Anyone been to Croatia and can answer some questions please?

[Howmanysleepsnow]

Hi! We’ve booked to go to Croatia soon. I’m trying to figure out holiday money. I don’t want to change too much money because it looks like some things can only be paid online, so I want to leave a decent proportion of spending money in my account for trips/ entry fees etc. Do shops/ restaurants/ petrol stations accept British debit cards? Credit cards? How expensive is everything over there? Is cash payment most common, or card? How much spending money should I take for 6 people for a week self catering with an occasional meal out? Should I take it in cash or just use my card?

Depends where in Croatia, what you're doing while there. Eating out, food, was cheap compared to UK in 2019. We were 5 people in Dubrovnik for 6 days, mostly self-catered, hung on beach, took about £200 in kuna & spent all & used our credit cards plus some Euros & US $ (in Bosnia). So I'd take £300 worth of kuna for 7 days if going now, 6 people.

We went to Dubrovnik and it was quite expensive but we ate out lunch and dinner and went to all the interesting sites and trips. We used cards mostly.

I think you will need significantly more than that to be honest. We've been several times and it's beautiful and amazing, but not cheap. Our last trip we went 14 days bed and breakfast inclusive, and with eating out once a day, occasionally twice, drinks, some transport, sunbeds etc we EASILY spent a further £2000. Easily.

We went 2018 , wasn’t cheap, same prices as Barcelona. and most places seemed to want cash. That was Trogir. But fabulous holiday.

I’ve heard it’s cheaper outside the tourist areas, but we are tourists and wanted to be in the picturesque places

We found eating out cheaper than self-catering. Groceries at supermarkets like Plodine are significantly more expensive than the UK, whereas decent local food was a lot cheaper.

Almost everywhere takes cards. I used a Caxton currency card to avoid any charges by my bank for paying in foreign currency. Most of the cash machines out there charge you a % to withdraw cash so best to take some with you if you want to avoid those charges.

That said, it depends a fair bit on which bit you're going to and what type of restaurants you'd eat at. We did fairly standard local restaurants with seafood, pizza etc but you can easily spend a lot more if you go to high-end places.

Dubrovnik is expensive. We went in 7 years ago so I can’t help with prices.

We went six years ago and thought it was quite expensive.
We mostly used cards.
Had a lovely holiday though.

Been to Hvar, Brac. Both v expensive. we spent at least 300 a day as a family of 4. A coke is about 7/8 euros - basic lunch and dinner for 4 is easily 100 euros with no wine and you need to rent beds on the beaches as they are all stony so another 100. Its a v v expensive place but absolutely stunning. Beer is cheap and I expect less well known areas are much cheaper though

Croatia is lovely. It is more cost-effective to use cash or a non-charge card for abroad. I got cash from the Post Office. You can order online and pick it up.

Taxis were very expensive. I learned from a fellow traveller that Uber is much more cost effective. Like, loads better. Some of the local taxi drivers (non-uber) I was not comfortable with. So use Uber.

Any unused currency the Post Office will cash back for you without charge.

So - take local currency. Use uber not taxis. Check prices generally.
And enjoy Croatia.

When are you planning on going? Croatia is converting to the Euro on the 01/01/23.
Most places now except cards but it is still a good idea to have some cash on you. I would have about £200 in. Cash, but use your card everywhere you can.