Frequently Asked Questions About Car Rental in Dubrovnik Downtown
Can I park near Dubrovnik Old Town?
The Old Town itself is completely pedestrianised. The nearest parking options are the Ilija parking garage above the Old Town (connected by an escalator), the underground garage at Gruz Port, or street parking along the Ploce and Lapad areas. Expect to pay 3-8 EUR per hour depending on the zone.
Where is the Avax Dubrovnik Downtown office?
Our office is at Ulica Kralja Tomislava 7, a short distance from the Old Town. Contact our officer Bojan at +385 95 660 0224 via phone or WhatsApp for directions and to arrange your pickup time.
Can I do a day trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik?
Yes, Montenegro's Bay of Kotor is one of the most popular day trips. The drive takes about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the border crossing queue. Cross-border travel is permitted with Avax cars - just let us know when booking. Bring your passport as Montenegro is not in the EU.
Is Dubrovnik connected to the rest of Croatia by motorway?
There is no motorway directly to Dubrovnik. The main route is the D8 coastal road, which is scenic but can be slow during summer. The Peljesac Bridge (opened 2022) has eliminated the need to cross through Bosnia at Neum, saving time and hassle on the drive from Split.
When is the best time to visit Dubrovnik?
May, June, and September offer the best experience: warm weather, manageable crowds, and lower prices. July and August are extremely busy with cruise ship visitors and can feel overwhelming in the Old Town. October is also pleasant with mild temperatures and very few tourists.
Is it worth renting a car if I am only staying in Dubrovnik?
If you are only visiting the Old Town, a car is not essential. However, a rental car opens up incredible day trips: the Peljesac wine region, Ston and its salt pans, the Konavle valley, Cavtat, Montenegro, and Mostar in Bosnia. Many of our guests rent for just 2-3 days to explore the region.
Can I drive to Montenegro from Dubrovnik?
Yes! Kotor is just 1.5 hours from our Dubrovnik Downtown office. Cross-border travel is FREE for rentals of 3 days or more — we provide the Green Card (international insurance document) in your glovebox at pickup. For shorter rentals, a one-time €50 fee applies. Select the "Cross Border" extra when booking to ensure your documentation is ready.
What is the Neum Corridor? Do I need to pay a cross-border fee?
Neum is a short stretch of Bosnian coastline between Dubrovnik and Split. You can now avoid it entirely by using the Pelješac Bridge, which stays within Croatia. If you do choose to drive through Neum, the transit is ALWAYS FREE — no cross-border fee applies for this corridor regardless of your rental duration.
Where exactly is the Dubrovnik Downtown office?
Our office is in the Lapad neighbourhood, close to the main hotel zone and Gruž Ferry Port. This is the most convenient pickup location in Dubrovnik — Old Town bans all car traffic inside its walls, and the airport is 30 minutes away. From Lapad, you can reach Old Town (Pile Gate) in 5 minutes by car or walk to nearby hotels and restaurants.
What is the Dubrovnik Traffic Zone?
Dubrovnik enforces a Special Traffic Regime near Old Town from May to October. Driving into a restricted zone without a permit triggers an automatic €260 fine. Our Lapad office is in the "Safe Zone" — no traffic restrictions apply. At pickup, our staff will provide you with a map showing restricted streets (Brsalje, Frana Supila) so you can navigate confidently.
Distances from Dubrovnik Downtown
Destination
Distance
Drive time
Dubrovnik Old Town (Pile Gate)
0.5 km
5 min walk
Gruž Ferry Port
3 km
8 min
Cavtat
17 km
25 min
Ston (Pelješac)
55 km
50 min
Pelješac Bridge
80 km
1h
Kotor (Montenegro)
92 km
1h 30 min
Mostar (Bosnia)
140 km
2h 15 min
Split
226 km
2h 45 min
Free Cross-Border (3+ days)
Near Gruž Port · Ferry Terminal
Lapad · Hotel Zone
Rent a Car Dubrovnik Downtown – Near Old Town & Port · Lapad
The customer service is excellent; their response time via email and WhatsApp is almost immediate, which is fantastic. I'm deducting one star because the vehicle was delivered a little dirty and didn't have a full tank of gas. Even so, it's an excellent option for renting a car. They were the only ones who assured us that it wasn't necessary to call the police for a scratch or minor incident, unlike the other companies. Luckily, we didn't need to verify this, as we didn't have any problems.
