat to your liking before leaving on your journey. I cant provide no other proof but a common sense. Thank you! Any advice would be highly appreciated. A bit concerned about the large damage deposits charged to our credit card. That must be a bit exaggerated, no? If not, you can always download an. Hi Keshala, yes, there is an additional fee for taking a car hire to the islands. For toll vignettes for Croatia/Hungary/Slovenia/Italy, is there an automobile association in Croatia where we could buy them for all neighboring countries? For drivers over the age of 25 the legal blood alcohol level limit is 0.05% as long as you dont get into an accident, Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal unless you have a hands-free device, Between the end of October and the end of March, dipped headlights should be used during daylight hours. A credit card is mandatory when renting a car in Croatia. Best Car Rental Companies 4. For more, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter. Check Rentalcars for deals: https://goo.gl/aozEKx. However, if you don't succeed, then expect to pay around 50 per rental or 10 per day depending on the company. Hiring a car in Croatia gives you the freedom to travel as you please and make impromptu stops along the way, without having to hassle with a tour guide! With car hire prices so high try to book a deal that only requires you to pay a small deposit now. I suggest you look further inland, especially if you are renting a car. 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. Hi, Frank: 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!). Save on luxury, economy and family car hire. I am interested to know what the parking is like if you do use a rental car, especially in the bigger towns/cities. A meal at McDonalds starts at around 10 euros for the most basic budget version, if someone is earning 20-30 euros an hour they're considered very lowly paid. Car Sell-Off. Thank you so much for supporting this project! Hi Anna, I have read that these could be bought at the nearest gas station as you enter each country, but to be on the safer side(to avoid penalty fines) we would like to buy them before we enter each country if possible. Driver aged between 26 - 69. I have A question. Prices have risen so high about 88 percent from a year ago that rental cars are now one of the key factors driving the biggest rise in inflation since 2008. Which car rental company will be best for you depends on what youre wanting to do with your rental car. Croatian Auto Club (HAK) provides road assistance, should you need it. I got an offer for VW Golf for 75 a day; only to find that same car on the Rentalcars website for 50 . you dont need to purchase additional insurance if your credit card provides the coverage. They are brokers and work with all major car rental companies in Croatia. However, the minimum age for renting a car in Croatia is 21. CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS IN CROATIA! Do you have any experience renting a car from the company Sixt? Hi Noah, 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? 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. However, in the case of accident, you will be directly charged by car rental company for any damages. (And the last time no one checked for the green card at those borders the ones around Neum). What route do you recommend taking? However, you will need to pay a cross-border fee. In high season, expect to pay around 60 a day for a mini-size car, and 70 per day for an economy-size car. So many awesome places in Croatia, I hope you are staying for a long time! If not, you better get it renewed before your trip or the car wont be released to you, If you are traveling with a child that is under 18 kg (30 lbs), youll need to ask the rental company for a baby seat. Supply and demand. We will not have rental car in Hvar. Reviews online are mixed but reviews are mixed for every car rental company so was hoping to hear from someone personally. thanks for stopping by. If you break down or have to pull over for some reason, you need to know youll be able to keep warm and sustain yourself until help arrives, Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have a decent amount of tread, Try to keep at least half a tank of fuel in your tank at all times, Never warm up your vehicle in an enclosed area like a garage, rather wait until the car is outside to warm it up, Do not use cruise control when driving on ice or in snowy areas. This post might also contain affiliate links to other sites, like accommodation or activities. You generally don't need to worry about driving in Croatia as the road infrastructure is great here. I think you will be better taking a ferry to Rovinj, and renting a car there. We always book our rental car in advance. Do they have provisions of hiring a driver or private tour? you will need to pay either by credit card or cash. So, Nova is definitely worth a try if you are looking to rent a car in Croatia. Four- and six-lane motorways connect the country from North to South, West, and East. But you'll need to pay a young driver's surcharge. I keep reading good reviews about Last Minute Car Rental, but something seems amiss with it being significantly cheaper and the reviews not being very plentiful. I'm going on a road trip from San Francisco to New York in a month and I was checking several car rental companies. Hi, would you know if car rentals can charge you an island fee? 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! Don't forget that prices change dynamically with the demand. Although I dont know of any issues crossing the border with a rental car from Croatia to Monte Negro. This shortage has had a flow on effect to the tourism industry, with many visitors cancelling their trips due to a lack of hire car availability. 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. 2. Hi Morten, The cool part about price comparison companies is that you can be sure you are protected by the reseller if something goes wrong. Car rental companies belong to this group of businesses. Renting a car in Croatia can also be the most economical way to travel through the country depending on the time of year you visit, the number of people in your group, and how long in advance you book your Croatia car rental. If you only intend to cross into Bosnia in Neum then you don't need to pay a cross-border fee. Why have car hire prices leapt up since the Covid Crisis? This article was super helpful. I dont have any personal experience renting with Sixt, but I dont think Sixt is worse (or better) than others. In case of car problems outside of Croatia, what car rental companies do you think would be the best to go with? This concerns me; heaven forbid I hurt someone in an accident and they want to sue!! 