Car rental · Croatia
Car rental in Zagreb
Zagreb is where most Croatian road trips start, because the airport is well connected and the prices are the lowest in the country. Collect here, drive south to the coast, and either loop back or pay the one-way fee to drop in Split or Dubrovnik.
Compare prices across every desk
International brands and local companies side by side — deposits and cover included.
Which car, and what it costs
| Class | Per day | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Economy (Clio, Polo) | €22–45 | Two people and the coast road |
| Compact (Golf, Octavia) | €30–60 | The default: motorway comfort, fits four |
| SUV / crossover | €45–90 | Plitvice in winter, gravel to the islands' beaches |
| Automatic | +€8–15 | Scarce in high season — book weeks ahead |
The rules in Croatia — the part the aggregators skip
| Drives on the | RIGHT |
|---|---|
| Speed limits (town / open road / expressway / motorway) | 50 / 90 / 110 / 130 km/h |
| Tolls | Toll booths on all motorways; pay by card or cash, or an ENC transponder from the rental desk. |
| Vignette | None — Croatia uses booths, not stickers. Neighbouring Slovenia needs an e-vignette. |
| Winter rules | Winter equipment compulsory from mid-November to mid-April on marked roads: winter tyres or chains on board. |
| Taking the car across borders | Rentals cross freely into Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Serbia with a cross-border fee; the coastal road to Dubrovnik passes through Bosnia at Neum, so ask for the green card even if you never plan to leave Croatia. Kosovo is usually excluded. |
| Local quirks | Blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%, zero for drivers under 25. Headlights on in daytime from November to March. Parking in old towns is by zone and the fines arrive months later through the rental company. |
| Currency | euro (EUR) |
Airport or city desk
Airport desks add a location surcharge of roughly 10–15% and open early; city offices are cheaper but many close on Sunday afternoons. If you land late on a Saturday, pay the airport premium and save a day.
Local companies or international brands
The international brands are all at the airport. Local Croatian companies (Oryx, Nova, Uni Rent) are cheaper and just as reliable — book through an aggregator that shows both, and compare the deposit rather than only the daily rate.
Five things visitors get wrong
- Ask for the cross-border green card even for a Dubrovnik-only trip: the coastal road crosses Bosnia at Neum for nine kilometres.
- One-way drops to Split or Dubrovnik cost €40–120 extra and are worth every cent — the drive back to Zagreb is four to six hours of motorway.
- The ENC toll transponder from the rental desk saves queuing at the booths; the tolls themselves run to about €25 Zagreb–Split.
- Zagreb's centre has three parking zones; the red zone is €1.50 an hour and limited to two hours. Park at a garage and walk.
- Winter equipment rules apply from mid-November — if you rent in December for Plitvice, confirm winter tyres are fitted, not just chains in the boot.
Common questions
How much does it cost to rent a car in Zagreb?
from €22 a day out of season, €45–70 a day in July and August. Automatics and SUVs carry a premium; book two to four weeks ahead in summer.
How big is the deposit?
Typically €300–1,200 hold on a credit card, blocked on a credit card and released a week or two after the return. Debit cards are refused by most desks.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
Bring one. It costs little, takes minutes to obtain at home, and both the police and the insurer may ask for it alongside your licence.
Can I take the rental car out of Croatia?
Rentals cross freely into Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Serbia with a cross-border fee; the coastal road to Dubrovnik passes through Bosnia at Neum, so ask for the green card even if you never plan to leave Croatia. Kosovo is usually excluded.
Is the minimum age a problem?
Minimum age is 21 (surcharge under 25). Under-25 drivers usually pay a daily young-driver surcharge and may be barred from the larger classes.
Airport or city pick-up?
Airport desks add a location surcharge of roughly 10–15% and open early; city offices are cheaper but many close on Sunday afternoons. If you land late on a Saturday, pay the airport premium and save a day.