Best car hire in Dubrovnik and what to avoid (Important)
Dubrovnik looks like the perfect place to pick up a rental car for a road trip in Croatia. The airport is small, the coastline is spectacular, and Montenegro is just down the road. But here is the reality nobody tells you upfront: Dubrovnik is consistently one of the most expensive and limited rental markets in Europe. In July and August, prices for a compact car can double what you would pay if you rent the car in Split, and availability disappears fast.
I have rented at Dubrovnik Airport, and I have made the mistake of booking late. Do not do it. Here is everything I have learned, including the three suppliers I actually trust and the two scams that target tourists specifically in this city.
Why Dubrovnik Costs More Than Other Croatian Cities
Before we even talk about suppliers, you need to understand the market. Dubrovnik is at the very southern tip of Croatia, surrounded by mountains and sea. There is no large local population driving demand outside tourism, which means fleets are smaller and prices spike hard in summer.
A compact car that costs €25 per day in May can easily hit €80 or €100 per day in Dubrovnik in August. Walk-up availability at the desk in peak season? Optimistic at best.
My 2 cents: book as early as possible. I always use DiscoverCars, the comparison platform that works as a sort of Airbnb for car rentals. Suppliers are rated by real customers who completed a rental, not random Google Maps reviewers. I filter above 8 stars, usually 9, and lock in the rate. Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before pickup, so there is no downside to securing a car months ahead.
The Airport Pickup Reality
Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) sits about 20 kilometres southeast of the Old Town. The drive takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes, but in peak season mornings, when everyone is leaving for their flights, that road gets busy. If you have an early drop-off, allow more time than your GPS suggests.
Here is the thing that confuses first-timers: the rental desks are not inside the terminal. You exit arrivals, walk straight across the bus parking lot — about 200 metres — and find the rental centre in a separate building. Most major globals are there. A few local operators are off-site and require a shuttle. Clear enough once you know, slightly chaotic if you do not.
Peak arrival times are mid-morning to early afternoon in summer, when charter flights from all over Europe land back-to-back. If your flight arrives between 10am and 2pm in July or August, expect a queue. Early morning or evening arrivals are significantly smoother.
Late arrival tip: there are no hotels at the airport itself. The closest town is Cavtat — about 6 kilometres away, a genuinely beautiful medieval harbour village that is far more relaxed and local than Dubrovnik.
If you are landing late and do not want to navigate unfamiliar coastal roads in the dark, spend your first night in Cavtat. Easy parking, excellent seafood restaurants, and a completely different atmosphere from the tourist intensity inside Dubrovnik’s walls.
Arriving by Cruise or Ferry? Skip the Airport
Not everyone flies into Dubrovnik. If you are arriving by cruise ship or ferry from Italy, the main port is in Gruž — about 3 kilometres northwest of the Old Town, well outside the restricted traffic zone.
Several rental companies operate meet-and-greet pickups here. You arrive at the port, message the company on WhatsApp, and they meet you in the parking area near the ferry terminal with the keys. No taxi to the airport, no wasted time.
The three suppliers I suggest next all have city locations in addition to their airport desks, which is super handy if you want to spend a few days in the Old Town first and collect the car later.
My Top 3 Suppliers for Dubrovnik
| Supplier | Type | Why I Recommend Them | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Car Rental | Local | 200m walk from terminal; flexible on flight delays; cross-border permits available | Value for money |
| Enterprise | Global | After-hours pickup option; desk in rental centre | Peace of mind & late flights |
| SIXT | Global | Modern fleet; standardised process; loyalty programme | Regular renters who know the brand |
Active Car Rental — My Top Pick
Active Car Rental is my number one choice for Dubrovnik. Their office is just 200 metres from the arrivals exit — a short walk, no shuttle, no phone calls. What sets them apart is flexibility: if your flight is delayed, they keep the car available and charge you only for the time you actually use it. After a long travel day, that kind of straightforward attitude makes a real difference.
They also allow one-way rentals to other Croatian cities, and they accept cross-border permits for Montenegro and Bosnia. In Dubrovnik, that is genuinely relevant because both borders are literally 30 minutes away. Just check the fee when you book — it is not always included in the base rate.
