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Car Hire In Pula, Croatia: Competitive Prices And A Clear, Practical Guide

From Pula Airport pick-up to city-centre locations, compare options confidently and hit the Istrian coast with the right car, the right cover, and fewer surprises.

UK Traveller Essentials
Pula Car Hire Guide: Where To Pick Up And What To Expect
Hiring a car in Pula is one of the easiest ways to explore the Istrian peninsula at your own pace—ideal for coastal villages, hilltop towns and quieter beaches that are awkward to reach by public transport. For travellers from the United Kingdom, driving is straightforward but do allow for right-hand traffic, occasional summer congestion, and tighter parking in the old town. Most rentals require a credit card for the deposit, and it pays to check fuel policy (often full-to-full), mileage limits, cross-border permissions, and what the insurance excess really means before you arrive.
Alamo
Avis
National
Dollar
Thrifty
Budget
+ more
Pula Airport (PUY) Car Rental Centre
Most convenient for flights into Pula. Rental desks are typically located in or immediately by the terminal, with vehicles collected from nearby airport parking areas. Pros: fastest start to your trip, longer opening hours in summer, strong choice of vehicles. Cons: can be pricier in peak season and queues can build around arrival banks; always allow time for inspection and paperwork.
Pula City Centre (near the Old Town/Arena)
Handy if you’re staying centrally and don’t want a car every day. Pros: easy walk from many hotels/apartments; good for short hires. Cons: limited parking, narrow streets, and potential delays at busy times; pick-up/drop-off may be less flexible outside core hours.
Pula Bus Station Area
Practical for travellers arriving by coach from other Croatian cities. Pros: straightforward access and easier navigation than the historic centre. Cons: availability can be more limited than the airport, and you may still need to deal with urban traffic during peak periods.
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Top Car Rental Picks for Your Pula Adventure

Explore our handpicked rentals ideal for Istria's coast, old towns, and rolling hills — or browse more popular cars below.

By Trip Type
Popular Makes

Summer Coast

Convertible

Wind-In-Hair Adriatic Magic
4
2
Auto

Croatia's Istrian coast enjoys long Mediterranean summers, and a convertible makes scenic drives between Pula, Rovinj, Premantura and Brijuni unforgettable. Boot space is modest, so pack light, but the open-top experience rewards the trade-off. For UK visitors arriving between May and September, it is the only way to feel the Adriatic breeze.

Old Town Lanes

Small

Nimble, Compact & Wallet-Friendly
5
2
Auto

Pula's compact historic core, and the narrow lanes of Rovinj and Motovun, demand a nimble small hatchback. Limited car parks reward a compact car over a larger saloon. Easy to park, light on Istrian fuel costs, and ideal for two to four travellers exploring old towns.

Hill Roads

SUV

Confident Grip on Istrian Hills
5
3
Auto

Inland Istria rises into the Mirna valley and hilltop villages such as Motovun and Groznjan, where steep, twisting roads and occasional gravel tracks favour an SUV's higher ground clearance and confident grip. The same vehicle handles the rougher approach roads to Brijuni and family luggage with ease, and gives British families reassurance on unfamiliar surfaces.

Choose Your Ride

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

Airport Pick-up
City Pick-up

Start Driving Straight From Pula Airport (PUY)

Ideal for UK travellers arriving by air: wider vehicle choice, longer seasonal opening hours, and quick access to the A9/Istrian Y for coastal and inland routes. Airport pick-up can cost more in peak months, so booking ahead and comparing fuel and insurance terms helps secure better value.

logo
Old Town HeroSmall
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

Addcar rentalPick-up service
4
1
2
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$1,126.35
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Old Town HeroSmall
Fiat 500

Fiat 500

Addcar rentalPick-up service
4
1
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$3,794.02
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Old Town HeroSmall
Fiat 500

Fiat 500

EnterpriseIn terminal, Walk to counter
4
1
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$829.94
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Beach ExplorerSUV
Renault Captur

Renault Captur

Sicily by car0.4 mi
5
3
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$1,533.21
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Beach ExplorerSUV
Renault Captur

Renault Captur

EnterpriseIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$1,067.07
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Beach ExplorerSUV
Renault Captur

Renault Captur

SixtIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$1,651.15
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Coastal CruiserLarge
Skoda Fabia Estate

Skoda Fabia Estate

AviaIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
1
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$1,541.32
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Coastal CruiserLarge
Skoda Fabia Estate

Skoda Fabia Estate

Keddy by europcarIn terminal
5
1
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$1,422.76
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Coastal CruiserLarge
Skoda Fabia Estate

Skoda Fabia Estate

EuropcarIn terminal
5
1
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates

Car Rental in Pula PUY – Genuine Customer Reviews

Read verified feedback from travellers who collected their hire cars in Pula, Croatia, and find out which local suppliers truly deliver on service, condition and value.

