If you prefer an automatic transmission, you'll need to book your car well in advance, and you'll pay extra. If you have rented cars abroad before, you probably know that most car hire companies offer an insurance policy to go along with the car, but these are generally very overpriced and sometimes cost more than hiring the car. Contacts | t: ++385 99 733 0862 | Website. 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). As I mentioned before, you can request one from the car rental company for a small extra fee, No drinking and driving is permitted in Croatia! What are my options? While Croatia is a small country, it's also pretty long. you will need to pay either by credit card or cash. We like the idea of driving ourselves so we can explore a little going both ways to Rovinj. But I find it strange they have charged you afterwards. Hello Thanks in advance for your reply, were looking forward to experiencing Croatia! 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. Hi Yulia. The minimum driving age in Croatia is 18. This surcharge usually amounts to 25 per rental. They also have a smartphone app with all the rest stops in the country-check it out on their website! And before you know it, they took 30 for cleaning the vehicle?! Planning our summertime visit for July!! Contacts (Zagreb Airport) | a: Rudolfa Fizira 21, Zagreb | t: +385 1 6219 900 | e: [emailprotected]. We have CHASE credit cards and full coverage on our card now. 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! What will be the name of the town where ferry will take us and car rentals will be available. 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. However, if you feel like having an international drivers license, its easy to obtain, and it costs little. However, if you don't succeed, then expect to pay around 50 per rental or 10 per day depending on the company. If you only plan to relax at the beach 24/7 in any coastal town in Croatia, you won't need a car. Rory Sexton, managing director at Zest Car Rental, agrees, adding that prices tend to align with demand. In my humble opinion, Croatia is one of the most beautiful destinations to travel through by car! Great web site you have, learning a lot about Croatia travel. PRO TIP: When driving in cities, both big and small, try to avoid the rush hours the traffic is absolutely crazy then! But its just a bad luck, for the most time car rental goes fine. i would like to rent a car in split; what is the closest rental car pickup/dropoff location to the downtown area? Parking in popular destinations in Croatia can be a real hustle, and it costs money. Since roads in Croatia are great, well-marked, and easy to navigate, GPS is not really necessary to have. You can drive a rental car from Croatia to Bosnia, Montenegro, or any other European country. Its able to handle a variety of different terrains while still providing you with the maximum amount of comfort. This will be for August 2019 dates. Roadtripping is an amazing experience, especially if you're on vacation or headed toward a destination you're particularly excited about (like a Jonas Brothers concert, to give a hypothetical example). Most things are more expensive there. And the latter has good reviews. (Norwegian citizens, by the way), Sorry for all the questions, any reply would be greatly appreciated :). colleen. This concerns me; heaven forbid I hurt someone in an accident and they want to sue!! Or, that's what car rental companies will try to make you do. Hour. Sixt Croatia is a part of the Sixt global network. The comparison aggregator can sort by car type, price, and a variety of other options so that youre not left sifting through results for hours. You need to be over 25 to rent a car in Ireland via most rental companies. For example, if renting with Oryx, you can arrange on request, a drop off of their car rental in one of the following towns outside Croatia: Budapest (Hungary), Ljubljana and Maribor in Slovenia, Belgrade in Serbia, Sarajevo, and Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Podgorica and Tivat in Montenegro. Be sure to factor these costs into your budget! My Husband and I shall be travelling to Croatia next week for the first time . Hi Elise, Is it anything to worry about, have you heard of ant issues getting it back? Be sure to ask the rental company whether the car you want to hire has a GPS. ), 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. Best time to hire a car. If you plan to stay do most hotels/hostels/etc provide some sort of parking? 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. Croats might break some speed limit rules here and there, but I do not recommend you follow their example as locals they know all the ins and outs, where speed cameras are located and all the other tricks. Compare the prices of the best car hire companies. However, you will need to pay a cross-border fee. Hi Im Yulia! Where are you coming from to Plitvice? PRO TIP 1: Also, take into consideration that renting a manual car is almost half the price of renting an automatic. Thanks. 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! The only downside is you may not be in the mood for a swim as it gets rather cold, and many of the tourist attractions and hotels will be closed for the winter (though beautiful Plitvice National Park is open during the winter, which is awesome, totally recommended!). I still have a question So I have a valid Canadian Drivers license and dont need the International Driving Permit to drive in Croatia We are heading over in October.. to the lokva rogocznica area I believe, looking forward to getting out and about. What route do you recommend taking? Although I dont know of any issues crossing the border with a rental car from Croatia to Monte Negro. Holidaymakers face sky-high car hire prices this summer as rental firms struggle to meet renewed demand. Your information has been invaluable. 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! Where can we find a location in Zadar to buy them? Contacts | t: +385 98 983 6950 | e: [emailprotected] |Website. Any advice would be highly appreciated. However, if you leave it too late you can miss out," he says. 