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RV travel in Croatia: rental, routes, tips

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Croatia, a country with a rugged Adriatic coastline, a thousand islands, turquoise coves, and ancient port towns, is perfect for exploring by motorhome. A camper trip allows you, in just one journey, to stroll through a Roman amphitheatre in the morning, swim at a secluded beach in the afternoon, and have dinner with a sunset view over the islands in the evening. This style of travel offers the chance to get to know Croatia closely and at your own pace.

Brief overview of the country

Before setting off on a trip around Croatia, it’s useful to know some basic information.

Capital: Zagreb. Driving is on the right-hand side.

Language: The official language is Croatian. In tourist regions, especially along the coasts of Istria and Dalmatia, many people — particularly the younger generation and those working in the service industry — speak good English. German and Italian are also widely spoken.

Currency and money: Since January 1, 2023, Croatia’s national currency has been the euro (EUR, €). Bank cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted in most shops, restaurants, and petrol stations. However, it’s useful to have some cash for markets, small konobas (taverns), private accommodation, or certain campsites. ATMs are widely available. Bank cards issued by Russian banks do not work in Croatia.

Time: Croatia is in the Central European Time zone (UTC+1 in winter / UTC+2 in summer).

Visas: Since January 1, 2023, Croatia has been part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of countries outside the EU/Schengen need a valid Schengen visa to enter. There is no border control at the borders with Slovenia and Hungary.

Why is Croatia great for travelling by motorhome?

Travelling around Croatia by motorhome is convenient for several reasons. The main one — the coastline and islands. The country’s long coastline, dotted with numerous bays and islands, is its main attraction. A motorhome lets you do more than just stay on one beach — you can explore the entire coastline, from Istria in the north to Dubrovnik in the south, discovering new coves and views every day.

Second — well-developed campsite infrastructure. Croatia has a long tradition of camping tourism, especially popular among visitors from Germany and Austria. There is a dense network of high-quality campsites, particularly on the Istrian Peninsula and in Dalmatia. Many are located right by the sea and offer a high level of comfort.

Third — a mix of nature and history. You can start your day by the walls of Diocletian’s Palace in Split, and by lunchtime be relaxing on the beach of one of the islands, easily reached by ferry. A motorhome makes it easy to combine sightseeing in historic cities (Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Pula) with enjoying nature.

Finally — ferry connections. The extensive ferry network operated by Jadrolinija and other carriers makes it easy to take your motorhome to many islands, such as Krk, Cres, Rab, Hvar, and Brač, making them accessible for exploration.

Popular regions and routes for motorhome travel

Routes in Croatia are mostly planned along the Adriatic coast.

Istrian Peninsula

Often called the “Croatian Tuscany” for its landscapes of rolling hills, vineyards, and medieval hilltop towns (Motovun, Grožnjan). The Istrian coast is rich in Roman heritage (the amphitheatre in Pula, the basilica in Poreč) and charming port towns such as Rovinj.
Dalmatian Coast
The longest and most eventful route runs along the Adriatic Highway (Jadranska magistrala). It includes several major historic centres:
- Northern Dalmatia: The city of Zadar with its Sea Organ and the Paklenica and Krka National Parks.
- Central Dalmatia: The cities of Šibenik, Trogir, and Split (with Diocletian’s Palace). From here, ferries conveniently connect to the islands of Hvar and Brač (home to the famous Zlatni Rat beach).
- Southern Dalmatia: The jewel of the region is Dubrovnik, surrounded by mighty city walls. Also worth visiting is the Pelješac Peninsula, famous for its wines.
Croatian Islands

Motorhome travel isn’t limited to the mainland — ferries make it easy to explore the islands. Krk is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Cres and Lošinj attract visitors with their unspoilt nature. Pag is known for its “lunar” landscapes and cheese. Hvar and Brač are the most famous Dalmatian islands.
Continental Croatia

For those who want to see more than just the coast. The main attraction here is Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO site with a cascade of 16 lakes and numerous waterfalls. Important: you cannot drive through the park in a motorhome — it must be left in a car park or campsite nearby, and the park is explored on foot via wooden walkways. Other highlights include Zagreb, the country’s capital, and the region of Slavonia.

Best time for a motorhome trip

Choosing the right season for a motorhome trip in Croatia affects your overall experience, road congestion, and costs.

Summer (July–August)

This is the absolute peak of the tourist season.

