croatia travel budget 2023

The Cost of Travel in Croatia: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

After 12 years of travel and over 90 countries, I’ve come to the conclusion that Croatia is one of the most underrated travel destinations on the planet.

I’m slightly biased, of course.

When I first decided to set off on my round-the-world adventure, I decided Croatia would be the very first country on my itinerary.

It was an unusual choice, I know. Most travellers set off for Bangkok, London, Sydney, or Beijing to kickstart their gap years, but something about Eastern Europe fascinated me. I wanted to explore some of the lesser-visited parts of the continent in which I was born, and Croatia sounded like the perfect place to start.

It’s since held a special place in my heart as the destination that helped me gain my travel footing, and I immediately fell deeply in love with it.

What’s not to love? 

You’ve got gorgeous architecture to snap photos of, hundreds of islands to explore, the spectacular Plitvice National Park to wander around, underrated Zagreb for a city break, and some of the best beaches in the world. There are opportunities to sail the coastline, surprisingly fantastic cheese to eat, lovely locals, and so many beautiful landscapes that it’s hard to believe one country can offer up so much.

I originally planned to spend two weeks travelling around Croatia for my first visit, but after falling in love with the country, I quickly extended my stay to a full month. I hit up Dubrovnik, Split, Brac, Zadar, Pag, Zagreb, Plitvice, and Crikvenica over that time, and easily could have spent longer if I didn’t already have a flight to the other side of the world to catch.

I’ve since returned twice more to Croatia, and every time I do, I realise just how underrated a country it is.

I’ve been recording every single cent I spend in the countries I visit from day one of my travels because I want to prove that seeing the world is inexpensive and achievable. I want to be able to give a realistic and accurate look at how much you can expect to spend in each country you visit.

Today, it’s Croatia’s turn. I visited Croatia first of all as a solo backpacker, and then secondly and thirdly, as part of a couple on a mid-range budget. My costs have gone up during that time, both because my travel style changed and due to rising prices in general. Even so, as long as you’re not visiting in the height of peak season, Croatia still isn’t a crazy-expensive destination.

(As of the start of last year, Croatia adopted the Euro — not the Kuna — as its currency).

Here’s how much you can expect to spend on a trip to Croatia in 2024.

How to Save Money on Flights to/From Croatia

My European readers won’t have to worry too much about the cost of flights to Croatia, as the wide range of budget airlines means finding something affordable is never too much of a problem. As always, I recommend heading to Skyscanner  to snag yourself a bargain.

If you’re flexible with dates and itinerary, you’ll find the best deals by searching to flights to “Croatia” rather than an individual city, as you may find it’s far cheaper to fly into Zagreb over Dubrovnik, for example. It’s also worth setting your flight departure date to be across an entire month, which you can do with Skyscanner . This will show you the cheapest dates to fly and ensure you have the very best deal possible.

In general, you’ll find that it’s cheapest to fly to Croatia outside of high season, which coincides with typical European summer vacation dates (late June to late August). May and September are the shoulder season months, and October to March is the official low season, where you’ll find the lowest prices.

If you do have the freedom to visit during shoulder season, I highly recommend it, as it’ll mean spending less on flights and accommodation while having to deal with fewer tourists. Shoulder season is my favourite time of year to travel, and it’s worth making the effort to do so in Croatia.

What if you’re not European?

Well, unfortunately, there are only a handful of direct flights between North America and Croatia — you can fly from Newark to Dubrovnik — but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to spend an enormous amount of cash in order to get there.

Fortunately, getting to Europe from North America is surprisingly cheap these days, and I wouldn’t expect you’d need to pay more than around $400 for a return ticket. Allow me to introduce you to one of my favourite websites in the world: Secret Flying ! I’d estimate that 80% of the flights I book these days are due to a deal I’ve found on Secret Flying.

Once you’ve booked your flight to Europe, you’ll need to figure out how to get to Croatia for cheap, but that’s when Skyscanner comes back in! Europe is full of cheap airlines and getting from country to country is nearly always easy and inexpensive.

How to Save Money on Accommodation in Croatia

As always with travel, it’s possible to cut your accommodation costs down to zero if you have the time and patience to seek out an offer.

Free Accommodation

Couchsurfing exists in Croatia, and allows you to stay with a local for free, sleeping on their sofa and gaining their insight into life in their country. It’s not the most comfortable of living situations, but if your budget is tight, it’s worth sending out a few requests to hosts to see if anything comes of it. You can search for potential hosts on the site .

Housesitting is another option. This is where you’ll take care of somebody’s house for free while they’re away, and usually look after their pets, too. It’s best for long-term travellers or retirees as you can’t pick and choose dates and destinations, so you need to have a lot of flexibility as to where you go and at what time of year. If you do have that freedom, it’s a wonderful way to cut down your travel expenses, soak up some home comforts, and live like a local for a while — I’ve even have friends who have landed housesitting gigs in a castle! Trusted Housesitters is my favorite site for finding housesits — it’s definitely worth taking a look to see if any listings match with your dates.

And finally, if you’re travelling long-term and don’t mind getting your fingers dirty, you could look at WWOOFing  or WorkAway as a way to cut down your costs while working on a farm in exchange for accommodation and food. It’s not the most glamorous of travel, but getting to live for free in a foreign country is an incredible experience, so if you’re backpacking around Europe, this may be the way forward for you.

Affordable Accommodation

I’m suspecting, though, that for most of you, you’re not interested in the free accommodation and just want somewhere clean, safe, and affordable to rest your head each night. If that’s the case, there are several options available for you.

The first of these are hostels . In Croatia, you’ll come across hostels all over the country, finding them on tiny islands, in large cities, and even in the national parks. They’re one of your best options for saving money.

Hostels in Croatia are slightly cheaper than equivalents in Western Europe, with the big exception being Dubrovnik over the summer, which is eye-wateringly expensive. You can expect to spend around €20-25 for a dorm bed in most spots in Croatia, with the price increasing to €30-40 a night on the popular islands, national parks, and more tourist-filled areas.

When it comes to private rooms in hostels, you can expect to spend around €60 a night for a clean, basic room in a good location, so if you’re travelling with friends or with your partner, you may find there’s not much in it if you’d prefer a little privacy over settling for two beds in a dorm room.

If you’re an older traveller and put off by the thought of nights spent in hostels, you shouldn’t be! Private rooms are usually very quiet and clean, and most hostels are modern, safe, and centrally located. They tend to have a little more personality than generic hotels, and the staff are fantastic at offering kickass travel advice. As long as you check the reviews of any hostel before booking it to make sure nobody refers to it as a party hostel, you’re all good to make a booking there.

I use HostelWorld to find the cheapest hostels, as they tend to have the greatest number of listings at the lowest prices.

And, of course, there are always hotels and apartments, which will usually cost around €70-€100 a night for a decent, clean, mid-range property in a central location in shoulder season. I always use Booking , as they have the most accommodation options for the cheapest prices.

The Best Hostels and Guesthouses in Croatia

As I mentioned above, I’ve visited Croatia during various stages of my travel career, both as a solo backpacker who was travelling on a shoestring budget and as part of a couple that was looking for all things private and mid-range. I’ve learned a lot about how to travel affordably through this country in the process.

I always like to share which accommodation I stayed in on my travels, as well as recommend alternatives when mine sucked. Everywhere I recommend below has excellent reviews and offers great value for money. On my most recent two-week trip around Croatia, I followed this itinerary:

Dubrovnik: 3 nights Split: 3 nights Zadar: 3 nights Plitvice: 2 nights Zagreb: 3 nights

Here’s my list of my favourite accommodation options in Croatia, listed in Euros:

Dubrovnik —  Apartments Sv.Jakov (€145 a night) : There’s two things you need to know about accommodation in Dubrovnik. The first is that it’s expensive, and the second is that staying inside the old town is extremely expensive. The good news is that Apartments Sv.Jakov solves both of those problems by being both affordable and accessible to the centre of town (a 15 minute walk from your room). But not only that, it also has one of the best views in the entire city and some of the best reviews of any property. Throw one of the friendliest owners in the country in the mix and you can see why I’m gushing its praises. This is an excellent option for Dubrovnik.

Split —   Apartment Citadela (€110 a night) : Split is full of expensive hotels. In fact, you’ll struggle to find a stay in one for under €200 a night. I recommend Apartment Citadel because it’s half the price of the hotels, receives incredible reviews, and right in the heart of town — it’s a truly fantastic location! And you’ll have access to a kitchen, too, to help you save money on meals.

Zadar —  Harvey’s Luxury Rooms (€55 a night) : This is a no-brainer when it comes to accommodation in Zadar! It’s inexpensive, in the centre of the old town, close to tons of excellent restaurants (I recommend Kantuna), and a super-accommodating owner. With some seriously nice furniture providing decoration in the rooms as an added bonus, you really can’t go wrong.

Plitvice Lakes National Park —  Lake House   (€55 a night) : I loved both of my stays at Lake House in Plitvice Lakes National Park and have sent so many of my readers there since visiting! I chose this place because it’s easily the best-rated accommodation that’s close to the park, and it’s pretty affordable too. It didn’t disappoint. You’ll likely spend most of your time walking in the park, but when you’re at the house, you’ll be greeted by lovely staff, presented with a filling breakfast, and marvel at the fresh air. That’s one of my lasting memories of the area Lake House is in: how peaceful the surroundings were, and how healing the clean air felt.

Zagreb — Embassy Row B&B (€160 a night) : It’s rare to check out the reviews of accommodation and find yourself greeted with a wall of 10 out of 10s, but that’s exactly what drew me to Embassy Row B&B. If there’s a better spot in Zagreb, I’d be seriously surprised. What I love about this place is the lavish, fresh breakfast, the great location, and the wonderful owner. Nadia is kind, friendly, welcoming, and only too eager to give recommendations on how to make the most of your time in the city. I wouldn’t consider staying anywhere else.

How to Save Money on Transportation in Croatia

Transportation is fairly inexpensive in Croatia, so you won’t need to worry about it upping your travel budget by too much. The best, easiest, and cheapest way to travel around the country is by bus or ferry.

Domestic buses will take you pretty to much anywhere you need them to, and are fast, comfortable, and modern. You can expect your ride to come with power sockets and Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and large, spacious seats, making it a no-brainer to go for the bus over anything else.

If you book your bus tickets in advance through Arriva , you can save 5% on the price of your ticket by using the app, and not have to worry about the bus being full.

If you’re anything like me, though, you can’t imagine visiting Croatia and not  spending time on some of its gorgeous islands (my personal favourites are Brac and Pag). In this case, you’re going to want to hop on a ferry to get from the mainland to paradise. You can find a map of the ferry routes on CroatiaFerries  — and most ferries run at least once a day in peak season.

