Plan a 3 week trip to Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia. The current plan is to flight into Zagreb, pick a car and drive to Ljubljana, then turn south to Rovinj, Plitvice Lakes, the coast, several island, Dubrovnik, then go back to Zagreb through Sarajevo. My question is what do I do with my car touring the islands? Should I drop it at Split, use ferry around islands and pick up a new one in Dubrovnik? My second question is what is the parking scheme in general. Thank.s
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
1924 posts
I did a very similar trip in 2014. Flew into Zagreb, picked up car and drove to Ljubljana, then Rovinj and Plitvice, but then I drove to Sarajevo, then Mostar, and then Split, where I dropped the car for the remainder of the vacation. Did the islands, ended in Dubrovnik. Flew Dubrovnik to Zagreb and then on home.
Take a look at a map and decide if it makes sense for you to reorder things. Otherwise, I think it probably makes the most sense to drop your car in Split and get a new one when you're ready to depart Dubrovnik.
Posted by
San Antonio, TX
334 posts
Dropping a car in Split/Dubrovnik and then getting a new rental in Dubrovnik/Split is what a lot of travelers do. When you reach Split, you should be able to drop the car immediately -- all of the major sites as well as the ferry port are very close together and you will not need a car. In Dubrovnik, the busses are well-connected and you won't need your next rental until you need to leave town.
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1174 posts
We pondered the same plight when we drove your route for two weeks last May.
We only planned one island, Hvar, so we just took the ferry in Split - there are 3 car ferries a day - and kept our car the whole time until we dropped the car in Dubrovnik.
Maybe you keep your car for the islands - staying in Hvar and doing the ferry for a day to Korcula.
We determined that we did not want to park a rental car in Split ….. we were a bit leery if that would truly be safe.
Posted by
OP
18 posts
Hi Caria:
Good advice. How's parking on the island? My daughter is 11, enough activities to have her occupied on the island? From what you are saying, it is not wise to leave a rental car at Split. An alternative is to drop the car at Split, do day trips to islands and pick up a new one then drive to Dubrovnik.
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1174 posts
You could easily drop the car in Split and take the ferries through the islands and into Dubrovnik.
If you will need a car after Dubrovnik, try renting the car for the two different times and see if there is a big price difference versus renting for the entire length of your trip.
We hiked up to the castle, went to the beach, and rode bikes. We were there for 3 nights and 2 full days and it was very relaxing. One could easily take the ferry to other islands and use Hvar as a base. We stayed at Olive Tree Apartments and enjoyed their expansive terrace with spectacular views to the harbor. We were only minutes from the wharf.