Hi,
We are renting a car for 2 days, driving from Split to Plitvice, staying one night, driving to Sibenik for 1 night and return car to Split. Is driving in Croatia difficult, meaning like crazy Italy, or is it calmer? We usually do not get rental insurance but thinking that we should this time. thoughts?
Where in Italy have you driven? If you have experience driving anywhere, I think you'll be fine. I used public transport on my Croatia trips, but the roads look excellent on the highways, and otherwise rural driving. It may be a little hairy driving in and out of Split, but nothing to make it avoidable.
Check to see what insurance your credit card provides on rentals. Anything can happen, anywhere, but it's a matter of personal risk- tolerance, not something anyone can really advise on.
We did not drive in Italy but just walking the streets in Naples was dangerous! Cars don't stop and scooters are every where. Cannot believe how close cars get to each other and to pedestrians.
Good idea to check credit card for insurance...I always forget that. :)
Ha! I'd never advise driving in Naples, but there are few cities in the world as chaotic as that. Split in summertime could be a little hectic just because it is a popular tourism spot, but not remotely comparable to Naples. I would definitely plan my route out of town once you settle on an agency. I think parking would be more of an issue than the drive itself. Driving to Plitvice and Sibenik should be a snap.
I’m doing something very similar in a week and so far driving in Croatia has been fine. Roads are great, most drivers are polite and signs are easy to read. I would rent from the Split airport so you’re not driving into the city itself.
I have never found that driving in any country is any different than in the US. You will be minus the road rage overseas. Croatia is just fine to drive. We drove all over it. Even in cities.
Between Split and Plitvice, it's major highway about 1/2 the way from Split and
then smooth 2 lane roads coming into Plitvice from the south. No issues driving;
just be prepared to pay tolls.
We encountered no problems on that route. Leaving Split was a bit congested, but no more so than driving in a city here.
Relax and recommend relying upon front seat passenger to help with the navigation. We find assigning the navigation helps the driver focus on road tasks and reduces travel stress.
