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.
📍 Rijeka: the main port of the Kvarner Bay, about 150 km from Zagreb and roughly 100 km from Pula Airport (PUY); the local airport is on the island of Krk.
Do You Need a Car in Rijeka?
Not for the centre. The Korzo, the harbour and the main sights are walkable, and buses run along the Opatija Riviera. A car helps for Krk, the villages around Učka, the National Park Risnjak and a trip into Istria.
Our advice: book from the day you leave the centre and ask the agency to deliver it to your hotel. The airport at Krk has limited flights; check whether the agency serves it, or plan pick-up at Zagreb Airport (ZAG) or Pula Airport (PUY).
Drive Times from Rijeka
Times are approximate and depend on traffic; use live navigation for the real figure.
| Destination | Approx. distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Opatija | ~15 km | about 20–30 min |
| Krk bridge | ~25–30 km | about 30–45 min |
| Pula | ~95–110 km | about 1.25–1.75 hours |
| Zagreb | ~150 km | about 1.5–2 hours |
| Plitvice Lakes | ~140–150 km | about 2 hours |
| Zadar | ~210–230 km | about 2.5–3.5 hours |
Tunnels, Tolls and the Krk Bridge
The A6 motorway to Zagreb and the Učka tunnel towards Istria are tolled, and the Krk bridge may charge a toll too; ask the agency how tolls are handled and keep a card handy. The ring road around Rijeka has many tunnels and junctions, so use navigation.
- Check bora warnings before crossing the Krk bridge or driving the coast
- Keep to the right lane in tunnels and do not stop
- Park outside the centre in summer
- Fines from police and wardens are sent to the agency, which charges you after the rental
Hills, Wind and Winter
Streets climb steeply from the harbour, and the bora can close the coast road and the Krk bridge for hours in the cold season. In winter, snow and ice are common on the inland roads, and winter tyres are generally required where signed; confirm with the agency.
Pick-Up and Delivery
Pick-up is usually delivered to your hotel in Rijeka, or collected elsewhere such as Pula Airport (PUY) or Zagreb Airport (ZAG). 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 Rijeka: Roads and Habits
Traffic is heavy at rush hours and on the road to Opatija. Tunnels have speed cameras, and steep streets and one-way systems make the centre awkward; use car parks and public transport inside the city.
- 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