Drive the Pearl of the Adriatic and explore coastal roads, island ferries and cross-border routes to Bosnia and Montenegro.
Dubrovnik sits on the southern tip of the Croatian coast, hemmed in by mountains and the sea. The historic core - Stari Grad - is closed to traffic, but outside the walls you face narrow streets, paid parking zones and summer congestion. A car opens access to Cavtat's shingle beaches, the Ston peninsula's oyster farms, ferry ports for Mljet and Korcula, and border crossings into Bosnia and Montenegro. We arrange cars from local rental companies that deliver to hotels in Lapad, Ploce and Babin Kuk, or you can collect at Dubrovnik Airport 20 km south-east.
Many cars in Dubrovnik carry a no-deposit tag: the rental company does not block funds on your card at pick-up. This is independent of the excess - you remain liable for damage up to the stated amount - but nothing is frozen in your account. The no-credit-card label means you can settle the balance on collection with a debit card or cash, depending on the specific vehicle. Which payment methods apply is shown during booking and confirmed in your voucher. You pay a booking advance online to reserve the car; the payment and advance structure depends on the model, not the category.
We display real inventory from partner companies operating across Dubrovnik. You select dates and delivery location - hotel address, airport or ferry terminal - and the system filters models by your preferences: no deposit, no credit card, automatic or manual, SUV or estate. After you book, you receive a voucher with the company name, contact details and the exact pick-up instructions. You sign the rental agreement when you collect the car, and any damage is recorded in that contract. Cross-border permits for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and ferry tickets to islands are paid add-ons selected at checkout.
Most visitors fly into DBV, drive the coastal D8 to the city centre in 25 minutes, then use the car for day trips and island hopping. Others base themselves in Lapad or Babin Kuk and avoid the old-town parking puzzle altogether. Summer months - July and August - bring heavy traffic on the coastal approaches; shoulder periods in May, June and September offer clearer roads and easier hotel delivery.
Three main collection points serve the city and surrounding hotels. Delivery times are selected during booking; the company confirms the exact meeting point in your voucher.
The airport lies 20 km south-east of the city on the D8 coastal road. Rental desks operate inside the terminal; some companies meet you outside arrivals with a name board. The drive into town takes 25 minutes in off-peak periods, longer when cruise ships dock. DBV serves the widest choice of models. Full pick-up details at Dubrovnik Airport.
Many companies deliver to hotels in Lapad, Ploce, Babin Kuk and other residential zones outside the old town. You provide your accommodation address during booking; the driver brings the car, completes the paperwork, records the fuel level and exterior condition, then hands over keys. Return works the same way: call the number in your voucher, arrange a time, and the driver collects the vehicle. This option avoids the airport run and parking searches near the walls.
Some operators maintain a desk or meet-and-greet point near Gruz harbour, convenient if you arrive by ferry from Split or the islands. The port is also the departure point for Mljet and Korcula ferries. Staff park nearby - often in the paid zone - and walk you to the car. Confirm the exact address when you receive your voucher; narrow streets and pedestrian zones mean precise meeting instructions matter.
Dubrovnik anchors the southern coast, with border crossings to Bosnia and Montenegro, ferry links to islands, and the long A1 motorway north to Split and beyond. Every route rewards you with limestone cliffs, fishing villages or mountain passes.
A 20 km coastal drive south on the D8 brings you to Cavtat, a quieter peninsula town with Habsburg-era promenades, shingle beaches and anchored yachts. The road hugs the shore, winding through tunnels and past rocky coves. Parking is paid and limited in summer; arrive before 10:00 or after 16:00. Any compact saloon or hatchback handles the route. The return trip takes 30 minutes each way, making Cavtat an easy morning or afternoon excursion. Combine it with a lunch stop at one of the harbour konobas serving grilled fish and risotto.
