The question is which one will you be the most comfortable in? The winters there are a lot milder than inland and the coast will be very quiet as many of the locals go on holiday from October to March. 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. This means that, for example, you can take a road trip from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, but take a plane back from Dubrovnik to Zagreb. Major car hire chains exist in Croatia, as do local companies. NOTE: When renting a car, you have to return it with a full tank of gas or youll be subject to additional charges (which add up to a lot more than the price of a tank of fuel). Her blog MissTourist.com is created with the purpose to inspire people to travel more and to share her advice of how to travel "smart". Everything is pretty organized and the personnel usually speak AT LEAST basic English. It is gorgeous, though. And they also work offline (if previously downloaded). Booking within a week of your trip will likely cost you more. 12 Things You Should Know about Renting a Car in Europe Many of my cards are issued with chips and printed numbers. Looking to hook into many of your other recommendations on accommodation and preferred spots. For example, the road distance from Umag, in the northwest to Dubrovnik in the southeast is over 700 km. You want to have enough time to do paperwork, and inspect the car (to avoid any hidden charges for sudden damages). Thank you for this wonderful blog! Chris Brown, editor of Auto Rental News, an industry publication, says MirrorTrip could eventually solve the car rental drop-off problem. Majority of hotels provide parking (often free of charge in small coastal towns). Why Are Car Rentals So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons) - The Cold Wire Drop Off. If you only plan to stay in big towns like Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik, you'll probably be better off without a car. This is more difficult than it might seem. Report inappropriate content ratheniska ireland Level Contributor 146 posts 3. Just be sure there is enough space for all your passengers and their luggage and you should be good to go! 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. In fact, snow can be pretty heavy during the winter in Croatia! The majority of rental cars in Croatia are manual. Fifty-five percent of executives are very or extremely concerned about labour shortages, according to KPMG. Renting a car in Croatia is easy, if perhaps a bit more on the pricey side compared to other European countries. Dubrovnik is the only exemption. 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. Some companies also charge extra insurance for senior drivers above 70 years of age. 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: I dont have any personal experience renting with Sixt, but I dont think Sixt is worse (or better) than others. But I dont have a credit card. They all come at an additional cost. Renting a smaller, compact car is more practical. Places to visit in the car this Easter with the family! If it`s not exaggerated, do you know how long we should count on border crossings to take? Although looks are great, there are a few other things you should take into consideration when choosing a rental car: READ MORE: Where to Stay in Rovinj, Croatia (and Why!). Yulia is traveling the world for over 12 years now and she LOVES to share her tips from around the world with the others! Hi My husband and I are planning a 10 day trip to Croatia in June and were trying to figure out our itinerary. I always suggest you follow the rules and let the locals pass if they really want to. 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. To recap on this one, Croatia is probably one of the easiest countries with the most rewarding views to drive through in Europe! 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. Both countries are non-EU, and roaming charges are huge. Me and some friends are planing a trip this summer. My questions 1) Is there any actual regulation relating to your statement that rental car agencies are NOT supposed to charge for the green card (to cross international boundaries). You can choose from a range of different suppliers like INA, Crodux, Tifon, Petrol, and Lukoil. You bring both US drivers licence and international with you. Here are a few tips for driving in the cold: If youre driving inland during winter, youre likely to encounter snow at some point. Parking in popular destinations in Croatia can be a real hustle, and it costs money. There are some businesses we don't trust and always believe that in dealing with them we'll certainly get screwed up. We definitely know we need to rent a car and we want to go exploring, but we dont know what our starting and end point should be and the best route to plan for that would make the most sense with a rental car. 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! We only recommend the things we actually use ourselves and never accept useless sponsored crap. Car Hire Croatia - Cheap Car Hire in Croatia with Crocarhire.com If you pay for full coverage directly with the car rental company, they won't even bother to check the car for possible damages. Why is car hire so expensive now? If you look for a cheap car rental in Croatia, we recommend using brokers like Rentalcars or similar websites. I am interested to know what the parking is like if you do use a rental car, especially in the bigger towns/cities. This is especially true for periods of high demand (June through September). To. Four- and six-lane motorways connect the country from North to South, West, and East. Cheers What would you suggest? 