why is car hire so expensive in croatia

Although most of Croatia is navigable by road, there are certain places you may need to use a ferry. Dont even ask why this is the case, as it makes no sense to me. We've rented a car from Vetura a couple of times in the past and would recommend them if you are in Istria. Any other thing should I take into account? 2) We were also told for our week long rental which I had already paid for insurance through Expedia, that we would really need to buy two additional insurances (one was car body, the other for tire damage) or they could charge us for small scratches etc. A one-way car rental fee amounts to as much as 120 per rental. Before we even start talking about WHAT you should know before learning everything about car rentals in Croatia, let me make it super clear WHY I think it is the best way to travel in that country: The only problem is, renting a car in a foreign country can be tricky! Hope this helps! There's specific requirements. If I may suggest that you include a section about motorcycles and campervans rental in Croatia as well. Once in the town, you can use public transport to move around, or you can simply explore a town on foot. It is safe to rent a car in Croatia. We returned a car a week ago and just got charged 42 for being on an island. If you plan to stay do most hotels/hostels/etc provide some sort of parking? I know it will be a busy season when I am in Croatia. You bring both US drivers licence and international with you. I dont have any personal experience renting with Sixt, but I dont think Sixt is worse (or better) than others. ATTENTION: We all know that the views are marvelous and you want to snap some pictures for your memories, but PLEASE make sure you move your car to the side and you are not blocking the road, ok? They all come at an additional cost. Would I need an international driver license? I dont want them telling us we need to return the car if we arent ready. There's plenty to consider and we'll demystify car rental insurance in Ireland below. I definitely recommend renting a car. . Below is a list of some of the car hire agencies in Croatia. This means that, for example, you can take a road trip from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, but take a plane back from Dubrovnik to Zagreb. Within the final 48 hours, prices almost always go up. Dropoff options (Enterprise rental) are Lucko or Airport. Since roads in Croatia are great, well-marked, and easy to navigate, GPS is not really necessary to have. Be sure to adjust the wing mirrors, rearview mirror and the seat to your liking before leaving on your journey. In a whiplash-inducing turn of. There are a few general rules that apply in Croatia that you should adhere to at all times on Croatian roads. germany - Why are car rentals in Switzerland & Austria so expensive They have many highways and the views you can catch from a simple 10 km road trip are stunning! The average price to hire a car in Croatia is just 56.80 per day, whilst the most expensive hire car in Croatia is a Mercedes GLE car for a (premium) class from Green motion costing 658.20 per day. it might be true. So many awesome places in Croatia, I hope you are staying for a long time! I wanted to rent a camper, but no automatic transmission and no AC for the whole unit. Thankyou for sharing this amazing information. You'll absolutely need a car in Croatia if you decide to stay in any small coastal village, like our village Komarna. As I mentioned before, you can request one from the car rental company for a small extra fee, No drinking and driving is permitted in Croatia! If you are four or more people traveling together, you will need to rent a full-size car with a big trunk, or even a van in order to comfortably fit you and your luggage. Better safe than sorry! Do Croatian companies have offices in Hungary/Italy/Slovenia? Drop Off. Again, tools like AutoEurope and RentalCars can help you figure out the logistics of your trip a whole lot easier. PRICE: HRK 1700 (US $250.5) HRK 1750 (US $258) per day. Your car should come with a green card accepted in both countries. How much does a car rental in Croatia cost? Car hire seems very expensive! - Croatia Message Board - Tripadvisor I recall seeing a comment on another website regarding a requirement the the credit card have raised/embossed characters. 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. thanks for stopping by. Some blogs suggest staying out of old town, in Lappad for exemple. We want to rent a car in Croatia, but take that car into Montenegro, and then leave from Montenegro. Car hire cost have spiralled globally - Study reveals that Iceland is What Documents Do You Need to Rent a Car in Croatia, 4. What do you think of these two issues? Save on luxury, economy and family car hire. Just like with many other services in Croatia (accommodation, tours, activities, etc), the car rental business is very seasonal. I got an offer for VW Golf for 75 a day; only to find that same car on the Rentalcars website for 50 . NOTE: When driving on small countryside roads, pay attention to animals they can jump on the road completely unpredictably. This post might also contain affiliate links to other sites, like accommodation or activities. While the basic insurance covers you for driving on the Croatian islands, it actually doesn't cover the possible damage that can occur on the ferry itself during the crossing. Since