Head 60 km north on the D8 to reach Ston's medieval salt pans and 5 km of defensive walls. The road crosses the narrow Ston isthmus, then follows the peninsula coast past vineyards and oyster farms. An estate car or SUV suits this trip if you plan to stop at wineries and load cases of Dingac or Postup. The drive takes 90 minutes; add time for wall walks and oyster tastings at Mali Ston. Return via the same route or continue north to connect with the A1 motorway toward Split.
The border crossing at Debeli Brijeg lies 50 km south-east; Herceg Novi is another 5 km beyond, Kotor 95 km total. You must purchase a cross-border permit during booking - the rental company registers your trip with customs. The D8 twists along the Bay of Kotor, a dramatic fjord-like inlet flanked by steep karst. Queues form at the crossing in July and August; shoulder months move faster. Any saloon or small SUV manages the route. Budget three hours to Kotor, longer if you explore Perast or Herceg Novi. Return the same day or arrange a one-way drop if your company allows it.
Drive 140 km north-west via the M6 border crossing to reach Mostar's reconstructed Ottoman bridge and riverside quarters. The route climbs through the Dinaric mountains, passing through immigration at Zupci. Again, a cross-border permit is mandatory. The road is two-lane asphalt, winding in places but well-maintained. An estate or compact SUV offers comfort for the two-hour drive. Park near the old bridge - paid zones - and walk the cobbled streets. Return the same day or continue north to Sarajevo if you have a multi-day rental and the permit covers it.
Ferries depart Gruz harbour for Mljet, crossing in two hours. You can take the car aboard - book the vehicle slot when you buy your ticket - or leave it in Dubrovnik and rent a scooter on the island. Mljet National Park occupies the western third, protecting two saltwater lakes and dense Mediterranean forest. If you take the car, a compact hatchback or saloon fits the narrow island roads. The ferry crossing itself becomes part of the adventure, with views of the Elafiti archipelago en route.
The 230 km drive north to Split follows the A1 toll motorway, cutting inland through the Dinaric range before descending to the coast near Omis. Tolls are paid at booths with cash or card. The journey takes three hours in light traffic; summer weekends see convoys of coaches and caravans. Any vehicle handles the motorway, but a diesel saloon or estate reduces fuel costs. Stop at Makarska or Omis on the way, or push straight through to connect with onward routes to Zadar, Zagreb or the islands via Split ferry port.
Local companies offer a range of models, from city hatchbacks for narrow streets to estates for family road trips and SUVs for gravel mountain tracks. Availability peaks in spring and autumn; book early for July and August.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500 | Mini | Old town parking, solo travellers, short coastal hops |
| Opel Corsa | Economy | City driving, Cavtat day trips, two passengers |
| Peugeot 208 | Economy | Fuel efficiency, Ston peninsula, couples |
| SEAT Ibiza | Economy | Compact footprint, paid parking zones, airport run |
| Citroen C3 | Compact | Hotel delivery, Mostar border trip, three passengers |
| Fiat Panda | Compact | Tight streets, budget road trips, boot space for two bags |
| Renault Clio Sport Tourer | Estate | Family luggage, Peljesac wineries, four passengers |
| Fiat Tipo | Saloon | Motorway comfort, Split run, four adults |
| Opel Astra | Saloon | Kotor bay drive, boot space, highway cruising |
| Kia Ceed SW | Estate | Longer trips, ski gear to mountains, five passengers |
| Peugeot 308 SW | Estate | Family road trips, Mljet ferry, roof box option |
| SEAT Leon | Saloon | Diesel economy, cross-border permits, four passengers |
| Audi A3 | Premium Compact | Comfort, leather seats, motorway trips |
| Renault Captur | Compact SUV | Higher seating, gravel tracks, island ferries |
| Peugeot 2008 | Compact SUV | Mixed terrain, Biokovo mountain road, visibility |
| Opel Mokka | Compact SUV | Winter grip, unpaved coastal paths, boot access |
| Peugeot 3008 | Mid-size SUV | Family comfort, cross-border, five adults |
| Audi Q3 | Premium SUV | Mountain roads, towing capacity, leather interior |
| Opel Combo | MPV | Group travel, sliding doors, six passengers |
| Opel Zafira | MPV | Seven seats, luggage stacking, airport transfers |
| Mercedes V class | Premium Van | Eight passengers, business groups, luxury shuttle |
Each model is tied to a specific set of terms: deposit or no deposit, payment methods accepted, excess amount, mileage limit, cross-border permissions. The booking system shows these details before you confirm. Summer demand pushes compact SUVs and estates into early sell-out; if you need a particular body style, reserve as soon as your dates are fixed.