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. My Husband and I shall be travelling to Croatia next week for the first time . how much is gas in and around Zagreb through Dubrovnik in the high season of travel? International drivers licence isnt required unless your national one is written in letters other than latin. Hope this helps! In this post, youll find all you need to know about car rental in Croatia, from reasons to rent, recommended types of vehicles, car rental companies, and rates, to our best car rental tips and deals. 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. Car Rental Prices Are Up. What Are The Alternatives? you ask. Another Croatian car rental company with offices all over Croatia. "The business model seems to benefit both the rental . Whether you want to cruise along the rugged coastline or drive deep into Croatia's pine forests, with easy access to the whole of the country the only issue is deciding where to go first Travel Information By the way, Croatia has loooots of road webcams, so it would be hard to trick the system in any way. Car Hire Croatia - Book Cheap Car Rental Croatia | Rhino This also means that rental prices increase dramatically in these two summer months. ), 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. In Victoria, the increase was 38 per cent, and in Tasmania, a whopping 92 per cent. Some companies can charge triple the price for gas, so better do it yourself in advance. You don't need any additional cross-border insurance for Bosnia and Montenegro. . and how difficult to find in tourist spots? Can it be avoided with our own rental car insurance proof? In my opinion, the best time to road-trip through Croatia is from May to June or from September to October. The same is true about breaking into the car to steal your belongings. 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. A car is definitely the best way to explore Croatia. 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? 2. if yes, can it be done through the rental company? E65) is the most popular national road. Komarna is perfectly located to make day trips to Dubrovnik, the Peljesac peninsula, island Hvar, Brac, Korcula, and Mljet, and even a couple of sights in neighboring Bosnia, like Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls. In order to reach Dubrovnik the shortest way is actually to pass through Bosnia in Neum. Thank you. For toll vignettes for Croatia/Hungary/Slovenia/Italy, is there an automobile association in Croatia where we could buy them for all neighboring countries? PRICE: HRK 1700 (US $250.5) HRK 1750 (US $258) per day. "At non-peak times when there is good availability, prices can get cheaper the closer you get to the start date of the rental. You only need an international driver license if your driver license is not written with Latin letters. I and my husband are going from zagreb to dubrownick by car and intend stop in Plitvice Lakes, Split, Zadar, etc. Contacts (Zagreb Airport) | a: Rudolfa Fizira 21, Zagreb | t: +385 1 6219 900 | e: [emailprotected]. Smaller cars also have a much better fuel efficiency which will save you money along the way! How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car in Croatia? Whether you need to purchase additional insurance for crossing the border into Bosnia and/ or Montenegro with your rental car is the biggest debate on the internet regarding car rental in Croatia. 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. Youll also need a suitable car for the job! So many awesome places in Croatia, I hope you are staying for a long time! 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. The type of car that you should rent depends a lot on your own preferences. Flying into Zagreb and renting an automatic from Sixt. I have a question regarding car hire companies.. which company is the best to use in split airport? Thank you for such good information. 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. Having the convenience of your own transportation makes a huge difference when traveling in Croatia! There many UNESCO heritage, Roman built palaces and beautiful catholic churches and all these will be easy for if you have car on rental. But you'll need to pay a young driver's surcharge. We use Oryx for long-term car rental, and so far we had a good experience with them. My wife and I are driving our own car from Italy into Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzgovina and are wondering how we get a green card to show that we have the required insurance.We would very much like to hear from you. Even for the high season, you can secure a mini-size car for as low as 45 a day if you book 6 or more months in advance. Basically, it is only possible between a limited number of countries, towns, and branch offices, usually when and where one car rental company has a partner company in another country. Your car should come with a green card accepted in both countries. Before you leave with your car rental, people at the car rental company will inspect your car for any damages, and note them on paper. In June, it was about 88% more expensive to rent a car or truck than during the