Miklós Loránt1 week ago
Good brand-new car, fast administration work. Excellent service! Thanks a lot!
Wendy J1 week ago
Easy to book. No deposit needed. Cancelation. Could pick up downtown Split and drop off in Dubrovnik town(outside the no go area where you get fined). Very exceptional staff in Split office.
Zak malaa1 week ago
Excellent rental company, friendly staff! Reliable and clean vehicles! Competitive rates. I highly recommend them.
Erik Rozsnyai2 weeks ago
Great experience picking up the car, took less than 10 minutes. Didn't have the car we wanted, but they gave us replacement cars which were just as spacious and could fit all of our bags.
Only downside was when we arrived at the drop-off we parked in the wrong place as there was supposed to be someone waiting at the arrival parking to show us where to park but because we arrived 10 minutes earlier they weren't there.
Will use again when in country
Sergej Odegov2 weeks ago
Great experience! Both pick up and drop off went very smooth, no annoying upsales or anything like that. The guys are friendly, pleasant and helpful.
Alex Lund3 weeks ago
The car rental experience I had with Avax was great! Everyone was very nice and coordinated with me through email and WhatsApp. The vehicle ran great too. Next time we come back we will definitely rent with them again!
Old Town bans all car traffic inside its walls. The airport is 30 minutes away. Our Lapad office puts you in the heart of the hotel zone — walking distance to Lapad Bay, Babin Kuk, and Gruž Ferry Port.
• Walking distance to Lapad Bay hotels and Babin Kuk resorts
• Cars are banned inside Old Town walls — Lapad keeps you connected without the hassle
• 30 min closer to your hotel than picking up at Dubrovnik Airport
• 3 km from Gruž Ferry Port — ideal if arriving by ferry
Dubrovnik Traffic Zone — Avoid a €260 Fine
Dubrovnik enforces a Special Traffic Regime from May to October. Certain streets near Old Town are restricted — driving into a controlled zone without a permit triggers an automatic €260 fine.
• Our Lapad office is in the "Safe Zone" — no traffic restrictions apply
• Avoid driving to Brsalje (Pile Gate area) and Frana Supila during peak hours
• Use the public Gruž or Lapad parking garages instead of approaching Old Town by car
• Ask our staff for a marked map of restricted zones at pickup
Cross-Border Guide — Montenegro & Bosnia from Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is the perfect starting point for day trips to Kotor (Montenegro) or Mostar (Bosnia). Here is everything you need to know for a smooth journey.
The 3-Day Bonus Rule
• Rent for 3+ days → Cross-Border Permit and Green Card are 100% FREE
• Shorter rentals → standard one-time €50 fee
• Most competitors charge €75+ and hide the fee until checkout
What Is a "Green Card"?
It is the international insurance document required to enter Montenegro and Bosnia. We provide the original document in your glovebox — no need to wait or buy extra insurance at the border.
The Neum Corridor (Driving to Split)
If you are driving from Dubrovnik to Split, you will likely use the Pelješac Bridge, which stays entirely within Croatia. However, if you choose the coastal road through Neum (Bosnia), this transit is ALWAYS FREE and does not require a cross-border fee.
Montenegro Traffic Tip
The border at Karasovići (Sutorina) can be busy in July and August. Ask our staff for the "Local's Route" — the smaller Vitaljina border crossing can save you up to an hour of waiting.
Documentation
Just bring your Passport and the Avax Rental Agreement. We handle the rest.
Our office is a short drive from Gruž Ferry Port (Jadrolinija terminal). Step off the ferry from Bari, Korčula, or Mljet and pick up your car right away.
