Croatia Without A Car: How To Get Around & What To Do

Do you need a car in Croatia?

You don’t need a car to travel around Croatia.

In fact, I would argue that having a car can sometimes make your trip more complicated than simply taking public transportation, especially in the summer!

Why is that so?

Firstly, you can easily get around Croatia by public transportation.

Every bigger city has a frequent and affordable public transportation network, usually buses. Zagreb and Osijek also have a tram!

Secondly, finding parking in the most popular travel destinations is a struggle. Also, once you find it, you have to pay for it, and it can quickly get very expensive.

However, I have to be realistic and tell you that you can’t reach every tourist attraction without a car. 

Secluded beaches and small villages are usually not served by public transportation, so it might be harder to escape the crowds and find hidden gems. 

But I don’t think this would affect the trip for most travelers! So if you’re traveling to Croatia but can’t rent a car, don’t worry!

Let’s see what your alternatives to renting a car are.

How to get around Croatia without a car?

So, how to travel in Croatia without a car? Here are your options:

• Bus
• Train
• Ferry
• Tours
• Taxi

Bus

Buses are the most common type of public transportation in Croatia. 

You can catch a bus to almost every town in Croatia, and they are frequent and affordable. Most buses are reliable, but they can occasionally be late due to traffic conditions.

I don’t even know how many buses I took in Croatia, probably more than 200 at this point, and I never had any major issues.

Sure, sometimes a bus can be late, but that’s something to expect, especially if you’re traveling to Europe in summer.

You can buy bus tickets online or at the bus stations. 

Unlike many other European countries, Croatia still has fully equipped bus stations in most cities.

I suggest you book your tickets in advance, especially during the high season or around the holidays.

Another thing to consider if you buy an open return ticket is that you need to reserve the seat for the return journey – you can’t just walk into any bus without a reservation.

🚌 Browse all buses in Croatia!

Train

Trains are not as popular in Croatia as they are in other European countries.

How come?

Firstly, most train lines are in the north of the country, and don’t go to the most popular tourist areas like Dubrovnik or Pula.

Secondly, trains in Croatia are slow. Long-distance trains are no joke, and you could easily spend 8 hours on a train from Zagreb to Split.

Unless you’re doing it for the experience or visiting the north, I wouldn’t count much on getting around the country by train. 

Ferry

If you’re going to the Croatian islands, you’ll have to use ferries. 

You can also use ferries between coastal cities, for example ferry is the quickest way to get from Zadar to Pula!

The easiest way to book ferry tickets is online. 

Different companies serve different ferry routes, and you get them all at the same place this way.

🚢 Browse ferry lines in Croatia!

Tours

Organized tours are the easiest and often the cheapest way to reach certain tourist attractions. 

Sure, you don’t have the flexibility of deciding how much time you spend at the location, but it is worth it if you don’t want to figure out bus timetables and worry about missing the last connection.

For example, taking a tour from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes is the best way to visit, as you go directly to the National Park instead of stopping in every village along the way.

You’ll find tours to basically every tourist attraction in the country. Ideally, you’d compare the offers and book in advance online. 

You can also book in person if you’re spontaneous, as you’ll see many tour stands in the cities. 

However, online options are usually cheaper, and you can read reviews to know exactly what to expect.

Taxi

Finally, taxis are also a way to get around Croatia without a car.

The main thing to know if you’re using taxis in Croatia is to check the price beforehand. 

Every day, I hear horror stories about people being charged 100€ for a 15-minute drive because they just got into the first taxi they saw.

Ideally, you should simply use Uber or Bolt.

Both ride-sharing apps are available in Croatia, and you can see the price of the ride as you order it.

No surprises when you reach your destination!

Croatia Without A Car Itinerary

So, what should you do in Croatia if you don’t have a car?

You can do almost everything you would with a car!

If you join organized tours or get a private tour, you can do literally everything you would if you were driving.

However, you can cover a lot even by using public transportation!

If you’re coming to Croatia for a summer holiday with a base in one city, you can take day trips to nearby towns and beaches.

For example, if you’re vacationing in Pula, there are more than 15 beaches around Pula, and you can take many day trips from Pula by bus.

The best part is that you don’t have to stay in just one place! 

Here’s a sample itinerary for a week in Croatia without a car:

DAY 1: Day in Zagreb
DAY 2: Bus to Pula in the afternoon
DAY 3: Day in Pula 
DAY 4: Morning ferry to Zadar
DAY 5: Day trip from Zadar
DAY 6: Morning bus to Split
DAY 7: Day in Split

This is a great itinerary for first-time visitors as you get a nice overview of the country, starting with the capital and visiting Istria and Dalmatia.