Keep in mind that if you’re going to be renting a car in Croatia, you’ll pay quite a bit extra to take it on the ferries, so it may work out cheaper for you to find somewhere to park for free before heading to the islands on foot. On average, you can expect to pay €15-20 a day to hire a small car in Croatia depending on the time of year and where you collect it from.

When it comes to hiring a car to drive around Croatia, you shouldn’t feel intimidated. Even my parents managed a two-week road trip around the country without any hassle, and said it was a far more peaceful experience than driving in nearby Italy! I always hire a car through Discover Cars : a comparison search engine that brings up the best deals from all the popular providers; I always seem to score the cheapest deals through their site!

As always, you’ll have far more independence if you decide to drive through Croatia, as you’ll be able to stop off whenever you feel like it, take detours to tiny villages, and stop at spectacular viewpoints to take photos whenever you want. This is a country that rewards those who venture off the beaten track, and hiring a car is the easiest way to do so.

Parking is going to be your main issue when it comes to driving in Croatia. Many of the popular tourist destinations are pedestrianised, so you may find yourself driving around for half an hour in search of a parking space. If you’re happy to park up at your accommodation and then take public transport or walk, you’ll have a much easier time of it.

You can also hire scooters in Croatia, so if you’re competent on two wheels, you may want to opt for this instead! You’ll pay less to hire them and won’t find parking as difficult either.

Flying is typically expensive and time-consuming, so you’ll want to skip out on that if at all possible. You’ll save money and see a lot more of the country by travelling overland.

Here are some of the typical transportation costs you can expect to run into while in Croatia:

• Bus from Dubrovnik to Split: €22,10
• Bus from Zagreb to Zadar: €11,90
• Bus from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes: €14,90
• Bus from Zagreb to Pula: €26,20
• Ferry from Dubrovnik to Hvar: €45 
• Ferry from Dubrovnik to Brac: €45
• Ferry from Split to Brac: €20

How to Save Money on Food in Croatia

Food can be expensive in Croatia, but there are plenty of ways to cut costs while you travel around this beautiful country.

Cooking is always going to be more affordable than eating out, so if you’re willing to sacrifice some restaurant meals on your vacation, this is a great way to keep on track with your budget. Hostels will usually give you access to a shared kitchen, and if you’re opting for an apartment, check that it has a kitchen and at least basic cooking facilities. If that’s the case, you can head to a local market (a great cultural experience) and stock up on fish, vegetables, and fruits, to spend far less on your meals than you would at a restaurant.

Many hotels offer free or discounted breakfasts, so if that’s the case, I always recommend eating later in the morning and eating a lot of food, as you may find you’re too full to have lunch. If that’s not the case, then I recommend going for a larger lunch and a smaller dinner.

Most restaurants charge less for their lunch menus, even though they’re serving the exact same meal for lunch and dinner. If you can eat a bigger meal for lunch, you can then get by with a much smaller one for dinner and save money through doing so.

In general, you should expect to spend the following on each meal:

Breakfast:   €6.50  each for bacon and eggs;  €9-11  each for something in a hipster cafe.

What can you expect from breakfasts in Croatia? If you’re looking for something cheap and simple, you can’t go wrong with pašteta (pate) on bread. Bread and spreads are commonplace in the country, whether it’s margarine, the aforementioned pate, cheese, jam or Nutella. Often, these will be accompanied by cold cuts of meat, such as ham, prosciutto, and salami.

In cafes, you’ll regularly be able to pick up some burek, a savoury pastry containing meat, cheese, or vegetables. Pair it with a serving of yoghurt and you’ve got yourself a traditional Croatian breakfast!

Beyond that, you’ll be able to find those standard omelettes, oatmeal, full English breakfasts, and croissants that you can get across the continent, either served up in your accommodation or up for grabs in a cafe in town.

Lunch: €7  each for a sandwich/slice of pizza from a deli with a soft drink

Lunches in Croatia can be delicious and large. Croatians prefer to have a larger meal for lunch and a smaller portion of food for dinner, so loosen up those waistbands and prepare yourself for a true feast! You’ll typically kick things off with some soup to start, then follow that up with some slow-roasted meat, which is practically guaranteed to be so tender that it’s falling off the bone, accompanied by potatoes and vegetables.

Dinner: €15  each if you’re on a budget,  €25  each for a mid-range restaurant,  €50+  each for something higher-end.

One thing to keep in mind is that you’ll often be given freshly-baked bread, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar with lunches and dinner in Croatia, so you should aim to take full advantage of this. Seriously — this was one of my culinary highlights from Croatia. Most of the time it was free with the meal and so ridiculously tasty.

What about tipping? In most restaurants you’ll frequent, tipping will be welcome but not in any way expected. So don’t panic — it isn’t seen as offensive if you don’t tip! And likewise, it won’t be viewed as offensive if you do. Expect to pay 10-15% in any fancy restaurants you head to, but anything laidback and local won’t require you to pay extra.

I don’t often have much success with this suggestion, but I do recommend keeping an eye on your drink consumption while travelling in Croatia. Alcohol is obviously a big budget buster on the road (and Croatian wines can be quite pricey in restaurants), so if you’re happy to substitute the sodas, juices, and booze for tap water, you’ll save a ton of money. And yes, the tap water is free and safe to drink in Croatia, so you really don’t need to worry about buying bottled water.

If you’re determined to jump headfirst into the Croatian food scene and don’t want to spend your vacation cooking, you should look to eat at the konobas and pizzerias as opposed to the fancier restaurants.

Konobas are small family-run restaurants that offer big dishes and low prices, and sometimes even family-made wine. If in doubt, avoid anywhere with white tablecloths and a big English menu outside, because that means it’s set up for tourists and charging more. Delis are great options for lunches, as they offer sandwiches for low prices.

You can always ask the locals for food recommendations, too! Ask at your accommodation for recommendations on the best budget eats, or simply walk around and see which restaurants are full of locals. In the case of the more tourist-filled cities, like Dubrovnik, you’ll find that just walking a couple of blocks outside of the Old Town is all you need to do to find cheaper prices in restaurants.

Here are some typical prices of food and drink in Croatia to help you budget better:

• Pint of draught beer:  €3-5
• A bottle of house wine in a restaurant:  €23-50
• A slice of pizza: €2.50-5
• Sandwich from a deli for lunch: €3-5
• A 30 cm pizza for dinner: €8-15
• Seafood dish in a fancy restaurant:  €30-50
• Cappuccino in an expat area of town:  €2-3
• Litre of milk:  €1-1.50
• A loaf of bread:  €1.50-2.50
• 10 eggs:  €2.50-3.50
• 1 kilogram of tomatoes:  €2-3.50
• 1 kilogram of potatoes:  €0.80-1.40
• A 1.5l bottle of water:  €0.90
• A risotto for lunch:  €12-20
• A steak dinner: €20-30
• Famous Croatian lamb from the spit: €15-30
• A gyros for lunch:  €5-8
• A local meal from a konobos for dinner with wine: €20-35 each
• A three course meal and wine in a high-end restaurant in Dubrovnik:  €70-100+

How to Save Money on Activities in Croatia

We’ve covered accommodation, transportation, and food, but let’s face it: you’re not going to have the trip of a lifetime if you skip out on entrance fees and activities! Here’s a detailed breakdown of some of the costs you’re likely to encounter while travelling around Croatia. Note that prices for many attractions go up a lot during peak season: I’ve given a range where that’s the case.

• Walking the city walls in Dubrovnik: € 15-35
• Entrance to Plitvice Lakes National Park: € 10-40
• Entrance to Krka Waterfalls National Park: € 7-40
• A Game of Thrones-themed walking tour in Dubrovnik: € 25
• Entrance to Pula’s amphitheatre : € 10
• Sea kayak tour at sunset with snack and wine in Dubrovnik: € 45
• A day trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik: € 60
• Skip-the-line entrance to the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb: € 7

If you’re in Split for a few days, be sure to grab a free SplitCard from a tourist information centre. Visitors staying five or more nights in summer, or two or more nights in winter, are entitled to the card for free, and get discounts on everything from museums and galleries to excursions and restaurants.

If some of the above prices are just too much, there are plenty of free activities in Croatia as well. I know that I had a fantastic time simply wandering through the old towns, exploring local markets, sunbathing on beaches, and making the most of the museums that don’t charge for entrance.

While, for example, you’ll get a great view of Dubrovnik by walking the city walls, you could be just as satisfied by walking the streets of the old town, as it’s as beautiful from the ground as it is from above. If you love beaches, you’ll save money on activities by lounging out on the sand/pebbles rather than jumping on a banana boat or hiring some snorkelling gear.

Markets are always a great way to get a taste of the local culture without spending any money, and simply heading out for a stroll through some of the more local neighbourhoods will introduce you to lesser-visited parts of the country. Yes, if you’re looking to save money on activities, my biggest recommendation is to walk everywhere — Croatia is so beautiful that there’s always something wonderful to see.

If, like me, you love taking tours to get to know a country better, I recommend heading to Get Your Guide for inspiration — it’s where I book all of the tours I take. They have a whole range of activities and tours available, like  day trips to Bosnia  ( € 82 ) or Slovenia  ( € 120 ) to boost your country count, a Game of Thrones tour in Split  ( € 35 ), and an island-hopping trip to five Croatian islands ( € 105 ).

Miscellaneous Items to Buy for a Trip to Croatia

A Croatia guidebook : A guidebook will give you an in-depth look into Croatia’s culture, suggest the perfect itineraries for the amount of time you have, and offer recommendations for where to eat and what’s worth doing. I like Lonely Planet guidebooks, and have a wide selection sitting in my bookcase as I write this!

A dry bag :  Croatia is all about the water, so I highly recommend packing  a dry bag  to take with you. A dry bag has saved me while travelling on so many occasions:

• On a kayaking trip from Koh Yao Noi to Koh Nok, a freak wave splashed over me, as well as my camera and phone. Had I not had them in a dry bag, the water damage would have likely destroyed them.
• On a ferry ride in Thailand, the boat sprung a leak and began to sink. I was able to put my laptop, camera, hard drive, passport, and money in my dry bag, seal it up, and know that they’d stay safe and dry if the worst were to happen.
• I chartered a yacht in Greece and relied heavily on my dry bag while I was there. When mooring in tiny bays, I was able to fill my dry bag with my camera, towel, and sunscreen, jump in the sea, and swim to the nearest empty beach without worrying about keeping my belongings dry.
• I also think dry bags are fantastic for solo travellers on beach days. It’s tough going to the beach when you’re travelling alone because you’ll need to bring nothing with you, risk getting robbed while you’re in the ocean, or stay on the sand at all times. If you have a dry bag, you can fill it up with your valuables and take it for a swim with you, rather than leaving them on your towel and hoping nobody will grab them.