same time last year, contributing to the inflation hitting US consumer prices, according to newly . (And the last time no one checked for the green card at those borders the ones around Neum). Luckily Croatia has plenty of ferry routes that can transport you and your car, so you can continue your road-trip! We want to rent a car in Zagreb, than go to Bosnia, Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia. I wanted to rent a camper, but no automatic transmission and no AC for the whole unit. New research shows that the cost of hiring a car abroad has shot up by an average 125%. I used your suggestion of rentalcars.com. Some of these car rental tips are specific to Croatia, so be sure to pay careful attention so there are no unexpected surprises on your trip! . Were a Canadian-Croatian couple living in and exploring Croatia. Some companies don't charge any extras for taking a car across the border to another EU member state, as well as to Switzerland and the UK. However, even in these situations, we would recommend that you rent a car for a day and take it on Croatian roads to explore beyond your basedestination. 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. Can spouses drive a car rented in Croatia for free or do I need to purchase the extra driver for my husband? The telephone number is 987. Sometimes you'll want to stay at one centrally-located place and make day trips to popular sights in the region. I am trying to decide between buses or a rental car for my family of 3 (2 adults and a 3 year old). Also, do you know if its possible to rent cars starting in Korcula? Any other thing should I take into account? Just double checking , is that valid for Indian License too ? Thanks in advance. Croatia - Why so expensive? - Rovinj Message Board - Tripadvisor Costing just 124 on average for a week's rental and fuel, those looking for an adventure on wheels could roam around the tropical southeast Asian country for over eight . Am I still permitted to drive in Croatia and Bosnia? Bob did they get back to you about the car insurance and what the cost would be. There shouldnt be any problems if you choose a company that allows border crossing, such as RentalCars. And we even had full insurance. And then you will need to claim it with your credit card company. PRO TIP: If crossing through Bosnia or Montenegro, do not forget to switch off the internet on your mobile both countries are not part of the EU and the roaming charges are really high! Do you have any advice about this issue? Yes, they do. If you prefer an automatic transmission, you'll need to book your car well in advance, and you'll pay extra. I know it will be a busy season when I am in Croatia. Don't forget that prices change dynamically with the demand. Ive never been to Croatia but it is definitely on my destination list. Im happy to hear this, thank you! If you have a question, it is always best to drop it in below in the comments this way other readers can benefit from the answer as well! If you decide to cover that with public transport, it will take a longer time, and sometimes travel isn't straightforward. So if you only plan on passing through Neum in order to reach Dubrovnik, you don't need to pay a cross-border fee. Your information has been invaluable. I am happy to see you are interested in visiting Croatia, one of my favourite countries! 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. 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. Rental Car Shortage: Why Are Car Rental Prices so High? | Money As mentioned before, if youre under the age of 22, or over the age of 70, youll be eligible for additional fees (about 25 EUR per day surcharge). Is it anything to worry about, have you heard of ant issues getting it back? If I may suggest that you include a section about motorcycles and campervans rental in Croatia as well. I`ve heard that border crossings can be a challenge from Croatia to Monte Negro, from Serbia to everywhere and so on. I also noted you would recommend a car for families. 3. any issue regarding crossing over into Slovenia with a car rented in Croatia? . 1. as a tourist, is the electronic toll payment system available? Sixt Croatia is a part of the Sixt global network. We haven't yet rented through Nova, but we see lots of their cars on the roads here. Im hoping to rent a car this August (5 Aug, 2019) at Plitvice Lakes and travel to Zagreb and drop off there. Observe speed limits, dont use your phone while driving, wear a seatbelt at all times, and have dipped headlights on 24/7 during the winter (October through March). Thankyou for sharing this amazing information. Which car rental company will be best for you depends on what youre wanting to do with your rental car. Car rental companies belong to this group of businesses. Supply and demand. However, you will need to pay a cross-border fee. It may be more than a little stressful trying to figure it out after youve departed, Make sure that your drivers license is with you and valid for at least the next 6 months. Hi Frank, We are planning a trip to Croatia and related areas with the kids aged 4 and 7, they are good travellers. But I prefer to use a comparison aggregator like CarRentals or AutoEurope to do the hard work for me (they are basically a Skyscanner for cars-they will check all the prices for your dates for all the car rental companies in the area). Car hire seems very expensive! - Croatia Message Board - Tripadvisor What Documents Do You Need to Rent a Car in Croatia, 4. Hi Im Yulia! Dinka imunovia 2A, 21000, Split, Croatia? This will help you out a lot, especially when driving on the highways! With car hire prices so high try to book a deal that only requires you to pay a small deposit now. Are you wanting to road trip across Croatia or do you need to look for car hire companies that allow cross-border travel? This concerns me; heaven forbid I hurt someone in an accident and they want to sue!! Choose your pick-up location, compare and find the car that best suits you and your budget. For the purpose of writing this post, Ive checked prices on various car rental companies' websites, and for almost all dates I randomly picked I found cheaper deals on the Rentalcars website. 