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Essential travel information
Language
Croatian, English
Drive on
Right-hand side
Currency
Euro (EUR, €)
Country calling code
+385
Speed limit within town
50 km/h or 31 mph
Speed limit out of town
90 km/h or 56 mph
Speed limit on expressways
110 km/h or 68 mph
Common fuel policy
Same to same, Full to full
Distance from Dubrovnik city centre
approx. 15 km
Minimum driving age
Typically 18+ (varies by supplier)
Most popular rental car type
Compact, economy
Time zone
Central European Time (CET)/Central European Summer Time (CEST)
International Driving Permit (IDP) required?
Yes, if driver's license is not in Latin Alphabet and/or made in the EU
Cross border
International travel by rental car may require supplier approval & additional documentation
- Renting a car at Dubrovnik Airport
- Rental car pickup at Dubrovnik Airport
- Car rental return at Dubrovnik Airport
- One-way car rental from Dubrovnik Airport
- Cross-border rental car at Dubrovnik Airport
- Important things to check for Dubrovnik Airport rental car
- About Dubrovnik Airport
- Frequently Asked Questions
Renting a car at Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)
Enjoy a great start to your journey by renting a car at Dubrovnik Airport. Having a self-drive vehicle gives you the freedom to visit places directly that are not accessible by public transport, like Sokol Grad (Falcon Castle) in the Konavle Valley.
Similarly, a well-known winery, Malvasija Karaman (~12.5 km away from the airport), requires a vehicle to drive along the regional routes in the valley. A car rental allows you to create an itinerary with greater flexibility, without relying on public transport schedules or paying for expensive taxis.
Another point that makes car hire a convenient option for travel is that the Dubrovnik Airport sits directly along the D8 (Adriatic Highway). The highway stretches for around 643 km along Croatia’s coastline. This opens the gates for scenic drives and opportunities to explore coastal towns throughout the Dalmatian region.
From compact cars to high-end SUVs, with us you get every option for your travel needs to explore southern Croatia and beyond. We work with reputable suppliers that offer competitive deals to make your journey smooth from beginning to end.
How to pick up a rental car at Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)?
Car rental pickup arrangements vary by supplier at Dubrovnik Airport. This is because companies operate either from desks inside the main Arrivals Hall or from a dedicated rental area located just outside the terminal building.
Location of the car rental desks
- In-terminal desks: Major suppliers such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, Alamo, Enterprise, Payless, Keddy, Easy Rent and Avant have their counters directly inside the main terminal building, in the public baggage drop and arrivals area.
- On-site external kiosks/pavilion Suppliers like Sixt, Nova, AutoUnion and Surprice operate from a dedicated car rental area located right outside the arrivals exit, directly adjacent to the main car park.
- Outside of the DVB Airport premises: Suppliers like Greenmotion operate just outside the terminal complex opposite the gas station/entrance road. You can take the free shuttle services to reach their office. Follow the instructions stated in your Rental Confirmation Voucher for more clarity.
Directions to reach the counters
- After landing, follow the signs to Baggage Reclaim and collect your luggage.
- Once you walk through the exit doors into the public arrival concourse, look for overhead "Rent a Car"/Car Rental signboards.
- If your provider is inside the terminal: The primary rental counters are housed together within the arrivals zone. Proceed straight to your selected supplier’s desk to complete paperwork and collect your vehicle keys.
- If your provider is outside the terminal: Exit the main arrivals hall. Take a right and follow the covered walkway with "Rent a Car" signs pointing toward the official rental parking area (~ 50-100 meters away). You will see a row of rental booths from several brands. Walk towards your supplier to fulfil the remaining formalities before picking up the vehicle.
How to return a rental car at Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)?
To return your rental car at Dubrovnik Airport, follow the overhead signs for "Airport"/"Zračna luka" and "Rent a Car Return” as you drive towards DBV along the D8 highway (Adriatic Highway). Once you enter the airport premises, look for the "Rent a Car"/"Car Rental" lanes.
Enter the dedicated car rental parking zone and head towards your selected supplier’s marked bay with the logo. Park the vehicle and take out your belongings. You can then walk to the departures terminal in 1- 2 minutes (around 50-100 meters) across the parking area.