I love all things Sea to Summit, and after trying several of their dry bags out, my champion is the  Ultra-Sil 8L  — it’s durable, thin, lightweight, and has never let me down.

Travel insurance: If you’ve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know that I’m a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. I’ve seen far too many Go Fund Me campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. These costs can quickly land you with a six-figure bill to pay at the end of it.

In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Travel insurance  will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died and you need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I use  SafetyWing  as my travel insurance provider, and recommend them for trips to Croatia. Firstly, they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. If you’re on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time. Finally, they’re way cheaper than the competition, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

With SafetyWing, you’ll pay  €1.50 a day  for travel insurance.

SIM cards and eSIMs : Assuming that you’re like me and want to have a working phone as soon as you arrive (did you even go to Dubrovnik if you can’t send photos of it to everyone you know?), you’ll want to buy an eSIM before leaving home.

I use aloSIM these days: prices are good and I’ve found their speeds to be faster than the other companies I’ve used. It costs $15 (€14) for 5GB of data that lasts a month, or $24 (€22) for 10GB, and you get a 5% discount by using the code FOOTSTEPS.

If your phone can’t use eSIMs, a tourist SIM card with unlimited data from T-HT costs €10 for ten days. If you’re staying longer, a card with 70GB of data that lasts for a month is €11.95 . You’ll need to find a phone store in whichever city you arrive in to buy them, though: they’re not available at the airports.

Don’t forget that if you live in another EU country, you should be able to roam for free with your normal phone company.

How Much it Costs to Travel in Croatia

I always like to share my own personal expenses when travelling in a country, as I think it helps you figure out what you should be expecting to pay each day while you’re there. A list of expenses is great and helpful, of course, but putting them all together in order to come up with a reasonable estimate can be trickier.

Because prices have risen recently in Croatia, I’m only using the costs from my most recent trip. Here’s what I spent!

Accommodation: €109 per day  (shared between two = €54.50 each) Transportation: €9 per day Food: €34 per day Activities: €36 per day

My average daily cost of travel in Croatia is therefore: €133.50 per day .

Related Articles on Croatia 🧳 How to Pack for a Trip to Croatia ☀️ 30 Incredible Things to Do in Dubrovnik, Croatia 🇭🇷 20 Best Things to Do in Zagreb, Croatia

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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84 comments.

Dude, this guide is fantastic!

If I were there, I would have a really hard time leaving! I understand why you extended your initial trip by a few weeks.

Right?! The longer I spent in Croatia, the more I wanted to see. You could spend months just travelling up and down the coastline.

Hello! I do not think that this is nice: ‘I usually recommend not staying in an entire Airbnb apartment’. You should know, that most of the people on the coast and on the Islands, live from renting apartments, from 30 euro and up and also, when you stay in apartment you can save a lot of money for food (not 23 euro a day for shore). So you help local people and you save money at the same time. 😊

Wish you a nice day. Valentina

Airbnb is destroying cities and towns around the world, and having seen this destruction first hand, I am not comfortable recommending my readers to stay in Airbnb apartments. You help the locals who own properties, sure, but you fuck over everybody else who now can’t afford to pay rent because everything in their town is now an expensive Airbnb apartment. It raises the prices of accommodation for locals.

So sorry, I believe staying in Airbnb apartments is an unethical practice and I don’t support it. Do you own an Airbnb apartment?

Thanks Kris! :)

I wasn’t sure about visiting Croatia later this year, but the photos in this post now have me convinced! It looks like a very beautiful country. One small suggestion I have is that it would be useful if you could share some of the costs of food and drink so that we can create a travel budget with more ease. Appreciate all of your tips in this very useful post.

That’s a great suggestion, Kimme! My posts are always a work in progress, so I love receiving feedback on how they can be improved. I’ll get working on that today :-)

Great advice! My question to you is where would you recommend going in Croatia if you had just two weeks in August and a small budget? Thank you

Hmmm. If it was me, I’d do the following:

3 nights in Zagreb 2 nights in Plitvice 3 nights in Zadar 3 nights in Split 3 nights in Brac

And then back to Split to fly out. I’d avoid both Dubrovnik and Hvar as they’re going to be very expensive over summer.

Wow! Holy Moly. It’s my dream to see a landscape like the ones you’ve shared in this post. I haven’t been to Europe before (I live in the USA) so I have other countries at the top of my bucket list before Croatia but this is making me think I need to visit Croatia too. There’s too many places in this world to see!

I definitely understand that, Sheryll. But while Western Europe often receives all of the glory, there are parts of Eastern Europe that are just as beautiful. I hope you make it to both sometime soon :-)

Well I was so pleased with my Italian Lake photos until I saw these!!! Awesome

Thanks, Dad! :-)

Hi! I will be there in Croatia in the middle of August. Appreciated this guide as it helped me understand how much I will spend when there. Should I not go to Dubrovnik in August because it will be busy/costly?

Kind regards

Hmmm. Well, I really liked Dubrovnik, but it was packed in the summer months! It’s a beautiful spot and there’s a reason why it’s so popular with cruise ships and tourists, but you have to weigh up whether that beauty is worth spending a lot of money and dealing with a ton of crowds. If you can afford it, go for it. If you’re worried about the costs, choose to go somewhere like Split instead.

Wow, easily the best guide to Croatia I’ve seen today. Thank you for putting all of this information together, very useful. I plan to visit Croatia in April so I’m releaved to see it won’t be too expensive at that time of year.

Thank you so much, Ofelia! That means a lot. I hope you have a wonderful trip :-)

Really appreciated that you included everything in this post, Lauren. I’ve just bought the dry bag you recommended, as it sounds like a lifesaver!! Any thoughts on yacht week in Croatia? Costs, etc?

Thanks Jordan :-) I actually have a couple of friends who did yacht week in Croatia and they said that if you’re not really into partying it’s not a great option. They’re definitely pretty chill and found they didn’t really vibe with the people on their boat who were all about drinking and hooking up.

In terms of costs, well, I haven’t actually done it myself, but from a quick look online, it looks like it’ll cost around $4,000 for the yacht for a week, although you’ll be splitting that with a bunch of people, so it might not work out to be that expensive.

Hope you have a great trip if you do decide to go. You’ll have to let me know what Yacht Week is like!

Wonderful post, Lauren, coming from a Croatian. I wonder though have you visited islands like Hvar or Brač and checked their beautiful sunsets. Btw, I’m impressed with your knowledge about places you visit and some details that even I wasn’t aware of. You’ve done your homework, girl!

Thanks Mimo!

I spent a few days in Brac, and also visited Pag too. Didn’t get a chance to see many sunsets there though!

WE LOVE CROATIA! Great post Lauren. Covers everything I could say and more about the cost of travel in Croatia. Cracking read. Great. We celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary in Split and have been returning every two years ever since. Love it. If anyone’s reading this and debating whether to go or not, I say do it! One of my favorite countries.

Wow, what a recommendation! Split sounds would be a pretty perfect place to celebrate an anniversary.

YES! I love Croatia and I love this post, Lauren. I agree that it’s more expensive than other countries in the Balkans, but it’s still a lot cheaper than countries in Western Europe. One thing I couldn’t believe was how expensive it was to walk the city walls in Dubrovnik. Not worth the money imo.

Yeah, seriously. Dubrovnik as a whole can be pretty over-the-top expensive — it was a bit of a shock to the system when I landed on my first day of my big trip and was like whoa, my money is not going to last as long as I thought . Fortunately, everywhere else in Croatia was much more affordable, and let’s face it: Dubrovnik is pretty special, so it’s worth the expense to a lot of people.

OMG I really can’t wait to get to Croatia etc one day – so awesome hun =)

You’d love it here!

This has me looking at flights to Croatia based on those stunning photos alone! I’m a mega GoTs fan so the fact that you mentioned all of those tours is so exciting. I’d love to see all of the filming locations, and then the beautiful beaches will just top it all off nicely.

You know I haven’t ever watched Game of Thrones before? A big oversight of mine! But I know that my friends who love the show have had so much fun geeking out over all the filming locations in Dubrovnik and Split. I hope you decide to book a flight to Croatia!

So many great tips in this article. You’ve made planning this trip so much easier. I now feel like I can visit Croatia on the cheap while retaining some comfort levels. Looking forward to trying to food after you have sold it so well. Thanks.

Hey, thanks so much! Enjoy all of that fresh and tasty seafood for me :-)

I really didn’t know much about Croatia until I stumbled across this post. Fantastic! You’re really selling it to your readers and now I’m trying to work out if I can squeeze in a visit before the end of summer.

Ooh, I hope you can! September would be a really good time to visit, as there aren’t many crowds and the prices are starting to drop.

I’ve been to Croatia numerous times from AUSTRALIA as I’m addicted to the country, easily one of the most beautiful places in the world. It’s the sort of place that you don’t need landmarks and sites because the atmosphere, nature, beauty, medieval feel , smells, sounds just make this place heaven on earth for me. One of my most amazing sights was driving to our base on the beautiful island of Murter from a late night clubbing. It was 5.30-6am approx in the morning and the sun was coming up as we were crossing from the mainland to the island via bridge and at that moment the colours an beauty of the place overwhelmed me. I have seen many beautiful sunsets in Croatia, what makes them amazing is the deep red and orange colours. I’ve never seen them so vivid anywhere and I’ve been half way around the world.

I totally agree with you about the sunsets! Some of the best I’ve ever seen were while travelling in Zadar. Incredible colours!

Thank you so much for putting this together. I have been trying to work out where to go with my boyfriend on holiday next week and I think I’ve just settled on Croatia. Your post made it really easy to decide with all of the photos and information on how to travel there on a budget. I love your style of writing as well.

Thanks so much, Charlotte! You’re going to have an amazing trip :-)

If you could travel to Croatia during any month, which would you choose? Taking into account the weather, the crowds, and the prices. I’m thinking May or September is probably best? Do you have strong feelings either way?

I’d probably go for September, just because there’s a school holiday in May that might clash with your travel dates and could push the prices up. For weather, as well, the average temperatures in September are around 25, compared to 22 for May. So not a huge difference, but 25 is a little nicer in my eyes.

I don’t really think you’d regret going for either month, but I’d probably choose September.

Amazing blog Lauren. What do you recommend for a solo traveler to Croatia btw? Should I stay in hostels and is it safe? Did you get lonely on your own or is it easy to meet people? I know I need to just get there and experience it for myself but its always intimidating to go to a new place by yourself.

Croatia is super safe! You really don’t have to worry, Emma. I never once felt in danger over my six weeks in the country, and found it easy to meet people in hostels. I’d recommend staying in them as a solo traveller if you’re looking to meet people — you could always stay in a private room if you’re not down for sleeping in a dorm.