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. This is especially true for periods of high demand (June through September). We've rented a car from Vetura a couple of times in the past and would recommend them if you are in Istria. Whenever we rented a car, we always found better deals on these aggregators' websites than on car rental companies' websites. If youre going to be traveling long distances, make sure the car is equipped with cruise control. You want to have enough time to do paperwork, and inspect the car (to avoid any hidden charges for sudden damages). It belongs to Bosnia, and, thus, it counts as a cross border transfer (yes, even if it is like 6 km). So i wonder whether they charge the additional costs as well when i just use the Croatia Bosnia corridor in order to visit Dubrovnik? Shop around! The roads are in perfect condition and the views are breathtaking! With our secure online booking system you can search the cheapest prices online for Car Hire Croatia. You can arrange different pick-up and drop-off locations. Motorways are marked with the letter A, while motorway road signs are always green in color. They also have a free smartphone app with real-time information about road conditions, congestion, and live webcams. Why is car hire so expensive now? If you only want to go with the automatic one, try to secure it as much in advance as possible there are not that many on the market and they get sold out fast. However, if youd like to travel in the summer, youll have the benefit of experiencing the warmest weather and youll meet plenty of other travelers along the way (but be ready to see the higher rates for accommodation and transportation, as in any other country). Also, do you know if its possible to rent cars starting in Korcula? Car hire in Croatia starts from just 8.20 per day for a (economy) class car from Budget. In Croatia, you drive on the right-hand side of the road and pass on the left, Just like every other country in the world, seat-belts are mandatory so be sure to buckle up each time you get in the car before heading onto the roads, Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to sit in the front passenger seat, Children from the ages of 2-5 must be in a suitable childs seat. It is safe to rent a car in Croatia. 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. Currently, you can expect to pay around 10 kunas (US $1.40 USD) per liter. Any suggestions to keep a 5 five year old will be appreciated. Do many companies deliver cars to hotels or is it just pick ups from main towns and airports? In order to reach Dubrovnik the shortest way is actually to pass through Bosnia in Neum. Also, Nova rent a car Croatia has been voted the best rental car company in Croatia to work for. Do you have any advice about this issue? Smaller cars also have a much better fuel efficiency which will save you money along the way! If you use Google maps for navigation, dont forget to turn the roaming off if, and when traversing through Bosnia, or Montenegro. RentalCars will then compare all the available cars and give you the prices for the city you are arriving in. While in low season you perhaps can just show up at the airport and find a car to rent, this isn't the case in high and shoulder season. 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. The problem with all car rental companies here is that the demand is very strong for a short period in July and August, and sometimes companies overbook the vehicles. 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: Picking up the car, and getting on the road, Further reading: more Croatia car rentaland other traveltips, Ultimate Packing List For Vacation In Croatia, Croatia Travel Budget: How Much Money You'll Need In Croatia, Where To Have Local, Cheap And Delicious Meals In Croatia, How To Choose Your Destination In Croatia, A Complete Guide To Accommodation In Croatia, cross-border fee for EU countries, UK, and Switzerland: 20 , cross-border fee for Montenegro, Bosnia, and other non-EU countries: 50 , pickup and return out of working hours: 30 . I am positive is has to do with the illiquidity of the lending market ie banks lending to companies. Well be making an overnight stop at Velika Kladusa in Bosnia on our way. Intercity buses are a convenient, frequent, fast, and cheap way to go from one town to another. If you decide on a winter road trip in Croatia, my best advice is to stick to the coastal towns. Regards. Never be in rush, take all the time you need, but make sure you check for any damage no matter how small it might be. Hi Trude, Hope this helps! If you are thinking of renting a car in one country and returning it in another, think twice because it actually might be more complicated than you would expect. Hi RELATED READ: 8 Things You Should Know About Plitvice Lakes, Croatia. Make sure you arent in a rush when returning your car. We are heading over in October.. to the lokva rogocznica area I believe, looking forward to getting out and about. Why are Car Rental Cars so Expensive? - Now from Nationwide But its always good to have all the info just in case, right? Thanks for the great website. Are you wanting to road trip across Croatia or do you need to look for car hire companies that allow cross-border travel? Roads in Croatia are in excellent condition, so regarding the roads, any car will do. I wanted to rent a camper, but no automatic transmission and no AC for the whole unit. But, they pre-charged 60 for the fuel (in case we don't refill). But seriously, just follow common sense rules and you will be fine! Renting a car in Croatia is easy, if perhaps a bit more on the pricey side compared to other European countries. We fly into and out of Zagreb. Car Hire Croatia - Book Cheap Car Rental Croatia | Rhino It isn't common, but be prudent and mindful, and don't leave your stuff in sight. Looking to hook into many of your other recommendations on accommodation and preferred spots. If they treat their employees well, the employees must treat the customers well.