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. Hi This holds true ESPECIALLY if you are visiting in the high or shoulder season (so, May to October). Copyright 2014-2023 MissTourist | All Rights Reserved |. Oryx is a company based in Zagreb but with offices all over Croatia. If I were to rent a car, I want to confirm that my US State (Wisconsin) license will be enough. "The business model seems to benefit both the rental . 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. Take into consideration the number of people that will be traveling in the car, and the amount of luggage each of them will bring. Thank you! Expect to pay anywhere between 15 and 20 more a day for an automatic transmission. 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. You generally don't need to worry about driving in Croatia as the road infrastructure is great here. In the UK and USA liability coverage is in the millions, however there is little or no PLI offered in Croatia. Expect to pay around 30 for this service. The companies will authorize your credit card for a security deposit (unless you purchase full coverage insurance). I'm going on a road trip from San Francisco to New York in a month and I was checking several car rental companies. For 5 passengers and 5 pieces of baggage(3 big, 2 small) we were considering a station wagon like Renault Clio Estate or Seat Leon Estate. Your on line travel guide is terrific. That was how much Hotwire told me it would cost to rent a car for a three-day weekend when I searched last month. If I want to spend a night in Mostar with a rental car, would they charge me more? Check Rentalcars for deals: https://goo.gl/aozEKx. You can try to negotiate with a car rental company to waive these fees. An international driver's license is only mandatory in the case when your national driver's license isn't written in Latin letters (for example, if it's written in Cyrillic, or in Chinese characters). We've rented a car from Vetura a couple of times in the past and would recommend them if you are in Istria. 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. Flying into Zagreb and renting an automatic from Sixt. 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. Report inappropriate content ratheniska ireland Level Contributor 146 posts 3. But, in my opinion, Google maps are the best and the cheapest navigation solution in Croatia. Rather, get up a little speed before the hill and keep a steady pace going up. I understand there is no need to buy a additional insureance in order to visit Bosnia. Car rental companies don't keep enough cars with automatic transmissions. The most popular car rental brands in Croatia are Sixt, Fleet Rent, Avantcar, ORYX and Enterprise. You didnt mention my main concern about renting a carautomatic transmission. A few questions: And we even had full insurance. We fly into and out of Zagreb. D8 (ex. A bit concerned about the large damage deposits charged to our credit card. So, again, to have your car rental sitting in a parking lot makes no sense. Book online today with the world's biggest online car rental service. It isn't common, but be prudent and mindful, and don't leave your stuff in sight. Austria isn't quite so bad, but after the Nordics and Switzerland it is probably the most expensive country in Europe. With all this variability in mind, the average price to rent a car has typically been expected at between 50 to 100 dollars per day.1 However, recent events have caused an upswing in that average. If I may suggest that you include a section about motorcycles and campervans rental in Croatia as well. In general, a car rental that might cost $30-80 per day might be a lot cheaper to rent by the week.) I was surprised to find out that car rental companies charge extra for taking a car on a ferry. Just take a look at the above picture wouldnt you want to rent a car and drive along that beautiful coastline? 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. 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. Would I need an international driver license? Well, that highly depends on what type of car youd like to drive and which season youll be visiting this beautiful country! GET DETAILED INFO ABOUT DRIVING IN CROATIA HERE! If youre going to be traveling long distances, make sure the car is equipped with cruise control. At the time of writing the cheapest compact car for 2 weeks in August at Almeria is 44% (or 330) cheaper in Spain than it is at Murcia. This post might also contain affiliate links to other sites, like accommodation or activities. The rates go up as the demand increases and as the inventory decreases. You can rent a car in Dubrovnik and drive to Montenegro, or take your car rental from Croatia to Bosnia and back. No need for an international drivers licence in Bosnia either. There are a few standard legal limits when driving in Croatia. Hi, Frank: Go, inspect the car along with them, and pay attention. I am happy to see you are interested in visiting Croatia, one of my favourite countries! Opting for car hire in Croatia is your best option for travelling quickly and comfortably to the country's hidden reaches. Croatian Auto Club (HAK) provides road assistance, should you need it. Keep cold-weather gear, a blanket, as well as food and drinks in the car when youre driving. This will save you a lot of hassles along the way! Some subjects we've already covered above, but nevertheless, we'll summarise our best Croatia car rental advice and tips below. Youll feel much more independent without feeling like you need to rely on anyone else. 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? This also means that rental prices increase dramatically in these two summer months. Im hoping to rent a car this August (5 Aug, 2019) at Plitvice Lakes and travel to Zagreb and drop off there. Zip car charges rental rates per hour, in many cases starting at $11 per hour, or daily rates starting at . So, any rentals going are getting higher rates. Car rental companies also offer additional equipment to rent like GPS, WiFi hot spot packages, child and baby seats, an extra driver, etc. I was advised that IDP is required. great blog you and your wife is running here, I am also an expat living in Croatia where i run a few websites, i was wondering if you could contact me on E-mail. When it comes to insurance your credit card typically covers it your US insurance company does not. a VW Golf) for a week this summer (27 July - 3 August 2019), across all destinations . The same is true about breaking into the car to steal your belongings. Elise. because well have to probably catch a taxi or something back to our hotel after we drop it off, so ideally wed be as close as possible to accommodations to keep the fare down. 