Tips for Renting a Car in Zagreb and Dropping off in Split

Hi Maddie. Driving in Croatia is pretty easy. The drive between Zagreb and Split is over a modern controlled-access highway with tolls. The hardest part is driving in the in the cities. I actually haven't driven in Split proper, but I have driven in Zagreb, and it was easy enough. I hear driving in Split can be challenging in areas.

What kind of questions do you have? Have you driven in Europe before?

In 2021 I rented a car in downtown Zagreb, drove to Plitvice National Park for a afternoon. Went on to the coast and returned the car at Split airport and then shuttled into downtown. Getting out of Zagreb was easy. You are on a nice freeway for half the trip then a two lane highway to take you up in the mountains to the park. All easy enough to follow especially with Rick's guidebook. Getting to the airport dropoff was also a piece of cake. I chose this instead of trying to drive into theold town. The shuttle busses drop you off right by the palace.
I later tool the ferry to Dubrovnik and then when leaving rented another car for a trip into Montenegro and Bosnia before returning again at Split airport before flyoing home.
Driving in all the areas was great.

I drove in Split in 2011. I still have PTSD. I turned a corner and was in the old town in a street that was about 8" wider than the car. Plus there is double and triple parking in places. GAHHH!!!

Don't drive in cities in the Balkans. We took a Time of Troubles tour in Sarajevo. The streets in hilly, old Sarajevo are only for natives. Zagreb is not difficult - it's on the grid system, although there are 1-way streets.

To drop off in Split, ensure that your drop-off is on the outskirts.