After-Hours Returns
If you are returning the car outside operating hours at DBV Airport, park the car in your provider’s designated bay. Make sure it is locked properly and drop the keys in the official Secure Key Drop Box located at your rental provider’s counter inside the terminal or at their outdoor booth. All the instructions are clearly mentioned in your booking confirmation voucher.
Popular domestic road trips from Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)
From Dubrovnik Airport, you can easily take routes for island hopping, coastal views along the D8 highway, national parks and local countryside road trips.
We allow our customers to pick up the vehicle at the airport and drop-off at a different location in Croatia. This way, you can explore more places by booking one-way rentals from our platform.
These are some of the domestic road trips that are popular among travelers:
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Dalmatian National Parks Adventure
Route: Follow the D8 north from DBV past Split, continuing inland toward Skradin and up to Plitvice Lakes.
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The Peljesac Peninsula & Korcula Island Route
Route: Head north on the D8 highway out of DBV, then take state road D414 up the Peljesac Peninsula to the town of Orebic.
Time: ~2 hours 15 minutes
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The Classic Coastal Drive: Dubrovnik to Split
Route: Drive north on the D8, cross the Peljesac Bridge and continue up the coast.
Time: ~3 hours 20 minutes
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Konavle Valley & Southern Coast
Route: A loop along the regional roads immediately surrounding the airport in the far south of Croatia.
Time: ~1 hour
Cross-border car rental from Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)
Because of Dubrovnik Airport’s location near the southernmost tip of Croatia, travelers often book cross-border car rentals to explore other countries. Many suppliers offer deals to selected Western Balkan & Southeastern European Nations and a few Central & Western European countries.
If you plan to cross the border of another nation in a rental car, you must inform your provider in advance about your travel plans. The supplier issues a cross-border permit that is required to enter a different country.
For non-EU countries, suppliers may even issue a Green Card (Zelena Karta), an official international vehicle insurance certificate. This document is necessary to carry alongside your rental contract and passport at border checkpoints.
Here are some of the popular cross-border routes taken by travelers from DBV:
| Destination | Distance to border/Key city | Approx. driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Dubrovnik Airport to Montenegro | Border: ~20 km (12 mi) Kotor: ~74 km (46 mi) |
Border: ~20-30 mins Kotor: ~2 hrs 15 mins |
| Dubrovnik Airport to Bosnia & Herzegovina | Border (Ivanica): ~28 km (17 mi) Mostar: ~154 km (95 mi) |
Border: ~30 mins Mostar: ~2 hrs 50 mins |
| Dubrovnik Airport to Albania | Border (Sukobin): ~135 km (84 mi) Shkoder: ~158 km (98 mi) |
Border: ~3 hrs Shkoder: ~3 hrs 30 mins |
| Dubrovnik Airport to Serbia | Border (Bajina Basta/Mali Zvornik): ~380-420 km Belgrade: ~500 km (310 mi) |
Border: ~6-7 hrs Belgrade: ~7 hrs 30 mins |
| Dubrovnik Airport to Slovenia | Border (Dragonja/Bregana): ~580-620 km Ljubljana: ~650 km (400 mi) |
Border: ~6 hrs 30 mins Ljubljana: ~7 hrs |
| Dubrovnik Airport to North Macedonia | Border (Kafasan/Tabanovce): ~450-550 km Skopje: ~580 km (360 mi) |
Border: ~8 hrs Skopje: ~9 hrs |
| Dubrovnik Airport to Italy | Border (Trieste): ~618 km (384 mi) Venice: ~770 km (480 mi) |
Border: ~7 hrs 30 mins Venice: ~8 hrs 30 mins |
| Dubrovnik Airport to Switzerland | Border (Chiasso/Lugano): ~1,050 km (650 mi) Zurich: ~1,250 km (775 mi) |
Border: ~11 hrs 30 mins Zurich: ~13 hrs 30 mins |
What are the important things to check before booking a Dubrovnik Airport rental car?
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Verify all eligible countries for cross-border travel, as some suppliers may restrict taking the vehicle to nations like Kosovo, Ukraine, Russia or Moldavia.
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Check with your provider whether winter tires are included in your rental. For instance, some suppliers include the winter tyres in the rental amount for bookings from 15th November to 15th April. If not, you must add the winter tyres and snow chains as extra add-ons, as they are mandatory at certain destinations.
