VRENTY CAR is an independent comparison service. The search above is provided by our partner Localrent and lists local agencies side by side; you book directly with the provider. Always confirm the price, insurance and deposit before you pay.
📍 Dubrovnik: the walled city at the far south of the Croatian coast; Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) is roughly 18–22 km to the south-east.
Do You Need a Car in Dubrovnik?
Not for the old town. Buses and taxis link Gruž, Lapad and Ploče with the walls, and the cable car and walks cover the sights. Parking near the Pile gate is limited and costly, and cruise-day traffic can stop the coast road.
A car makes sense for Ston and the Pelješac wineries, Mostar and Kotor. Our advice: book from the day you leave the old town and ask the agency to deliver it to your hotel, and ask in advance about permission for Bosnia and Montenegro.
Drive Times from Dubrovnik
Times are approximate and depend on traffic; use live navigation for the real figure.
| Destination | Approx. distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) | ~18–22 km | 25–40 min |
| Cavtat | ~15–20 km | about 25–35 min |
| Ston | ~55–65 km | about 1–1.25 hours |
| Kotor (Montenegro) | ~90–100 km | about 2–3 hours plus the border |
| Mostar (Bosnia) | ~130–140 km | about 2–3 hours plus the border |
| Split | ~230–250 km | about 3.5–4.5 hours |
Parking, Cruise Days and the Coast Road
The old town and the streets around the Pile gate are closed to most traffic. Use signed car parks and check the price; hotel parking is often limited, so confirm before you arrive.
- Do not drive into the old town; follow the signs to car parks
- Avoid the coast road around cruise ship arrival and departure times
- Never leave luggage visible in a parked car
- Fines from police and wardens are sent to the agency, which charges you after the rental
Neum, Pelješac and the Border
Driving north, the historic coast road passes through the Neum corridor of Bosnia and Herzegovina, so you cross a border twice in a short distance; bring your passport, and ask the agency for written permission and a green card. The Pelješac Bridge, opened in 2022, lets you stay in Croatia on the way to Split, and also gives access to the peninsula's vineyards. The bora can close the bridge in strong winds.
Pick-Up and Delivery
Pick-up is usually delivered to your hotel in Dubrovnik, or collected at Dubrovnik Airport (DBV). Use the "Specify location" option in the search to choose, and check the car card for any fee. Do not rely on a named office unless it is written on the car card. If you arrive late, give the provider your flight number.
Documents and Age
- Valid driving licence, usually held for at least a year; minimum age is typically 21 (23 or 25 for larger or premium cars)
- Valid national driving licence and, depending on where it was issued, an International Driving Permit (IDP) — licences from EU/EEA countries are generally accepted, while other licences may need an IDP or a translation; rules differ and can change, so ask the agency exactly what it requires before you travel
- Passport and the booking voucher
- A payment method that matches the offer: many agencies block the deposit on a credit card; use the No deposit or No credit card filter if you need an alternative
Insurance and Deposit Explained
With basic insurance the excess — your share of any damage — can be large and the agency blocks a deposit. Full coverage brings the excess close to zero and, with many local agencies, means no deposit. Typical exclusions are tyres, glass, the underbody, interior damage and lost keys, and the cover is not valid off-road. Motorway tolls, fines, parking, ferry tickets and any cross-border fee are billed separately. Photograph the car with the agent at pick-up and return and make sure all damage is in the acceptance document.
Driving in Dubrovnik: Roads and Habits
Roads climb steeply from the old town, and bends and tour buses squeeze the lanes. Keep a large gap, avoid stopping on the verge and take care with scooters. Use navigation and leave early on cruise days.
- Traffic drives on the right; overtake on the left and give way as signed at roundabouts
- Dipped headlights are generally required day and night in the cold season (roughly late October to late March), and many drivers keep them on all year; confirm the current rule
- Speed limits are signed (typically 50 km/h in towns, around 90 km/h on open roads, 110 km/h on expressways and 130 km/h on motorways); police and mobile radar checks are common in summer
- Very strict drink-driving rules — the safest rule is zero alcohol before driving
- No handheld phone while driving; seatbelts are compulsory and children need a suitable seat
- Bora wind can close bridges, motorway sections and coastal roads for hours; follow the signs and wait rather than pressing on
- Stay on paved roads: insurance is not valid off-road, and in some former conflict areas inland you should keep to roads and marked tracks
- Taking the car on a ferry or abroad (including through Bosnia at Neum) needs the agency's permission — see the notes on this page