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Explore Croatia on your own schedule

Car rental in Croatia

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★★★★★★ 4.5 / 8,764 reviews
Rent a car in Croatia
✓ No hidden fees · ✓ Free cancellation

Popular cities in Croatia

Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Zadar
Zadar
Zagreb
Zagreb
Split
Split

Why drive in Croatia

In Croatia a car opens up the coast beyond Dubrovnik and Split, letting you follow the Adriatic Highway past coves, vineyards and stone villages. Stop at viewpoints above Makarska or detour inland to Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park.

Public transport covers main hubs, but driving lets you time ferry crossings, beach days and winery visits your way. Explore Istrias hill towns, seek out quieter bays, then return to your base without watching bus timetables.

At a glance
Drives onRight
Motorway tollToll roads (pay per use)
CurrencyEuro (€)
Min. rental age21 years

Good to know before you drive

The essentials for a smooth, ticket-free trip.

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Speed limits

Town50 km/h
Open road90 km/h
Motorway130 km/h
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Parking

Paid short-stay zones in city centres — buy a ticket and display it.

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Alcohol limit

Typically 0.05% blood-alcohol limit; lower for new drivers.

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Vignette / tolls

Check whether a motorway vignette or tolls apply — many rentals include one.

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Practical Information for Drivers

Fines for violations of the road traffic regulations in Croatia

There is other good news. In Croatia, the police are generally very tolerant towards drivers. They do not set traps or quibble over minor issues. However, you will not be able to avoid fines for serious offences.

Speeding From 50 to 150 Euro
Driving through a red light 130 Euro
Overtaking on the wrong side 100 Euro
Not wearing a seat belt 60 Euro
Illegal parking From 50 Euro

The police officer is entitled not only to issue a ticket but also to accept payment on the spot.

Speed limits in Croatia

Visitors are strongly advised not to exceed the established speed limits. The fines can be extremely high.

  • The maximum speed allowed within built-up areas is 50 km/h
  • Outside built-up areas, the speed limit is 90 km/h
  • The speed limit on motorways is 130 km/h.

Speed enforcement in Croatia is quite strict. Police, speed guns and cameras operate on all types of roads.

Parking in Croatia

At some point you will need to leave your car somewhere. You are advised to find a suitable parking place as quickly as possible. There are many different types of car park in the country:

  • Green zone

You can park in this zone for up to 3 hours.

  • Yellow zone

You can park here for up to 2 hours.

  • Red zone

This parking area is intended for short-term parking only. You can park here for no more than 1 hour.

Ticket machines are located at the entrances to all car parks. After buying a parking ticket, place it under the windscreen of your car.

Road traffic regulations in Croatia

The road traffic regulations do not differ in any significant way from those in the rest of Europe. Nonetheless, if you travel around Croatia in a rented car, you will need to take some points into consideration. For example, the police officer has the right to withdraw a driving licence in the following cases:

  • Alcohol intoxication
  • Driver's illness, such as a high temperature and weakness
  • Failure to wear glasses or contact lenses where their use is specified as necessary in the medical certificate.

There is no point arguing with the police officer. You risk receiving a substantial fine.

Cost of fuel in Croatia

There are quite a lot of automated fuel stations in Croatia. Payment for fuel at these stations can be made by credit card only. Nevertheless, it is possible to find stations that accept payment in cash, although there are relatively few of them. The cost of fuel is about average for Europe.

  • One litre of 95 fuel costs 1.59 Euro
  • The price for one litre of 98 fuel is 1.66 Euro
  • One litre of diesel fuel costs 1.65 Euro

Experienced travellers recommend filling up within city limits, as prices at fuel stations located near motorways are slightly higher.

Toll roads in Croatia

In Croatia, toll roads are common. You also have to pay to drive through some tunnels and across certain bridges. However, this is not a reason to refuse a car. The cost of using these roads is so low that it is hardly worth taking into account.

Payment is made according to the standard system. When entering a toll road, the driver is required to take a ticket showing the starting point of the journey. When leaving the toll road, the driver must present this ticket to the operator, who will calculate and collect the payment.

What drivers say about Croatia

★★★★★★4.5
★★★★★★ 3.5

"We booked a small car for a coastal road trip and overall it was a good experience: clean vehicle, quick pick-up and friendly staff. Prices were fair for high season. Only downside was the return area at the airport being poorly signposted, so we circled a few times."

