Car hire in Croatia

Since the end of the hostilities of the Balkan War,Croatia has gone on to become one of Europe’s leading holiday destinations. On the coast, historic cities such as Dubrovnik have become favourites among the city-break crowd, while Croatia’s national parks appeal to those who are more interested in mountains and nature. In order to make the most of any time spent here, it is well worth considering hiring a car. Travellers can compare car hire rates on a wide range of vehicles from the best-known providers right here.

Car hire driving tips in Croatia 

Driving yourself around Croatia with a car rental is a great idea, especially since the cost compares favourably with elsewhere in the EU. However, some of the one-way routes can be narrow and curvy, meaning that driving here may be challenging (or exciting!) for some. There is a higher threat of accidents than in more developed holiday destinations, and drivers should be particularly wary of locals who overtake inappropriately. It’s also worth remembering that failure to drive without dipped headlights during daylight saving time (late October to late March) can result in a fine.

Need to know essentials

Driving licences: a licence from your home country which has been valid for a minimum of one year is accepted. Croatia does not accept International Driving Licenses.

Which side does Croatia drive on: the right.

Speed limits:

Motorways: 130kph

National roads: 110kph

Local roads: 90kph

Urban roads: 50kph

Alcohol limits: there is a zero tolerance policy regarding drink-driving in Croatia, with police strictly enforcing a blood alcohol limit of 0.05 per cent. Failing a routine breathalyser test can result in a fine, which varies in cost depending on the severity of the offence.

Driving age: 18 (extra surcharge for customers under 25).

Compulsory items: drivers must carry a fluorescent vest in the car (not in the boot), to be used when attending to a broken-down vehicle. This vest should be provided by the car rental supplier.

Seatbelts: should be worn at all times, with fines for non-compliance.

Mobile phones and GPS: like in much of Europe, using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited in Croatia unless using a ‘hands-free’ kit. Offenders face a fine. It is possible to use GPS units in Croatia, but many drivers find navigating Croatia straightforward without GPS.

Cost of fuel in Croatia: the cost of fuel including regular, premium and unleaded petrol as well as diesel tends to be slightly lower than in the UK.

Car hire and fuel payment: car hire agencies accept credit cards and require the customer to produce their card when picking up the vehicle. Petrol stations generally accept payment by credit card.

Insurance: third-party liability and fire insurance are compulsory with all car rentals. However, theft cover and Collision Damage Waiver are strongly recommended. These policies are often available at a discount from suppliers.

Traffic and parking: metered on-street parking and car parks are plentiful in large cities such as Dubrovnik and Zagreb. Due to ongoing road works, there tends to be a lot of traffic congestion between Split and Dubrovnik. In addition, all routes to the coast get busy at weekends. Speeding trams compete for limited road space on Zagreb’s narrow and congested streets.

Our travel editor’s recommended drives

The Adriatic Road – known locally as the Jadranska Magistrala, this scenic route stretches for at least 480kms from Dubrovnik to Rijeka. Featuring rugged mountain peaks, quaint villages and a spectacular mountain underpass, it is possibly the greatest Croatian road trip.

Dalmatian delight – departing from Dubrovnik, this two-hour drive to the island of Korcula allows travellers to appreciate the stunning scenery of the Dalmatian coast. On the way, travellers can stop off for wine tasting or to explore the medieval town of Ston. 

Castle cruising – travellers basing themselves in Varazdin are sure to enjoy the delights of its fortified old town. However, some of the region’s greatest castles, such as Trakoscan, are dotted around the nearby Zagorje Mountains. Trakoscan is a 40-minute scenic drive west of Varazdin. 

Zadar to Plitvice lakes – beginning in the atmospheric old town of Zadar, this two-hour drive ascends a pretty mountain range before eventually reaching Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park is a simply stunning piece of nature, providing a haven for hikers and other outdoors enthusiasts.

Croatia travel tips

More than 300,000 Britons head to Croatia each year in order to enjoy its beautiful Adriatic beaches and learn more about its colourful history. It is considered to be a safe destination and a simple place to travel, but it is still a good idea to study some of the excellent tips on this page in order to make any cultural adjustments as easy as possible.