Rental companyRatingAvg. Daily RatePickup Method/DistanceSecurity depositAccepts Debit CardsKey Advantages
Sicily by carBest Overall
4.4
46667+ reviews
$1894.5 mi from Pula Downtown
$946
  • Friendly professional staff excellent service
  • Clean well-maintained cars provided
  • Quick easy pickup and return process
Last minuteBest Overall
4.2
201000+ reviews
$38In terminal, Walk to counter
$1,005 - $2,364
  • Easy online booking process
  • Competitive travel prices
  • Wide hotel selection available
Alamo
3.7
6 reviews
$24In terminal, Walk to counter
$828 - $1,064
  • Friendly and helpful staff
  • Smooth pick-up experience
  • Excellent overall service
Avia
3.2
1,900+ reviews
$16In terminal, Walk to counter
$1,300 - $2,009
  • Friendly and helpful staff
  • Quick and efficient service
  • Smooth pick-up and return
RoutesBudget Friendly
3.1
5400+ reviews
$261.3 mi from Pula Downtown-
  • Affordable daily rates
  • Friendly counter staff
  • Quick airport shuttle
Street
3.0
40 reviews
$191.6 mi from Pula Downtown
$1,265
  • Excellent service and attention
  • Impeccable vehicle condition
  • Competitive pricing
National
2.7
25 reviews
$40In terminal, Walk to counter
$828 - $1,064
  • Friendly and helpful staff
  • Easy pick-up and drop-off
  • Clean and quality vehicles
Hertz
2.7
17,000+ reviews
$46Shuttle bus
$414 - $1,182
  • Smooth pickup and return process
  • Reasonable pricing when available
  • Standard rental service maintained
Active rent a car
2.6
4 reviews
$25In terminal, Walk to counter-
  • Standard airport pickup process
  • Reasonable vehicle pricing
Right cars
2.3
3600+ reviews
$2903.7 mi from Pula Downtown
$935
  • Smooth pickup and drop-off
  • Clean vehicles in good condition
  • Professional and helpful staff

*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. 12 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
Avoid the €2,500 Pula Car Hire Mistake - Guide to Zero Excess Cover
Practical guide to Pula car hire insurance: what 'excess' means, the difference between rental-desk zero-excess and third-party reimbursement, real case studies, a pickup checklist and an expert recommendation to buy the rental company's full cover for true peace of mind.
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

"Pula Airport (PUY) handled 509,397 passengers in 2024 (+19.95% YoY), serving as primary gateway. Ferry data shows 4.28M vehicle crossings in 2025 (+3.1%), indicating strong island-hopping demand driving car rental needs."

Booking Patterns

"Croatia received 20.2M tourists in 2024; peak season July-August drives car rental demand. Ferry traffic indicates strong island-hopping routes with 3.1% YoY growth in vehicle transport."

Data Sources

  • QEEQ internal booking databse
  • Pula Airport - Wikipedia
  • Croatia Ferries Vehicle Traffic Data
  • Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Transport
  • Tourism in Croatia - Wikipedia
  • Croatia Ferries Vehicle Traffic Data

Road Trips

One-way rental routes starting from Pula

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

Discover Pula: Your Ultimate Driving Adventure in Croatia

Everything you need to know about driving and travelling in Pula, Croatia's historic gem on the Adriatic coast - from road rules to rental tips.

LANGUAGES

Croatian

CURRENCY

EUR

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+385

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$55 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

5-7 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

50 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

130 km/h (motorways), 110 km/h (expressways), 80 km/h (regional roads)

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.05% (Strictly Enforced, zero for drivers under 24)

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$2.02/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$1.55/L - $2.88/L

Pula Car Hire FAQs

Practical answers to common questions about driving and renting a car in Pula, Croatia

Can I drive in Pula with just my UK photocard licence, or do I need an International Driving Permit?
Yes, a valid UK photocard licence is accepted on its own in Croatia for rentals up to 12 months, so most British drivers do not need an IDP. However, some local hire firms still ask for one, so it is worth carrying a 1968-format IDP as a backup. A printed licence summary code from the DVLA is not accepted at the Pula Airport desks.
What is the minimum driver age in Pula, and how much is the young-driver surcharge?
Most major firms at Pula Airport (Sixt, Avis, Enterprise, Surprice) set the minimum age at 21 with at least one year of licence held. Drivers under 25 typically pay a young-driver fee of roughly €10–€15 per day, capped at about €75 per rental. Drivers over 70 may face an additional senior-driver surcharge and should bring recent medical confirmation.
Do I need a vignette or e-tag to use Croatian motorways when driving from Pula?
There is no time-based vignette in Croatia. Instead, you pay tolls in cash (euros or kuna), by debit/credit card at the booth, or via the ENC electronic tag fitted to the windscreen. A typical run from Pula to Zagreb on the A1/A2 costs around €18–€22 in cash. Renting an ENC from your supplier costs about €2–€4 per day plus the deposit it covers.
Where can I park for free in Pula, and how much does central parking cost?
Free parking is limited to the residential outer districts such as Veruda and Šijana; the old town and seafront are almost entirely paid zones. The central Car Park II (Koparska) and the waterfront lots charge around €1.20–€2 per hour in summer, with daily caps of €15–€20. Pay at the on-street meter with coins or a contactless card, or download the SMS-parking app Bip & Go.
Is fuel cheap in Croatia, and do I have to return the car with a full tank?
Unleaded (Bezolovni 95) and diesel (Eurodizel) are noticeably cheaper than in the UK, often €1.40–€1.55 per litre at INA or Petrol stations along the Istrian coast. Nearly every rental contract is “full-to-full”: collect full, return full, or you will be charged a refuelling premium of €2–€4 per litre plus a service fee. There are several 24-hour pumps on the Vodnjan road and near the airport exit.

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