Croatia is one of Europe's most spectacular car hire destinations. The 1,800km Adriatic coastline, dotted with medieval walled cities, turquoise bays and island access points, rewards drivers who explore at their own pace. A hire car lets you chase the light between Dubrovnik, Split, Trogir, Šibenik and the extraordinary Plitvice Lakes National Park — all connected by the A1 motorway and a network of spectacular coastal roads.

Best airports for car hire in Croatia

  • Split Airport (SPU) — the busiest summer airport. Gateway to the Dalmatian coast, islands and Dubrovnik. Most competitive pricing in the country.
  • Zagreb Airport (ZAG) — Croatia's capital and year-round hub. Best for Plitvice Lakes, Istria and inland Croatia.
  • Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) — most expensive hire market in Croatia due to demand. Consider hiring from Split and driving down the coast instead.

Best cities and locations

  • Dubrovnik — the walled old city is UNESCO-listed and extraordinarily beautiful. Park outside the walls at Pile Gate or Ilijina Glavica and walk in.
  • Split — Diocletian's Palace, the Riva waterfront and the ferry terminal for island connections. Best car hire hub on the Dalmatian coast.
  • Zagreb — Croatia's capital has a charming Upper Town, excellent museums and is the ideal base for Plitvice and Istria road trips.

Driving in Croatia

  • Drive on the right. Speed limits: 130 km/h motorway (A1), 90 km/h open roads, 50 km/h urban.
  • The A1 motorway from Zagreb to Split is fast and well-maintained — toll charges apply (approximately €20 for the full length).
  • The Dalmatian coastal road (D8, Magistrala) is dramatically beautiful but narrow and winding — allow extra time in summer when tourist traffic is heavy.
  • Vignette (motorway sticker) required if entering Slovenia en route from Central Europe.
  • Alcohol limit: 0.5mg/ml (0.0 for drivers under 24 or with less than 2 years' experience).
  • 0.0mg/ml applies from midnight to 6am for all drivers — plan evening meals accordingly.

Best drives in Croatia

  • The Dalmatian coast: Split to Dubrovnik (4 hrs) — the D8 coastal road passes Makarska, the Biokovo mountain backdrop and a succession of beautiful bays. One of Europe's finest coastal drives.
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park (2 hrs from Split, 2 hrs from Zagreb) — UNESCO-listed cascading lakes and waterfalls in a forested canyon. Arrive early — the car park fills quickly in summer.
  • Istrian Peninsula (2 hrs from Zagreb) — hilltop towns like Motovun, Rovinj's Venetian old town and the truffle forests of the Mirna valley.
  • Pelješac Peninsula (1 hr from Dubrovnik) — Croatia's finest wine country (Plavac Mali grape) and the extraordinary oysters of Ston lagoon.
Island access: Most Croatian islands don't allow mainland hire cars without specific permission from the rental company. Check before you book — not all suppliers permit vehicle ferry crossings. Those that do may charge a supplement.
Best time: May, June and September offer the best combination of warm weather, accessible roads and competitive hire prices. July and August are peak — prices double and coastal roads become congested.