• 3 km from Gruž Ferry Port (8 min drive)
• Ferries from Italy (Bari), Korčula, Mljet, and Lopud
• No shuttle, no delivery driver — walk in and drive out
How to Reach Our Office
We are at Ulica Kralja Tomislava 7, Lapad — approx. 1.5 km west of Pile Gate (Old Town entrance).
From Pile Gate (Old Town): Take Bus #4 (direction: Hotel Lapad / Babin Kuk). Get off at the "Kralja Tomislava" stop — we are a 2-minute walk from there. Journey: ~10 min.
From Gruž Port (ferry arrivals): Take any bus heading towards Lapad or walk 15 min along the main road (Ulica ante Starčevića → Ulica Kralja Tomislava). Taxi: ~5 min / €5.
By car: Follow signs for "Lapad" from the D8 coastal road. Do not enter the Old Town restricted zone — our Lapad office is in the Safe Zone.
Day Trips from Dubrovnik Downtown
Destination
Distance
Drive Time
Border?
Cavtat
17 km
25 min
No
Ston (Pelješac)
55 km
50 min
No
Kotor, Montenegro
92 km
1h 30 min
Yes (Free 3+ days)
Budva, Montenegro
110 km
2h
Yes (Free 3+ days)
Mostar, Bosnia
140 km
2h 15 min
Yes (Free 3+ days)
Mljet National Park
—
1h 30 min ferry
No
How It Works
Step 1
Book Online
Choose your dates and vehicle. Secure your booking online and pay at pickup.
Step 2
Pick Up at Dubrovnik Downtown
Collect your car quickly and easily. Our staff will walk you through everything.
Step 3
Enjoy Croatia
Explore with unlimited kilometers and 24/7 support assistance included.
Quick Price Estimator
Save up to €54 vs daily rate
1 day7 days14 days
Toyota Aygo XBest deal
Manual · 4 seats
~€108
~€36 / day · Anchor €36
Opel Corsa
Manual · 5 seats
~€111
~€37 / day · Anchor €37
Renault Clio New
Manual · 5 seats
~€129
~€43 / day · Anchor €43
Suzuki Vitara
Manual · 5 seats
~€132
~€44 / day · Anchor €44
Toyota Yaris A/T
Automatic · 5 seats
~€243
~€81 / day · Anchor €60
Toyota Yaris Cross A/T
Automatic · 5 seats
~€267
~€89 / day · Anchor €66
Vehicle
/ day
Total
Book
Toyota Aygo XBest deal
Manual · 4 seats
~€36
Anchor €36
~€108
Opel Corsa
Manual · 5 seats
~€37
Anchor €37
~€111
Renault Clio New
Manual · 5 seats
~€43
Anchor €43
~€129
Suzuki Vitara
Manual · 5 seats
~€44
Anchor €44
~€132
Toyota Yaris A/T
Automatic · 5 seats
~€81
Anchor €60
~€243
Toyota Yaris Cross A/T
Automatic · 5 seats
~€89
Anchor €66
~€267
Estimates based on current rates. Final price shown at checkout.
Best Time to Book
Car rental prices in Croatia vary by season. Plan ahead for the best rates.
Your Guide to Renting a Car in Dubrovnik City Centre
Written by Bojan, Avax Rent a Car
Our Dubrovnik Downtown office is located at Ulica Kralja Tomislava 7, in the heart of the city just a short walk from the historic centre. This location is ideal for visitors staying in hotels or apartments in Dubrovnik who want to explore the surrounding region by car without the need to travel to the airport for pickup.
Dubrovnik, often called the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is one of the most iconic destinations in the Mediterranean. The Old Town, entirely encircled by massive stone walls dating back to the 13th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has gained additional fame as a filming location for Game of Thrones (King's Landing). The Stradun, the main limestone-paved street, is the social heart of the city.
Having a car in Dubrovnik opens up the broader region beautifully. Drive north along the coast to the Peljesac Peninsula for wine tasting, take a day trip to the Elafiti Islands via the Gruz port ferry, or explore the lush Konavle valley to the south. Montenegro's stunning Bay of Kotor is just over an hour's drive along the scenic coastal road, making it one of the most popular day trips from Dubrovnik.
