Zadar car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Zadar
The best car rental companies in Zadar are Sixt, Hertz, Europcar. Prices start from €29/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Zadar
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Europcar
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€34/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€36/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Dalmacija Rent
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
base rate
View Dalmacija Rent deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Zadar
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €29 | Opel Corsa | 4 |
| Compact | €35 | VW Golf | 5 |
| SUV | €48 | Dacia Duster | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €62 | VW Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €89 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Zadar
Airport — Zadar Airport (ZAD)
Zadar Airport sits about 9km east of the old town, roughly a 15-minute drive, with rental desks in the small arrivals hall that get busy during peak summer charter arrivals.
Downtown — Zadar old town (near the Sea Organ)
Downtown desks near the Sea Organ and Riva promenade suit travelers who arrive by ferry or coach and want a car mainly for coastal day trips.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | ZAD airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €10–18/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €6–9/day | Per extra driver |
| Cross-border fee | €20–40 | Driving into Bosnia (Neum corridor) or Slovenia |
| One-way drop fee | €50–120 | Returning to Split, Dubrovnik, or Zagreb |
| Refundable deposit | €200–400 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Zadar
- Zadar Airport (ZAD) is about 9km east of the old town, roughly a 15-minute drive, with rental desks in the arrivals hall.
- The Adriatic coastal road (D8) links Zadar to Split (about 1h 30m south) and Šibenik (about 1 hour), making a car the easiest way to island-hop by land between ferry ports.
- Zadar's old town — home to the Sea Organ and Church of St. Donatus — is fully walkable, so a car is mainly useful for reaching national parks and neighboring coastal towns.
- Plitvice Lakes National Park is about a 1h 45m drive inland, one of the most-visited day trips from the Zadar region.
- Krka National Park, known for its waterfalls, is roughly an hour south of Zadar and is best reached by rental car rather than the limited bus schedule.
- Zadar uses EUR as Croatia's official currency since joining the eurozone in 2023, so no conversion is needed for most European travelers.
- Summer traffic along the coastal highway can back up near toll plazas and ferry ports in July–August — renters heading to the islands should budget extra time.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Zadar
Do you need a car in Zadar?
The old town is walkable, but a car helps for reaching Plitvice Lakes, Krka National Park, or coastal towns like Šibenik and Split.
How far is Zadar Airport from the old town?
About 9km, roughly a 15-minute drive, with rental desks in the arrivals hall.
Can I drive from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes?
Yes, it is about a 1h 45m drive inland and one of the most popular day trips from Zadar.
Is there a toll road between Zadar and Split?
Yes, the A1 motorway has tolls; the coastal D8 road is a free but slower alternative with sea views.
What currency are prices shown in for Zadar?
Prices are shown in EUR, Croatia's official currency since joining the eurozone in 2023.
Can I take a rental car onto the ferry to nearby islands?
Most standard rentals allow ferry travel to islands like Ugljan or Pašman, but check with the company beforehand, as some restrict cross-border and ferry use.
What is the cheapest car type in Zadar?
Economy cars like an Opel Corsa start around €29/day. An SUV starts around €48/day.
Nearby trips