Thank you so, so much for this detailed breakdown Lauren. Can I ask which islands you’d most recommend visiting if you have two weeks in Croatia? Are you missing out if you don’t spend much time on the mainland?

Fun question! One thing you could do is to fly into Dubrovnik, and then take the ferry up to Hvar and Brac, then fly out of Split, so that way you’d get to see some of the mainland as well as the islands. Korcula is another great option for an island that’s close to Hvar and Brac if you want less time on the mainland.

I personally really like the mainland spots in Croatia, and think they have just as much to offer as the islands, but it really depends on what you’re into. If you love beaches, they tend to be better on the islands. If you’re into mountains and villages, I think the mainland has better options.

Thanks for the wonderful tips! I’m thinking of going to Croatia from the US, possibly this coming April or May. What do you think about traveling there in April, mainly due to the weather and accessibility to shops, museums, attractions, etc.? Also, are you familiar with any tours offered that you could recommend as I may be traveling alone (I’m in my early 60s). Thanks!

Hi Lauren. It’s such an awesome article you built. I appreciate. I am looking for a suitable market for pets and precious stones in Croatia. Please if you have an idea how I can go about this let me know. Thanks

Ah, sorry, I’m afraid I really don’t know!

Thanks Lauren! This was really helpful in planning a daily budget for our delayed honeymoon/1 year anniversary trip there in September. We are flying into Naples and staying on the Amalfi Coast before driving across to fly from Bari to Dubrovnik. Then I planned Dubrovnik to Hvar, to Brac, to Markarska, to Split then fly to Venice then home:( . Does this seem like a good itinerary? I would’ve loved to make it up north more but maybe another trip. I cannot wait!!! Any advice is greatly appreciated.

This information is great. Is it possible to see Croatia in a week?

For a week, I’d suggest picking either the north or the south. So for the south, you could check out Dubrovnik, Split, and Hvar/Zadar. And for the north, you could go with Zagreb, Plitvice, and Pula/Rijeka/Zadar. Or just choose two places for each, if you want more of a relaxed holiday.

Both itineraries would give you a good feel for the country, and I’d be happy doing either :-)

Hi Lauren Your experience and information is amazing…thank you so much.

We are traveling to Dubrovnik on our way to Rome but only have 2 days. Is there a self guided walking tour map of some of the movie sites in Dubrovnik? We are renting a car and would love to see the non tourist beach you picture in your blog. Is there a name or information on how to get there?

Thank you so much and I hope you get to feeling better

The beach in that photo is Podrace Beach, in Brela. It’s unfortunately probably going to be too far for you to drive out to from Dubrovnik. For the filming locations, your best bet is just to google around. For example, this post is super detailed for Game of Thrones, with a map included: https://hellojetlag.com/dubrovnik-game-of-thrones-locations/ — there should be be similar guides for movies that have been filmed there, like Star Wars.

Hope you have a wonderful time in Dubrovnik! :-)

Thanks for all the info!! My bf and I will be heading to Croatia in late-June and we’ve planned to do a lot of grocery shopping on our own. How did you find the grocery stores and where would you recommend?? We’ll be in Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar and Zagreb overnight, but many other places for day trips. Thanks!

In your opinion, is it safe to travel to Croatia? You’ve spent a lot of time there, so I’d love to know your thoughts.

Yes! Very safe. I didn’t have any safety issues in Croatia and feel comfortable recommending it as a safe travel destination. I feel safer there than I do in my home country and the U.S.!

Hey Lauren, We plan to visit Croatia this September. Can you recommend a day or less bike tours that takes us to some cool places that is not too strenuous? Either by a guide or by renting bikes and exploring on our own. Your information has been so helpful to us and appreciate you taking all the time and effort in posting this.

Another great post, I can’t thank you enough for these budget travel guides. I’m planning on spending two weeks in Croatia in June, traveling to Dubrovnik, Split, Plitvice, and Zagreb, and I’m hoping to keep my budget under $60 a day. Do you think this is possible?

Hey Lauren, Lovely article :-)

I am planning to go Croatia this Sept with my 1.5 year old Infant. Will it be feasible to visit the places along with a kid, Also I am planning to hire a car along with driver or you would recommend to take daily trips from Zagreb to all across Croatia?

Many Thanks, Shraddha

What a great post! Very informative – just what I needed. Thank you.

No problem! Hope you have a wonderful time in Croatia :-)

if you only had 5 days to see some of croatia, what would you do to make it worth it on the cheap?

A very comprehensive article. Thanks for taking the time to put it together – much appreciated. I’m still in the very early stages of planning my world trip but this info has sown the seed of curiosity about visiting Croatia thank you.

Yay! I’m so happy to hear that, Chris :-)

Great post Lauren and very informative. Thanks very much for this. Best regards, Nicholas

Thanks for reading!

It might help to know that American Airlines has recently introduced a direct line connecting Philadelphia and Dubrovnik during the season months (June through September). If my memory serves me well, they will operate 3 flights per week.

Kind regards Ivan

Thank you so much! Will add it to the post :-)

Thank you for the awesome guidelines :)

Thanks for reading! :-)

This has been so helpful! I noticed the typical pricing has the euro symbol next to it, have you given the pricing in euro to make things easier to compare to or is the price actually in Kuna as I read you should take Kuna. I’m going in 3 weeks and just trying to work out a budget

Hi Lauren, This may be a hard question to answer, but I thought I’d put it out there:) I have dual citizenship (U.S. / Ireland) and was entertaining the idea of retiring in a European country. I was considering both Croatia and Portugal, based on my Internet research. I know that you spent some time in Lisbon and wondered how it would compare to, say, settling in Zagreb. I know Spanish so it would be easier to learn Portuguese. But I like where Croatia is situated (closer to more countries for visiting), and it also seems a little more affordable. It’s hard to get a sense of the cultures just by doing research online, but it sounds like the people are lovely in both places. I plan to visit soon and try it out, but I just wondered if you had any thoughts on this. Thanks, Rose

Hi Rose! Ah, those are two wonderful options :-)

You’re correct in that Croatia is more affordable, but the language would be tricker to learn. And that locals in both countries are lovely and so friendly! English is spoken widely in both countries, so there wouldn’t be too high of a language barrier either way. There’d be a much larger community of expats/retirees in Portugal, as it is such a popular retirement destination, so it would probably be a lot easier to build a community there. Lisbon, to me, feels more like an *international city*, in that there are tons of different restaurants and cuisines and immigrants from countries all over — Zagreb doesn’t have that as much.

I don’t know if that helps at all, but I think both options sound pretty good!

Your reply does help – thank you, Lauren! By the way, I’m sorry about the Brexit situation. I have an English cousin in Spain, and she was disappointed about the decision to leave. But on a positive note, it’s wonderful you live in a country that is so geographically close to so many interesting countries/cultures. I’m in Northern California, just outside of San Francisco (which sounds exciting), but you have to travel far (and by plane) to get to culturally distinct locations. I’m trying to keep my carbon footprint small, and I like the idea of visiting a variety of places by train. You’re fortunate that you have that option and at the same time be close to family. Thank you for your help and for a terrific website! Rose

Hi We are going to Croatia in April 2024. Can you give us any idea about what to expect the weather to be like. Also it is our first time in Croatia for 10 days we would like to see as much as possible as well as some down time. Thanks

Lauren, thank you!! I am visiting Croatia and of course, I need to plan my expenses in advance. Your article really helped me with this issue I have been trying to figure out the past week.

Thanks for your blog and keep posing,

We also document every cent of our travels, partially to show how affordable travel can be, but mainly to ensure we stick to a budget. We only have limited funds (as do most people) and try to be frugal in some areas while still having the ability to learn about the culture, cuisine, people and history of a country.

And in the end, our costs were very similar to yours. Always good to have several data points to compare.

Sweet! Glad to hear your costs matched up with mine :-)

Hello Lauren! Great article, lovely read. I am looking to visit Croatia for a month or more if I love the country and I can see that you do not favor Airbnbs for reasons, which I understand. I do not wish to contribute to gentrification or high prices, so what are my options. I will bring my entire life with me (as I am living out of a suitcase at the moment) as well as my cat. I am sure that makes hostels out of the question. I’d like an entire place to myself. Is there a more ethical version to Airbnb? Thanks in advance!

is it possible to rent a car in Zagreb drive and cover all the major cities, I did this in Italy and covered – Rome, Venice, Florence and all the way to Sorrento & Amalfi coast, the highways were excellent

Hi Rocko! Yes, it’s definitely possible — the roads are well maintained and all of the major destinations are accessible by road. Car rentals are inexpensive. And if you’ve successfully managed to drive in Italy, the roads in Croatia will be calm and easy in comparison :-) Most of the islands have car ferries running, so you should be able to get to the islands, too — just double-check in advance if you’ll be island-hopping and want to take the car with you.

Amazing post, I almost convinced my wife that we will greece in October in between someone said why not greece and then I explored I found your post..I strongly believe that anyone reading your post is 100’% convinced with your recommendation. Thanks so much keep writing… we are planning to travel this October. Any advise that you can recommend ?

Amazing photos. This was a really helpful post for my upcoming trip and I’ll be sure to stay at some of the guesthouses you recommend too.

No problem! Glad you found it useful :-) Have an amazing trip!

This is so helpful, I am trying to plan a trip there in September. My question is, with the places you suggested to go, where do you fly in and out of? We would leave out of Dallas. TX. I feel like multi-city flight would drive up the cost. Thanks for any input!

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Is Croatia Expensive? Croatia Trip Cost Guide in 2024

Last Updated on December 11, 2023

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Croatia has become one of the most sought-after destinations in all of Europe, receiving countless tourists each year. But is Croatia expensive to visit? What would an average Croatia trip cost be?

Drawn by photos of picturesque seaside towns with crystal clear Adriatic waters, stunning natural scenery including lakes and waterfalls, or the desire to see the real-life King’s Landing, these are common questions many would-be visitors find themselves asking.

On average, you can expect your trip to Croatia to cost €55-275 per day (about $59-296 USD per day) if visiting the country on a budget but are still wanting to enjoy the occasional splurge.

However, this travel budget can vary significantly depending on your spending habits. Keep reading to understand how this average cost breaks down across accommodation, transport, food, entertainment and activities.

So is it expensive to travel to Croatia? If you’re comparing it to the cost of other Balkan countries , then yes. However, it is still possible to travel in Croatia while maintaining a tight budget.

Table of Contents

Croatia Trip Cost Guide

If you’re planning on visiting Croatia on a small budget, it is best to keep in mind that a vast majority of the coastal cities see quite a lot of tourists and it is time to shed the misconception that it will be a cheap, off-the-beaten-path destination.

