If you’re wondering if you should rent a car in Croatia to experience the country to the fullest, this blog post is for you.
The best way to see Croatia is by driving, whether by your car or a rented one, it doesn’t matter. This blog post won’t be about how you can rent a car, but why you should or shouldn’t. According to these pros and cons and your itinerary, you decide if you need a car or not.
As a Croatian native, I go in great detail for each of the pros and cons, so this will surely help you out!
WHERE TO RENT A CAR
You can rent a car in Croatia in every major city and at every airport in the country. Some of the most popular rental agencies in Croatia are Sixt, Orynx, and Enterprise. If you stumble upon others, make sure you check them out thoroughly online.
Read more >>> CROATIA 10-DAY ITINERARY: PERFECT 10 DAYS IN CROATIA
PROS – WHY AND WHEN YOU SHOULD RENT A CAR IN CROATIA
Rent a car in Croatia if you want freedom and flexibility
Although Croatia is not a big country, the most special places are often a few hours away from each other. With a car, you can explore Croatia at your own pace, visit off-the-beaten-path locations, and create your own itinerary for the ultimate Croatian holiday.
Also, renting a car is way more convenient if you’re traveling with family, friends, or carrying a lot of luggage. You can easily move between cities and attractions without any worries. You can stop wherever and whenever you want, and you don’t have to follow rigorous public transportation schedules.
Rent a car if you enjoy scenic drives
Croatia is stunning, and driving through the country will definitely be one of the highlights of your trip. Croatia has breathtaking coastal roads, the most popular one being Jadranska Magistrala (D8). To experience this road, get off the highway in Split and then continue to drive along the coast to Dubrovnik.
Read more >>>
- Zagreb to Split Scenic Drive: Best Stops Along the Way
- Split to Dubrovnik Scenic Drive: Best Stops Along the Way
Croatia also has picturesque countryside (I would recommend driving through the Pelješac peninsula) and scenic mountain routes (these are especially stunning near Makarska and Omiš). Renting a car allows you to enjoy these beautiful landscapes at your leisure, and you definitely cannot enjoy them by taking public transportation.
Rent a car if you want to visit remote beaches and places in Croatia
Many of Croatia’s hidden gems, such as secluded beaches, charming villages, and national parks, are best reached by car. Now, charming little towns and national parks often have tours you can book, but the secluded beaches are practically impossible to reach without a car.
If you love visiting less-known beaches with smaller crowds, a car might be necessary for you! Some of my favourite secluded beaches are Pasjača near Dubrovnik, Nugal Beach near Makarska, and Stiniva beach on Vis island.
Read more >>> 10 BEST BEACHES IN CROATIA
Rent a car in Croatia if you’re travelling in a group
If you’re traveling with a group, renting a car can be more budget-friendly than buying multiple bus or train tickets. You can rent a car for a week in peak summer season from 200 euros upwards. If there are 3-5 of you, this will definitely be more economical than paying for buses, ferries, or private transports for each person.
On top of all that, it will be way more fun and comfortable! Make sure you know what’s your budget for transportation and check if there’s a rental car at that price.
Rent a car in Croatia if you’re short on time
Often people come to Croatia and want to visit 10 different towns but they only have 5 or 7 days. While I’m all for exploring as much as you can, do not force it, especially if you’re using public transport. That’s why a rental car is an amazing option for those who are short on time but have ambitious itineraries.
A car allows you to maximize your time, so you can visit multiple destinations in a day. A bus ride from Split to Dubrovnik is 4 hours on a good day, while you can do the same trip in 2.5 hours by car. If you want to make the most of every minute you’ve got, a car is a must!
Rent a car in Croatia if you want to take day trips
Croatia has so many incredible towns and natural parks that day trips are a must while on holiday. While yes, you can visit popular locations by public transportation, having a car will make it much easier. If you choose public transportation, you often have to deal with scarce or irregular schedules, and private tours are really expensive, especially in the summer.
A car makes it easier to embark on day trips to popular destinations such as Plitvice Lakes National Park, Krka National Park, or the islands without worrying about all those things.
Read more >>> BEST DAY TRIPS FROM SPLIT
Rent a car if you hate crowded public transport
You’re probably visiting Croatia in summer because you’ve heard of its gorgeous towns, crystal-clear water, and great food. Well, so has everyone else, and they’re all here. During the high tourist season, there are hundreds of thousands of tourists, so public transportation can be crowded and less reliable.
Also, even if you get a ticket for a ferry or a bus, you’ll be there with 300 other people. A car guarantees you a more comfortable and stress-free journey. That’s a win for me!
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CONS – WHY AND WHEN YOU SHOULDN’T RENT A CAR IN CROATIA
Don’t rent a car in Croatia if finding parking is stressful for you
Croatia is known for having small, quaint towns, and those don’t come with huge parking lots. Finding parking in cities and popular tourist spots such as Dubrovnik or the islands can be difficult and expensive.
In some areas, parking spaces are limited or require permits, so finding a parking spot can be a nightmare. If you’re not willing to deal with that, maybe just use public transportation or a private transfer.
Read More >>> PARKING IN DUBROVNIK: LOCATIONS AND PRICES
Don’t rent a car in Croatia if you’re not a confident driver
There are a few reasons why I think you need to feel confident in your driving abilities when visiting Croatia. Croatia’s coastal towns and historical city centers often have narrow, winding roads. Those can be challenging to navigate, especially for drivers unfamiliar with the area. You constantly need to be careful, and overtaking someone can be a nightmare.
Additionally, you have to be careful with local traffic laws, speed limits, and road regulations because fines in Croatia are often huge. The locals are truly never gentle in traffic, so you need to stand your ground and know when to go and when to stop in a second.
Finally, during the high tourist season, traffic congestion can be significant, particularly along the coast and in popular tourist areas, leading to delays and frustration. Also, you have to deal with not only locals driving but with a lot of (often unexperienced) tourists on the road.
If just reading this gave you migraines, maybe skip renting a car and just use public transportation.
Don’t rent a car if you’re on a budget
While it might be possible to find a reasonably priced car to rent even during the summer season, renting a car brings many additional costs. Along with the car and insurance, you have to pay for fuel, tolls, and parking fees, which can be expensive.
Additionally, if you plan to pick up a car in one city and drop it off in another, one-way rental fees can add significantly to your costs. If you’re travelling by yourself or in a pair, public transportation or organized tours might be more cost-effective.
Don’t rent a car if you don’t mind public transport
If you are travelling budget-friendly and are prepared and ok with travelling by public transportation, definitely do that and don’t bother with a car. Croatia has a well-developed network of buses, ferries, and trains that connect major cities and tourist destinations.
You’ll have to book the tickets in advance and be ready for some crowds, but if that doesn’t bother you, you can travel pretty cheaply through Croatia. It won’t be as comfortable as a car, but it will get you from one location to another.
Don’t rent a car in Croatia if you’re only visiting one or two cities
If you plan on spending your holiday in one or two locations, there’s no point in renting a car, public transportation will be enough. In cities like Dubrovnik and Split, cars are often more of a hindrance than a help.
You’ll have to find parking somewhere which will be tedious and expensive. On top of all that, many attractions are within walking distance or easily accessible by public transport, so you won’t even use the car that much.
We’ve enjoyed traveling around the coast and islands without a car for the most part. The ferries and buses are a great way to get around. That said, we also rented cars for those days where we wanted to explore places hard to reach by public transport.