Driving abroad, specifically Croatia - is it easy enough?

[WinkyTinky]

I am thinking of taking the kids to Croatia once exams are over. We would be flying to Zadar but would love to stay near Plitvice National Park which is about 1hr30 away from the airport. I've never hired a car before, here or abroad, and just wanted to ask how easy (or not) it is to get around? Any advice welcome 🙏

We did similar - I didn’t drive, DP did but the road network was excellent and very easy to navigate. There are toll roads if I remember correctly but not too expensive and very good quality roads, never too much traffic and lovely views! It was all simple really.

Amazing! Thank you @AtomicBlondeRose Are the tolls automatic or do you have to stop and pay?

I can’t remember - we were there in 2019 so might be different now. I seem to recall throwing coins into a bucket thing but I’m sure there’s a more modern way! It was never a problem though.

You pick up a ticket when you enter the toll road and can pay by card or cash when you exit. Haven had a automatic tag on any hire car we've had.
Roads v straightforward

Very easy when I did it. Not a problem at all.

Funnily enough, I was looking this up recently as we want to go there too. One thing I did come across were a number of posts saying stick to the main roads as there are still some minor roads with a (slight) risk of land mines! So, uhm....bear that in mind.

Yes it’s easy, get an automatic if you’re not sure about changing gear with the “wrong hand”. Most rental cars have satnavs but bring your phone and a holder just in case. Take time to get familiar with the car before you drive off (headlights, windscreen wipers, satnav, etc)

Crikey @Myteenhatesme !!! 😮Let's hope for an uneventful adventure if we do go!

Just another part to the question, is it straightforward to pick up and drop the car off? The flight back home is very early so it would require dropping it off at around 4am.

You'll have to check that with the hire companies

Most of the large hire companies will have a key drop box if you leave the car outside their opening hours. But you definitely need this confirmed in writing.

Very easy when we have done it.

i would consider staying near Paklenica national park instead - you’ll be by the sea, and awesome hill walking. Plitvice is very busy with tourists and you can’t swim there. Then just visit Plitvice for a day trip if you’re so inclined

Take out a care hire excess policy before you go.
Much cheaper to do this at home online than pay the extra they try to persuade you to pay when you collect the car.

Take a really good look around the car when you collect, note any damage however minor on their damage form before you sign. Ideally take a video walk around, or photos.
Do the same when you drop off the car, particularly if you do an unattended key drop.

This is for all car hires, not Croatia in particular. Some more unscrupulous companies like to charge you for every single mark, and the excess that you have to pay, without extra protection, can be ££££. And don’t think the big names are any better, they are franchises and it depends on the branch.

Have fun. The roads in Croatia are lovely & the views amazing.

Ooo, good tip @StormsAreNeverNamedAfterMe I have just had a look at the car hire excess thing and it's only around £15 for three days cover. I'll add that if I do go ahead. Thanks!

Thanks @PosiePerkinPootleFlump I think this is probably the one I was thinking of! My son would love to do a bit of climbing so this looks like the place for us 😀