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If you want to take your rental on a ferry to nearby islands such as Korcula, Hvar, Brac, or Mljet, verify whether ferry transit is permitted. Select suppliers may allow and an additional Ferry Insurance (FS) fee per rental may apply.
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Confirm the fuel policy with your provider and return the vehicle with a full tank, or as specified in your rental agreement.
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If you are traveling through the NEUM Corridor, confirm the applicable charges with your supplier.
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Check the mandatory fee that may be applied for driving outside the country to Non-EU countries. Every supplier charges differently for the Green Card (Zelena Karta) and authorization for cross-border travel.
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If your flight lands late at night or early morning, check if after-hours pickup is allowed by your selected supplier, along with any applicable fees.
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If you are looking for a no-deposit rental car at Dubrovnik Airport, use the 'zero-deposit’/’low-deposit’ filter on our booking form while searching for online deals.
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During peak travel months, mainly from July to August, you’ll find plenty of deals from local as well as international suppliers. You must analyse all the inclusions, like road assistance, Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Waiver or Third Party Liability that are offered in a deal.
Dubrovnik Airport car rental for different types of trips
We provide numerous vehicle options from multiple suppliers at DBV. You can select a car from the category that best suits your plans:
-
Old town hopping
We recommend booking an economy car if you are staying around Dubrovnik, Cavtat (about 5.5 kms/3.4 miles away from Dubrovnik Airport) and doing short day trips to nearby coves or the Trsteno Arboretum.
Economy Hatchbacks like Fiat 500 or Opel Corsa are easier to park in tight streets and fuel-efficient for short stop-and-go trips along the D8 highway.
-
Cross-border road trips
If you are driving to another country to destinations like Mostar/Kravice Waterfalls in Bosnia & Herzegovina, we suggest booking a small SUV.
Such vehicles are suitable for smooth uphill driving and great for rural roads with uneven pavement or gravel turnouts.
-
The island & wine country explorer
If you are heading northwest to the Peljesac Peninsula (~85 kms/53 miles from DBV) towards Ston or Dingac wine region, book a mid-size car.
Such vehicles offer plenty of boot space for wine bottles. They fit easily through narrow village roads and old single-lane mountain tunnels in the wine country.
-
Scenic coastal drives
We recommend opting for a luxury car rental at Dubrovnik Airport if you want to enjoy scenic drives such as the route from Dubrovnik to Ston. The drive typically takes ~1 hour along the D8 and Jadranska Magistrala route.
High-end vehicles are particularly well suited to main roads, coastal routes and longer journeys where you want added comfort and a premium driving experience.
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Family or group vacation
Families with 4-5 people or larger groups traveling with luggage, strollers or beach gear along the Dalmatian Coast should opt for a full-size SUV or a 7-9 seater passenger van for a comfortable journey.
Note: Vans and large automatic SUVs are in high demand at DBV Airport during the peak summer season (July and August). If you need one of these vehicles, booking at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance is recommended.
About Dubrovnik Airport
| Address: | Dobrota 24, 20213, Močići, Croatia |
|---|---|
| IATA Code: | DBV |
Also known as Cilipi Airport, Dubrovnik Airport is an international airport serving the city of Dubrovnik and the surrounding region. It is located near the village of Cilipi, approximately 15.5 kilometres from Dubrovnik city centre. The airport operates scheduled domestic and international flights, with airlines serving destinations across Croatia and Europe, including Croatia Airlines, easyJet, Lufthansa, British Airways and Eurowings.
Dubrovnik Airport has been operating since 1962 and has a passenger terminal complex comprising Terminals A, B and C. Terminal C was added as part of the airport's expansion to accommodate growing passenger demand. The airport experiences its highest passenger volumes during the summer travel season, when Dubrovnik attracts large numbers of international visitors.
Facilities at Dubrovnik Airport
- Currency exchange and ATMs: Currency exchange services are available in the International Arrivals and Departures areas, while ATMs are located in the terminal, including the Arrivals Hall.
- Duty-free shopping: The duty-free shop is located in the International Departures area, after security.
- Car parking: The airport car park is directly in front of Terminal B, providing convenient access to the passenger terminal.