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. However, buying insurance from them isnt your only option. We are going to Croatia next month. Whether you want to travel the country or road trip across the continent, therell be a car hire option for you! Luckily for us road-trippers, there are an abundance of gas stations throughout Croatia. My family and I plan to visit Croatia from March 26- April 4. And here are our reasons why! If it`s not exaggerated, do you know how long we should count on border crossings to take? We only recommend the things we actually use ourselves and never accept useless sponsored crap. Book early to secure the best rate (same for the extra services you might need such as GPS navigator, baby seat etc.). During the planning phase of the trip, Tim checks the rates for the major companies and chooses the one with the best price. 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. If you are asking in terms of car robberies and other theft-related things, you should not be worrying it is very safe there! It takes extra time to price out five companies, but prices can vary widely depending on . Thanks. The earlier you book your vehicle, the better rate you will have. Im curious what your experience is and if youd recommend this company. Some blogs suggest staying out of old town, in Lappad for exemple. 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. If you go on your Croatian road-trip, be sure to get in touch with me on Instagram or just follow the rest of my travels. Book as far in advance as possible! Thank you. I have a question regarding car hire companies.. which company is the best to use in split airport? Ive noticed that Croatian car rental companies do not offer PLI coverage that compares with, say, the UK or USA. 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). I also listed 2 prices for high and low season, so youre prepared no matter what time of year youre traveling! Youll also experience less traffic than in the summer months (July and August) which makes a road trip a lot more pleasant! But you'll need to pay a young driver's surcharge. There are some businesses we don't trust and always believe that in dealing with them we'll certainly get screwed up. And now it is time to start booking a rental car for the road-trip of a lifetime! Neum is a coastal town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here are the average prices that you can expect to pay to rent a car in Croatia for a day. Do you know what the deal is? PRICE: HRK 1700 (US $250.5) HRK 1750 (US $258) per day. 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. Do not power up hills. Hi Trude, Priti, Let me know did you drive without IDP? Frank, We share here the best information about traveling to and in Croatia, including destination guides, travel tips, activities, accommodation, and the best places to eat and visit. I read on another website that an international drivers license is required for a car rental? Reviews online are mixed but reviews are mixed for every car rental company so was hoping to hear from someone personally. I also noted you would recommend a car for families. So thats why Im worried. The vieeeews! It can come in handy in big towns, like Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik. Get an assistant to tell you where the lights, aircon, indicators, and other controls are so you dont have to figure it all out on your own. . Can we do it? If you had any questions about hiring a car in Croatia, I hope Ive cleared them all up for you! In case of car problems outside of Croatia, what car rental companies do you think would be the best to go with? From. A Land Rover Discovery or an off-road Jeep is the perfect car for the job. 2. if yes, can it be done through the rental company? 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. Without extra insurance, you as a customer are partly liable for any damage. 4. does waze work well? i have a quick question. It's worth booking online even a few hours before you go to pick the car up. And by the way do you have any tips for us? Am I still permitted to drive in Croatia and Bosnia? By the way, Croatia has loooots of road webcams, so it would be hard to trick the system in any way. But, they pre-charged 60 for the fuel (in case we don't refill). Be it coastline, waterfalls, lakes or some stunning landscape, you will want to see it in your own time, not from a window of a bus. 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. Car hire in Croatia is essential in these situations. 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. Getting a car on rental seems to important if you are traveling in Croatia. This means that the earlier you book your car, the less you will pay. Daily fees for extras are as follows*: They are brokers and work with all major car rental companies in Croatia. I suggest you look further inland, especially if you are renting a car. Once in the town, you can use public transport to move around, or you can simply explore a town on foot. They pre-charge your card for an insane amount of money and, when you return it, they always find something wrong so they can keep some of the money they've pre-charged. 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. Be aware that if you take a road trip from the north of Croatia down to Dubrovnik, there is a small area of land that is Bosnia and it does count as a border crossing. Thanks for the great website. Its possible to arrange it, but youll pay extra. So, Nova is definitely worth a try if you are looking to rent a car in Croatia. Portugal is the most expensive country in Europe to hire a car, according to new research. Depending on the length of time rented, daily rates ranged from $41 to $75. It takes time for your car to get up to speed in snow or ice and it takes longer for the car to slow down. Things to Check Before You Rent a Your Car 7. Do all/most of the companies allow this, or are there certain rental companies that are better for these pick-up/drop-off locations? 1. 4. The majority of rental cars in Croatia are manual. Croatia is an absolutely incredible place to go on a road trip! 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.