Croatia might be small, but there are so many different ways to spend 7 days in Croatia.

You could skip visiting Pula and go for a day trip to Plitvice Lakes, and then head directly to Zadar from Zagreb.

Many people also skip Zagreb if they’re visiting in the summer and prefer to spend time on the coast.

Where To Stay In Croatia Without A Car

So, where is the best place to stay in Croatia without a car?

The best places to stay are close to the city center in larger towns.

Unless you’re only coming to Croatia for the beaches, staying in towns allows you easy access to public transportation, tourist attractions, and tours!

Luxurious villas in central Istria are certainly stunning places to stay, but if you don’t have a car, you’re kind of cut off for the duration of your stay.

Here are the best towns to consider if you’re visiting Croatia without a car:

Pula

Pula is a great town to stay in if you’re visiting Istria without a car. All tourist attractions are in the city center, and you can easily grab a bus to the beaches and other towns in the region.

Also, you can join boat tours from Pula to explore the coastline and swim on secluded beaches.

• Best Mid-range Option – Apartments Forum
• TOP Pick – Park Plaza Arena Pula
• Best Hostel – Hostel Antique 

Zadar

Zadar is also a great place to stay if you don’t have a car. The city center is compact, and beaches are easily accessible.

Once in Zadar, you can take tours to several national parks, including Kornati, Krka, and Plitvice Lakes! 

• Best Mid-Range Option – Three Pearls Deluxe Rooms & Studios
• TOP Pick – Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel 
• Best Hostel – Downtown Boutique Hostel

Zagreb

I lived in Zagreb for 5 years without a car, and never felt like I needed it!

Most things to do in Zagreb are in the city center, and the best public transport in the country. You can even go for a hike by bus!

• Best Mid-Range Option – Berry Berry Studios
• TOP Pick – Pod Zidom Rooms
• Best Hostel – Chillout Hostel Zagreb

Split

The largest coastal town in Croatia is also a great base if you don’t have a car. 

Split has great connections to other towns and islands in the region, great beaches, and impressive tourist attractions in the city center.

• Mid-Range option: Apartments Lana Spalato
• TOP Pick: Dioklecijan Hotel & Residence
• Backpacker Hostel: En Route Hostel

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is one of the places where you actually don’t want to have a car, especially if you’re staying in Dubrovnik for 3 days or more.

The last time I visited Dubrovnik by car, it was so hard to find parking. In the end, I parked so far that I had to walk for half an hour to our house!

• Mid-Range option: Hotel Lapad
• TOP Pick: Palace Natali
• Backpacker Hostel: Old Town Hostel

Things To Do In Croatia You Don’t Need A Car For

Finally, what are some activities to add to your Croatia itinerary that you don’t need a car for?

Sightseeing

This one is not city-specific, as it applies to basically every city in Croatia.

Most towns have a historic center that is pedestrian-only. Some must-visit places are the Dubrovnik city walls and Diocletian’s Palace in Split!

You can also listen to the Sea Organ in Zadar, stroll cobblestone streets in Rovinj, and visit the iconic Roman amphitheater in Pula.

In fact, you don’t even want a car when going to the city center in these cities.

Even the biggest Croatian cities have walkable city centers, and you don’t need a car for sightseeing.

Beach Hopping

Another non-city-specific thing to do in Croatia is beach hopping.

Most coastal cities in Croatia have beaches in the city center, and even those that don’t (like Rijeka or Pula) have frequent and cheap buses to the beach.

So, if you’re coming to Croatia to go to the beaches, you don’t need a car.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

The most beautiful Croatian National Park and UNESCO site, Plitvice, is nestled in the mountains of Gorski Kotar.

You’re probably thinking you need to have a car to visit, as it is so far off the beaten track.

However, you really don’t!

You can organize the trip yourself and take a bus from Zagreb, Split, or Zadar. It’s a long drive, so it’s best if you can spend one night in Plitvice.

Alternatively, you can join organized day tours from many Croatian cities, especially from Split and Zagreb.

Dubrovnik Observation Point

Clearly, you don’t need a car to walk the Dubrovnik City Walls, but did you know that Croatia’s most famous viewpoint is also easily accessible without a car?

You’ll simply take a cable car from the city center, and you’ll be at the top of the hill in less than 15 minutes.

Want to enjoy the view from an even cooler perspective? Check out Dubrovnik Zipline!

Kornati National Park

You don’t need a car to visit one of the most unique national parks in Croatia. Kornati is an archipelago of islands off the coast of Zadar, and you can easily visit them on a boat tour!