crossing the border with a car rented in Croatia

Posted by keri (Honolulu, HI, USA) on 01/19/15 05:45 PM

We're now considering renting a car in Split and using it to get to Ljubljana (and sight-seeing around Solvenia), returning to Pula (modest drop-off charge, worth the convenience). So the rental itself is all within Croatia, but not the week's travel. Is there anything we should watch for in taking the rental car across the border into Slovenia (& back) from Croatia?

Also, is an International Drivers License required/recommended? We recall needing one for Spain a few years back -- but not for France or Ireland. Thanks!

Posted by Carol

Martinez, CA, USA

01/19/15 07:12 PM

1549 posts

You need to tell the rental company that you will be crossing the border and in which countries you will be driving and they will have a border crossing card in the car if it is needed. I believe an International Drivers License is needed in Slovenia but not sure about Croatia. We usually get one as it is inexpensive through AAA and so we are prepared for anything.

Posted by keri OP

Honolulu, HI, USA

01/19/15 10:12 PM

408 posts

Thanks! We do have AAA so it sounds like it's a good idea to get the iDL.

We've seen some mention about border crossing fees. Does anyone have current information on those?

Also, what would be wise to factor in for a potential time delay due to a border crossing? I'm always a bit hesitant to plan for anything that might disrupt a same-day departure. And a border crossing seems like it could be a potential for a "surprise" when leaving Ljubljana to make a flight out of Pula....

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

01/19/15 10:22 PM

16895 posts

Time for document checks at the border crossing is really an unknown factor. I'd allow at least an hour, in case of lines or delays. Even if you happen to zip through north-bound, you can't necessarily expect the same on the return.

Posted by keri OP

Honolulu, HI, USA

01/19/15 11:00 PM

408 posts

Thanks, Laura. That was kinda/sorta what I suspected ... which is why we are now looking to position ourselves across the border (back in Croatia) and make it a part of our trip to be closer to the airport. I've posted this in a new topic seeking recommendations in/around the Pula airport, for a stay of a couple of days (or so).

Posted by Steve

Ottawa

01/19/15 11:21 PM

238 posts

We rented a car in Croatia in 2012 and drove through Slovenia without problems. There were no border charges but for driving in Slovenia you must purchase a Slovenian vignette and display it on the car windshield. They can be purchased for varying periods of time. They are available at gas stations as well as Post Offices I believe. We stopped at the first gas station we saw and picked it up there.

We had an IDL. We also at the time of reserving the car, advised the rental company we would be driving in Slovenia.

We dropped the car off in Croatia after our visit to Slovenia.