Explore the Makarska Riviera and Biokovo mountain with a car delivered to your hotel.
Makarska sits at the base of Biokovo mountain along a 60 km stretch of the Dalmatian coast known for pebble beaches, D8 coastal road views, and quick access to both Split and Dubrovnik. A car turns this resort town into a base for beach-hopping between Brela, Tucepi and Baska Voda, tackling the serpentine Biokovo Skywalk road, or catching ferries to Hvar and Brac. Public transport along the Riviera is seasonal and slow; walking distances from hotel zones to town centres range from 500 metres to 3 km depending on your accommodation.
We arrange cars without deposit requirements and without needing a credit card for selected vehicles across our Croatia car rental overview. Availability depends on the specific model you book - each listing shows whether that car qualifies. After you search dates and location, filter results by "No Deposit" and "No Credit Card" tags. You pay a booking advance online by card, then settle the balance at pick-up using a debit card or cash, according to what that vehicle permits. The final payment method appears in your voucher and during the booking flow.
Pick-up happens through delivery to your hotel or apartment anywhere along the Makarska Riviera, from Brela in the north-west to Gradac in the south-east. The local rental company brings the car to your address at the time you select during booking, hands over keys, and walks you through the rental agreement and vehicle condition record on the spot. Alternatively, you can collect from Split Airport 60 km away or from a city office if you prefer to start your trip before reaching Makarska.
Return works the same way: the company collects the car from your hotel at the agreed time, inspects it against the original condition sheet, and processes closure. Damages recorded at the start stay documented in the contract; anything new gets assessed according to the coverage level you chose when booking. Excess (the amount you pay before coverage activates) and deposit (a separate hold on your card or cash, if required) are independent values - some cars waive the deposit entirely, but excess remains unless you purchase additional protection.
The town itself has no airport or railway, so rental operations revolve around hotel delivery and connections to Split transport hubs.
Located 60 km north-west of Makarska via the A1 motorway or D8 coastal road. Desks operate in the arrivals hall; some companies meet you outside the terminal with a name board. Driving time to Makarska is 50-70 minutes depending on whether you choose the faster motorway toll route or the scenic coastal D8.
The rental company drives the car to your exact address in Makarska, Brela, Tucepi, Baska Vada, Promajna or any other Riviera settlement. You select the delivery time during booking; the driver meets you at reception or in the parking area, completes the contract, records pre-existing marks on the bodywork, and leaves you with keys and documents. Return collection works identically.
Some companies maintain a small office near the harbour or Kaciceva ulica pedestrian zone. Collection requires you to walk or taxi there; parking nearby is metered and tight in July and August. Delivery to your hotel usually costs less effort and no extra fee, but a town pick-up suits travellers arriving by bus or ferry who want immediate mobility.
Makarska sits mid-way along the coast, making it a practical launch point for both short beach circuits and longer journeys to Dalmatian islands, mountains and neighbouring cities.
Drive 20 km inland on a steep, narrow serpentine road that climbs from sea level to 1400 metres elevation. The Skywalk viewing platform juts out over the cliff face with a glass floor; on clear days you can see Italy across the Adriatic. The road has 20-plus hairpin turns, no barriers on some sections, and requires careful speed control - allow 50 minutes uphill. A compact car handles the route, but a vehicle with responsive brakes and low centre of gravity helps confidence. Park entrance is payable at the booth; the road closes in high winds or snow.
60 km north-west via the D8 coastal road or A1 motorway. The D8 hugs the shoreline through Omis and offers constant sea views but slows to 40 km/h through villages; budget 90 minutes. The A1 cuts inland, takes 50 minutes, and charges a toll at the Zagvozd exit. Split's Diocletian Palace, Marjan hill trails, and ferry terminals for island hopping justify the drive. Parking in the city is metered or in paid garages; arrive early in peak season. Any car in our fleet manages the route comfortably; choose an automatic if you want relaxed motorway cruising.
30 km north-west along the D8, Omis sits at the mouth of the Cetina River where the canyon walls rise 200 metres above the water. The drive takes 35 minutes through coastal tunnels and past Brela beaches. Park near the old town fortress or along the river promenade. Rafting and zipline operators run trips up the canyon; the inland road to Zadvarje village follows the river for 15 km on a single-lane route with passing bays. A small hatchback fits the road width; larger SUVs require careful mirror work.
Ferry from Makarska port to Sucuraj on Hvar's eastern tip takes 1 hour; check schedules as service is seasonal. Alternatively, drive 40 km north to Drvenik and take the 50-minute ferry to Sucuraj, or drive to Split (60 km) for the faster catamaran to Hvar town (no cars). If you bring your car, pre-book ferry space in July and August. The island's interior road from Sucuraj to Hvar town spans 80 km with tight corners and lavender field views; allow 90 minutes. Compact and economy cars suit Hvar's narrow village streets better than large estates or SUVs.
170 km south via A1 motorway, passing through the Neum corridor in Bosnia and Herzegovina (no formal checkpoint, but rental companies require notification for cross-border travel). Driving time is 2 hours plus a brief Bosnia transit stretch. Tolls accumulate at several A1 booths; carry cash or card. Dubrovnik Old Town prohibits cars; park in Gruz or Ilijina Glavica garages and walk or bus in. The trip suits a day visit or overnight split; any car class works, though fuel-efficient models save on the 340 km round trip.
