why is car hire so expensive in croatia why is car hire so expensive in croatia

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! Central Office Contacts | a: Trg J. Rakovca 2, Porec | t: +385 52 434 700 | m: +385 91 206 3070 | e: [emailprotected]| Website. Oryx is a company based in Zagreb but with offices all over Croatia. Car rental companies belong to this group of businesses. It's worth booking online even a few hours before you go to pick the car up. 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. Why Hire a Car in Croatia 1. Although I dont know of any issues crossing the border with a rental car from Croatia to Monte Negro. Frank, You can get international drivers licence in AAA office for about $30. However, parking fees apply in Split, Dibrovnik, or Zagreb even for hotel parkings. This will save you a lot of hassles along the way! A car is definitely the best way to explore Croatia. It usually amounts to 20 per rental. Thanks! Currently, you can expect to pay around 10 kunas (US $1.40 USD) per liter. The majority of rental cars in Croatia are manual. I will stay in old town. I dont want them telling us we need to return the car if we arent ready. There's specific requirements. We figured as we had prepaid for the car this would be covered. NOTE: When renting a car, you have to return it with a full tank of gas or youll be subject to additional charges (which add up to a lot more than the price of a tank of fuel). So, book your car as soon as possible if you can't drive a manual. A few questions: This shortage has had a flow on effect to the tourism industry, with many visitors cancelling their trips due to a lack of hire car availability. Daily fees for extras are as follows*: Hi Mercedes, RECOMMENDED CAR TYPE: If youre traveling with a whole group of people and want to avoid traveling in a convoy, I recommend renting a bigger vehicle that can serve as a home while youre on the road. From what I can tell, it offers the most competitive prices. ), Best Hotels in Split, Croatia Accommodation Recommendations, 5 Unmissable Things to do in Pula, Croatia, Where To Stay In Plitvice Lakes The Best Hotels, Iceland Car Rental Everything You Need to Know Before You Go, 6 Top Places to Stay in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Each was for 100 Euro; we bought one for the car body. Im happy to hear this, thank you! With car hire prices so high try to book a deal that only requires you to pay a small deposit now. Do Croatian companies have offices in Hungary/Italy/Slovenia? You only need an international driver license if your driver license is not written with Latin letters. Dropoff options (Enterprise rental) are Lucko or Airport. Is a cross-Balkan road trip futile? I am traveling to the Bellevue Hotel in Losinj with an adult son. A Land Rover Discovery or an off-road Jeep is the perfect car for the job. 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 RentalCars will then compare all the available cars and give you the prices for the city you are arriving in. All ZipCar trips come with secondary insurance, maintenance and gas included on all trips. We like the idea of driving ourselves so we can explore a little going both ways to Rovinj. Do you know a car company that will do this? For example, the road distance from Umag, in the northwest to Dubrovnik in the southeast is over 700 km. You really dont have to have it but I always do just in case since it clearly says Croatia is member. However, we will keep the information as it is, and updated for the time when the travel to Croatia returns to normal. 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. Would I need an international driver license? Take into consideration the number of people that will be traveling in the car, and the amount of luggage each of them will bring. However, if youre not afraid of a little cold, and dont want to hit the tourist hotspots, winter just might be the perfect time to head to the coast of Croatia. If the tank isn't full, a car rental company will charge you a fee. So, again, to have your car rental sitting in a parking lot makes no sense. D8 (ex. . We want to rent a car in Croatia, but take that car into Montenegro, and then leave from Montenegro. 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. Car hire in Croatia is essential in these situations. 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. Great web site you have, learning a lot about Croatia travel. Reviews online are mixed but reviews are mixed for every car rental company so was hoping to hear from someone personally. If you have rented cars abroad before, you probably know that most car hire companies offer an insurance policy to go along with the car, but these are generally very overpriced and sometimes cost more than hiring the car. I cant provide no other proof but a common sense. 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! A/C is a must-have as summers here are really hot. Hi Noah, The big bang brands (Hertz, Europcar, Avis.) 1. Return car to the same location. Keep cold-weather gear, a blanket, as well as food and drinks in the car when youre driving. And the latter has good reviews. You want to have enough time to do paperwork, and inspect the car (to avoid any hidden charges for sudden damages). Huge difference! We were thinking we would fly into either Dubrovnik or Zagreb and and take the scenic route by driving around the country and staying in hotels along each stop. It should have been arranged in advance (IMO). Report inappropriate content ratheniska ireland Level Contributor 146 posts 3. You can arrange different pick-up and drop-off locations. There are very few companies doing cross-country rentals, and the fees are just way too high. 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? It is one of the largest car rental providers in Croatia. How much does a car rental in Croatia cost? 