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Hire A Car In Dubrovnik, Croatia With Competitive Prices And A Trusted Local Guide

Compare airport and city pick-up options, understand insurance and deposits, and get practical tips for driving the Dalmatian Coast—tailored for travellers from the United Kingdom.

UK Traveller Focus
Dubrovnik Car Hire Guide: Locations, Practical Tips, And What To Expect
Hiring a car in Dubrovnik is a convenient way to reach beaches, viewpoints and coastal towns at your own pace, especially if you plan day trips beyond the Old Town. It can be less practical inside the historic centre due to limited access, tight streets and expensive parking, so many UK travellers choose either Dubrovnik Airport (for immediate onward travel) or a city pick-up (if they are staying centrally first). Expect right-hand traffic, occasional narrow roads on the coast, and seasonal congestion in summer. Before booking, compare total price (including excess reduction), check deposit requirements, confirm the fuel policy (full-to-full is usually simplest), and review any cross-border or ferry permissions if you plan wider travel.
Alamo
Avis
National
Dollar
Thrifty
Budget
+ more
Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) Car Rental Centre
Most popular pick-up point for arrivals. Rental desks are typically located in the terminal arrivals area, with vehicles collected from nearby parking bays. Pros: widest choice of suppliers and opening hours; easy for immediate road trips. Cons: airport surcharges can apply, and queues are common on peak summer flight banks.
Pile Gate / Old Town Edge (Ploče–Pile Corridor)
Convenient if you are staying near the Old Town but want a car for day trips. Pros: close to central accommodation and tour meeting points; pick up after you have settled in. Cons: heavy pedestrian traffic, limited stopping space, and parking restrictions—plan a clear meeting point and allow extra time.
Gruž Port & Main Bus Station Area
A practical area for ferry connections and coaches. Pros: easier vehicle access than the Old Town, and often better parking options nearby. Cons: can be busy around sailing times; local traffic and one-way systems may slow pick-up and drop-off.
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Hire a Car in Dubrovnik: Top Picks for the Dalmatian Coast

From compact runabouts for the walled Old Town to convertibles for coastal cruising and SUVs for cross-border days out, see our three top picks plus the most popular makes hired locally.

By Trip Type
Popular Makes

Old Town & Coastal Villages

Small

Nimble for Narrow Lanes
5
2
Auto

Dubrovnik's coastal lanes and tight medieval villages favour a nimble small car. Parking near the Old Town walls is scarce and pricey, while petrol costs add up on winding routes. A compact hatchback slips into snug bays, sips fuel, and handles narrow approaches to Lokrum ferries and Lapad beach with ease.

Summer Adriatic Cruising

Convertible

Top-Down Adriatic Drives
4
2
Auto

Croatian summers along the Adriatic are blessed with reliable sunshine and breathtaking sea views from Cavtat to Ston. A convertible lets you soak up the warmth as you cruise the coastal D8, sniff salty pine air through the Pelješac vineyards, and pull over at hidden coves for an impromptu swim.

Cross-Border Mountain Day Trips

SUV

Border-Ready Comfort
5
3
Auto

Day trips from Dubrovnik often cross into Montenegro's Bay of Kotor or Bosnia's Mostar, where mountain switchbacks and patchy rural tarmac reward extra ride height. An SUV offers comfort for longer Konavle and Pelješac excursions, copes with kerbed village streets, and swallows the luggage of a touring British family with ease.

Choose Your Ride

Find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Compare options below.

Airport
Downtown

Why Pick Up At Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)?

Airport pick-up is ideal for UK travellers who want to start driving straight away, avoid city transfers with luggage, and access the broadest range of cars and opening hours. It can also make early starts easier for coastal drives, national parks, or accommodation outside Dubrovnik. Compare the all-in price carefully, as airport fees and peak-season demand can affect totals.

Car Hire at Dubrovnik Airport DBV – Rated by Real Travellers

Browse verified customer reviews for rental companies at Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) and find the right vehicle before you arrive.

Rental companyRatingAvg. Daily RatePickup Method/DistanceSecurity depositAccepts Debit CardsKey Advantages
Sicily by carBest Overall
4.4
46667+ reviews
$28010.3 mi from Dubrovnik Downtown
$941
  • Friendly professional staff excellent service
  • Clean well-maintained cars provided
  • Quick easy pickup and return process
Last minuteBest Overall
4.2
201000+ reviews
$104In terminal, Walk to counter
$1,000 - $2,351
  • Easy online booking process
  • Competitive travel prices
  • Wide hotel selection available
MackBest Overall
4.1
185+ reviews
$1310.8 mi from Dubrovnik Downtown
$1,470 - $4,115
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products
  • Quick delivery service
  • Great customer service
Ok mobilityBest Overall
3.9
30,000+ reviews
$1510.6 mi from Dubrovnik Downtown
$1,705 - $1,940
  • Perfect service experience
  • Excellent professional staff
  • Great price value
Alamo
3.7
6 reviews
$46In terminal, Walk to counter
$823 - $1,294
  • Friendly and helpful staff
  • Smooth pick-up experience
  • Excellent overall service
Avia
3.2
1,900+ reviews
$22In terminal, Walk to counter
$1,294 - $2,234
  • Friendly and helpful staff
  • Quick and efficient service
  • Smooth pick-up and return
Green motion
2.9
31000+ reviews
$1610.6 mi from Dubrovnik Downtown
$936 - $1,764
  • Helpful staff at airport
  • Clean and modern vehicles
  • Smooth pickup and return
National
2.7
25 reviews
$54In terminal, Walk to counter
$823 - $1,294
  • Friendly and helpful staff
  • Easy pick-up and drop-off
  • Clean and quality vehicles
Hertz
2.7
17,000+ reviews
$70In terminal, Walk to counter
$412 - $588
  • Smooth pickup and return process
  • Reasonable pricing when available
  • Standard rental service maintained
Surprice rent a car
2.6
6600+ reviews
$25610.5 mi from Dubrovnik Downtown
$1,176
  • Friendly and helpful staff
  • Good price for car rental
  • Smooth pickup and return

