Renting a Car at Dubrovnik Airport
Last updated: April 2026
Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) sits 20 km southeast of the Old Town near the village of Čilipi. The compact terminal has rental desks in the arrivals area — Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, and the excellent local operator Last Minute Rent share the space. Croatia is becoming one of Europe's premier road trip destinations, and Dubrovnik is the ideal starting point for the Dalmatian coast.
🎯 Quick Tip
Don't drive a rental car into Dubrovnik's Old Town — it's a pedestrian-only zone and you'll face steep fines. Park at the Gruž car park (northern approach) or Pile Gate parking (western approach) and walk in. Summer parking near Old Town costs 40–60 kn/hour.
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Airport Pickup Tips
DBV is small — rental desks are 20 meters from the baggage carousel. Present your passport, EU license or IDP, and credit card. Croatian operators accept most international licenses. The credit card deposit is typically €300–600. Off-season pickup takes 5 minutes; peak summer (July–August) can take 20 minutes when multiple charter flights arrive simultaneously.
Dalmatian coastal roads are narrow with stone walls on both sides — check both mirrors carefully and inspect passenger-side panels for scrape marks. Also check the undercarriage for bump damage; the road from DBV to Dubrovnik has aggressive speed bumps near Mokošica. Note the tire tread depth — Adriatic coast roads can be slippery when wet with a mix of salt and dust.
For detailed guidance, see our pre-drive checklist.
Explore Dubrovnik by Car
Dubrovnik's stunning medieval walls are best explored on foot, but a rental car opens up southern Croatia and the Pelješac wine peninsula. Cross into Montenegro and drive the Bay of Kotor — one of Europe's most beautiful fjords.
Top drive from Dubrovnik: Bay of Kotor, Montenegro — a 90-minute drive south
Full Dubrovnik Car Hire Guide →
Getting from Dubrovnik Airport to the City
DBV is 20 km from Dubrovnik Old Town — a 25-minute drive on the D8 coastal highway. For Montenegro (Kotor Bay), cross the border at Karasovići (45 min from DBV). For Mostar (Bosnia), take the D8 north then cross at Metković (2.5 hours). For Split, drive the D8 coast road north (3.5 hours) or take the A1 motorway inland (3 hours).
Last Minute Rent and ORYX operate from Čilipi village, 2 km from DBV. Both offer free airport transfer and are significantly cheaper than terminal desks (20–30% savings). ORYX specializes in one-way rentals between Dubrovnik and Split — useful for travelers driving the Dalmatian coast northward.
What to Know Before Driving from DBV
Croatia drives on the right. Speed limits: 130 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on rural roads, 50 km/h in towns. The A1 motorway (Zagreb-Split-Dubrovnik) is tolled — a full north-south drive costs approximately €25. The D8 coastal road is free but slow and winding. Croatian police use radar regularly, especially near Dubrovnik. Parking in Croatian towns uses SMS payment — the desk agent can explain the system.
Croatia requires headlights on at all times while driving, even in daylight. Also verify you have the green insurance card (Zelena karta) in the glove box — this is mandatory for crossing borders into Montenegro and Bosnia, which are common day trips from Dubrovnik. Without it, you cannot leave Croatia by road.
Fuel Stations Near DBV
INA and Petrol stations are on the D8 between DBV and Dubrovnik. Fuel prices: unleaded Eurosuper 95 approximately €1.55/L, diesel €1.50/L. The closest station to DBV is the INA in Čilipi, 1 km from the terminal. Fill up before heading to Montenegro — fuel there is cheaper, but the border crossing can be slow in summer (1–2 hours).
Local Driving Tip
Driving the coastal road from Dubrovnik to Montenegro crosses a short Bosnian corridor at Neum — technically an international border crossing. Carry your passport in the car; the queue rarely exceeds 10 minutes outside summer weekends.