Car Hire Dubrovnik | From €25/day | Cro Car Hire
Dubrovnik is the kind of place that stops you in your tracks. The medieval walls, the terracotta rooftops tumbling toward the Adriatic, the shuttered stone streets of the Old Town — it’s been a bucket-list destination since Game of Thrones put it on screen. But Dubrovnik is also one of the most expensive cities in Croatia, and the real magic of this stretch of coast — the hidden beaches, the offshore islands, the hairpin bends above the city — only reveals itself when you have your own car.
Why Hire a Car in Dubrovnik?
Dubrovnik Old Town is pedestrianised and frankly, driving there is more trouble than it’s worth — tight one-way systems, expensive parking, and the occasional road closure for cruise ship crowds. But your base doesn’t have to be in the Old Town. Staying in the Lapad Peninsula, the Župa Dubrovacka valley, or down the coast toward Ston gives you more space, better rates, and a much more relaxed feel — while keeping the Old Town within a 10-20 minute drive.
A rental car also opens up the rest of southern Dalmatia. The Pelješac Peninsula’s wineries, the islands of Korčula and Mljet, the Montenegrin border at Karasovići (30 minutes from Dubrovnik), and the spectacular coastal road to Budva — all of these are either unreachable or prohibitively complicated by public transport.
Car hire in Dubrovnik starts from around €25/day in low season, climbing to €50-75/day in July and August. Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) at Čilipi, 20km south of the city, is the main pickup point. City-centre offices exist but are less common — most visitors collect at the airport.
Where to Pick Up Your Car
The vast majority of travellers collect their rental car at Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) — Franjo Tuđman Airport at Čilipi. It’s about 20km southeast of the Old Town along the D8 coastal road. All major suppliers have desks in the arrivals hall. After collecting your car, you can either head straight into Dubrovnik via the D8, or branch south toward the Pelješac Peninsula and Montenegro.
City-centre pickup is available from offices near the ferry terminal at Gruz and in Lapad. These are useful if you’re arriving by ferry from Split, Korčula, or the islands. Office hours are typically 8am-6pm — airport offices run longer to match flight schedules.
Important for 2026: The new Pelješac Bridge (opened 2022) has transformed access to the Pelješac Peninsula from Dubrovnik. What used to require a detour through Bosnia and Herzegovina (with border crossing delays) is now a straight drive across the bridge. The border crossing at Karasovići to Montenegro is also simpler than going through Bosnia.
Driving in Dubrovnik — What You Need to Know
Dubrovnik’s road network has improved dramatically with the Pelješac Bridge and the new interchange connecting the city to the A1 motorway. But the approach roads to the Old Town — particularly the D8 along Lapad and the climb up to Srđ — are narrow, winding, and congested in peak season.
Key rules for driving in Dubrovnik and southern Dalmatia:
- Border crossing to Montenegro: The Karasovići crossing (Dubrovnik to Budva) is open 24 hours. Have your passport, driving licence, and car hire paperwork ready. Rental cars can cross the border — just check with your supplier that cross-border travel is included in your policy
- Bosnia transit: The new Pelješac Bridge means you no longer need to transit Bosnia to reach the southern Dalmatian islands. If you’re heading to Korčula or Ston, use the bridge — it’s faster and avoids border delays
- Speed limits: Motorway 130 km/h, open road 90 km/h, urban 50 km/h
- Alcohol limit: 0.05% — strictly enforced in Croatia, and especially around Dubrovnik in summer
- Parking at Dubrovnik Old Town: Almost impossible in peak season. Use the Illyrina or Jadranska car parks in Lapad and take the bus or a short walk
- Tolls: The A1 motorway from Dubrovnik north (toward Split) is tolled. The Dubrovnik bypass (D8) is free
Parking in Dubrovnik
Parking near Dubrovnik Old Town is expensive and frustrating. During cruise ship days (May-September), the city can receive 10+ large ships — on those days, car parks fill by 9am. Your best options:
- Jadranska car park (Lapad) — large open-air lot near the Uvala beach, €10-15/day, 15-minute bus ride or 25-minute walk to the Old Town
- Illyrina car park — covered parking near the ferry terminal, €15-20/day, good for those with early morning flights
- Hotel parking — many hotels in the Lapad and Babin Kuk areas offer free parking with rooms — always check
- Street parking in Lapad — mostly free but fills by 8am in summer — stay within the marked bays to avoid fines
Road Trips from Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik to Kotor (Montenegro) — 90 km, 1h 45m
One of the most spectacular coastal drives in Europe. The road hugs the Bay of Kotor — a dramatic fjord-like inlet flanked by steep mountains — before arriving at the medieval walled town of Kotor. The crossing at Karasovići takes about 15 minutes. You’ll need your passport. The road is narrow and winding in places — take your time and enjoy the views. Read our full Dubrovnik to Kotor driving guide for detailed route notes.