my company often rents with Oryx, and I know people there, I called and asked for the best deal they could make me for a day rental. Oryx is a company based in Zagreb but with offices all over Croatia. It might sound obvious, but in order to find a cheap car rental, youll need to book well in advance as this lowers the prices dramatically! My husband and I are planning a 10 day trip to Croatia in June and were trying to figure out our itinerary. If you press your foot down on the accelerator too hard, it will cause your wheels to spin. Because I feel that if it is 17 per ferry ride then we were overcharged perhaps? Very insightful and in depth post. The only thing you need when crossing the border is the green card a proof that your car has a minimum level of insurance required to be in Bosnia. Intend on a day or 2 in Zagreb without car before we depart for home. I have a question re car rental concerning Personal Liability Insurance. It takes extra time to price out five companies, but prices can vary widely depending on . Do you know what the deal is? Car rental companies also offer additional equipment to rent like GPS, WiFi hot spot packages, child and baby seats, an extra driver, etc. If you choose to rent a car at the airport, it usually will often cost more as the car rental company has to pay extra for a license to operate at the airport. It might be cheaper. So, if you dont want to take the risk, extra insurance just for this will be about 15-20 EUR extra. If you decide to cover that with public transport, it will take a longer time, and sometimes travel isn't straightforward. Do you have any good companies that youve personally used in the city and not the airport of Dubrovnik? Austria isn't quite so bad, but after the Nordics and Switzerland it is probably the most expensive country in Europe. It's extremely important that you inspect the car before picking it up, take photos, and discuss any damages you see with a car rental representative. I have A question. Do I need to get any specific insurance while there? 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. 12 Things You Should Know about Renting a Car in Europe To. NOTE: If your accommodation provides free parking that is an extra bonus-make sure to ask them in advance! I cant provide no other proof but a common sense. Campings in Croatia are awesome, well-equipped, and youll find them all along the coast. But, in my opinion, Google maps are the best and the cheapest navigation solution in Croatia. Any recommendations or providers you would suggest? We have CHASE credit cards and full coverage on our card now. From what I can tell, it offers the most competitive prices. The telephone number is 987. Most big chain companies dont even offer that option, and the ones that do charge a lot of money for it and it can only be arranged by advance request. And they also work offline (if previously downloaded). Any suggestions? I recommend using an economy car that doesnt guzzle petrol but provides plenty of comforts. But it's not worth $1,200. Things to Consider When Renting a Car in Croatia, 5. Skyrocketing rental car prices are are surprising Australian travellers Smaller cars also have a much better fuel efficiency which will save you money along the way! As for the way Croats drive they might seem a bit too hasty for some foreign drivers, but other than that, they are very polite, so no worries there! You better make sure to book your car rental in Croatia well ahead. Regards. The big bang brands (Hertz, Europcar, Avis.) hello. Your information has been invaluable. Compare car hire in Croatia and find the cheapest prices from all major brands. If you need this service, you will need to arrange this directly with the car rental company. You can rent a car in Dubrovnik and drive to Montenegro, or take your car rental from Croatia to Bosnia and back. 4. All ZipCar trips come with secondary insurance, maintenance and gas included on all trips. The Tasmanian Government stepped in, offering a $1,000 Hire and Drive Reimbursement grant to encourage Tassie locals to consider sharing their cars. Ive noticed that Croatian car rental companies do not offer PLI coverage that compares with, say, the UK or USA. It's certainly worth trying especially during the low-demand periods. Any car in Croatia need to be insured, and green card (needed for traveling to non-EU countries like Montenegro and Bosnia) comes with the basic car insurance. Also, Nova rent a car Croatia has been voted the best rental car company in Croatia to work for. 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). PRO TIP: Never try booking at the last minute during peak season in Croatia (which is June to September) as you may not find a vehicle to rent, and if you do, the price will be heavily escalated due to the high demand! They try to charge extra. 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. Hello,Frank and Vera.Nice information.Thanks.We are a family of four,none of us can drive.We are looking for a car to take us from Split to Dubrovnik stopping at Mostar (to save a day and a day trip)but all I find is that I can save money only if one person skips as a silly rule that car or van can have only 3 persons or less or next 8 persons or less paying exorbitant amounts.Please point me to some cheaper alternatives.My time is also limited for me to allow me to travel by bus. If true is that still current? Can you drive a rental car from Croatia to Bosnia, Montenegro, or any other European country? This will help you out a lot, especially when driving on the highways! An RV or Camper Van is the perfect vehicle to rent in this situation. Some companies can charge triple the price for gas, so better do it yourself in advance. At the time of writing the cheapest compact car for 2 weeks in August at Almeria is 44% (or 330) cheaper in Spain than it is at Murcia. But I would rather think no. 