Pick up your vehicle at the terminal and drive straight into Istria.
Pula Airport (PUY) is a small, efficient terminal serving the Istrian peninsula. The terminal sits 7 km north-east of Pula city centre along the D66 road, roughly 10 minutes by car. The rental desks occupy a compact area in the arrivals hall, and some local companies operate meet-and-greet services outside, holding a sign with your name as you exit customs. The quiet layout means you clear baggage claim, meet your rental representative, and drive off within twenty minutes of landing.
We work with local rental companies operating at Pula Airport, offering selected vehicles without a deposit requirement and accepting debit cards or cash for the balance. You reserve online with a booking advance, then complete the rental agreement at the desk or outside the terminal. The contract specifies the vehicle model, excess, fuel policy, and any additional services you ordered - second driver, child seat, cross-border permits for Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Montenegro, and ferry tickets to islands. The rental company provides their contact details in your voucher, and the desk staff explain the inspection procedure and note any existing marks in the agreement.
This page focuses on airport pickup - flight arrival, the terminal handover process, and routes out of PUY. If you plan to pick up in the city centre or explore Pula itself, visit the city-specific page. Here we concentrate on the practicalities of arriving by air and driving straight into Istria or across Croatia.
The terminal is compact, so the process is straightforward. Follow these steps to collect your vehicle after landing.
Collect your luggage and pass through customs. Pula Airport handles mainly seasonal flights, so queues are usually short. The arrivals hall opens directly into the rental zone.
Check your voucher for instructions. Some companies have a staffed desk inside the terminal; others wait outside with a name board. Your booking confirmation states the exact meeting point and the company name.
Present your driving licence, voucher, and payment method for the balance. The agent prepares the rental agreement, which lists the vehicle, excess amount, fuel level, and any extras. Walk around the car together and note scratches or dents in the agreement. Take photographs of all four sides and the dashboard odometer.
The agent shows you the location of the spare tyre, documents folder, and toll-ticket holder if applicable. Exit the car park and turn left onto the D66 road. From there you can head south-west into Pula, north-east across Istria, or join the A9 Istrian Ipsilon motorway for longer trips.
When you search above, make sure the "Specify location" field displays "Pula Airport" rather than the city name. The widget will then show vehicles available for terminal pickup.
Pula Airport connects quickly to the D66 and D21 roads, giving you direct access to Istrian towns and the motorway network. Here are common routes, distances, and the type of vehicle suited to each.
Right-hand traffic applies throughout Croatia. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on open roads, and 130 km/h on motorways. The A9 Istrian Ipsilon has junctions near Vodnjan and Kanfanar, linking to the A6 toward Rijeka and the A1 toward Zagreb. Fuel stations - INA, Tifon, Petrol - appear along the D66 and at motorway service areas.
The local companies at PUY offer a range of models, from city compacts to estate cars suited to longer journeys. The table below shows examples; actual availability and deposit requirements appear in the booking widget.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500 | Economy | Solo travellers, short city trips, tight parking |
| Peugeot 208 | Economy | Couples, day excursions along the coast |
| Fiat Panda | Economy | Budget-conscious drivers, urban errands |
| Citroen C3 | Compact | Small families, weekend getaways |
| Opel Astra | Compact | Mid-range comfort, longer drives across Istria |
| Fiat Tipo | Compact | Balanced boot space and fuel economy |
| Kia Ceed SW | Estate | Families, luggage for two-week tours |
| Peugeot 308 SW | Estate | Extended road trips, cycling gear, child seats |
| Opel Mokka | Compact SUV | Higher seating position, light gravel tracks |
| Peugeot 2008 | Compact SUV | Families preferring SUV styling, national parks |
| Peugeot 3008 | Mid-size SUV | Four adults, larger luggage, motorway cruising |
| Opel Combo | Van | Groups, bulky sports equipment, airport transfers |
These models are examples drawn from the local fleet at Pula Airport. The exact vehicle, transmission type, and deposit requirement depend on supplier availability and your travel dates. Run a search above to see real-time offers, filter by "no deposit" or "no credit card" tags, and compare specifications.
A few practical reminders will smooth the handover at PUY and help you avoid last-minute surprises when you bring the car back.
Selected vehicles at PUY do not require a deposit block on a credit card, and many accept debit cards or cash for the balance payment. This makes the process simpler if you prefer not to carry a credit card while travelling.
The booking widget above displays each car's payment requirements beside the model name. Look for tags stating "No deposit" or "Debit card accepted". These conditions vary by vehicle and rental company, not by category. One Fiat Panda may require no deposit while another does; you must check individual listings. Use the filter panel to narrow results if many options appear.
The absence of a deposit does not change the excess - you remain liable up to the stated amount if damage occurs. The deposit and the excess are independent figures: the first is a temporary hold on your card; the second is the maximum you pay toward repairs.
When you confirm a reservation, 4Drive collects a booking advance by card online. Cash payments are not accepted on the website. The balance - remaining rental days, extras such as a child seat or cross-border permit, and any fuel-service charge if you choose that option - is due when you collect the car. The method for the balance depends on the specific vehicle: some suppliers accept debit cards and cash, others require a credit card. Your voucher states the allowed methods, so review it before you fly.
If you hold only a debit card, confirm with your bank that the daily limit covers the balance. For more detail on transaction flows and card types, visit our payment and advance page.
Common queries about picking up and returning a car at PUY, from flight delays to documentation.
The desks sit in the arrivals hall immediately after you exit customs. Some companies operate meet-and-greet services outside the terminal; your voucher specifies the exact meeting point and the company name. The airport is small, so you will not walk far.
Provide your flight number when booking. The rental company monitors arrivals and waits for you. If the delay is several hours, they may contact you by email or phone using the details in your reservation. Your car remains reserved regardless of the new arrival time.
Selected vehicles accept debit cards or cash for the balance payment and do not require a credit-card deposit. Check each listing in the search results for tags indicating "No credit card" or "Debit card accepted". Payment conditions differ by vehicle, so compare options carefully.
The terminal lies 7 km north-east of Pula city centre. Exit the car park and turn left onto the D66 road heading south-west; you will reach the centre in roughly 10 minutes. Road signs are clear, and traffic is light except during peak summer months.
A foreign driving licence is valid in Croatia for up to 12 months. An international driving permit is recommended but not always mandatory. Check the requirements listed in your voucher; some rental companies request an IDP alongside your national licence.
An INA or Tifon station sits on the D66 approximately 2 km from the terminal, toward Pula. Fill the tank to match the level noted in your rental agreement, keep the receipt, and show it when you return the car.
Search above to compare vehicles available at the terminal, filter by no-deposit and debit-card options, and book in two minutes. Your voucher arrives by email with the meeting point, company contact, and exact payment terms. Land, sign, and drive into Istria the same day.