A
Ana
Croatia
★★★★★ 5

"I had a smooth rental experience, car was spotless and staff efficient. Will use Bookingcar again."

M
Marko Horvat
Croatia
★★★★★ 5

"I travelled with a friend and our rental went perfectly. The car was new, clean and economical, and pick-up at the airport was fast. Staff were friendly and explained everything clearly. We’ll definitely book again through Booking car next time."

I
Ivana Kovač
Croatia
More reviews →

Renting in Croatia — FAQ

For summer and school holidays in Croatia, it is wise to book a car at least 4–8 weeks in advance, especially for pick-up in coastal cities and on islands. Outside the peak season, 1–3 weeks is usually enough, but last-minute bookings may mean higher prices or limited choice of vehicle size and transmission.
The deposit is usually a card pre-authorisation in HRK, not an actual charge. It is released when you return the car undamaged and with the agreed fuel level. Most Croatian banks and card issuers unblock the amount within 3–10 working days, but some international cards may show the hold for up to around 14 days.
The excess is the maximum amount you must pay if the rental car is damaged or stolen. In Croatia it typically ranges from about HRK 3,000 to HRK 10,000, depending on car class. The rental company charges up to this amount from your deposit for valid claims. You can reduce or sometimes remove the excess by buying additional insurance or excess waiver cover.
Many suppliers in Croatia require a major credit card in the main driver’s name for the deposit. Some local or broker deals allow payment with a debit card, and a few offer reduced-deposit or even no-deposit, no-credit-card options. These usually come with conditions, such as purchasing extra insurance or choosing specific car categories and suppliers.
Prices vary by season and location. As a rough guide, in Croatia a small economy car might cost around HRK 200–350 per day in high season, and about HRK 100–180 per day off-peak. Automatics, SUVs, one-way rentals, and bookings at airports like Split or Dubrovnik typically cost more, especially in July and August.
Bookingcar compares prices from multiple car hire providers in Croatia in real time, helping you quickly find and book competitive offers for your dates and locations. By showing a wide range of cars, insurance options, and rental conditions side by side, it allows you to choose the most suitable and cost-effective deal from many different companies at once.
Returning the car late in Croatia usually leads to extra charges. Many companies apply a grace period of around 29–59 minutes, but after that they may charge an additional day at the local daily rate, plus possible late-return fees. If you expect to be delayed, contact the rental office in advance to discuss extending your contract and reducing penalties.
Standard limits for passenger cars (unless signed otherwise):
  • Built-up areas: 50 km/h
  • Outside built-up areas: 90 km/h
  • Expressways (brza cesta): 110 km/h
  • Motorways (autocesta): 130 km/h
Always follow posted signs, as limits may be lower near schools, construction zones, tunnels, or in bad weather. Police regularly use cameras and mobile radar, especially on busy coastal and motorway routes.
Traffic fines in Croatia are often collected on the spot or later via your rental company. Typical fines range roughly from HRK 300–1,000 for minor speeding or parking offences, and several thousand kuna for serious speeding, dangerous driving, or red-light violations. Severe offences can lead to licence points, driving bans, or even short-term detention in extreme cases.
The general blood alcohol limit for most drivers in Croatia is 0.5 g/l (0.05% BAC). However, a zero-tolerance limit of 0.0 g/l applies to drivers under 24 years old, professional drivers, and some categories such as driving instructors. Penalties for drink-driving are strict, including high fines, possible licence suspension, and in serious cases, criminal proceedings.
Fuel prices change frequently but, as a ballpark figure, in Croatia you can expect to pay around HRK 1.40–1.70 per litre for petrol (95) and roughly HRK 1.30–1.60 per litre for diesel. Motorway service stations can be slightly more expensive than those in towns. Most stations accept major cards, but keeping some cash is useful in rural areas.
Yes, most Croatian motorways (autoceste) use per-use tolls. You take a ticket when you enter and pay when you exit, based on distance and vehicle class, usually in HRK or by card. There is no nationwide vignette system. Some bridges and tunnels also have separate tolls. Keep your ticket safe, as losing it can mean paying the maximum route charge.

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