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). I understand there is no need to buy a additional insureance in order to visit Bosnia. There are a few situations that we can think of where you'll be better off without a car. There are many ferries in Croatia and, as you might use that option to get to one of the islands, I decided to write about this as well. That was how much Hotwire told me it would cost to rent a car for a three-day weekend when I searched last month. We are going to Croatia next month. So, what do I do with my car when I arrive at a destination? Hi Yulia. And before you know it, they took 30 for cleaning the vehicle?! If their prices are the most competitive, just go with it. We offer affordable rates on a premium fleet of luxury and economy vehicles.You can choose to rent daily, weekly or even long term. 1. as a tourist, is the electronic toll payment system available? Split is the best place. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Ill be travelling from split to dubrovnik back up towards mostar and back to split. how much is gas in and around Zagreb through Dubrovnik in the high season of travel? Its possible to arrange it, but youll pay extra. Croatia: 547: 549: 76: . Hi Anna, I was advised that IDP is required. It happened to us just this past winter in Spain. There shouldnt be any problems if you choose a company that allows border crossing, such as RentalCars. This is the most scenic road in Croatia. If you don't want to take a chance, this extra insurance will cost you around 20 per rental. Also, do you know if its possible to rent cars starting in Korcula? However, if you don't succeed, then expect to pay around 50 per rental or 10 per day depending on the company. 3. Well, that highly depends on what type of car youd like to drive and which season youll be visiting this beautiful country! EasyRent. Thanks and congatulations for your blog. So, Nova is definitely worth a try if you are looking to rent a car in Croatia. 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. 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 rates go up as the demand increases and as the inventory decreases. 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. A big portion of your traveling budget is going to go towards fuel if youre taking a road trip. Motorways are marked with the letter A, while motorway road signs are always green in color. Is the insurance for the ferry and how is that charged? Dubrovnik is the only exemption. Neum is a coastal town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. That must be a bit exaggerated, no? Decide what's the purpose of your trip, and how many places would you like to see during your visit, and you'll have a better idea of whether you need to rent a car in Croatia. We are heading over in October.. to the lokva rogocznica area I believe, looking forward to getting out and about. why is car hire so expensive in ireland We are interested in picking up a car in Dubrovnik (probably) or Split (possibly) and dropping it off in Porec. Parking in popular destinations in Croatia can be a real hustle, and it costs money. You will be able to pay in kunas or in eur and pay in cash or by card. But I find it strange they have charged you afterwards. Just take a look at the above picture wouldnt you want to rent a car and drive along that beautiful coastline? Now that you have a better idea of how youre going to get around this amazing country, you should start looking into the best places to visit in Croatia. However, I would take this cost as definitely one of the costs worth negotiating about with the car rental companys representative. Just last summer, a friend asked me to negotiate a deal on a car rental in Dubrovnik. 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. PRICE: HRK 200 (US $29.5) HRK 220 (US $32) per day. Intercity buses are a convenient, frequent, fast, and cheap way to go from one town to another. Thanks for all the info. "The business model seems to benefit both the rental . In New South Wales, the average daily cost of a rental car listed on Kayak between December 1 and January 31 was 72 per cent more expensive compared to the same time last year. It is gorgeous, though. However, car rental in many places is still surprisingly cheap. If you, for example, hold a US driver's license, or any other for that matter, you can drive with a US driver's license in Croatia. Re: Car hire seems very expensive! With all this variability in mind, the average price to rent a car has typically been expected at between 50 to 100 dollars per day.1 However, recent events have caused an upswing in that average. If you worry about car rental companies trying to screw you, well, I understand you completely. Hi, would you know if car rentals can charge you an island fee? Hi Im Yulia! I thinks the electronic payment system is too much hustle for a short stay in Croatia we have some traffic jams at the toll booths, however they are not excessive nor they happen often. Well be making an overnight stop at Velika Kladusa in Bosnia on our way. I read on another website that an international drivers license is required for a car rental? Sixt Croatia is a part of the Sixt global network. And now it is time to start booking a rental car for the road-trip of a lifetime! Do you have any experience renting a car from the company Sixt? If you decide on a winter road trip in Croatia, my best advice is to stick to the coastal towns. Hi Morten, If it`s not exaggerated, do you know how long we should count on border crossings to take? 