Croatia
Car hire in Zadar
Zadar is northern Dalmatia: an old town on a peninsula, islands just offshore and two national parks within reach. The airport at Zemunik is close, about 12 km away. Most cars here come with unlimited mileage, and the roads to the nearby sights are all tarmac, so a small car will do.
from €20 per day
- ZAD airport, unlimited mileage
Search and book
A live catalogue with prices and availability for your dates. The rental contract and payment are handled directly with the rental company at pick-up.
Collecting a car at Zadar airport
Zadar airport (ZAD) is at Zemunik, about 12 km and 15–20 minutes from the city. Cars are handed over at the airport, at the company’s office or delivered to your hotel. Most come with unlimited mileage, which suits trips to Plitvice and Split.
Your licence must be in Latin script; otherwise you need an International Driving Permit with it. From 20 with a year’s experience the choice is limited; from 22 with three years or more, almost the whole fleet is open to you.
Parking in Zadar
The closer you get to the old town peninsula, the more you pay. Zone 0 is for residents; anyone else may stay an hour at most, and pays. Zones 1–4 are paid but have no time limit; in the centre it is around €1.60 an hour, and from 1 May to 30 September a higher summer rate applies.
The City Galleria shopping centre garage is cheaper, and the city has plenty of covered garages with spaces even in season. Out of season parking is free on Stjepana Radića street from the City Bridge, by the entrance to the peninsula and by the hospital. You pay at the meter, in the Bmove app or by text from a Croatian SIM. Never park on yellow markings.
Day trips from Zadar
Nin, with its salt pans and Queen’s Beach, and Paklenica National Park are 30–40 minutes away. South to Split is 155–159 km, an hour and 45 to 50 minutes on the A1, and on to Makarska is about 217 km from Zadar, around two and a half hours.
From Zagreb it is about 285 km and three hours by motorway: take a ticket at the entry and pay at the exit.
Driving to the Plitvice Lakes from Zadar
The Plitvice Lakes are about 135 km away, around two hours — an easy day trip. Cars are not allowed into the park, but there are large car parks at the entrances.
The road climbs inland into Lika, so from 15 November to 15 April you need winter tyres or chains in the mountains: ask for a winter set when you book. From 1 November to 31 March dipped headlights are compulsory day and night.
Islands and ferries from Zadar
Ferries run from Zadar to Pag, Ugljan and other islands, but a hire car may only go on board if the company agrees. Contact support before you book and they will find a car that is allowed on the ferry. In summer, book the car’s place on the ferry in advance.
The ferry to Italy is also arranged only through support, and in advance. Terms for the whole country are on the car hire in Croatia page.
Prices by class
A guide “from” price, built up from the lowest nationwide rate: from €20 a day in winter, from €33–35 in summer. The company works out the final sum for your dates when you book.
Economy
2–4 people, town and coast
from€20per day
Compact and estate
4–5 people, suitcases and the A1 motorway
from€24per day
Crossover
Biokovo, Lika, Pelješac — engine from 1.4 litres
from€30per day
7-seat minivan
families with luggage; a tall one may fall into toll class II
from€40per day
Premium and convertible
Istria and Dalmatia in comfort
executive saloons and convertibles
from€55per day
By city
Common questions
How far is Zadar airport from the city?
About 12 km, roughly 15–20 minutes. ZAD is at Zemunik; cars are handed over right there or delivered to your hotel.
Do hire cars in Zadar have a mileage limit?
Most do not. Terms vary from car to car, though, so check the mileage line on the listing before you book.
Can I take a hire car on the ferry to Pag or Ugljan?
Only with the rental company’s agreement, arranged before you book: standard contracts rule out ferries. Support will find a car that is allowed to make the crossing.
How old do I have to be to hire a car in Zadar?
From 20 with a year’s experience, but the choice is limited. From 22 with at least three years’ experience, almost the whole fleet is available.
Where can I park for free in Zadar?
Out of season: on Stjepana Radića street from the City Bridge, by the entrance to the peninsula and by the hospital. From 1 May to 30 September the higher rate applies, and the City Galleria garage is then the cheapest option.
How long is the drive from Zadar to the Plitvice Lakes?
About 135 km, around two hours. It makes a comfortable day trip: cars cannot enter the park, but there are large car parks at the entrances.
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