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. Although looks are great, there are a few other things you should take into consideration when choosing a rental car: READ MORE: Where to Stay in Rovinj, Croatia (and Why!). Save on luxury, economy and family car hire. Oh, and dont forget about Split and Plitvice! thanks for stopping by. My questions 1) Is there any actual regulation relating to your statement that rental car agencies are NOT supposed to charge for the green card (to cross international boundaries). You can see the updated list of speed cameras here. Take into consideration the fact that Croatia has many narrow village streets and tiny back roads that will be extremely difficult to navigate with a big car. What will be the name of the town where ferry will take us and car rentals will be available. So I know it is very dificulty parking in Dubrovnick. The earlier you book your vehicle, the better rate you will have. What Documents Do You Need to Rent a Car in Croatia, 4. So i wonder whether they charge the additional costs as well when i just use the Croatia Bosnia corridor in order to visit Dubrovnik? Again, the only way to do stay in one place and explore the wider region is by car. Otherwise,I will be missing this beautiful country. Besides sea and beaches with beautiful islands there are also many beautiful places that you can look after which lies in country side. The telephone number is 987. Some All car rental companies in Croatia will insist on charging you an additional cross-border fee. There's plenty to consider and we'll demystify car rental insurance in Ireland below. Be it coastline, waterfalls, lakes or some stunning landscape, you will want to see it in your own time, not from a window of a bus. I have noted that you say drivers license of our country is sufficient to allow us to drive in Croatia. Aaaand, last but not least, plan for some waiting time at the border, they might have a line (you will have 2 border controls actually one into Bosnia and one after entering Croatia again). Hi Anna, Thank you so much for supporting this project! Are there any discounts on the public buses for a 3 year old? In this case, you should point it out to them before you take the vehicle so that youre not held responsible, Familiarize yourself with the car. 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. However, if youd like to travel in the summer, youll have the benefit of experiencing the warmest weather and youll meet plenty of other travelers along the way (but be ready to see the higher rates for accommodation and transportation, as in any other country). Thanks in advance for your reply, were looking forward to experiencing Croatia! We will not have rental car in Hvar. RECOMMENDED CAR TYPE: If you want to take full advantage of your vehicle and drive it through the many small villages and their back streets, youll need a small vehicle (especially if you are not planning on going far distances). So if you only plan on passing through Neum in order to reach Dubrovnik, you don't need to pay a cross-border fee. It simply gives you much more flexibility. Are there any issues you see in the two border crossings or other issues with our plan to travel by car versus public transportation to Rovinj? 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. Thank you! 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. Hi Keshala, yes, there is an additional fee for taking a car hire to the islands. Whether you need to purchase additional insurance for crossing the border into Bosnia and/ or Montenegro with your rental car is the biggest debate on the internet regarding car rental in Croatia. (And the last time no one checked for the green card at those borders the ones around Neum). 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. Since roads in Croatia are great, well-marked, and easy to navigate, GPS is not really necessary to have. The comparison aggregator can sort by car type, price, and a variety of other options so that youre not left sifting through results for hours. 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! Youll be able to travel off the beaten track and see sights that many tourists miss! Thanks in advance. The winters there are a lot milder than inland and the coast will be very quiet as many of the locals go on holiday from October to March. Enjoy your holidays! The vieeeews! Things to Check Before You Rent a Your Car 7. So thats why Im worried. Opting for car hire in Croatia is your best option for travelling quickly and comfortably to the country's hidden reaches. Youll also experience less traffic than in the summer months (July and August) which makes a road trip a lot more pleasant! In order to rent a car in Croatia, youll need a valid drivers license from your home country; an international driving licence is only required if your license is not written with Latin letters (for example, if it is in Chinese or Cyrillic). Any suggestions for an automatic rental car size that will fit 4 adults and 4 suitcases? My wife and I will be in Rovinj the third week in May after a visit to Italy, we are planning to rent a car in Venice and driving to Rovinj and touring Istria for several days. Hi Frank, fellow Canadians here, looking to rent a car to go from Split to Plitvice Lakes, then on to Rijeka where we will drop it off 2 days later. Regards. 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). Punch your travel plans into the GPS. Re: Car hire seems very expensive! We are planning the same, Hi Frank so glad I found your site! Michael Jenkins. Here are 4 car types I recommend for different types of vacations: RECOMMENDED CAR TYPE: If youre going to be doing a lot of long-distance traveling between cities and seeing a lot of open roads, youll need something comfortable with room for plenty of luggage. I have A question. Would love your advice on how Croatian rental car companies compare to international companies when it comes to renting a car in Croatia and driving to Hungary, Slovenia and Italy before returning in Croatia: What do you think about? 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. Croatia: 547: 549: 76: . Car theft is rare in Croatia I wouldn't worry about that. Is there a company that will let us pick up in Zagreb and drop off in Split? Any knowledge as to whether its easier (convenience and cost) to get to downtown from either of these 2 dropoff locations. 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!) From. I think that the rental companies are among those businesses who were highly financed/leveraged for their stock by the car firms/banks. 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! Cheers 6 years ago Save Most companies charge a one-way fee for a short hire. The major rental car companies in Europe are Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, and Sixt. I used your suggestion of rentalcars.com. First, you need to check with your credit card company if you are covered for renting a car in Croatia. NOTE: When driving on small countryside roads, pay attention to animals they can jump on the road completely unpredictably. Before the pandemic, rental agencies had a good number of cars available. Her blog MissTourist.com is created with the purpose to inspire people to travel more and to share her advice of how to travel "smart". A network of national toll-free roads usually runs parallel to the toll motorway. 