Weather: Hot and sunny, with air temperatures often exceeding +30 °C. The Adriatic Sea warms up to +24–26 °C. This is the best time for beach holidays and swimming.
Downsides: The highest prices for campsites, ferries, and services. A huge number of tourists, especially along the Istrian and Dalmatian coasts. Roads, especially coastal highways, can be congested. Spots in popular campsites, especially those on the seafront, must be booked well in advance.

Shoulder seasons: Spring (May–June) and Autumn (September)

Many consider these periods the best for motorhome travel.

Weather: Very pleasant and warm, without exhausting heat. The sea is already or still warm enough for swimming.
Tourists and prices: Significantly fewer people than in summer. Campsites and other services are cheaper. No major issues finding parking spots.
Nature: In spring everything blooms and turns green; autumn is the season for harvesting grapes and figs.

Early spring (April) and late autumn (October)

A good time for sightseeing in towns and national parks such as Plitvice Lakes, where there are fewer tourists. Weather can be variable, with occasional rain. The swimming season is over for most visitors. Many campsites that operate only in summer may already be closed.

Winter (November–March)

Winter is the low season. The coast becomes quiet and almost deserted.

Weather: Mild but rainy and windy along the coast, with temperatures around +5–10 °C. In the inland areas (Zagreb), it can be cold and snowy.
Infrastructure: Most campsites are closed. Only a few that operate year-round remain open. Ferry services switch to a winter schedule with less frequent departures.
Advantages: Minimal number of tourists and the lowest prices for everything.

Motorhome rental in Croatia: what you need to know

Motorhome rental in Croatia is well developed, but there are some specifics to keep in mind.

Where to rent?

The main rental locations are in major cities: Zagreb (the capital), Split, Dubrovnik, and Pula. Starting your rental in one of these cities is convenient for planning a route in the corresponding region.

Rental conditions

Age and experience: The minimum driver’s age is usually 21–25 years, with 1 to 3 years of driving experience required.
Driving licence: To drive a motorhome up to 3.5 tonnes, a category B licence is sufficient. Since Croatia is part of the EU, citizens of many countries do not need an International Driving Permit, though having one can be useful.
Deposit: When collecting the motorhome, a refundable deposit of €800–2,000 is blocked on your credit card.
Mileage: Often mileage is limited (e.g., 300–400 km per day), with extra charges for exceeding the limit. Some companies offer unlimited mileage packages.

Types of motorhomes

In Croatia, you can rent standard European models: compact campervans, semi-integrated motorhomes, and overcab models. For the narrow streets of old coastal towns and some island roads, more compact models may be more convenient.

Insurance

Basic insurance with a deductible is included in the rental price. Rental companies offer the option to purchase additional coverage to reduce or eliminate the deductible. Read the contract carefully to understand which situations are not covered.

One-way rental

Some companies allow you to pick up a motorhome in one city (e.g., Zagreb) and return it in another (e.g., Dubrovnik), but this usually involves a significant extra fee.

Border crossing

Motorhome rental in Croatia generally allows travel within EU countries without restrictions. If you plan to visit non-EU countries (e.g., Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania), you must get prior approval from the rental company. Additional insurance (“Green Card”) may be required.

When to book?

For peak season trips (July–August), book your motorhome well in advance — 4–6 months ahead. For shoulder seasons, 1–3 months is usually enough.

Average rental cost in Croatia

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

€110

€90

€95

€103

€85

€105

€85

€110

€85

€95

€110

€103

Roads and driving in Croatia

Croatia’s road network is modern and of high quality, especially the motorways.

Types of roads

Motorways (Autocesta, A): Modern high-speed roads connecting all major regions of the country. All motorways are toll roads.
State roads (Državna cesta, D): Free roads running parallel to motorways or connecting smaller towns. The most famous is the Adriatic Highway (Jadranska magistrala, D8) — very scenic, but slower and more congested in summer.
Local roads: Can be narrow and winding, especially on islands and in mountainous areas.

Toll road system

All motorways operate on a “pay-as-you-go” (closed) system.

Process: Upon entering a toll section, you take a ticket from a machine. When exiting, you pay for the distance travelled at the toll booth.
Payment: Cash (euros) and bank cards are accepted. There is also an electronic toll payment system (ENC) used by locals.

Main traffic rules

Speed limits (for vehicles up to 3.5 t): In built-up areas – 50 km/h; outside built-up areas – 90 km/h; on expressways – 110 km/h; on motorways – 130 km/h.
Lights: Low beam headlights are mandatory in winter (from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March). At other times – only at night and in poor visibility. The easiest way is to keep them on at all times.
Alcohol: Legal blood alcohol limit – 0.5‰. For drivers under 24 and professional drivers – 0‰.
Equipment: A reflective vest, first aid kit, and warning triangle are mandatory in the vehicle.