Ferry from Makarska to Sumartin on Brac runs roughly hourly in season, crossing time 1 hour. The island's famous Zlatni Rat beach lies near Bol on the southern coast, 35 km from Sumartin via a winding inland road through Selca and Novo Selo. Total drive from Makarska including ferry is 2.5 hours one-way. Brac's roads are narrow with stone walls; a compact or small SUV balances agility and luggage space. Pre-book ferry tickets in peak weeks or arrive 45 minutes early to queue.
We work with local rental companies that deliver the following models to hotels along the Riviera. Availability fluctuates by season; book early for July and August.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Dacia Duster | Compact SUV | Biokovo mountain road, gravel beach access, four passengers with luggage |
| Dacia Logan MCV | Estate | Family trips with large suitcases, longer road trips to Dubrovnik or Split |
| Ford Focus | Compact | Motorway comfort, balanced boot space, five passengers on day trips |
| Kia Rio | Economy | Solo or couple travel, city parking, fuel efficiency on coastal drives |
| Kia Stonic | Small SUV | Higher seating position for coast views, compact footprint for village streets |
| Mitsubishi Space Star | Mini | Short stays, easy parking in Makarska centre, lowest fuel consumption |
| Renault Captur | Small SUV | Couples with outdoor gear, beach-to-mountain versatility, confident handling |
| Renault Clio | Economy | Two passengers, D8 coastal cruising, tight hotel parking zones |
| Renault Megane | Compact | Longer trips, motorway stability, automatic transmission option |
| Renault Megane Sport Tourer | Estate | Extended family, sports equipment, ferry trips to islands with luggage |
Each car listing in the booking tool shows whether it qualifies for no-deposit and no-credit-card rental. Models rotate based on fleet availability; if your preferred car is unavailable, try adjusting pick-up dates by a day or selecting a nearby location like Trogir.
The town is small, but the surrounding Riviera roads and mountain routes have quirks worth knowing before you collect keys.
Cars available without a deposit and without requiring a credit card carry specific booking conditions set by the rental company that owns each vehicle.
When you search for Makarska rentals, each result displays badges indicating "No Deposit" and "No Credit Card" where applicable. These tags mean the rental company waives the usual card hold and accepts debit cards or cash for the final balance. Not every model qualifies; availability depends on the specific vehicle, season, and rental duration. If your dates show no eligible cars, try shifting pick-up by a day or extending the rental period - companies sometimes reserve no-deposit inventory for longer bookings.
Excess (the amount you cover before damage protection applies) remains a separate figure even when deposit is waived. You can reduce or eliminate excess by purchasing additional coverage during booking; that choice does not affect deposit status.
You need a valid driving licence held for at least 12 months and a passport or ID card. At delivery, the rental agent checks both, notes details in the contract, and records the car's existing condition - scratches, dents, fuel level - on a sheet you both sign. Payment splits into a booking advance (paid online when you reserve) and a balance due at pick-up. The balance payment method - debit card, cash, or credit card - is listed in your voucher and shown during checkout. For more detail, visit our payment and advance page.
If the car you want requires a credit card or deposit, consider raising the limit on your debit card before travel, or choose a different model from the no-deposit category.
Practical answers to what travellers ask before booking a car on the Riviera.
Yes, selected cars accept a debit card or cash for the balance payment at pick-up. Each vehicle listing shows whether it qualifies; filter search results by "No Credit Card" to see only those options. You still pay the booking advance online by any card, then settle the rest using the method stated in your voucher.
Yes, the rental company brings the car to your hotel, apartment or any address along the Riviera at the time you choose during booking. The driver completes the contract on-site, walks you through the vehicle condition record, and hands over keys. Return works the same way - they collect the car from your location at the agreed time.
Approximately 50 minutes via the A1 motorway or 80 minutes on the D8 coastal road. The motorway is faster and tolled; the coastal route offers sea views but slows through villages. Allow extra time in July and August when traffic builds around Omis and Split approach roads.
Cross-border travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro and Serbia requires notification to the rental company and often a permit document. The A1 motorway to Dubrovnik passes through the Neum corridor in Bosnia for about 20 km. Inform us during booking so the company prepares the correct paperwork; fees for permits vary by destination and are payable at pick-up.
Any car in our fleet can reach the Skywalk, but a compact or small SUV offers better visibility and control on the narrow serpentine road. The Dacia Duster, Renault Captur and Kia Stonic provide higher seating positions and confident brakes for the descent. Avoid large estates if you are uncomfortable with tight hairpin turns and no roadside barriers.
No, the town centre and waterfront use metered blue zones from 08:00 to 20:00. Pay at the machines and display the ticket on your dashboard. Free parking exists in residential streets 500-800 metres inland, but spaces disappear by mid-morning in summer. Most hotels and apartments include parking; confirm the location and access with your host before arrival.
Pre-booking is strongly recommended in July and August, especially for weekend crossings. Ferry capacity for cars is limited; without a reservation you may wait several sailings or miss your planned departure. Book through Jadrolinija's website or arrive at Makarska port 45 minutes early to queue. Off-season (May, June, September) usually allows walk-on vehicle boarding.
Search available cars, filter by no-deposit and no-credit-card options, and book your delivery slot in minutes. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick-up gives you flexibility if travel plans shift.