How to choose the right rental car for your Croatia trip

Two travellers and a small suitcase for a long weekend, or a family holiday with bags that barely fit through the front door? Every trip has different needs, and a car that suits one itinerary may not be the best choice for another.

When booking your car rental in Croatia, consider the number of passengers, how much luggage you’re bringing and your planned route. This will help you choose a vehicle with enough room for everyone — and everything coming along.

Start with passengers and luggage

The number of seats is a useful starting point, but luggage space matters just as much. A five-seat car will not necessarily have room for five large suitcases.

For a short trip for two with light luggage, a smaller car may be all you need. If you’re travelling with family or friends, remember to account for pushchairs, sports equipment and extra bags as well as suitcases.

Check the vehicle’s capacity before booking. If you’re unsure whether everything will fit, tell us how many people are travelling and what you’re bringing so we can help you choose a suitable category.

Consider a smaller car for a city break

If your plans include exploring a city and taking shorter day trips, a smaller car is a practical option. Compact dimensions make manoeuvring and parking easier, particularly when you don’t need much luggage space.

When choosing accommodation, check vehicle access and parking availability. A smaller car can make getting there easier, but pedestrian zones and traffic restrictions still apply.

SUV or family car: how much space do you need?

For a family trip, rear-seat space and a boot that can accommodate suitcases, a pushchair and other essentials are worth considering. If you’re using child seats, check that there will still be enough room for every passenger. Let us know about your child-seat requirements when booking so you can check availability and suitable options.

An SUV may suit drivers who prefer a higher seating position, but the SUV label does not automatically mean a larger boot. Compare the capacity of individual vehicles against what you plan to bring.

For a larger group, consider a vehicle with more seats, but check how much luggage space remains when all seats are in use. Enough room for passengers does not always mean enough room for their suitcases.

Prioritise comfort for longer drives

Planning to explore several regions or change accommodation every few days? Your car will become an important part of your daily travel experience.

Pay attention to legroom, comfort for rear-seat passengers and luggage capacity. Ideally, all your bags should fit in the boot, keeping the passenger area clear.

Automatic or manual transmission?

The best choice is often the one you feel most comfortable and confident driving.

If you drive an automatic at home, select an automatic rental car when booking. Automatic transmission can be convenient in city traffic and on routes with frequent stops, while drivers familiar with a manual may be equally comfortable with that option.

Planning to share the driving? Choose a transmission that suits everyone and arrange to have each driver added to the rental agreement. Only drivers listed in the rental agreement may drive the vehicle. At collection, each driver must present their driving licence and ID card or passport and meet the rental requirements.

Match your rental to your route

Your trip doesn’t have to end where it started. Last Minute rent a car allows you to collect a vehicle in one city and return it in another. One-way rentals are charged according to the current price list, unless an applicable special offer states otherwise.

If your plans include the islands or travel outside Croatia, let us know your route before departure so you can arrange the necessary permissions and check the conditions. For more information about island travel, read our guide to taking a rental car on a ferry in Croatia.

Want to stay a few extra days? Rental extensions must be arranged in advance with the reservations centre or rental branch and are subject to vehicle availability. Once approved, you’ll need to sign an agreement covering the new rental period and pay for the additional days.

Choose a car that fits your plans

Before deciding, picture a few everyday moments on your holiday: arriving at your accommodation, finding a parking space, taking a longer drive and packing for your next destination. A car that works well in those situations is a good fit for your trip.

Explore the Last Minute rent a car range and choose a vehicle for your plans. If you’re unsure which category to book, our team will help you decide.