Ferries (Trajekt)

Ferries are an essential part of the transport system for travelling to the islands.

Operator: The main national operator is Jadrolinija.
Tickets: Can be purchased online or at port ticket offices. In summer, popular routes (e.g., Split–Hvar) may have queues, so it’s best to arrive early.
Prices: Depend on route length and vehicle size.

Fuel

Types: Petrol is called Eurosuper 95/98; diesel fuel – Eurodizel.
Prices: Fuel costs in Croatia are around the European average.
Stations: Numerous; motorway stations operate 24/7. Popular networks: INA, Crodux, Tifon, Lukoil.

Parking and overnight stays in a motorhome

In Croatia, a country with a well-developed camping culture, overnight stay rules are quite strict and should be followed.

Overnight outside campsites (“wild camping”)

Croatian hospitality law strictly prohibits camping (including overnight stays in a motorhome) outside specially designated areas — i.e., outside official campsites.
Police and local authorities enforce this rule. Violations, especially in tourist areas, on the coast, and in national or nature parks, can result in hefty fines.
“Wild camping” in Croatia is illegal. The only legal and safe way to spend the night in a motorhome is to use official campsites.

Official campsites

Croatia has one of the best campsite networks in Europe, especially along the coast.

Facilities: Most Croatian campsites are large, well-equipped complexes offering spacious pitches with electricity, water, and sometimes sewage connections, modern sanitary blocks, restaurants, shops, swimming pools, sports facilities, and direct beach access.
Prices: Croatia is not the cheapest country for camping. Prices vary greatly depending on the season, location (beachfront is more expensive), and campsite rating. On average, a pitch for a motorhome with two adults and electricity costs €25–40 in the low season and €50–80 (or more) in peak summer.
Booking: In summer, especially in July and August, spots in large and popular campsites along the Istrian and Dalmatian coasts need to be booked well in advance — often months ahead.
Mini-camps: In addition to large complexes, there are small family-run mini-camps offering a quieter atmosphere and lower prices.

Naturist campsites (FKK – Freikörperkultur)

Croatia is one of Europe’s most famous destinations for naturist holidays. There are many high-quality naturist campsites here, especially in Istria (e.g., Koversada, Valalta) and on the island of Krk.

Parking in cities

Parking in the historic centres of coastal towns (Rovinj, Split, Dubrovnik) is very difficult or impossible for motorhomes. It is more convenient to leave your motorhome at a campsite and use local buses, taxis, or boats.

Motorhome servicing on the road

Servicing a motorhome in Croatia is straightforward, as almost all campsites provide the necessary facilities.

Fresh water refill and waste disposal

Location: Specialised Camper Service stations, where you can empty grey and black water tanks and refill with fresh water, are available in almost all campsites. Outside campsites, such stations are hard to find.
Process: Standard procedure. Waste disposal is usually included in the campsite fee.
Water quality: Tap water in Croatia is high quality and safe to drink.

Gas cylinders (Plinske boce)

System: Croatia uses its own gas cylinder system (usually grey, INA standard), incompatible with systems from other European countries.

Motorhomes rented in Croatia come equipped with local cylinders.

If you arrive with your own motorhome, you won’t be able to exchange your cylinder. The main option is refilling your own cylinder at specialised LPG stations (punionica plina), which may require a set of adapters. Another option is to buy or rent a local cylinder for your stay.

Where to refill/exchange: At some INA petrol stations and in specialised centres.

Cuisine, products, and shopping

Cooking in a motorhome lets you enjoy the fresh, high-quality produce that Croatia is famous for.

Croatian cuisine varies greatly between coastal and continental regions.

Seafood (Plodovi mora): Fresh grilled fish (riba na žaru), squid, octopus, shrimp.
Pršut (Pršut): Dry-cured pork ham, similar to Italian prosciutto.
Cheese (Sir): Paški sir from the island of Pag, made from sheep’s milk.
Olive oil (Maslinovo ulje): Istrian olive oil is especially prized.
Truffles (Tartufi): Istria is one of Europe’s regions where both white and black truffles are found.
Meat dishes: Kulen (spicy sausage from Slavonia), turkey, and duck dishes.
Drinks: Croatia produces quality wines. Try white wines from Malvasia (in Istria) and Graševina (in continental areas), and red wines from Plavac Mali (in Dalmatia).

Estimated trip budget

Travelling around Croatia by motorhome falls into the mid-range price category for Europe, but in summer, coastal service prices can be high.

