Car hire in Croatia
A hire car in Croatia costs from €20 a day in winter and from €33–35 in summer, and you can collect it at five airports: Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar and Pula. Since 2022 the Pelješac Bridge has linked the far south to the rest of the country, so the drive north from Dubrovnik no longer has to pass through Bosnia.
- with car collection: Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar and Pula
5 airports
with car collection: Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar and Pula
- a car per day in January and February; from €35 in August
from €20
a car per day in January and February; from €35 in August
- the Pelješac Bridge: north from Dubrovnik without crossing into Bosnia
Free
the Pelješac Bridge: north from Dubrovnik without crossing into Bosnia
- the busiest month for car hire — people book 4–6 weeks ahead
September
the busiest month for car hire — people book 4–6 weeks ahead
- on almost every motorway: Zagreb to Split costs about €26
Tolls
on almost every motorway: Zagreb to Split costs about €26
Choose what you need
How it works
Roamo is an information guide. We set out the options and the rental terms; the cars are provided by independent rental companies, and you book and pay them directly.
- 1
Pick a town and dates
Airport or delivery to your address, the size of car, manual or automatic — every page shows “from” prices and the local terms.
- 2
Compare the terms
Deposit, insurance, mileage and permission to drive into Montenegro or Bosnia are all on the car’s listing before you pay.
- 3
Book directly
You pay 15–20% online when booking and the rest to the company when you collect the car. The contract and payment are on their side.
Where to collect a car
One page per town: how collection works, where to park and where to drive next.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in Croatia on a UK, EU or US licence?
Yes. Licences issued in the EU, the UK, the US or Turkey are printed in Latin script, so your national licence is enough. If your licence is not in Latin script, you need an International Driving Permit alongside it, and that can only be issued at home before you travel.
Do I need a visa or ETIAS to visit Croatia?
UK and US citizens need no visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180. Croatia has been in the Schengen area since 1 January 2023, and since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully running: on your first entry your photo and four fingerprints are taken instead of a passport stamp, so the first crossing takes longer. ETIAS has not launched yet and is not required — keep an eye on the news. EU citizens can travel on an ID card.
Can I drive a Croatian hire car into Montenegro or Bosnia?
Yes, but only in a car that is cleared for it, with the cross-border option added when you book. The company provides the Green Card and written permission; do not cross without them. The car has to go back in Croatia — it cannot be returned in another country.
I’m staying in Montenegro. Is it worth crossing to Dubrovnik?
Dubrovnik is Croatia’s southern gateway: the main crossing is Debeli Brijeg (Montenegro) to Karasovići (Croatia), open around the clock. In summer the queue takes from half an hour to two or three hours, so set off before 7:30 or after 16:00. This is the outer Schengen border, with full passport checks.
Can I hire a car without a deposit?
Yes, but you will need to look harder: most cars come with a deposit. The search has filters for “no deposit” and for a deposit capped at, say, €300, and some cars do not need a credit card at all.
When is it cheapest, and how early should I book?
January to March is cheapest, from €20–21 a day; June to August is from €33–35. September is almost as busy as July and August, so for June to September book four to six weeks ahead.
Will my phone work, and do I need cash?
Croatia is in the EU, so EU SIMs work as at home; for a UK SIM it depends on your plan, so check before you fly. EU roaming rules do not apply in Montenegro or Bosnia, including the short stretch at Neum. Croatia has used the euro since 2023 and cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry some cash for villages and islands, and coins for parking meters.