Renting a Car at Zagreb Airport

Last updated: 30 July 2026

Zagreb Airport Franjo Tuđman (ZAG), opened in 2017, is Croatia's newest and most modern airport. Rental desks are on the arrivals level — Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, and Croatian operators ORYX and Carwiz share the space. Zagreb is the starting point for drives to the Plitvice Lakes, the Istrian peninsula, and Slovenia's Lake Bled (just 2 hours away).

🎯 Quick Tip

Zagreb is Croatia's cheapest rental car market — rates here are 15-20% lower than Split or Dubrovnik airports. If your itinerary allows it, start from ZAG and do a one-way rental to the coast for the best deal.

Compare QEEQ, Localrent, Economybookings, AutoEurope & GetRentacar at ZAG

Economybookings.com

Aggregates 800+ rental companies including all major brands operating at ZAG

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Localrent.com

Specialises in local Croatia operators that often undercut international brands at ZAG

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QEEQ

Strong fleet selection at Zagreb Airport with competitive Croatia rates

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AutoEurope

Best for premium brands and one-way drops within Europe from Zagreb

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GetRentacar.com

Marketplace of local owners and agencies with live inventory in 80 countries — check live listings at ZAG

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Airport Pickup Tips

ZAG's modern terminal has well-organized rental desks on the arrivals level. Present passport, EU license or IDP, credit card. Croatian operators accept most international licenses. If crossing into Slovenia, Bosnia, or Montenegro, confirm cross-border insurance and request the green card. Pickup: 10 minutes.

Continental Croatian roads are well-maintained. Check standard areas: bumpers, mirrors, tires. ZAG's modern parking facility has good lighting. If heading to Plitvice Lakes, verify the spare tire — the last stretch of road to the park is winding and isolated. Winter visitors: check for winter tires (mandatory November-April).

Explore Zagreb by Car

Croatia's capital is the starting point for driving south along the spectacular A1 motorway to Split, or east into Slavonia's rolling countryside and the Plitvice Lakes — Croatia's most famous national park.

Top drive from Zagreb: Plitvice Lakes National Park — 2.5 hours south

Full Zagreb Car Hire Guide →

Hotels near Zagreb Airport

Landing late or returning the car before an early flight? The map below compares live hotel prices around Zagreb Airport and nearby areas — handy for the night before pickup or drop-off:

Getting from Zagreb Airport to the City

ZAG is 17 km southeast of Zagreb center (20 min). For Plitvice Lakes, A1 south to Karlovac exit then D1 (2 hours). For Split, A1 south (4 hours). For Dubrovnik, A1 south (6 hours). For Ljubljana (Slovenia), A2 north (1 hour 30 min). For Lake Bled (Slovenia), A2 north then A1 (2 hours). For Budapest (Hungary), A4 north (3 hours 30 min).

ORYX operates from Velika Gorica, 3 km from ZAG, with free shuttle. Carwiz (a Croatian start-up) has offices near the airport and offers the best rates for one-way rentals between Zagreb and coastal cities. Both operators include green insurance cards for cross-border travel at no extra charge.

What to Know Before Driving from ZAG

Croatia drives on the right. Motorway limit: 130 km/h. The A1 Zagreb-Split is Croatia's main artery — fully tolled (approximately €25 for the full run). Winter equipment (winter tires or chains) is mandatory November 15 - April 15. Croatian police use radar extensively on the A1 and D-roads. Parking in Zagreb center: use the underground lots at Ban Jelačić Square or Importanne Center.

ZAG connects to the A1 (south to Split/Dubrovnik), A2 (north to Slovenia), A3 (east to Slavonia and Serbia), and A4 (north to Hungary). Croatia requires headlights on at all times. The HAK motorway app shows live traffic and toll information. Croatian motorway tolls are paid at exit booths (cash or card).

Fuel Stations Near ZAG

INA and Petrol stations are on the A1 and D30 near ZAG. Fuel: Eurosuper 95 approximately €1.55/L, diesel €1.50/L. The INA at the airport access road is the closest to ZAG. Croatian motorway service stations have fair pricing — no significant markup compared to off-motorway stations.

Local Driving Tip

Zagreb's tram network makes driving in the centre pointless — park at the Arena Centar mall garage near the Sava river and take tram 6 to the main square. Winter tyres are mandatory November through April and rental companies charge €50–80 for the swap.

Car Hire at ZAG — FAQ

Do I need a credit card to rent a car at Zagreb Airport (ZAG)?
Not necessarily. GetRentacar accepts Visa and Mastercard debit cards with about 15% paid online and the balance to the owner. The other platforms leave the decision to the local supplier, and most of them want a credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Croatia?
Most suppliers set a minimum of 21 and add a young-driver surcharge below 25. GetRentacar is the exception here: its marketplace rents from age 18. QEEQ shows the young-driver fee inside the displayed total, so the price you compare is the price you pay.
Which car rental platform is cheapest at Zagreb Airport (ZAG)?
No platform wins everywhere. Localrent lists local operators and is usually the price floor in Croatia, with small deposits and 15–20% prepaid online. Run it against one broker on the same dates and compare the total including insurance and deposit, not the daily rate.
Is it cheaper to rent at ZAG or in Zagreb?
Airport locations carry concession fees that typically add 10–15% to the base rate, so a city branch can be cheaper. Against that, off-airport pickup costs a shuttle and time, and one-way drop-offs are simpler from the airport. For short rentals the premium is often smaller than the transfer into Zagreb.

More Airport Car Hire in Croatia

✈️ Dubrovnik (DBV) ✈️ Split (SPU)