*Rating and review data are sourced from Trustpilot. Policy details may vary by location and vehicle type. Please confirm at the time of booking.

Data source: QEEQ Car Rental
Last updated: Jun. 7 2026
Essential Rental Hub
Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.
Your Guide to Fuelling in Croatia
Learn how to refuel your rental car in Croatia with this comprehensive guide. From finding stations to payment methods, we've got you covered for a hassle-free experience.
View details
Dubrovnik Car Rental Insurance: How to Get Zero‑Excess Cover and Avoid €2,000 Bills
Comprehensive guide to car rental insurance in Dubrovnik: understand local driving hazards, decode CDW/TP/excess, compare rental‑desk SCDW versus third‑party full protection, and learn why credit‑card cover is risky. Includes real traveller case studies and a step‑by‑step checklist to secure true zero‑excess protection, avoid large credit‑card holds and resolve claims smoothly.
View details

Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Dubrovnik Airport dominates with 65% of rentals, followed by city centre at 20% and port locations at 10%."

Booking Patterns

"SUVs lead with 55% share; peak season (Jun-Aug) captures 70% of bookings; average rental is 5-7 days in summer."

Customer Pain Points

"Hidden fees affect 58% of renters, making it the most reported complaint among Dubrovnik car rental customers."

Data Sources

  • QEEQ internal booking databse
  • Eurocontrol Airport Traffic Data
  • Dubrovnik Airport Official Statistics
  • Croatian Chamber of Economy - Car Rental Sector Analysis
  • Split-Dalmatia Tourist Board Statistics
  • European Consumer Centre - Car Rental Complaints Report
  • RentalCarGroup European Car Rental Survey
  • Trustpilot Reviews Analysis - Croatia Car Rentals

Road Trips

One-way rental routes starting from Dubrovnik

Plan your ultimate road trip with these popular one-way routes departing from Dubrovnik

Discover Dubrovnik: Your Ultimate Driving & Travel Guide

Essential driving information for exploring Croatia's pearl of the Adriatic - from road rules and speed limits to car rentals and fuel costs.

LANGUAGES

Croatian

CURRENCY

EUR

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+385

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$57 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

5-7 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

50 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

90-130 km/h

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.05%

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$1.98/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$1.62/L - $2.32/L

Dubrovnik Car Hire FAQs

Practical answers on driving rules, tolls, insurance and border crossings in southern Croatia

Can I drive in Croatia with a UK driving licence or do I need an International Driving Permit?
Yes, a full UK photocard licence is accepted in Croatia for tourist rentals. No International Driving Permit is required post-Brexit, but you must carry the licence and a passport at all times. The minimum age to hire is usually 21, and drivers under 25 face a young-driver surcharge of roughly €8-€15 per day. An IDP is still recommended if your licence was issued less than 12 months ago.
What are the motorway tolls between Dubrovnik and Split, and how do I pay?
The 305 km A1 motorway from Split to Ploče (the closest motorway entry to Dubrovnik) is mostly tolled, costing around €18-€22 for a car. Dubrovnik itself is not yet on the motorway network, so the last stretch is a dual carriageway. Payment is by cash (kuna or euros at some booths) or credit/debit card. There is no electronic tag system like in Italy or Hungary, so no device is needed.
Is it safe to drive the coastal road from Dubrovnik to Montenegro, and what paperwork is needed?
Yes, the E65/E80 coast road is in good condition with stunning but winding sections, especially around the Bay of Kotor. You can cross into Montenegro with your UK licence, V5/logbook (or hire-car papers) and passport; a Green Card is no longer required for short stays. Allow 2.5-3 hours for the 90 km trip and watch for buses on the steep descent into Kotor. The car-hire firm will charge a cross-border fee of about €25-€40 per rental.
Where can I park in Dubrovnik Old Town and how much does it cost?
Cars are banned inside the Old Town walls entirely. Use the large Ilijina Glavica or Ploče multi-storey car parks on the hillside, both about €2-€3 per hour (daily cap around €25). Street parking in the Pile and Gruž areas uses a ticket machine (SMS parking is also available via the PayDo app) and is charged 06:00-22:00 in summer. Avoid parking on the coast road past the port; the local wardens are quick to clamp or tow.
What fuel do hire cars use in Dubrovnik, and are petrol stations easy to find?
Most hire cars run on petrol (benzin) labelled 'Eurosuper 95' or diesel ('Eurodizel'). Petrol stations are plentiful along the coast and main roads, but supplies thin out on Pelješac peninsula and Mljet island, so fill up before you go. Croatia uses unleaded petrol without a separate premium grade. Most stations accept cards, but keep a small amount of kuna or euros for the few unmanned rural pumps.

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