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Find low car hire prices in Zagreb with Road Genius. Compare live rates of SUVs, hatchbacks, minivans and reserve with no booking fees. Pick up at Zagreb Airport or in the city centre near Glavni Kolodvor, compare major brands and choose one-way car hire across Croatia. Easy access for day trips to Plitvice Lakes, Samobor and Varaždin. Book early for summer, especially for automatics.
| Location | 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Zagreb City Centre | • Walking distance from hotels • Near train station/bus terminal • Rent only on the days you need |
• Limited opening hours • Closed/reduced hours on Sundays • Smaller selection of vehicles |
| Zagreb Airport | • Pick up car on arrival • 20+ rental companies • Longer opening hours • Wider selection of vehicles |
• 15-30 minute wait times in summer • Long lines during peak flight arrivals |
| Hotels | • Convenience • Some offer special discounts for guests |
• Limited selection of vehicles • Potentially higher prices |
On average, car rentals in Zagreb cost around €67 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €32 per day.
Compare pickup locations. In Zagreb, airport and city-centre rates are similar. If you’re sightseeing first, start your hire in the city centre a day or two later to avoid paying for idle days. Watch Sunday hours in the centre.
Time it to the season. For June–September and Advent (Dec), book earlier as economy and automatics sell out. Off-peak, monitor prices and compare brands frequently to catch drops.
Tweak dates and duration. Weekly rates can beat daily totals. Shifting pickup/return times by a few hours can reduce chargeable days. Check both airport and the city centre for the same dates.
Pick a cheaper class. A compact manual is usually the best value in Zagreb for fuel and parking. Automatics often add €15–20 per day.
Cut parking costs. Use budget garages like Langov trg (~€6–7/day) or park in Zone 3 and hop on the tram. Avoid longer stays in Zone 1.
Trim running costs. Choose a fuel-efficient model and refuel at suburban stations around Zagreb, which are usually cheaper than city-centre pumps.
| Zone | Location | Hourly Rate (Approx.) | Time Limit | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 (Red) | Strict city centre | Higher rates apply | 2 hours max | Mon-Fri 7am-10pm Sat 7am-3pm |
| Zone 2 (Yellow) | Surrounding centre | Standard rates apply | 3 hours max | Mon-Fri 7am-8pm Sat 7am-3pm |
| Zone 3 (Green) | Outer centre | Lower rates apply | No limit | Mon-Fri 7am-8pm Sat 7am-3pm |
| Zone 4 (Special) | Specific areas | Varies | Varies | Varies by location |
| Garage | Location | Daily Rate (Approx.) | Proximity to Attractions | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Importanne Centre | Trg Ante Starčevića | Varies | Near train station and main square | Underground, large capacity |
| Tuškanac | Tuškanac 1 | Varies | Upper Town, walkable to St. Mark's | Hidden gem for Upper Town access |
| Cvjetni | Ilica 8 | Varies | Heart of the city centre, near main square | Modern facility, shopping centre above |
| Petrinjska | Petrinjska 59 | Varies | Lower Town, near shopping streets | Good for eastern part of centre |
| Langov trg | Langov trg | Varies | 15-min walk from centre | Budget option, less crowded |
Hire a car so you can see:
Plitvice Lakes – UNESCO site, waterfalls, boardwalks
Samobor – town square, kremšnite, castle ruins
Varaždin – castle, cemetery, main square
Hrvatsko Zagorje – castles, thermal spas, vineyards
Ljubljana (Slovenia) – river, castle
Lake Bled (Slovenia) – island church, castle
What documents do I need to hire a car in Zagreb?
You need a valid driver's licence, passport and credit card in your name. We recommend an International Driving Permit if you have a non-EU licence, but companies rarely ask for one if your licence is in a major language. If your licence isn't in the Latin alphabet (like Cyrillic or Arabic), you must have an International Driving Permit or an official translation.
Is parking difficult in Zagreb city centre?
In Zone 1 (the city centre), you can only park on the street for 2 hours and finding a space is hard. Parking garages are a better choice if you need to park for longer. Some hotels in the centre offer parking for their guests, usually for about €15-20 a day.
Can I drive to the coast from Zagreb in one day?
Yes, you can drive to Split in about 4 hours on the A1 motorway and to Rijeka in about 2 hours on the A6. You can easily do either drive in a day, but stopping overnight gives you more time to see the sights.
Are automatic transmission cars readily available in Zagreb?
Yes, you can find them more easily here than in smaller Croatian cities. They are still less common than manual cars and cost about €15-20 more per day. You should book one far ahead of time, especially if you're visiting in summer.
How are the motorways from Zagreb to other Croatian cities?
They're excellent. The A1 (to Split/Dalmatia), A2 (to Slovenia), A3 (to Slavonia) and A6 (to Rijeka) are modern motorways that are kept in good condition and have regular rest stops. You have to pay tolls on all of them.
What's the best car type for exploring Zagreb and surroundings?
A compact car is usually your best choice. It gives you a good mix of fuel economy, easy parking and comfort for driving around Zagreb and nearby areas on sealed roads. An SUV can give you more space or be better in winter on certain roads. But most hire companies don't let you drive on unsealed or gravel roads, even in an AWD/4WD car. You should always check your hire contract to see what roads you can drive on.
Can I return my hire car to another city in Croatia?
Yes, many people do one-way hires, especially from Zagreb to cities on the coast. You may have to pay a one-way fee. It's often around €200-300 for long drives like Zagreb to Dubrovnik and less for shorter trips like Zagreb to Rijeka.
Is winter driving difficult around Zagreb?
The city keeps its roads in good shape, but roads in the countryside and mountains can be hard to drive on after it snows. You must have winter equipment from November 15 to April 15. This includes winter or all-season M+S tyres that have enough tread and chains when you need them. Hire cars usually come with the right equipment. Crews clear the major motorways quickly after it snows.
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