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. 2. Whether you want to travel the country or road trip across the continent, therell be a car hire option for you! It takes extra time to price out five companies, but prices can vary widely depending on . I would like to ask about the car parking fee in the city how much average for the cost ? i would like to rent a car in split; what is the closest rental car pickup/dropoff location to the downtown area? How much does a car rental in Croatia cost? Things to Consider When Renting a Car in Croatia, 5. We returned a car a week ago and just got charged 42 for being on an island. Whenever we rented a car, we always found better deals on these aggregators' websites than on car rental companies' websites. Oryx is a company based in Zagreb but with offices all over Croatia. Most have offices in the larger Croatian towns and at airports. Thanks so much!! While Croatia is a small country, it's also pretty long. Things to Check Before You Rent a Your Car 7. The cheapest months to pick up your car hire in Croatia are February and January . Intercity buses are a convenient, frequent, fast, and cheap way to go from one town to another. 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). Would appreciate your thoughts/tips, and if you have any other advice Id be very grateful. You can't visit all the interesting sights by bus, because it is complicated and slow. Copyright 2014-2023 MissTourist | All Rights Reserved |. That was how much Hotwire told me it would cost to rent a car for a three-day weekend when I searched last month. I was surprised to find out that car rental companies charge extra for taking a car on a ferry. and another question on if not driving car so easy to commute to one city to another city ? We LOVE your website! Ive listed the price in HRK (Croatian Kuna) and USD but please note that the USD exchange rate might significantly change, so make sure to check the up-to-date rates here. The most important motorways include: National roads are marked with the letter D, and the road signs are mostly yellow. Even for the high season, you can secure a mini-size car for as low as 45 a day if you book 6 or more months in advance. Car rental companies don't keep enough cars with automatic transmissions. how much the parking costs and how easy is it to find it depends on the season, the city, distance to the center, etc. Reviews online are mixed but reviews are mixed for every car rental company so was hoping to hear from someone personally. They have English-speaking operators. Driving the next day driving to Umag. Thanks for the blog. That said, we all should use common sense in any country we travel to, things like locking the door before you leave and not leaving an expensive laptop in the front seat would definitely help. Most things are more expensive there. half had done so in Spain, where a week's rental costs 355 in Malaga . Hour. It's worth booking online even a few hours before you go to pick the car up. Neum is a coastal town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. If you plan to stay do most hotels/hostels/etc provide some sort of parking? Our best car rental in Croatia advice and tips, Different pick-up and drop-off location for car hire in Croatia, Insurance: Full coverage on a credit card, What kind of drivers license I need to rent a car in Croatia. Do not power up hills. Needless to say, our friends returned the car a day earlier in a similar condition and they have never charged them anything. 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. 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. You really dont have to have it but I always do just in case since it clearly says Croatia is member. Easter car rental prices up 135% while some locations may run out of What do you think about? Thank you! Because your insurance covers it all. I would like to have some foundation if Im going to argue with the company. In general, a car rental that might cost $30-80 per day might be a lot cheaper to rent by the week.) Please let us know in the comments below. Planning our summertime visit for July!! Most expensive countries for car hire in Europe revealed If the tank isn't full, a car rental company will charge you a fee. Thanks for sharing the info of traveling through Croatia. Things to Consider When Renting a Car in Croatia 5. Do I need to get any specific insurance while there? Or, do you think a car is the way to go? Holidaymakers face sky-high car hire rates abroad now more than double Thank you. A validdrivers license from your home country is sufficient to drive in Croatia.