Nearby Attractions
Dubrovnik City Walls
Walk the complete 1,940-metre circuit of the medieval city walls for breathtaking panoramic views over terracotta rooftops and the turquoise Adriatic. The walls are up to 25 metres high and 6 metres thick in places.
1 km
Lokrum Island
A lush, car-free island just a 15-minute boat ride from Dubrovnik's Old Port. Features a botanical garden, a Benedictine monastery, the Dead Sea (a saltwater lake), and peacocks roaming freely. A perfect half-day escape.
1 km (by boat)
Bay of Kotor, Montenegro
Southern Europe's deepest fjord-like bay surrounded by dramatic mountains and dotted with medieval walled towns including Kotor (UNESCO), Perast, and Herceg Novi. An unforgettable day trip.
60 km
Elafiti Islands
A small archipelago of three inhabited islands (Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan) accessible by ferry from Dubrovnik's Gruz port. Known for sandy beaches, olive groves, and a peaceful atmosphere far from the crowds.
15 km (by ferry)
Driving Tips
Driving in Dubrovnik's Old Town area is restricted; the centre is pedestrianised. Park at the Ilija garage (above the Old Town, connected by an escalator to the Banje beach area) or the Gruz port parking. Street parking on the Lapad peninsula is easier but fills up quickly in summer. When driving the D8 coastal road south towards Cavtat or Montenegro, be prepared for narrow sections and sharp turns along the beautiful shoreline.
Our Dubrovnik office is well-connected to local neighbourhoods including Lapad, Gruž, Pile, Ploče, Babin Kuk, making it easy to reach your accommodation or explore the city and its surroundings.
Distances from Dubrovnik Downtown
Destination
Distance
Travel Time
Dubrovnik Old Town (Pile Gate)
0.5 km
5 min walk
Gruž Ferry Port
3 km
8 min
Cavtat
17 km
25 min
Ston (Pelješac)
55 km
50 min
Pelješac Bridge
80 km
1h
Kotor (Montenegro)
92 km
1h 30 min
Mostar (Bosnia)
140 km
2h 15 min
Split
226 km
2h 45 min
Travel times are approximate and may vary with traffic conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Rental in Dubrovnik Downtown
Popular One-Way Route
Dubrovnik Downtown → Split
Head north along the Adriatic coast — one of Europe's most stunning coastal drives. Return in Split and catch a ferry to the islands. Free cross-border included for 3+ day rentals.
Popular One-Way Route
Dubrovnik Downtown → Zagreb
A grand traverse of Croatia from the Adriatic coast to the capital. Drive north through the Dalmatian hinterland and Lika highlands. Free cross-border included for 3+ day rentals.
Island Hopping
Heading to Mljet, Korčula, or the Elaphiti Islands?
We are the only local agency with €0 ferry fees. Take your Avax car on any Croatian ferry at no extra cost — ferry permission and island insurance validity included in every rental.
(Translated by Google) The customer service is excellent; their response time via email and WhatsApp is almost immediate, which is fantastic. I'm deducting one…
Miklós Loránt
1 week ago
Good brand-new car, fast administration work. Excellent service! Thanks a lot!
Wendy J
1 week ago
Easy to book. No deposit needed. Cancelation. Could pick up downtown Split and drop off in Dubrovnik town(outside the no go area where you get fined). Very exce…
Zak malaa
1 week ago
(Translated by Google) Excellent rental company, friendly staff! Reliable and clean vehicles! Competitive rates. I highly recommend them.
(Original)
Au top lou…
Erik Rozsnyai
2 weeks ago
Great experience picking up the car, took less than 10 minutes. Didn't have the car we wanted, but they gave us replacement cars which were just as spacious and…
Sergej Odegov
2 weeks ago
Great experience! Both pick up and drop off went very smooth, no annoying upsales or anything like that. The guys are friendly, pleasant and helpful.
Alex Lund
3 weeks ago
The car rental experience I had with Avax was great! Everyone was very nice and coordinated with me through email and WhatsApp. The vehicle ran great too. Next…