1. as a tourist, is the electronic toll payment system available? Their prices are competitive, and what's even better, you have all offers in one place, and you can easily compare them, and shop for the best car rental Croatia deal. 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. If their prices are the most competitive, just go with it. I still dont understand why this happens, but it apparently happens all the time. They also have a free smartphone app with real-time information about road conditions, congestion, and live webcams. Thank you for supporting our blog! If youre going to be on the road for hours, youre going to need to know the rules of the road and other crucial driving tips to get by. During the planning phase of the trip, Tim checks the rates for the major companies and chooses the one with the best price. (Norwegian citizens, by the way), Sorry for all the questions, any reply would be greatly appreciated :). Youll need to compare international and local car rental companies like Alamo, Budget, Europcar, Fleet, Hertz, Last Minute Rent a Car, Sixt, and Thrifty and visit many local sites, search for the discount codes for each of them and compare! I keep reading good reviews about Last Minute Car Rental, but something seems amiss with it being significantly cheaper and the reviews not being very plentiful. Hi Frank, Finding your site very useful thanks. Here are the very few rental companies that charge a senior driver fee in some countries. I recommend driving a mini Fiat 500 or a Fiat Punto as they can easily navigate the tiny back roads without any hassle. A Fiat Panda or a Hyundai i30 would work well in this situation and wouldnt cause too much of a hassle if you decide to drive into a small village. Don't forget that prices change dynamically with the demand. ), you can call a road assistance number with English speaking operators 1987. My Husband and I shall be travelling to Croatia next week for the first time . from Zagreb to Split is about 200 kunas (~US $30). Having the convenience of your own transportation makes a huge difference when traveling in Croatia! So, if you dont want to take the risk, extra insurance just for this will be about 15-20 EUR extra. So, I hope you liked my post, traveler! This is really the question of hard negotiation with car rental companies, as they prefer (of course!) Thanks and congatulations for your blog. Or, that's what car rental companies will try to make you do. You would need a local sim card with some credit on it, but once you have that, it is easy-peasy you just need to send an SMS to a specific number (associated with your parking space) with your license plate as text, and the money will be withdrawn from your phone balance! In order to reach Dubrovnik the shortest way is actually to pass through Bosnia in Neum. And then you will need to claim it with your credit card company. Priti, Let me know did you drive without IDP? Im curious what your experience is and if youd recommend this company. The simple answer is No! Get an assistant to tell you where the lights, aircon, indicators, and other controls are so you dont have to figure it all out on your own. It does not matter what country you are renting your car in, before driving the car out of the lot, its important to do a few checks: NOTE: Do not forget to refill your tank when returning the car. However, car rental in many places is still surprisingly cheap. If you use Google maps for navigation, dont forget to turn the roaming off if, and when traversing through Bosnia, or Montenegro. PRICE: HRK 200 (US $29.5) HRK 227 (US $ 33.5) per day. We will be traveling around 3 weeks and will also travel to Slovenia. So, youll only need to apply for an international drivers license if your current drivers license is not written in Latin letters. Just take a look at the above picture wouldnt you want to rent a car and drive along that beautiful coastline? Driving the next day driving to Umag. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. New research shows that the cost of hiring a car abroad has shot up by an average 125%. For drivers over the age of 25 the legal blood alcohol level limit is 0.05% as long as you dont get into an accident, Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal unless you have a hands-free device, Between the end of October and the end of March, dipped headlights should be used during daylight hours. When planning your road-trip, use this site to schedule which stations youll need to stop at along the way. The only problem youll have is you wont be able to drive through small villages, but many of them are better to explore on foot! and another question on if not driving car so easy to commute to one city to another city ? So how much can you expect to pay to rent a car in Croatia? Uber Carshare was one of two credited car share . Best time to hire a car. You can choose from a range of different suppliers like INA, Crodux, Tifon, Petrol, and Lukoil. Great Post very informative! Contacts | t: +385 98 983 6950 | e: [emailprotected] |Website. However, I would take this cost as definitely one of the costs worth negotiating about with the car rental companys representative. Be sure to adjust the wing mirrors, rearview mirror and the seat to your liking before leaving on your journey. 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. In the low season, for the same cars, you'll pay 20 and 25 respectively. This also means that rental prices increase dramatically in these two summer months. If you're around this age, it's worth checking the terms and conditions when you book the car to make sure you get the best deal for you. Do not try to take off or stop in any hurry. 3. I will be visiting Croatia and Bosnia in late June and checked with the Bosnia embassy in my country regarding the requirement for IDP. Flying into Zagreb and renting an automatic from Sixt. It connects Rijeka to the northwest with Dubrovnik to the southeast. And I hope youll visit Croatia soon! The most popular car rental brands in Croatia are Sixt, Fleet Rent, Avantcar, ORYX and Enterprise.