The Pelješac Peninsula — 60-90 km return
Croatia’s premier wine region. The Pelješac Road (D414) winds through steep terraced hillsides above the sea, passing through the villages that produce Dingač and Postup — two of Croatia’s most celebrated red wines. Stop at the small, family-run wineries for tastings — most welcome visitors without an appointment. The town of Ston at the tip of the peninsula has excellent oysters and the longest stone wall in Europe after Dubrovnik’s.
Dubrovnik to Split — 230 km, 3h 30m
The A1 motorway now runs north from Dubrovnik to Split — a spectacular drive along the Dalmatian coast and across the Pelješac Bridge. Alternatively, take the coastal D8 road via the Makarska Riviera for slower but incredibly scenic progress. Our Dubrovnik to Split driving guide covers both routes in detail.
Island Hopping from Dubrovnik
The islands of Korčula (famous for being Marco Polo’s birthplace) and Mljet (home to a tranquil national park with saltwater lakes) are reached by ferry from Orebice, 90km north of Dubrovnik on the Pelješac Peninsula. With your own car, you can drive to the ferry terminal, park, and take the car across. The Korčula ferry crossing takes about 80 minutes.
Car Hire Prices in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik has the highest car hire prices in Croatia — driven by demand from cruise passengers, island-hoppers, and road trippers heading to Montenegro. In low season (November-March), economy cars start at €25-35/day. In summer, expect to pay €55-80/day for the same vehicle. Booking three or more weeks in advance is strongly recommended — supply is limited, especially for automatic transmission vehicles.
For exploring the southern Dalmatian coast and islands, a small to medium SUV or a tall hatchback gives you the best combination of fuel economy and practicality. Avoid large 4x4s unless you specifically need them — fuel costs and parking are both issues in Dubrovnik.
FAQ — Car Hire in Dubrovnik
How much is car hire in Dubrovnik?
Car hire in Dubrovnik starts from around €25/day in low season (November-March). In peak summer (July-August), rates rise to €55-80/day for an economy car. Dubrovnik has the highest car hire prices in Croatia — book well in advance and consider picking up at Dubrovnik Airport rather than the city centre for better availability.
Can I take a rental car from Dubrovnik to Montenegro?
Yes — most rental companies allow cross-border travel to Montenegro. You’ll need to notify the supplier before crossing. The Karasovići border crossing is about 90km from Dubrovnik (1h 45m to Kotor). Have your passport, driving licence, and rental agreement ready. The crossing is usually quick in both directions.
Is it worth staying outside Dubrovnik Old Town?
Absolutely — and it’s usually cheaper too. The Lapad Peninsula, the Župa Dubrovacka valley (Milo Dini, Čelopeci), and the coastal towns south of Dubrovnik (Ston, Slano) offer much better value accommodation with free parking. You can drive to the Old Town in 10-20 minutes and avoid the chaos and cost of staying within the city walls.
Do I need a car in Dubrovnik itself?
No — Dubrovnik Old Town is best explored on foot, and the city bus network is efficient for getting to Lapad and the surrounding areas. A car is essential however if you want to explore the Pelješac Peninsula, visit Montenegro, island-hop with your vehicle, or travel north along the coast to Split or the Makarska Riviera.
What is the Pelješac Bridge and how does it affect my drive?
The Pelješac Bridge (Pelješki most) opened in 2022, connecting the Pelješac Peninsula to the Croatian mainland near Ston. Before the bridge, reaching the southern Dalmatian coast from Dubrovnik required transiting through Bosnia and Herzegovina — an annoyance involving two border crossings. Now you cross directly. It has transformed access to the Pelješac wine country, Ston oysters, and the Korčula ferry.
Are there any roads I should avoid?
The D8 coastal road north of Dubrovnik (toward Ston and Split) is narrow, winding, and sometimes steep — drive cautiously, especially if meeting large vehicles. In winter (November-March), the mountain roads inland can be icy — check weather conditions before setting out. The road up to Mount Srđ above Dubrovnik is steep with sharp switchbacks and is best avoided at night.
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