Compare Croatia car hire

Given the lack of public transport in more rural parts of the country, it’s fortunate that car hire in Croatia is cheap and easy to arrange. By booking in advance, you can arrange to pick up your hire car from most of Croatia’s eight airports, with Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka, Split, Zadar and Zagreb all providing pick-up points for major international car rental companies such as Budget, Hertz, Avis and Sixt.

You’ll also find some local Croatian car rental companies scattered in among the big names, often offering competitive prices. However, be sure to factor in extra costs for items such as child seats and sat nav systems before making your choice.

It’s also wise to book your Croatia car rental online before you arrive at the airport so you can save money by comparing prices across several companies.

It’s easy to get around Croatia in a hire car, with high-speed motorways linking Zagreb with Split and Dubrovnik via the A1, and the A6 connecting Zagreb and Rijeka.

Croatia’s most picturesque coastal route is the so-called Adriatic Highway (Jadranska magistrala) which links Rijeka and Dubrovnik – also known as the E65. With sheer drops and serpentine twists, it is heart-pounding stuff, but you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the coastline’s craggy cliffs and the smooth, shimmering sea.

Just remember to take your driving licence and passport with you, as some small sections of the road pass through Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Patience is the word when driving in Croatia. Coastal roads can be narrow, twisty and – in wet weather – slippery. Watch out especially when driving on the islands where the roads aren’t as well maintained as on the mainland, and always give way to local speed demons!

1. Use the Croatian Auto Club’s interactive travel map to pinpoint petrol stations before you hit the road – they can be scarce in more rural areas.
   
   
2. Keep some spare change for roadside tolls. The Croatian Highways website has information about where these are, as well as useful maps.
   
   
3. You must be at least 21 years old to drive in Croatia – make sure you have the appropriate ID.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.