Croatia weather and tourist seasons

Croatian coastal resorts have a typical Mediterranean climate, with warm and pleasant summers as well as a mild climate in the spring and autumn. However, August temperatures on the Adriatic can hit a scorching 39ºC in August. On the other hand, the mountains in the centre and north can be cold in winter, seeing significant snowfall. Inland, January temperatures range from -10ºC to 5ºC. The peak tourist season is from June to August, when hotel rooms can be at a premium in the popular resorts.

Croatia contact numbers (+385)

Emergency services - 112

Emergency road assistance - 987

British Embassy – 385 1 600 9100

Canadian Embassy – 385 1 488 1200

US Embassy – 385 1 661 2200

Honorary Consul of Ireland– 385 1 631 0025

Australian Embassy – 385 1 489 1200

Croatian National Tourist Board – 385 1 469 9333

Holidays and festivals

There are 14 official public holidays in Croatia, while each city also has its own public holiday to celebrate a patron saint. Typical Western holidays include New Year’s Day, Epiphany (6 January), Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Labour Day (1 May), Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Among other holidays, Thanksgiving Day (5 August) is notable, especially in the city of Knin, where a commemorative mass is followed by colourful parades and concerts. Shrove Tuesday is not an official holiday, but it is marked in many towns and cities by some of Croatia’s liveliest festivities.

Money matters

Euros have yet to become legal tender in Croatia, so the kuna remains the official currency. Although some businesses now accept euros, foreign currency is easy to change at any bank or exchange facility. It is easy to find ATMs across the country, all of which accept the usual credit cards, such as MasterCard and Visa. In addition, they accept European debit cards bearing symbols such as Visa Electron, Maestro or Cirrus. The cost of living tends to be lower here than in other countries in the EU.

Health and safety

Campers and hikers who travel to continental Croatia should be aware of some of the diseases carried by forest ticks, such as encephalitis. Around 0.3 per cent of Croatian ticks are thought to carry such diseases. As such, those who visit the Eastern Slavoniaregion are advised to be liberal with insect repellent and wear long-sleeved clothing. However, no specific vaccinations are required to enter the country. Tap water is safe to drink and is said by many to be among the cleanest tap water in the world.

Fitting in…

Croatians are fiercely independent and proud of their newly-founded country. As such, political discussions and remarks about the Balkan War should be avoided at all costs. Introductions are fairly formal here, with a firm handshake accompanied by formal titles and surnames. Croatians speak directly, but this should not be confused with rudeness as they are keen to display tact and sincerity at all times.

Visas for Croatia

Citizens of the EU are permitted to enter Croatia with a passport or ID card providing that the document has at least three months of validity remaining after the traveller’s intended departure date. In addition, citizens with a valid passport from some other countries can also enter for visits of up to 90 days with just their passport, including nationals from the USA, Australia and Canada.

Electricity

Croatian plug sockets typically accept appliances with two-pin Schuko plugs as well as the non-grounded Europlug from Russia. Appliances with three-pin plugs will thus need some kind of adaptor to work here. Electrical appliances run on 220-240 Volts, so visitors with UK or Australian appliances will not need a transformer.

Business hours
Croatian shops were previously banned from opening on Sundays, but many retailers now open seven days a week. Shopping centres typically open between 09:00 and 22:00, while the largest supermarkets may open at around 07:30 or 08:00. Many small retailers still close all day on Sundays, with others opening their doors until around 13:00. However, visitors will find that some petrol stations and pharmacies open 24 hours, seven days a week, particularly in built-up areas.

Helpful phrases

Zdra-vaw/bawg - Hello

Maw-leem - Please

Hva-la – Thank-you

Da/ne – Yes/no

Oo-poh-mohch! – Help!

Goh-vor-ree-teh lee En-gless-kee? - Do you speak English?

Koh-lee-koh kohsh-tah… ? – How much is… ?

Gdye-ye… ? – Where is… ?

Resources online

www.croatia.hr

www.wikitravel.org

www.ukincroatia.fco.gov.uk