ATMs and spending money in Croatia

1. I think most ATMs will charge some type of fee for a withdrawal, it may run you 4-6 euro. Bank or private ATM really does not matter, you likely can not avoid the fee. Then of course know what your bank may charge, some large US banks will hit you with an out of network fee as well as a foreign transaction fee. I have a couple accounts that charge no fees, one that charges no fee, and reimburses me the use fee. If you start a transaction and a use fee higher than 6 euro comes up, cancel and look elsewhere, but the best ATM is the one that is handy and accessible. Finding one out of the general traffic flow (as opposed to a busy street) would add a security element.

The other thing is DCC, if you are unsure what that is, I can explain, or you can Google it, always do your transaction in euros, decline any conversion offer, despite any warnings they give you. All ATMs should give you the option to decline, not all make it crystal clear or the easiest option.

1. Credit card is widely accepted, should be able to use it for restaurants, shopping, ferries, the exception might be buying bus tickets from the driver. For the Sobes, I assume it is because they are private individuals, so setting up an account for infrequent use is a pain. They probably do bank transfers for Europeans staying. Smaller restaurant may prefer cash as well.

2. All ferries should accept credit card.

I travel internationally quite a bit and a couple of years ago, opened a Schwab banks account which includes zero fees from Schwab AND they reimburse you for any fees charged by the ATM. There is no international transaction fee either.

Tap-to-pay and credit card payments are extremely common now. They’ll often ask if you want to charge in Euros or Dollars, you want to pay in Euros so you’re getting your bank exchange rate and fees only. If you pay in dollars (converted currency) you’ll get dinged by their rate and your bank’s. It’s a ripoff. You’ll pay the credit card processing fee as part of the price, and can avoid this with cash, but eating that fee is usually worth the convenience imo.

ZABA and OPT are major banks in Croatia, look for their ATMs. Any other ones, like CashZone or EuroNet are 3rd party ripoffs.

I don’t bother buying Euros in the states before a trip anymore. The exchange rate and fees are astronomical to get physical euro currency in the US.

My experience with sobe hosts was they were pretty understanding about the practicality of tourists carrying around a thousand euros in cash. I either met up with them a day or two after check-in, or gave them part up front and the rest the next day.

Thank you very much for your replies, this is very helpful!!

If you're flying in to Dubrovnik, you will almost certainly be coming from another European airport, and if that is in a euro country, your connection time is often a good opportunity to find a decent ATM and get some cash then. One thing less to do on arrival at your destination.

For currency withdrawals:

1) Use a bank-associated bankomat, not a private one
2) We use the Schwab card - no fees for withdrawals
3) DECLINE the CHOICE of issue in dollars. Issue in Euros