Enterprise — The Reliable Global Option
Enterprise has a desk in the rental centre just outside arrivals. What makes them worth mentioning specifically here is their after-hours pickup option. If you are arriving on a late flight, they will keep the desk open, but you must provide your flight number and arrival time when you book. Do not assume it is automatic. Give them the information in advance and it works smoothly.
For travellers who want the consistency of a global brand — particularly on a first visit to Croatia — Enterprise is the safe bet. You will pay more than the locals, but you know exactly what you are getting.
SIXT — The Premium Global Choice
SIXT is located in the same rental centre outside arrivals. Exit the terminal, walk straight across the bus parking lot, and the SIXT office is in the last row. Easy to find.
They run a modern fleet and a standardised process. If you have a SIXT loyalty account or have rented with them before, you will find zero surprises in Dubrovnik. More expensive than the locals, as always, but consistently reliable.
The Cross-Border Question
Something specific to Dubrovnik that does not apply in most Croatian cities: you are surrounded by borders.
Montenegro is 30 minutes east. Bosnia and Herzegovina is 30 minutes north. Many travellers rent in Dubrovnik specifically to drive to Kotor or Mostar for a day or two. If that is your plan, you need to confirm cross-border travel when you book and arrange the additional permit before you leave the rental desk. Not all companies allow it, and those that do typically charge an extra fee.
You will also need the Green Card insurance document in the car, which the rental company should provide. Keep it accessible.
One practical note: since the Pelješac Bridge opened a few years ago, you can now drive north from Dubrovnik to Split entirely within Croatian territory, bypassing the Neum corridor. But if you actually want to enter Bosnia or Montenegro, you still need written permission from the supplier. Do not assume it is included.
Global Brands vs Local Operators
I am going to be direct here. In Dubrovnik, global brands give you consistency, modern fleets, and a known process. But they usually cost €10 to €30 more per day. Local operators are more often than not cheaper; however, you really need to be picky. A few of them do not offer great service and some have built a reputation for pre-existing damage scams — charging you at drop-off for scratches that were already on the car.
Full Insurance: A No-Brainer Here
The roads around Dubrovnik are spectacular but demanding — narrow, winding, and packed with tourist traffic in summer. The Old Town itself is a pedestrian-only zone, so you park outside the walls and walk in. That helps avoid driving stress, but the parking lots and tight village streets elsewhere are where bumps and scratches happen.
A small scratch at drop-off without full coverage can cost you €300 to €500. Your credit card or travel insurance might technically cover you, but check the excess. Mine has a €700 deductible, which makes it essentially useless for the small damage most likely to happen.
Counter insurance at the desk runs €30 to €50 per day. It works, but it is expensive.
Personally, I add full coverage during the booking on DiscoverCars for €8 to €10 per day. Zero excess, roadside assistance included. Honestly, in Dubrovnik, it is a no-brainer at this price.
| Insurance Option | Cost | Excess | My Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card coverage | Free with card | ~€700 | Useless for small damage |
| Counter insurance | €30–€50/day | Zero | Works but overpriced |
| DiscoverCars full cover | €8–€10/day | Zero | A real bargain |
What to Avoid in Dubrovnik
There are many things to know when renting a car in Croatia, but two definitely stand out in Dubrovnik.
First, do not trust Google Maps reviews blindly. A company with ten five-star reviews where several reviewers have only ever left one review in their life tells you very little. Friends, family, the owner’s cousin — Google Maps allows anyone to post. In this respect, the DiscoverCars rating system, based on verified rentals, is far more reliable.
Second, photograph everything at pickup. All four sides, the roof, the undercarriage, the interior, the windscreen. Do the same at drop-off time to have a full before-after documentation. Dubrovnik has operators with a pattern of pre-existing damage claims. Five minutes of photos is your complete defence.
Final Word
Before you book, here is my checklist for Dubrovnik specifically:
- Book well in advance — this is one of Europe’s most expensive summer rental markets.
- Confirm cross-border permits if you are visiting Montenegro or Bosnia.
- Photograph the car meticulously at pickup.
- Allow extra time for morning drop-offs; that road to the airport gets busy.
- Consider Cavtat for your first or last night if arriving late.
Do that, and your Dubrovnik road trip starts exactly how it should — with the Adriatic ahead of you and the Montenegrin border within reach, not with a dispute at a rental desk.