Motorhome rental: The main expense. A compact camper in the low/shoulder season may cost €90–140 per day, and in peak summer season €160–260 or more.
Fuel: Fuel prices in Croatia are about average for Europe. With diesel (Eurodizel) at around €1.50–1.60 per litre and average consumption of 10–12 l/100 km, expect to spend €150–190 per 1,000 km travelled.
Toll roads: Toll costs can be significant. For example, driving from Zagreb to Split on the motorway costs about €25–30 one way.
Campsites: Staying in a quality coastal campsite in high season costs €50–80. In the shoulder season, prices drop to €25–40.
Ferries: Taking a motorhome to an island can be expensive. For example, a ferry to Hvar for a medium-sized motorhome with two people costs €50–70 one way.
Food: Cooking your own meals is economical. Budget €30–40 per person per day. Dinner in a simple tavern (konoba) costs €20–30 per person.
Attractions: Entry to national parks is a notable expense (Plitvice Lakes ~€40 per person in high season, Krka ~€40). Walking Dubrovnik’s city walls ~€35.

Average daily budget (excluding motorhome rental)

Economy option (free roads, inexpensive campsites away from the sea, cooking your own food): €80–120 per day for two people.
Mid-range option (toll roads, coastal campsites, occasional dining in taverns): €150–250+ per day for two people.

Money-saving tips: Travel in the shoulder seasons (May, June, September). Use free roads when possible. Cook your own meals and shop at Lidl or Plodine supermarkets.

Connection and internet

Staying connected in Croatia is easy thanks to good coverage and EU regulations.

Mobile connection

The main operators are Hrvatski Telekom (T-Mobile), A1, and Telemach. 4G coverage is good in most areas of the country, including many islands.

SIM card

For tourists from the EU: If you have a SIM card from an operator in another EU country, you can use it in Croatia at your home rates (“Roam Like At Home”).
For tourists from outside the EU: Buying a local prepaid SIM card is a good option. Operators often offer special “tourist” packages with large data allowances, available in operator stores or at petrol stations. A passport may be required for purchase.

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available in many cafés and restaurants. Most campsites also have Wi-Fi, but it is often for an additional fee and may have an unstable signal in remote areas.

Safety, culture, law & helpful tips

Here are some tips for travelling in Croatia.

General safety

Croatia is a very safe country with a low crime rate. The main issues are petty thefts in the most crowded tourist areas.

Motorhome security

Follow standard precautions: lock doors and windows, and don’t leave valuables in sight when parked near beaches.

Police

Traffic police often monitor speed, especially on main roads.

Law & Bureaucracy

Wild camping ban: Overnighting in a motorhome outside designated areas is strictly prohibited and punishable by fines.
Minefields: In some remote rural areas affected by the 1990s war (in the interior of Dalmatia, near the border with Bosnia), there may still be uncleared minefields. These are always marked with warning signs (“NE PRILAZITE!”). Never go beyond these signs. Tourist routes and main roads are completely safe.

Culture and etiquette

"Pomalo": A Dalmatian word meaning “slowly,” “take it easy,” perfectly describing the local pace of life, especially on the coast.
Coffee: Croatians love coffee and can spend a long time in cafés over a single cup.
Tipping: In restaurants, it’s customary to leave around 10% if you are happy with the service. In cafés, you can simply round up the bill.

Language barrier and English proficiency

In tourist regions, almost everyone speaks English. In continental parts of the country, English proficiency may be lower, but communication is generally not a problem.

Tap water

Tap water in Croatia is high quality and safe to drink throughout the country.

Emergency phone numbers

EU-wide emergency number (police, ambulance, fire): 112.

Electricity

Voltage: 230 V, frequency: 50 Hz. Outlets are European type F (“Schuko”). To connect a motorhome in campsites, a standard blue CEE 17 plug is used.

Useful resources

For planning a trip around Croatia and getting up-to-date information:

Croatian Motorways (HAC): hac.hr – information on toll roads and a toll cost calculator.
Ferry operator Jadrolinija: jadrolinija.hr – schedules and ticket purchase for ferries.
Campsite search apps: Park4night, Campercontact. Also useful is the camping.hr website from the Croatian Camping Association.
Official tourist portal of Croatia: croatia.hr – general information about the country, regions, and attractions.

Conclusion

Exploring Croatia by motorhome means travelling along one of Europe’s most beautiful coastlines, full of sunshine, clear sea, and ancient history. Following overnight stay regulations and booking campsites in summer will help make your trip peaceful and memorable.

E-mail: info@greatrvtrip.com

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