However, if you are smart about where and how you spend your money, travel outside of the peak months of July and August, and try to head to smaller cities and towns rather than the popular tourist destinations in Croatia such as Dubrovnik and Split , then you don’t have to spend a lot to greatly enjoy your time in this beautiful country.

As of 1 January 2023, the currency in Croatia is the Euro, in which all prices here are listed. To see the current exchange rates to your home currency, look at xe.com

Accommodation Prices

The first aspect of your budget that needs to be considered are accommodation costs as this is likely to take up the largest percentage of your overall Croatia trip cost.

Because the country is so popular among tourists, there are numerous accommodation options in virtually every Croatian town and city. These range from high-end resorts to quaint country B&Bs to a dorm bed in a backpacker hostel and all come with a different price tag.

Generally, we recommend against staying in all-inclusive resorts as, while they might seem like a good value for money, they offer very little exposure to the culture, cuisine, and people of the country you are visiting and Croatia is no different.

Therefore, if it is a hotel you are after, we recommend finding a small, locally run hotel to rest your head instead.

Not only will they invariably be cheaper and allow more room in your Croatia travel budget for other activities, but you also get the added benefit of supporting a small local business and have a better chance of experiencing a different culture.

A room in a budget to mid-range hotel will probably set you back an average of €60 – 90 per night, depending on the city you are visiting.

If you’re looking for a luxury option during your time in Croatia, then plan to pay €150-300 per night depending on the season and where the hotel is located.

Another fantastic option if you want to save money while travelling in Croatia without forgoing privacy is to get a private room through Airbnb. Again, Croatia prices vary depending on which city you are visiting, however, you can expect to pay roughly €40-50 per night, which can save you a lot of money, particularly if you’re splitting the costs between two people.

A one-bedroom apartment on Airbnb or Booking.com will land closer to €60-100 per night, again, depending on the season and location of the property. In general, expect prices to increase in the high season, especially during the months of July and August.

If you’re on a tight budget and want to pinch pennies wherever you can, then you will be happy to know that there is a large array of hostels to choose from. There is usually at least one hostel in every major city with numerous options in tourist hotspots like Dubrovnik or Split and the bustling and edgy capital of Zagreb .

Again, depending on the city you are visiting ( Dubrovnik tends to be significantly more expensive than other cities in the country and can skew price averages), a dorm bed at a Croatian hostel will cost about €20-30 depending on how many beds are in the room and where it is located.

Transportation Prices

The second biggest aspect of your total Croatia travel budget you need to consider is the cost of transportation. It is unlikely that you will only visit one destination while in Croatia (though Zagreb makes a fantastic city break destination!) and, unless you plan on hitchhiking everywhere, you’re going to have to pay to get there.

Luckily, public transport prices in Croatia still remain relatively affordable. It is worth knowing that there isn’t a large train network in Croatia and therefore the most efficient inter-city transport (and often the only) that exists is the bus. Buses in Croatia are generally nice and comfortable and if they do not have toilets in them, they do make stops on longer journeys.

The cost of travelling between cities can vary depending upon the length of the journey, but it is safe to assume to spend about €15 – 20 per journey. If you have luggage that needs to go in the hold, be aware that there is usually a charge to do this — normally €1 – 2 paid directly to the driver.

It can sometimes be cheaper to book your bus tickets online in advance, but this varies depending on the city and region. If you’re curious, a quick Google search can answer most questions.

If you’re visiting any of the islands, then ferry tickets are also something to keep in mind in regards to costs in Croatia. Prices can vary drastically depending on the distance you are travelling, the type of boat you are taking and whether or not you’re including a car.

Another popular option for getting around Croatia is to rent a car. While this isn’t entirely necessary, having your own vehicle can give you the flexibility to visit more off-the-beaten-path areas of the country that might have fewer bus connections.

It also is a bit easier to have a car if you’re interested in taking some day trips without having to be at the mercy of erratic bus timetables and aren’t keen to join an organised tour.

As with virtually everywhere in Europe, it is significantly cheaper to hire a manual transmission rather than an automatic. Car hire prices can differ depending on the company you’re renting from (we recommend checking out Rentalcars.com to compare prices!), but you can expect them to start at about €25 – 30 per day and increase from there.

If there are some areas you want to visit that would be easier to get to with a car but you still want to save some money, it is worth considering just renting a car for a day or two. That will help you cut down on your total Croatia tourism cost.

Food Prices

Croatian food doesn’t get the international recognition it so badly deserves but you’re definitely going to want to sample some of it while visiting this beautiful country. But what is the cost of eating out in Croatia?

In general, the cost of food and drink is one area that increased the most since the Croatia currency changed to the Euro at the beginning of 2023, however, it doesn’t have to be overly expensive.

While it is totally possible to eat on the cheap in Croatia, it is also equally possible to splash out the cash on a high-end dining experience. With both ends of the dining spectrum available for tourists in Croatia, it can be difficult to figure out how much to budget for food while visiting.

If you want to save money but still want a good, authentic restaurant meal from time to time, eating out can be affordable in Croatia. The biggest thing you can do for your budget (and your taste buds, honestly) when dining out in Croatia is to avoid tourist-centric restaurants like the plague.

This means avoiding eating in the old towns of the cities where you are staying or walking at least a kilometre away from the main attractions in order to find a decent place to eat. You will be surprised at how much prices can change when the menu isn’t catered toward tourists.

If you follow this advice, it is likely that the cost of a main meal in Croatia won’t be more than €15-20 per person. If you want to cut costs even more, try to stay at a place that has access to a kitchen and cook yourself your own meals and only occasionally go out to eat.

If you like eating dinner out most nights, you can also save yourself some money by making breakfast and lunch for yourself — or choose to stay at a place that provides breakfast in the nightly rate!

Activity Prices

Now that we’ve covered the costs for the three main aspects of your Croatia that you are definitely going to need to spend money one, let’s cover the cost of the activities you are actually going to do there.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on day-to-day activities in Croatia — for instance, exploring an Old Town or spending the day swimming at the beach are all completely free activities.

However, if you want to go on a boat trip or visit a museum or historical site here and there, you’re going to have to fork over some of your hard-earned cash.

Museum entry varies from place to place, but you can expect to pay about €5 to enter most museums. If you are a student, senior, or under the age of 26, make sure to see if there is a discount available because, more often than not, there is and it can save you a lot of money.

If you want to go on a day tour or boat trip somewhere, as is popular in Croatia, these aren’t always cheap experiences. If you’re keen to go on a full- or half-day cruise for some swimming and snorkelling , expect to pay roughly €50-100 per person for this depending on what is offered. Often the full-day cruises do include lunch which is an added bonus.

Day tours to places like Krka National Park from Split may cost a little less, while if you’re going further to places like Plitvice Lakes National Park expect to pay more.

If you plan to do one or two of these tours while on your trip, your daily activity cost need not be more than about €20 per person per day, but your costs will obviously add up when you plan to do more tours such as these.

If you want to visit places such as wineries or olive oil manufacturers, it will be significantly cheaper for you to do this independently rather than going on an organised tour. Oftentimes, wineries will even give you a free tasting provided you buy some wine from them and the same goes for olive oil.

Entertainment Prices

The last thing you need to consider when calculating your total trip cost is the price of entertainment. There are certain places in Croatia (Split, Zagreb, and Hvar spring to mind) that are famous for their nightlife and it would be a shame not to go and experience it for yourself, wouldn’t it?

Even if going out and clubbing isn’t really your cup of tea and you would prefer to sit at a seaside bar while sipping a delicious Istrian wine, these things are still going to cost you. The good news, however, is that it doesn’t have to be much.

Booze prices in Croatia aren’t actually that expensive and you are more likely paying more for the location you are drinking in rather than for the drink itself.

For instance, the same glass of wine at a bar directly on the water in Rovinj will cost you almost 15-20% than it would even a few hundred metres away from the sea. If you are on a tight budget but still want to enjoy the occasional pre-dinner cocktail, then this is something to keep in mind.

It is also always cheaper to drink local rather than imported. A glass of Croatian wine (which is fantastic, by the way) will set you back an average of about €2.50-5 whereas an imported wine can be more than double that. The same pricing scale applies for local vs imported beer.

If you are after a cocktail, that is going to get a little bit more expensive and some places you will pay prices akin to what you might pay in Northern Europe. On average, a basic cocktail such as an Aperol spritz at a bar will set you about €7-10 depending on where you’re drinking.

Is Croatia Expensive? Average Croatia Travel Cost

Croatia is definitely more expensive than some of its neighbouring countries, however, it doesn’t have to be a place that will make you file for bankruptcy just for visiting.

If you’re smart about where you spend your money, avoid tourist traps, and only travel between cities every 3-4 days or so, you can easily manage to visit Croatia on a budget.

To help you better plan, here is an average of what you should expect to spend in Croatia per person per day, assuming costs like accommodation are split between two people.

Accommodation:  €20-150 / day

Transportation:  €5-30 / day

Food:  €20-50 / day

Activities:  €5-25 / day

Entertainment:  €5-20 / day

All in all, you can easily visit Croatia with a budget of about €55-275 per day if you find some ways to cut costs on some days.

Make sure you also factor in the cost of a travel insurance policy from a provider like Heymondo which offers flexible insurance policies.

Croatia isn’t the super budget destination it once was, however, that doesn’t mean a trip to this beautiful country has to be overly expensive. Your total Croatia trip cost really depends on where and how you choose to spend your money, but it is a destination that is still accessible for both budget and luxury travellers alike.

Are you planning to travel to Croatia? Have any questions about the prices? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

The Perfect 1, 2 or 3 Days in Split Itinerary

The Perfect Hvar Day Trip from Split

Is Dubrovnik Expensive? A Guide to Prices in Dubrovnik

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Maggie I’m trying to surprise my wife and plan a trip to Croatia and want to do on budget. I love outdoors and want to visit national parks, seashore and small villages. several questions: 1. should I rent car for travel, 2 do national parks have accommodations to rent. 3. any suggestions on small quaint villages. 4. are hostels good option. 5. can you get around well using bus system. 6. what about camping?

I’m coming for 10-14 days. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Matt – you may find our Croatia itinerary helpful when planning your trip: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/perfect-croatia-itinerary/

Super helpful article, thank you. I’m trying to work out costs for a party of three adults (two parents and an 18-y-old son), and am working on your daily cost range. That wouldn’t necessarily triple for three people, would it? For example, with accommodation, do you pay per head or per room?

