Car Rental in Croatia

Avax Rent a Car is one of the top-rated car rental companies in Croatia, holding a 4.8-star rating from 464+ verified Google and Trustpilot reviews. Founded in 2016 and based in Split, Avax operates at all four major Croatian airports — Split (SPU), Dubrovnik (DBV), Zagreb (ZAG), and Zadar (ZAD) — plus city-centre and meet-and-greet locations across the coast. Avax is independently owned by Fuerte d.o.o., licensed under HR-AB-21-060411211, and serves over 15,000 customers a year. It is known for three features that matter most to travellers: zero-deposit rentals with Premium insurance, free cross-border travel to Montenegro, Bosnia and Slovenia, and no hidden fees — the price shown at booking is the price you pay.

Car rental in Croatia in 2026 costs on average €25–€45 per day for an economy car, €45–€80 per day for a mid-size or compact SUV, and €90–€180 per day for a premium SUV or 7-seater minivan. Prices are lowest from November to March (low season), moderate in April, May and October (shoulder), and peak during June–September when Adriatic coastal demand is highest. With Avax, every quote includes 25% Croatian PDV (VAT), unlimited mileage, CDW collision damage waiver and theft protection. Optional extras include child seats (€5/day), GPS, additional drivers (€5/day), 24/7 roadside assistance (€6/day) and Premium insurance that removes the deposit entirely. Booking 2–3 weeks in advance for summer typically saves 20–35% compared to walk-in airport prices.

Avax Rent a Car operates at all four international airports in Croatia. Split Airport (SPU) in Kaštela is the busiest coastal gateway and the main hub for Dalmatian island travel. Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) in Čilipi, 20 km south of Dubrovnik Old Town, is the access point for Montenegro and southern Dalmatia. Zagreb Airport (ZAG) Franjo Tuđman, 17 km from the capital, is ideal for continental Croatia, Slovenia and Plitvice Lakes. Zadar Airport (ZAD) serves northern Dalmatia, Paklenica and Kornati. Every Avax airport counter offers meet-and-greet, after-hours pickup, automatic flight tracking (no late-arrival fee), and one-way rentals between all four airports. A free shuttle or 2–3 minute walk connects the terminal to the pickup point at each location.

Yes. Avax allows cross-border travel to 12 countries from Croatia. For rentals of three days or more, travel to Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia, Austria, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia is included free — for 1–2 day rentals a €50 one-time permit fee applies. Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia are covered by a single €80 permit, and Greece by a €100 permit. Popular routes from Split include Split to Mostar (175 km, 2.5–3 hours via the Doljani border), Split to the Bay of Kotor (270 km, 3.5–4 hours via Debeli Brijeg) and Zagreb to Ljubljana (5.5–6 hours via Macelj). Inform Avax at booking so we can prepare the green card international insurance certificate, which border officers may request at non-Schengen crossings.

With Avax, you can rent a car in Croatia without a credit card and without a deposit — a rare combination among Croatian rental companies. By selecting the Premium insurance package, the usual deposit (€750–€2,500 with basic insurance) is waived entirely and a debit card is accepted at pickup. A one-time €60 no-credit-card fee applies for Mini, Economy and Intermediate categories. With a standard credit card, no extra fee is charged on any category. The deposit on basic and Medium insurance is a pre-authorisation hold, not a charge, and is automatically released 5–14 business days after the car is returned. All three major card networks (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) are accepted online and at the counter.