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! Vetura is a regional car rental company based in Porec, and with offices in all major Istrian coastal towns. I think you will be better taking a ferry to Rovinj, and renting a car there. Thanks so much!! I booked a rental with enterprise for my holiday on Oct 11th. The companies will authorize your credit card for a security deposit (unless you purchase full coverage insurance). Im happy to hear this, thank you! Hi Ringob, I always suggest you follow the rules and let the locals pass if they really want to. What are my options? Choose your pick-up location, compare and find the car that best suits you and your budget. A credit card is mandatory when renting a car in Croatia. I am positive is has to do with the illiquidity of the lending market ie banks lending to companies. Car Sell-Off. Again, the only way to do stay in one place and explore the wider region is by car. (And the last time no one checked for the green card at those borders the ones around Neum). -Anna. If they treat their employees well, the employees must treat the customers well. Any concerns regarding credit card physical appearance? Oh, and dont forget about Split and Plitvice! Sometimes our readers like to know if they can pick up a rental car in one country, and then drop it off in another country. Holidaymakers face sky-high car hire prices this summer as rental firms struggle to meet renewed demand. Renting a car in a foreign country is a puzzle so this has given me extra ideas on how I will go about it. My Husband and I shall be travelling to Croatia next week for the first time . However according to their rental conditions of Oryx and another Croation car rental company they claim they are allowed to add up to 70 euros additional costs when you take the car outside a EU country. Thanks. Currently, the lowest age any rental company charges is 60 years old. Were sorting details for trip to Croatia Sept/Oct which involves rental car drop-off in Zagreb (using your recommended Rentalcars.com) at end of our trip. Do not forget to take your credit (not debit) card because you will probably need it for a deposit (that is, if you are not going to purchase the full insurance). Anyways, . We will be traveling around 3 weeks and will also travel to Slovenia. One of the reasons that car rentals are so expensive is that car rental agencies sold off most of their cars during the COVID-19 pandemic. And then you will need to claim it with your credit card company. insist that the car rental company gives you this paper. They have English-speaking operators. Rory Sexton, managing director at Zest Car Rental, agrees, adding that prices tend to align with demand. Here are a few tips for driving in the cold: If youre driving inland during winter, youre likely to encounter snow at some point. Buses are ok if travelling to Dalmatia, but not on islands or in Istria. I am aware that Kosovo is a no-go by rental car, but I wasn`t aware that Albania and Macedonia could be an issue? Croatia is an absolutely incredible place to go on a road trip! How much does it cost to hire a car in Croatia? 2. if yes, can it be done through the rental company? Although many small villages have basic facilities, like a grocery store, a bar, and a restaurant, you will need to drive to the closest town if you need an ATM machine, pharmacy, fresh meat or fish, or large supermarket. Well-established international rent a car company with 15 branch offices all over Croatia, from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, Enterprise is a rent a car Croatia company that maintains a good review score for both, the quality of the cars and staff efficiency. Happy exploring! Dear Frank, The exact amount of safety deposit for car hire Croatia depends on a vehicle, and a car rental company, but the amount usually comes to anywhere between 1.000 and 3.500 if you don't take extra insurance. There are plenty of companies that offer short term insurance for rented cars, and many of these come in at a much more reasonable price! PRO TIP: Make sure you have winter tires on your car rental-they are mandatory from mid- November to mid-April! In Croatia, you drive on the right-hand side of the road and pass on the left, Just like every other country in the world, seat-belts are mandatory so be sure to buckle up each time you get in the car before heading onto the roads, Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to sit in the front passenger seat, Children from the ages of 2-5 must be in a suitable childs seat. Where are you coming from to Plitvice? I will mention this a couple more times in this post, and I cant stress this enough Croatia is a pretty big tourist destination nowadays (for a good reason!) Which places would you recommend to see if we have about 7 days in the area, including outside of Croatia if we can squeeze it all in? And here are our reasons why! A Land Rover Discovery or an off-road Jeep is the perfect car for the job. 