Happy you found the article helpful. The prices listed above are assuming costs are split between two people, so if calculating a per-person cost and you have 3 people, they will likely be lower (especially when factoring in accommodation or transportation). Hotels are typically charged per room but it’s always a good idea to verify that with the specific place you’re booking 🙂

What is the best currency to take to Croatia

Hi Sue – Croatia uses the Croatian Kuna as of right now, but it is set to adopt the Euro in 2023. ATMs are also prevalent so it is probably best to plan to withdraw local currency while there rather than relying on exchange offices and travelling with lots of cash.

Just returned from Cavtat. Great fresh seafood, clean air, and water, healing environment Highly recommended,

I agree the local white wines were incredible. We even visited the winery north of Split where Anthony Bourdain over sampled and fell off his chair! Only glitch was on arrival at Split harbor the bus driver pointed us to the car ferry and we had to sprint almost a mile to the passenger catamaran to the islands- even owned by the same company it took awhile to find te correct departure.

Sounds like you had a great trip, Greg! Thanks for your comment 🙂

What a fabulous article, thank you! I’m feeling much more prepared for our vacation now. Can you please let us know what type of shops we go to, to purchase bottles/boxes of wine and bottles of scotch? We live in Canada, and can only purchase from government regulated liquor shops. Thank you so much!

Hi Elizabeth, if you want to get the best prices on something like scotch in Croatia, I would honestly recommend browsing the duty free shops at the airport before you fly back to Canada. That’s where you will get the best deals.

Aside this – Unlike in Canada or Northern Europe every supermarket (Plodine, Konzum, Spar…) has a big alcohol selection here.

Hello Maggie. I will be traveling on april to europe and i want to go to croatia. But i just gonna have like 4 days or 3 to go. It´s worth it? Because i want to go to some other place like budapest. What do you recommend to me?

Hi Nayoli, if you just choose one city in Croatia and then explore a bit from there, I think that only 3 or 4 days should be fine so long as you don’t try to pack too much in!

Great pre travel information. I am planning to visit Croatia and am feeling more comfortable with the information provided.

Glad we could help, Dushyant! Hope you have a great trip to Croatia 🙂

Are you able to draw a plan for our first visit in Croatia.

Hi Sarah, we’ve written a detailed Croatia itinerary with a number of different routes to choose from here: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/perfect-croatia-itinerary/

I just came from Croatia. I spent most of my time in the coastal region. This article is pretty accurate on pricing. But what a gorgeous place. Well worth to travel there. Capital Zagreb is amazing. Too many things to see.

Thanks for your comment, Brian! Glad you had a great time in Croatia 🙂

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Home » Europe » Travel Expensive

Is Croatia Expensive? (Budget Tips • 2024)

If your preconceived notion of Croatia is that it’s a cold, rainy Eastern European country, forget everything you think you know about it.

Nearly 15 million tourists flock to the sandy beaches and beautiful national parks every year. There are also lots of monuments and buildings worth discovering – like the Museum of Broken Relationships (no breakup needed).

The idyllic nature of the smaller villages draws in people from all over the world, as well as the chance to experience a stay in a traditional Croatian stone cottage. Croatia’s reputation as a prime holiday spot makes the answer to the question “ Is Croatia expensive ” seem like a solid yes, especially during peak times. This is because prices for accommodation shoot up and sometimes even double in high season.

But, fear not. You don’t necessarily have to end up with empty pockets after your trip, especially once you’re armed with a few of our tips and tricks.

So without further ado, let’s dive into everything you need to know about saving money when you visit Croatia!

Croatia Trip Cost Guide

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How expensive is travel in Croatia ? Let’s break it down. We’ll look at all the major cost factors of a typical trip to this amazing country, which include:

• Accommodation options
• Food and drink
• Transport around the country
• Other costs you may want to take into account

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

In 2023, Croatia dropped the Kuna and has since then been using the Euro . Find out how much your money is worth today by using the up-to-date converter below.

For this article, we’ll estimate all the costs mentioned in US dollars (USD).

Is Croatia Expensive? 2 Weeks in Croatia Travel Costs

See what you can expect to be your total Croatia trip cost :

ESTIMATED EXPENSE: $600-$2000 USD

Let’s talk about flights. Traveling to Croatia is probably the biggest single expense and the most difficult to accurately estimate, mainly because flights fluctuate in price throughout the year.

Croatia has nine international airports you can possibly fly into. The main airport in terms of arrivals is Zagreb. In fact, only Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik will receive international flights all year round.

Is Croatia cheap to get to, though? Many cities tend to have a “cheap time” to fly.

We’ve compiled a list of round-trip tickets to Croatia from some major cities:

• New York to Zagreb: 700 – 1000 USD
• London to Zagreb: 300- 600 GBP
• Sydney to Zagreb: 2000 – 3000 AUD
• Vancouver to Zagreb: 1200 – 1300 CAD

Remember that these fares are subject to change with time. You can sometimes score additional discounts by looking for special deals or error fares. Make sure to check flight to the different airports in Croatia to find the lowest cost possible.

ESTIMATED EXPENSE: $10-$350 USD per day

As we mentioned, Croatia travel is becoming very popular amongst travelers. As a result, prices are rising slightly every year. Fortunately, it’s still quite affordable, compared to popular destinations in Western Europe.

There are many different kinds of accommodations in Croatia. As the hotels become more crowded over tourist season, prices inevitably rise. Airbnbs and Hostels are also a great option, especially for travelers on a budget and backpackers.

Make sure you know where you want to stay in Croatia before you look deeper into possible accommodations. Once that’s clear, check out the best ones below, so you can find the right one for you.

Hostels in Croatia

Staying in hostels is the best way to lower your accommodation costs low. Choosing a dorm instead of a private room will save you even more money.

They are also good social spaces for those who don’t mind meeting other travelers and being surrounded by like-minded bunkbed buddies. And trust us, there are numerous amazing hostels in Croatia ! Another advantage of staying in a hostel is the great advice you can get from staff and other guests.

The prices of hostels vary quite a lot in Croatia – anywhere from $10 USD to $55 USD per night. But a fair price to look at for a standard hostel option is between $15-$25 USD per night.

You’ll want to be close to whatever you plan on seeing. So in a major city, it may be close to the city center. On the islands, it’ll probably be near the beach. Here are a few of the best ones we found:

• Chillout Hostel , Zagreb – An expertly-designed hostel with incredible common rooms, a 24-hour bar, a rooftop lounge, all in downtown Zagreb!
• Hostel Elena, Zadar – 20 Yards from the boardwalk, with access to the island ferries, and the party atmosphere of the beachfront nightlife.
• Split Guesthouse & Hostel, Split – They’ll make you feel like you’ve arrived at a friend’s house, complete with a free cup of coffee on arrival. Rated best hostel in Split for several years running, it’s definitely worth the stay.

Airbnbs in Croatia

There’s a quite big range of options on Airbnb when it comes to prices in Croatia. The cost mostly depends on where you’re looking to stay, and especially what part of the year. Island accommodation also tends to be slightly more expensive, so keep that in mind during your planning.

While you might be able to score an impressive $28 USD per night (lucky you), expect to pay a more typical $35 – $55 USD a night for a decent apartment.

On the upside, you’ll have the apartment to yourself, with the option to self-cater in a kitchen of your own. You can’t beat the feeling of having a home away from home. If you value privacy and independence, staying in an Airbnb is the right choice for you.

Here are a few gems we found that you may consider:

• Waterfront with an extraordinary view – In the old town of Dubrovnik, a studio with a truly extraordinary view of the bay.
• Cozy & Romantic Apartment with a Stunning View – Right by the seaside, and close to the romantic part of Sukošan old town.
• The best position in Hvar!   – Sitting on top of a hill, overlooking the town and sea, this is a view that’s absolutely breathtaking.

Hotels in Croatia

While hotel accommodation is definitely the most expensive of all the options, it comes with certain advantages and luxuries. Hotels probably offer the best on-call services, like room service, attached restaurants, laundry, gym, concierge, and even more.

The price range is incredibly big for hotels. You can find places for up to $350 USD per night, but you can also do some hunting and find great value rooms at around $80 USD. Hotels should only be considered if your travel budget allows it and if you don’t want your trip to end after a couple of days.

Here are some of the best hotel options in Croatia:

• Hotel Mlini – A picturesque view from a balcony can offer a great start to a day in Dubrovnik.
• Hotel Esplanade – Just twenty yards from the beach in Crikvenica, and often features live music on its terrace for some entertainment.
• Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera – Superb value at this Petrcane coast gem. Enjoy the bars the huge wellness area, and of course, the beach.

ESTIMATED EXPENSE: $5-$50 USD per day

In Croatia, the main form of public transport used in most cities is the bus. Zagreb and Osijek also have tram systems. The train system in Croatia is a little less reliable than other systems, due to by regular stoppages and delays.

Within the cities, a bus single ride costs $1.50-$2 USD on average (you can purchase a one-hour pass for this). For the most part, buses tend to run fairly regularly and efficiently and are the best way to save on transport costs.

If you’re bouncing around the islands, you’ll have to use boat services. Car Ferries or Catamarans (these ones are only for passengers) are the most popular and cost-effective ways to get to the islands.

You have the option of renting a car if you plan to travel around the country. The roads in Croatia are really good, but you may want to use the public transport options available when you’re in a city itself.

You can also choose to walk around – this is especially pleasant during the summer months.

Train Travel in Croatia

Trains only travel between certain cities in Croatia, and it must be noted that the network is limited and doesn’t go to every single town. You can get between a few main cities like Zagreb and Split, for example. To get to smaller towns or even villages, you have to switch it up to either busses or, in the worst case, taxis.

Bus Travel in Croatia

The bus system in Croatia is very extensive. You’ll be able to choose from many services and operators, depending on where you are in the country. There is no single national operator that works all routes. In most cities, the numerous central bus stations are very easy to find and get to.

Croatian bus prices aren’t the cheapest in Europe, but it remains the cheapest option, in general, to get around within a city, and between cities.

Within cities, various bus services run a number of routes, usually based on a single ticket system. For example, in Dubrovnik, you can get a ticket for about $2 USD, which is valid for 60 minutes of unlimited travel. You can also buy 24-hour ticket passes for just under $5 USD.

Choosing the bus as your transport option will definitely work out the cheapest. With its quite affordable tickets and reliability, it’s perfect for backpackers and travelers on a budget that want to see as much of Croatia as possible.

Getting Around in the Cities

Many of the cities in Croatia, especially the main ones, are completely walkable. And you’ll love getting around on foot wherever you are because it allows you to take in every detail of the charming city without rushing. That being said, there are few alternatives.

