Car Rental Dubrovnik

Why Rent a Car in Dubrovnik?

A rental car makes it much easier to explore southern Dalmatia and nearby Balkan destinations at your own pace. Popular road trips from Dubrovnik include:

• Cavtat — peaceful harbour town around 15 minutes south of Dubrovnik.

• Pelješac Peninsula — scenic wine region accessible via the Pelješac Bridge without crossing through Bosnia & Herzegovina.

• Kotor, Montenegro — UNESCO-listed bay town roughly two hours south by road. Additional cross-border permission is usually required for rental cars.

• Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina — historic city known for the Stari Most bridge and Ottoman-era old town. Rental companies often require advance approval for border crossings.

• Korčula — historic island town reached via the Pelješac Bridge and Orebić ferry connection, traditionally associated with Marco Polo.

Public transport reaches some of these destinations, but travelling by car allows greater flexibility for coastal stops, wineries and smaller villages along the route.

Where Should You Pick Up Your Rental Car in Dubrovnik?

Dubrovnik has three main rental pickup options, each with a different balance of convenience and price.

Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) is the default pickup point for most international visitors. Major international brands including Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Alamo operate alongside Croatian companies such as Nova Rent a Car, Oryx and M.A.C.K. The airport sits around 20 km southeast of Dubrovnik, with transfers to the Old Town typically taking 30 minutes or longer during summer traffic.

Port of Gruž serves Dubrovnik’s cruise terminal and lies around 3 km north of the Old Town. Some rental companies offer Meet & Greet handovers near the port, making it a practical option for cruise passengers.

City offices in Lapad and Babin Kuk are useful for travellers spending a few days in Dubrovnik before beginning a road trip. These locations can sometimes be cheaper than airport pickups and avoid immediate parking challenges around the Old Town.

One important detail: Dubrovnik does not have a railway station, so long-distance travel mainly relies on flights, buses, ferries and road transport.

What Car Types Work Best for Dubrovnik?

Dubrovnik’s narrow streets, coastal roads and limited parking generally make smaller vehicles the easiest choice for most travellers.

• Economy / City Cars — Small models such as the Fiat Panda or VW Up are ideal for solo travellers and couples staying near Dubrovnik Old Town or Lapad. Off-season prices can sometimes start from around €13 per day, though summer rates are much higher.

• Compact Cars — Vehicles such as the VW Polo or Renault Clio offer a good balance of comfort, fuel economy and easier parking for coastal drives towards Cavtat or the Pelješac Peninsula.

• SUVs — Compact SUVs such as the Suzuki Vitara or Toyota Yaris Cross are popular for longer road trips into Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina or across southern Dalmatia, especially for travellers carrying more luggage. Standard cars are still suitable for most routes.

• Luxury and Automatic Cars — Premium brands including Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi are available at Dubrovnik Airport and major city locations. Manual cars dominate Croatian rental fleets, so automatic vehicles are more limited and usually cost extra, particularly in summer.

Large SUVs can be inconvenient near Dubrovnik Old Town, where roads around Pile Gate and Ploče Gate are narrow, busy and partly cobbled.

Which Are the Top Car Rental Companies in Dubrovnik?

Dubrovnik offers one of Croatia’s widest selections of rental companies, ranging from major international brands to long-established local operators.

• Sixt — One of the largest international rental networks in Croatia, with strong coverage at Dubrovnik Airport and other major Croatian destinations. Premium rentals may require larger security deposits on credit cards.

• Easy Rent Dubrovnik — Well-known local Dubrovnik supplier operating mainly around Lapad and the wider Dubrovnik area.

• Hertz Dubrovnik — International brand with airport and city presence through Hertz Croatia.

• Europcar Dubrovnik — European rental company operating from Dubrovnik Airport and selected city locations.

• Avis Dubrovnik — Established global supplier with broad airport coverage and a large international fleet. As with any rental company, travellers should review insurance terms carefully during pickup.

• Enterprise Hrvatska — Operates across major Croatian destinations, including Dubrovnik Airport.

• Nova Rent a Car — Croatian company recognised multiple times at the World Travel Awards as Croatia’s Leading Car Rental Company.

• M.A.C.K. Rent a Car — Croatian rental provider known for broad domestic coverage and one-way rental availability within Croatia.

• Avax Rent a Car — Local Dubrovnik-based supplier popular for regional rentals and southern Dalmatia road trips.

• Oryx Rent a Car — Established Croatian rental brand with locations across major airports and tourist destinations.

How Does Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) Car Pickup Work?

Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), located near the village of Čilipi around 20 km southeast of Dubrovnik Old Town, is the main arrival point for international visitors to southern Croatia. The drive into the city usually takes around 30 minutes, though summer traffic along the Adriatic Highway (D8) can make journeys longer.