The city rewards careful planning. Streets are tight, parking is scarce near the walls, and summer traffic tests patience. These notes come from drivers who navigate Dubrovnik every day.
Not every car qualifies. Each model listed on our site carries a label showing whether a deposit is required and which payment methods the company accepts on collection.
Open the search widget, enter your Dubrovnik delivery location - hotel address, airport or ferry port - and your dates. After you click search, the results page displays badges: "No Deposit" and "No Credit Card" appear on qualifying vehicles. You can also tick the filters in the sidebar to hide cars that require a deposit or demand a credit card. The system pulls live inventory from local companies, so availability shifts daily. If your first choice is gone, check again the next day or widen your date window by a day either side.
The no-deposit label means the rental company will not block funds on your card at pick-up. The excess - your maximum liability for damage - remains in the contract, but no money is frozen. This is especially useful if your debit-card limit is modest or you want that balance free for hotels and meals. The no-credit-card label indicates you can pay the remaining balance with a debit card or cash; the booking advance is always taken online by card when you reserve.
Bring your driving licence, passport and the voucher we email after booking. If your licence uses non-Latin script, an International Driving Permit is recommended. The company checks these documents, notes the fuel level and exterior condition in the rental agreement, and hands over the keys. Damage - scratches, dents, chips - is recorded so you are not blamed on return. Read the agreement before you sign; it specifies mileage limits, cross-border permissions, fuel policy and contact numbers.
Payment terms vary by vehicle: the booking advance secures your reservation, and the balance is due when you collect. Some cars accept debit card only, others allow cash, a few require a credit card despite the "no credit card" tag being absent. Each car's requirements are spelled out during booking and confirmed in your voucher. For a detailed breakdown of how the advance and balance work, visit our payment methods page.
Answers to the queries we hear most often from drivers collecting cars in Dubrovnik.
Yes, many cars carry both labels. Use the search filters to display only vehicles that require no deposit and accept a debit card or cash for the balance. The booking advance is paid online when you reserve; the rest is settled at pick-up using the method shown in your voucher.
Three main options: Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) 20 km south-east, hotel or apartment delivery within the city and surrounding zones like Lapad and Babin Kuk, or a meet-and-greet point near Gruz ferry terminal. Select your preferred location during booking; the voucher confirms the exact address and contact details.
Yes. Both countries require the rental company to register your trip and issue a permit. Add the cross-border option during booking; it appears as a paid extra. Carry the permit, rental agreement, passport and licence at the border. Without a permit, guards will turn you back.
The historic core is closed to cars. Pile garage and paid zones outside the walls offer spaces, but summer demand is high. Hotel delivery avoids the problem if you stay in Lapad or Babin Kuk. Arrive before 09:00 or after 18:00 to find spots more easily.
Yes, ferries from Gruz harbour accept cars, but you must book a vehicle slot when you buy your ticket. The deck fills early in July and August. Some drivers leave the car in Dubrovnik and travel as foot passengers, renting a scooter on the island. Check the rental agreement for any ferry restrictions.
Driving licence valid for at least 12 months, passport and the voucher emailed after booking. An International Driving Permit is recommended if your licence uses non-Latin characters. The company records these details in the rental agreement you sign at pick-up.
Around three hours covering 230 km via the A1 motorway. Tolls are paid at booths with cash or card. Summer weekends see heavier traffic; early mornings or late afternoons move faster. You can stop at Makarska or Omis along the way.
Search live inventory now, filter by no deposit and no credit card, choose hotel delivery or airport pick-up, and lock in free cancellation. Your voucher arrives by email with all the details you need.