• Metros and trams – There are a few trams in Zagreb and Osijek – a 90-minute ticket costs about $1.50. They do not run 24 hours, but do a fair job of moving around the city every day between 4 am and midnight.
• Bus – Many locals and travelers prefer to use the bus to get from A to B, even if it does take slightly longer. A single ticket, valid for one hour, will cost around $2 USD. Day passes ($5 USD) are also an option. Bus tickets are separate to train, tram and metro tickets.
• Bicycles – You can find bikes rentals fairly easily in the major cities. You can also try a service like BimBim Bikes, which is a sort of aggregator for a number of service providers. Usually, around $14-16 USD per day is a fair price for standard bicycle rental.
• Taxi – Taxis will be an expensive option in Croatia. As an example, a taxi between the airport and Old Town Dubrovnik costs around $30 USD. If you plan to use a taxi to travel around, you’ll be making a serious dent in your budget, as a standard taxi rate is around $1 USD per km.

Renting a Car in Croatia

If you prefer the freedom of exploring the country at your own pace, you could also rent a car. This is only an option if you’re over 22 years old. The coastal roads in Croatia are exceptionally beautiful, great for photos.

To get the best rental car prices in Croatia, make sure to book your car well ahead .

Due to high demand, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself stranded without a car if you just show up at the rental. And even if you do manage to get your hands on one, you’re going to pay a pretty big rate.

The best services for rentals are Sixt and Rentalcars.com. They both offer the option to pick up in one place and drop off in another, but this is usually more expensive. Expect to pay around $60-120 USD for a four-day rental, excluding gas and insurances.

When taking the rental car on the ferry, you’ll need to pay extra insurance for this – about $20 USD. Be sure to let your rental company know whether you will be going to the islands with your car.

Want to save some cash and explore Croatia by rental car? Use rentalcar.com to find the best deal possible. There are some great prices on the site and they aren’t difficult to find.

ESTIMATED EXPENSE: $20-$100 USD per day

Food isn’t particularly expensive in Croatia, especially when compared to its neighbors. But like pretty much everywhere in the world, eat and drink in restaurants and hotel bars every night, and you’ll end up spending lots. Fortunately, there are ways to keep money in your pockets.

The easiest way to save money on food is to cook for yourself. Staying at an Airbnb or a hotel, you normally have a little kitchen with basic equipment, which allows you to prepare meals at home.

Take a look at these average Croatia prices for typical everyday food items compared to restaurant eating.

• 1 liter milk: $1 USD
• 12 eggs: $2.75- $3 US
• 2 lbs apples: $1.50 USD
• 2 lbs potatoes: $1 USD

Restaurants and bars :

• McDonald’s Medium meal: $6 USD
• Beer (17 fl.oz): $2.50-2.80 USD
• Standard cola (can):  $2.10 USD
• Mid range restaurant meal: $20 per person

If you have to eat out, time it for happy hour specials, or keep your eyes open for discounts or 2-for-1 days. This will work out a lot cheaper than regularly getting normal meals.

ESTIMATED EXPENSE : $10-$80 per day

As with most places catering to the tourist market, the alcohol prices in Croatia can vary from bar to bar, depending on where in Croatia you’re stepping out. How much you should expect to spend on drinks is completely dependent on your consumption and preference.

Beer is by far the cheapest option, and local beer tends to be cheaper than imported brands. You can usually find a pint of beer for around $2 USD at a local bar. Expect to pay slightly more for a brand name import.

A bottle of standard house wine at a restaurant or bar can cost around $10 USD, and a shot of vodka around $2 USD as well. Of course, you can buy the same alcohol for as little as half of these prices at a local store or market.

Our advice is to pick up a fair supply from a market and enjoy a few early drinks at home. If you’re still up to hit the town after that, check out the happy hours in the area.

ESTIMATED EXPENSE: $3-$200 USD

Croatia is full of the most wonderful attractions including the most incredible national parks . Many can be visited as part of a tour or on your own. Hotspots are ranging in pricing from absolutely free to quite expensive. Popular tourist destinations like Plitvice Lakes National Park are a bit pricy in summer–the park (famous for its incredible waterfalls) will set you back $45 USD per person from June-September.

Some of the cheapest include parks like Paklenica National Park for about $3. Other excursions, like boat rides to the blue caves, can cost as much as $130-150 USD or more.

Using the city of Dubrovnik as an example: a tour of the city walls will cost around $10 USD admission. The museum of the Rector’s Palace is a little less at $6 USD.

As we already mentioned, you don’t have to pay to get in everywhere. Beaches, town squares, many churches, and parks are free to visit.

Here are a few pointers on how to save money on attractions:

• It may sound odd but pay in kuna when given the choice. Paying in Euros means giving a sneaky little extra, which can be avoided by just sticking to the local currency.
• Do some research on everything that’s free in your area. Stick to the free attractions and keep the money in your bank account.
• Look at official websites for a discount or free days. Some museums, for example, have free days on certain days of the month.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Unexpected expenses can come up at any time, unfortunately, so being prepared is important when setting up your travel budget. Nobody likes to think abo0ut an emergency, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Set aside a portion of your budget to plan for “surprises”. A worst-case scenario would be a medical emergency – paying for a trip to the hospital shouldn’t cause a panic over how to afford dinner later, or even worse, how to get back home.

There’s also the unexpected must-have gift that you really need to bring back to your aunt. Doesn’t matter what comes up, better to have some funds in reserve – just in case.

Tipping in Croatia

As a rule of thumb, a decent restaurant service deserves a 10% tip. It’s pretty much the standard across Croatia. You can push that up to 15% if you’re really impressed with the service. Rounding up to the bill won’t hurt your wallet, but it’ll surely put a smile on someones face.

A $1-$2 USD tip is appreciated by a porter at your hotel. Carrying your bags can be a bit of work. Other than that, you can round up to tell a street vendor to “keep the change”, if you like, though it’s not expected.

As far as taxis go, no more than a rounded-up amount is expected, unless you’ve taken a long intercity ride. Then it’s ok to leave a normal tip.

Get Travel Insurance for Croatia

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Still not quite sure how to backpack through Croatia on a budget? Here are a couple of things to try:

• Walk when you can : Chances are you’ll be in a city or town that is wonderful to walk around. Go on and get some fresh air!
• Book ahead : Sometimes you can save a pretty penny by booking ahead. Tickets to theaters, museums, and other attractions do offer rewards for booking in advance.
• Happy hours and 2-for-1 : Almost every bar or restaurant has a time of the day or week for a particular special. Ask your local desk or consult the local web guide for advice.
• Carry a water bottle : Don’t waste money on plastic, or bottled waters carry your own and refill it in the fountains and the tap. If you’re worried about potable water, get a filtered bottle, like the GRAYL , which filters out 99% of viruses and bacteria.
• Earn money while you travel : Teaching English while traveling is a great way to make ends meet! If you find a sweet gig, you may even end up living in Croatia.
• Become a volunteer with Worldpackers : Give back to the local community and, in exchange, you’re room and board will often be covered. It’s not always free, but it’s still a cheap way to travel in Croatia.

Here’s a general observation: In Croatia, the cost of travel tends to be more expensive in the high tourist season (summer) than in the off-seasons. Depending on where you’re flying from, flight costs may differ quite a lot.

If you’re able to visit in the low season, you’ll find Croatia travel costs affordable in terms of accommodation, food, and entertainment. Balance your budget with smart decisions like shopping for food at a market, or eating street food rather than at an expensive restaurant on the main street.

Use the bus – it’s a lot cheaper than taxis or car rentals. And enjoy the walkable towns and cities on foot whenever you can.

It may be overly optimistic to call Croatia a cheap vacation, but it’s not the most expensive, either. With that in mind, you should be able to visit with a reasonably-sized wallet and see quite a bit of the country. Croatia on a budget is totally possible.

What we think an average Croatia travel budget should be: $50-$100 USD per day .

Updated February 2023

Agness and Cez

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Being in Croatia right now, I can tell you, that the prices you mentioned are pretty different now. A coke at a restaurant is 3,5 euros (about 4 USD). A pizza is about 12 USD. Car rental is about 45 USD a day + insurance and gas. Meat, cold cuts and vegetables at the supermarket is cheap though, and you can get a good homemade meal for a fraction of the cost at a restaurant. Meat is about 5 usd a pound. Vegetables are about 1 usd a pound. Cold cuts vary, but a cheese, sausages and dried ham is between 6-12 usd a pound. A big bottle of coke (2 liters) is 3 usd. And a 2 liter (cheap beer) is 5 usd. Buying at the supermarket is by far the cheapest solution. Marketplaces will rip you of. If you’re not planning to do your own cooking, expect to use as much as you would in the world’s most expensive countries… And I know what I’m talking about, as I’m danish. Prices are literally the same as in Denmark, if you don’t cook yourself.

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Croatia Travel Guide

Last updated on May 18, 2024 by Shannon

Chances are you’ve heard a bit about Croatia, either as your friends consider a honeymoon here, or as a stop on an Adriatic cruise. Croatia’s tourism industry has grown exponentially since I first visited in 2009. It’s an “it” spot on the European travel scene, mostly because of the affordable prices, gorgeous national parks, cobbled streets, and miles of coastline.

Added to all of that is a hotspot of music culture, with festivals throughout the year and across many musical styles. The dynamic, interesting things to do across a range of varied interests has created a bit of a year-round party scene too (many backpackers I met in the region raved about the party scene).

All of the buzz over the past decade, however, has impacted the cost of traveling Croatia—it’s more expensive than it used to be, while still a bargain compared to other places in Western Europe.

Croatia has a bit of something for every style of traveler. I backpacked through here with two female friends and we all agree it was one of the prettiest places we visited. Croatia’s enormous coastline gives travelers heaps of water-based activity options—island hopping either via ferries, rental yachts, or sail boats is hugely popular with those traveling Croatia.

And the inner region of Croatia also boasts a UNESCO World Heritage site, Plitvice Lakes National Park, as well as the heart of the country’s culture and tradition.

No matter what type of travel you have planned through Croatia, consider the responsible travel tips below. And read on for more on what to know before you go to Croatia, the best things to do in each region, and more.

Table of Contents

The Fast Facts About Croatia Travel

Euro (EUR) ( current exchange rate )

Primary Airports in Croatia

• Zagreb International Airport (ZAG)
• Dubrovnik International Airport (DBV)
• Split International Airport (SPU)

Can you drink the water in Croatia?

Yes, the water is safe to drink in Croatia. Tap water is chlorinated and locals drink it; this region also has some of the best natural springs in the world. But if you’re trekking, consider the merits of a  SteriPen  or  LifeStraw  for your trip.

How’s the internet and wifi in Croatia?

Internet access is pretty well established throughout the tourist network of Croatia. Back in 2009, it was rare, but WiFi is accessible, and travelers in need of constant access can find solid 4G speeds on mobile data as well.

Consider buying a plan and hotspotting yourself if you need internet, or if you are navigating the country by rental car.