Major international brands including Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Alamo operate at Dubrovnik Airport alongside Croatian companies such as Nova Rent a Car, Oryx, M.A.C.K., Carwiz and Avax. Some suppliers operate directly from terminal counters, while smaller companies may use Meet & Greet services or nearby shuttle lots.

After completing the rental paperwork, vehicles are normally collected from the airport parking area before joining the D8 coastal highway towards Dubrovnik.

Travellers who do not need a car immediately can also take the airport shuttle bus into Dubrovnik and collect a rental vehicle later from a city office in Lapad or Gruž. Airport buses generally run in line with flight arrivals and stop near Pile Gate close to the Old Town.

For current transport information and airport services, see the Dubrovnik Airport official website.

What Should You Know About Driving in Dubrovnik?

A few Dubrovnik-specific driving rules are worth knowing before collecting your rental car.

Dubrovnik Old Town is fully pedestrian-only. Vehicles are not allowed inside the UNESCO-listed walled city, and the main gates — Pile, Ploče and Buža — are strictly pedestrian access points.

Traffic restrictions apply around the Old Town. Roads near Pile Gate and Frana Supila are heavily controlled during the tourist season, and unauthorised access can lead to substantial fines. Always follow local signage and avoid entering restricted streets near the city walls unless specifically permitted.

Parking near the Old Town is limited. Popular options include the Ilijina Glavica public garage, parking areas near Gruž Port, and hotel garages in Lapad. Resident-only parking zones are actively enforced.

Dubrovnik does not currently operate a Low Emission Zone or congestion charge. The main restriction is simply the pedestrian-only nature of the Old Town.

Croatia uses the euro. The country adopted the euro on 1 January 2023, replacing the Croatian kuna (HRK).

Road tolls depend on the route. The coastal D8 highway between Dubrovnik and the Pelješac Bridge is toll-free, while Croatia’s A1 motorway towards Split and Zagreb uses a pay-as-you-go toll system operated by HAC (Hrvatske Autoceste). Current toll prices are available on the official HAC toll website.

Since the opening of the Pelješac Bridge in July 2022, drivers travelling between Split and Dubrovnik can remain entirely within Croatian territory without crossing through Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Car Rental Dubrovnik: Frequently Asked Questions

How much does car rental in Dubrovnik cost?
Economy cars in Dubrovnik can start from around €13 per day during the off-season, while summer prices are significantly higher. Mid-range rentals commonly average around €40–55 per day, with SUVs and automatic cars often costing more during peak season.

How much does it cost to rent a car in Dubrovnik for a week?
Weekly rentals typically range from around €280–€450 in shoulder season and can rise much higher during July and August. Comparing several suppliers for the same dates is strongly recommended, as prices vary widely between brands and booking periods.

How far in advance should I book a rental car in Dubrovnik?
For travel between May and September, booking three to four months ahead is advisable, especially for automatic cars, SUVs and larger family vehicles. Shoulder-season travel usually offers better availability and more flexible pricing.

Can I pick up a rental car directly at Dubrovnik Airport?
Yes. Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) offers a large selection of international and Croatian rental suppliers, including Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, Nova Rent a Car and Oryx. Some smaller companies may use Meet & Greet handovers or nearby shuttle lots rather than terminal desks.

Can I pick up the car in Dubrovnik and return it in another city?
Yes. One-way rentals between Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb and other Croatian cities are widely available. Additional fees usually apply depending on the route and supplier.

Do I need special permission to drive from Dubrovnik into Montenegro or Bosnia & Herzegovina?
Usually, yes. Many rental companies require advance approval and additional insurance documentation before allowing vehicles into Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia or North Macedonia. Extra fees may apply.

Where do I park a rental car near Dubrovnik Old Town?
Vehicles must remain outside the pedestrian-only Old Town. Common parking options include Ilijina Glavica near Pile Gate, parking areas around Gruž Port, and hotel garages in Lapad. Traffic restrictions around the city walls are strictly enforced.

Which car rental company is cheapest in Dubrovnik?
The cheapest supplier changes constantly depending on season, availability and booking dates. Budget-focused international brands and local Croatian operators often offer competitive pricing on smaller economy cars.

Can I drive a Dubrovnik rental car to Split via the Pelješac Bridge?
Yes. Since the opening of the Pelješac Bridge in 2022, drivers can travel between Dubrovnik and Split entirely within Croatian territory without crossing through Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Is Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) car rental cheaper than picking up in the city?
Airport rentals are convenient for arriving passengers, while city offices in Lapad or Gruž can sometimes offer slightly lower prices. Travellers staying in Dubrovnik for several days before starting a road trip may save money by collecting the car later from a city branch.