Car Rental in Croatia: Tolls, Islands, Borders and What to Know
Renting a car in Croatia? Here's what to know: ENC electronic tolls on the A1, Pelješac Bridge routing, Green Card for border crossings, ferry access to islands, and the Dubrovnik-Split one-way.
Croatia’s coastline is one of the most dramatic in Europe — hundreds of islands, medieval walled towns, turquoise water. Driving through Dalmatia, Istria, or the Kvarner Gulf is the best way to move between them. But Croatia has specifics around motorway tolls, island ferry logistics, and border crossings that are worth understanding before you pick up. Here’s what you need.
Minimum age to rent a car in Croatia
The standard minimum age in Croatia is 21 at most companies.
| Age | Situation |
|---|---|
| 18–20 | Rarely accepted; limited to select local agencies with surcharge |
| 21–24 | Young driver surcharge at most companies (€8–18/day) |
| 25+ | Standard rate |
ENC electronic tolls on the A1
The A1 motorway — the main north-south route from Zagreb to Split and Dubrovnik — is tolled. Croatia uses the ENC (Electronic No Cash) system on toll lanes, alongside standard cash and card lanes.
Most rental cars do not include an ENC transponder. Use the lanes marked for cash or card. ENC-only lanes require a transponder — driving through without one triggers a fine.
Approximate toll costs on the A1:
| Route | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Zagreb to Split | €20–25 |
| Split to Dubrovnik (A1+D8) | €10–15 |
| Zagreb to Rijeka | €7–10 |
Istria has its own motorway toll system (Y motorway, Učka Tunnel) — similar payment methods.
Pelješac Bridge: bypassing the Neum corridor
Before August 2022, driving from Split to Dubrovnik required crossing through Neum — a short strip of Bosnia-Herzegovina that cuts the Croatian coastline. This created a border crossing with passport checks mid-journey.
The Pelješac Bridge now connects the Croatian mainland across the sea, bypassing Neum entirely. The route from Split to Dubrovnik is fully within Croatia. No border crossing, no Green Card requirement for that route.
The bridge is toll-free. Travel time Split to Dubrovnik on the A1 and coastal road: approximately 3.5–4 hours.
Green Card and border crossings
If you plan to cross any international border — Bosnia, Montenegro, Slovenia — you need a Green Card (international motor insurance certificate). Most EU car insurance includes this automatically. For rental cars, the Green Card is typically included in the rental documentation.
Confirm at pickup that the Green Card is in the car’s paperwork. Without it, you may be turned back at the border or required to purchase local insurance on the spot.
Montenegro crossing from Dubrovnik: commonly done by tourists visiting Kotor. The border crossing at Karasovići is about 25 km from Dubrovnik. Confirm with the rental company that Montenegro crossings are permitted under your contract.
Ferry access to the islands
Croatia’s islands — Hvar, Brač, Korčula, Krk, Cres, Lošinj, and dozens more — are reached by ferry. Most car ferries allow rental vehicles.
Confirm at booking that your rental company permits island ferry travel. Most do, but some have restrictions on specific islands.
Krk is different: it’s connected to the mainland by the Krk Bridge (free to cross), so no ferry is needed. Krk is the easiest island to visit with a rental car.
Hvar is accessible by car ferry from Split (Stari Grad ferry, 2h) or from Drvenik (Sućuraj ferry, 35 min to the eastern tip). Both are Car-carrying ferries — book ahead in peak season, especially July-August.
The Dubrovnik–Split one-way
One of the most popular rental routes in Croatia is picking up in Split and dropping off in Dubrovnik (or vice versa). Many companies offer this one-way at no extra fee — it’s a standard enough itinerary that they build it into pricing.
Distance: approximately 230 km via A1 and D8 coastal road. Allow 4 hours without stops. With stops at Makarska, Ston, and the Pelješac Peninsula, it’s a full day.
Average car rental prices in Croatia (2026)
Croatia is highly seasonal. Summer (June–August) prices at Split and Dubrovnik airports are among the highest in Europe.
| Category | Low season | High season |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | €20–32/day | €55–90/day |
| Compact | €28–42/day | €65–105/day |
| Midsize SUV | €48–72/day | €90–145/day |
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Practical tips
Book early for summer. Split Airport (SPU) and Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) sell out of standard categories by April-May for peak summer. Book 2–3 months ahead.
Old Town Dubrovnik. Completely car-free. Park at Pile Gate (limited spaces, expensive) or in garages on the road above the city. Most visitors stay outside the walls and walk in.
D8 coastal road. The Magistrala (D8) between Split and Dubrovnik runs along the coast through Makarska. Slower than the A1 but dramatically more scenic. Allow 3 extra hours vs. motorway.
Fuel. Good network on the mainland and larger islands. Stock up before taking a ferry to smaller islands.
Speed limits. Urban: 50 km/h. Outside urban: 90 km/h. Motorways: 130 km/h.
Blood alcohol limit: 0.5 g/L (0.0 g/L for drivers under 24 or with less than 2 years’ licence).
Croatia’s roads and ferries work well together. Sort the toll payment, the Green Card, and the one-way question at booking, and the rest is straightforward.
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