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. Hiring a car in Croatia gives you the freedom to travel as you please and make impromptu stops along the way, without having to hassle with a tour guide! Don't forget that prices change dynamically with the demand. Normally, every car in Croatia is insured for accident throughout Europe, they all come with so-called green card, but car rental companies dont always include it in the rental (although they should). What do you think about? But its just a bad luck, for the most time car rental goes fine. Dinka imunovia 2A, 21000, Split, Croatia? Ask beforehand how much this will cost you as car rental companies sometimes charge extra for this service. Never be in rush, take all the time you need, but make sure you check for any damage no matter how small it might be. I suggest you look further inland, especially if you are renting a car. However, parking fees apply in Split, Dibrovnik, or Zagreb even for hotel parkings. Parking in Dubrovnik is extremely expensive (50-75 kn per hour). Contacts | t: +385 98 983 6950 | e: [emailprotected] |Website. What would you suggest? Here are the average prices that you can expect to pay to rent a car in Croatia for a day. Can it be avoided with our own rental car insurance proof? There is also a free app that will help you keep up to date on road conditions, toll calculator, gas stations map and much more. They knew their average demand and had enough cars available for practically everyone to use. Thanks in advance. ATTENTION: Youll be able to rent a car as long as youre 18 years or older, but will be subject to extra charges if youre younger than 22 or older than 70. Very informative! Hi Elise, This piece of document proves that your car has at least a minimum level of insurance required and it is recognized and accepted by different European countries. Renting a car in Croatia can also be the most economical way to travel through the country depending on the time of year you visit, the number of people in your group, and how long in advance you book your Croatia car rental. We offer deals on extras, child seats, GPS, additional driver and insurance packages to help you have an safe . I also noted you would recommend a car for families. There may be a fault that the company is not aware of. Cheers Queues at borders can be long, particularly in high season (July, August), from my experience I would count an hour between Croatia and Bosnia in Neum, and another hour at Croatia-Montenegro border. Generally speaking, the roads in Croatia are in very good condition. I am traveling to the Bellevue Hotel in Losinj with an adult son. But do I still need the IDP if I plan to drive and stay (one night) in Bosnia? while if you were to use a small local company, it might just ignore your claims. You will then need to claim this cost with your insurer (in this case, your credit card company). Have you heard of them and are they okay? If you dont want to pay the extra charges (it can get quite costly, actually) youll need to bring a baby seat with you, In my opinion, the GPS option is completely unnecessary as Google maps works great in the country and it is available offline if previously downloaded. I am not sure about Albania and Kosovo. Learn how your comment data is processed. There are some businesses we don't trust and always believe that in dealing with them we'll certainly get screwed up. If you only intend to cross into Bosnia in Neum then you don't need to pay a cross-border fee. It should have been arranged in advance (IMO). For toll vignettes for Croatia/Hungary/Slovenia/Italy, is there an automobile association in Croatia where we could buy them for all neighboring countries? Most expensive countries for car hire in Europe revealed 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. Best time to hire a car. You don't need any additional cross-border insurance for Bosnia and Montenegro. Youll also experience less traffic than in the summer months (July and August) which makes a road trip a lot more pleasant! 1. I will stay in old town. In fact, snow can be pretty heavy during the winter in Croatia! Thanks! Having the convenience of your own transportation makes a huge difference when traveling in Croatia! Hi! This surcharge usually amounts to 25 per rental. A car is definitely the best way to explore Croatia. Punch your travel plans into the GPS. 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. Hi Kompas Rent A Car. And we even had full insurance. So, book your car as soon as possible if you can't drive a manual. But I dont have a credit card. 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 We are travelling in may 2018: Hi Frank, I am concerned reading the reviews of car rental places in Split. to charge you extra for crossing from Croatia into Bosnia or Montenegro. Without extra insurance, you as a customer are partly liable for any damage. Your on line travel guide is terrific. For example, if renting with Oryx, you can arrange on request, a drop off of their car rental in one of the following towns outside Croatia: Budapest (Hungary), Ljubljana and Maribor in Slovenia, Belgrade in Serbia, Sarajevo, and Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Podgorica and Tivat in Montenegro. 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.