You’ll also need a VPN if you plan to access many U.S. sites and to stream U.S. Netflix. A VPN is also crucial for those working from abroad since many U.S. sites either IP block or serve an international version of their sites. I’ve used NordVPN since 2016 while living abroad and it’s never failed me once.

Local SIM Cards

Data speeds are fast and data is cheap in Croatia. Travelers visiting for a while can easily get a SIM card. Having a local SIM card makes it easy to book hotels either through an app, or by calling ahead as you travel. 

T-Hrvatski Telecom is the largest network, and you can secure a SIM card at the operator’s store (the only place to get nano SIMs) as well as newsstands, service stations, supermarkets and kiosks.

Festivals of Note: 

• Dubrovnik Summer Festival, (Summer)
• INmusic Festival (June)
• Eurokaz Theatre Festival (June)
• International Folklore Festival (July)
• Hartera Electronica Festival (September)

Possible Issues

Landmines are still a concern if you’re very far off the tourist route. If you hike in remote areas, be extremely cautious and consult local guides before you set out. It’s recommended to stay on paved roads and existing hiking routes and carefully watch for signage.

Also! Only buy your tickets to National Parks and such from the official ticket offices, sometimes scammers will offer you tickets before you reach the official office. Solo travelers of both sexes should be aware alert and cautious when getting intoxicated at the party-hub cities.

Electricity

230V/50hz. European 2-pin (Type C  & Type F). Americans will need an adaptor.

How much should you budget for traveling in Croatia?

Croatia is a growing international tourist destination, and that means prices are on the rise—particularly now that the country is on the Euro as of 2023.

Summer, particularly August, is peak season and expect to pay a premium to experience the best of Croatia at this time. That being said, it’s still a good deal in comparison to Western Europe. It’s not as budget-friendly as nearby Bosnia & Herzegovina , but it can be visited on a budget.

Food Considerations

Croatia has a very international menu in most tourist hot-spots. But, the meat culture of the Baltic States is present in Croatia as well. This is harder to navigate in places like Bosnia , but in Croatia, I found restaurants always offered vegetarian fare.

Take into consideration, however, that while there are options, this is one of those countries you’ll want to carry fruit and snacks as a backup, just in case it’s pasta for the sixth night in a row. Also, consider these food safety principles  when picking where to eat.

Pick out accommodation on Booking.com.

This is the only booking platform I use because it rewards you for loyalty, and I regularly score free breakfasts and 15% off my hotel.

Accommodation

Apartment accommodation is very popular in Croatia. Many locals rent out rooms in their houses, or attached apartments—even before the rise of VRBO and others.

There are, of course, also a wide range of hotels for every budget, and hostels when you need a very budget option. The links in city guides below go to Booking.com , my favorite booking site.

Also, if you buy a local SIM (which you should), you can easily call ahead and directly reserve spots en route. If none of these will do, check out my detailed guide to finding good places to stay .

Croatia is a part of the European Schengen zone. North Americans and Europeans do not need a visa to visit Croatia for up to 90 days. Most of Central and South America is covered under that same policy. Check the latest visa requirements here .

Best Time to Visit Croatia

July and August are peak season for the miles of gorgeous Croatian coastline—everything is expensive and you will need to book ahead. Shoulder seasons are still lovely and very warm (May – October). Winter is also pretty, but cold and can get snowy.

How to Travel Around Croatia

Croatia is well connected to many places throughout Europe. Trains run into all neighboring countries, as well as between Croatia’s smaller cities. If the train doesn’t go where you’re heading, there is an extensive bus network as well.

Use Bookaway to suss out whether the bus or train is better better between the cities you’re visiting.

Many people rent cars as well, to better explore from the beaches to the National Parks. RentalCars.com offers pretty much the best deals you’ll find online—I’ve never found another site to match them.

It’s easy to get around Croatia, so there should be no worries no matter which travel style you’re after. Ferries to smaller islands can run just a couple times a day, so check timetables or you could spend an extra night if you don’t catch the early morning ferry! Ferries also run to Ancona in Italy if you’re keen to enter Croatia via split.

Is it safe to travel in Croatia?

Croatia has a very large party scene (and intense music festivals), it’s only around this aspect that travelers face issues. Use common sense when out at bars, and  completely  avoid visiting strip clubs—this is a well-known scam and a serious threat.

Solo women should take precautions when out at bars and clubs and keep in mind general solo safety travel advice like staying aware and sober. Anything can happen on the road. I am a firm advocate of broad coverage travel insurance like IMG Global ; these are my key  tips to pick a good travel insurance .

World Travel Planning Resources

From the best travel gear to how to pick travel insurance—a detailed list of resources, tips, and advice to help you plan an amazing trip.

History to Know Before Traveling to Croatia

The war is a delicate subject in Croatia. Though some locals open up about the war, most are keen to let the past lie in the past. Croatia is a country looking forward toward continued peace, stability, and tourism.

Croatia has a complex history dating back centuries; archaeological evidence takes it back to the stone age, in fact. With five bordering countries, as well as a huge sea coast, Croatia’s culture has been influenced by a range of cultures and peoples over the centuries.

Croatia edged out on the other influences around the seventh century, aligned with Hungary at points, and lost ground to the Ottoman Empire around the 15th century. These range of influences are important as they form the bedrock of the country’s culture, cuisine, traditions, and architecture.

In 1918, Croatia became a part of Kingdom of Yugoslavia, eventually shifting into the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia alongside neighboring countries. Regional turmoil and political instability began in 1980. That turmoil escalated until Croatia voted for independence in 1991.

The dissolution of Yugoslavia created an imbalance in the region, and as the former Yugoslavian countries created independent states it led to the Balkans War. This war lasted until 1995, when operation Storm gave Croatia a decisive victory. This war is a major point in Croatia’s history.

Part of the issue was inter-ethnic tensions created by the countries formed as Yugoslavia dissolved. Many people from nearby countries were displaced into Croatia, and the entire country was affected, not only the border regions.

Given this recent history, it’s a delicate subject in Croatia, as well as throughout the neighboring Balkan states. Though some locals will open up about the war, most are keen to let the past lie in the past (meaning it’s not something you should broach with a stranger in a pub). Croatia joined the European Union in 2013, and the country is on a quick march toward continued peace, stability, and tourism.

Pre-Trip Reading Inspiration: Books About Croatia

Fiction & Nonfiction Books About Croatia

• April Fool’s Day : This novel makes a compelling read about the Yugoslavian War with biting, dark humor and political commentary. If you’re into story-based history, this is a good way to learn more about the region’s history.
• Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History : Fascinating travelogue and history of the Balkan region as the author delves into the roots of some of the Balkan conflicts and how they are manifested in the modern Balkan states.
• Black Lamb and Grey Falcon : Beautiful and lyrical book that combines the author’s travelogue with a history of the region and insights from the region right as World War II began. A compelling way to read about Balkan history though it can be hard to distinguish fact from fiction throughout.

Podcasts, Films, and Online Reads About Croatia

• No Man’s Land (FILM) : This black comedy satires the Balkan war and it is set in the trenches of the Bosnian-Serb conflict, set off by a compelling storyline of three soldiers trapped in the conflict.
• Looking for Yugoslavia : An interview about the book  Black Lamb and Grey Falcon covers why this book remains a classic and iconic look at a bygone era for this region of the world.
• Welcome to Liberland, the World’s Newest Country (Maybe) : A quirky read about a tiny piece of land between Croatia and Serbia that neither country has claimed… yet.

Read all  my Croatia travel stories  and find more regional fiction and nonfiction books and long-reads .

Recommended Guidebook

Rick Steves’ Croatia Guide is the best guidebook for an interesting history and neat activities in Croatia—it’s perfect if you are planning a mid-range trip or luxury.

Backpackers should stick with Lonely Planet Croatia . This guide has a better list handle on the nuts and bolt—train times, hostels, and budget travel to get you to and fro.

Socially Responsible Travel in Croatia

The tourism brochures sell one side of the Croatian tourism industry, but there is a lot more to the country that cruise ship ports and pretty beaches. If you’re interested in cultural travel, consider heading inland to the country’s gorgeous national parks, wetlands, and wineries.

The northeast of Croatia is little visited and holds the heart of existing traditions—I highly recommended travelers interested in experiencing multiple sides of Croatia head to a wide range of places from north to south. Responsible travelers should also consider that local-level travel usually has the most positive impact on a country. Consider using local transportation around the country, learn a few phrases in Croatian to get you buy.

If you’re heading into the less touristy areas in particular, read up on Croatia’s history so you don’t hit on any cultural taboos related to the war. In general, don’t talk too much about the country’s history, and be sensitive when talking about your travels to neighboring countries. Consider these additional ideas for socially responsible tourism in Croatia.

Support Local Artisans

Buying your souvenirs from local craftsmen is a positive way to support traditional artisans techniques and handicrafts. It’s also an excellent way to experience the region, and to later remember that special part of the local culture.

Some of the local crafts you might find along the way include: embroidered linens, gorgeous lace from Pag island, handmade soaps and cosmetics, as well artisan dolls. When buying jewelry, steer clear of cheap red coral as harvesting of red coral is protected and regulated in Croatia. 

Spending money with local businesses is one of the best ways to ensure your travels have a strong and last impact on the local economy.

Book Local Accommodation

Croatia’s tourism surge over the past decade created a bit of a land rush. Foreign investors are not supposed to buy up local properties, but it has been known to happen. And while there are plenty of big resort style hotels, booking local is always preferred as this helps keep cash infused in the local economy.

Limit Cruise Ship Travel

This is a tricky area as cruise ship tourism floats a huge part of the Croatian economy. That being said, it has a huge impact on the port city of Dubrovnik, and not all of it is positive. During the morning and early afternoon hours, cruise shippers flood the Old Town’s streets and overwhelm local shops and restaurants.

As the numbers swell in summer months, this is best avoided if you are traveling the region by land (which is the most interesting way to explore Croatia). If you’re in Dubrovnik, venture out after 3pm to avoid the hordes of cruise ship passengers. I also recommend you shop for souvenirs and such in other areas as this is mostly kitsch for the temporary visitors.

Leave No Trace Behind

Many travelers visiting Croatia head to the national parks, or to kayak, and generally are there to experience nature on their visit. Consider bringing a reusable water bottle to limit your use of plastic water bottles—you can easily refill. And when hiking, skiing, or participating in outdoors activities, carry your trash back with you. And for women, use a menstrual cup for not only easy of travel, but it’s eco-friendly, too.

Consider these responsible travel tips to lessen your impact on the places you visit.

Don’t forget to  book travel insurance for your trip —a great policy provides coverage in case of medical emergencies, lost or stolen gear, adventure sports riders, and more. I’ve used  IMG Global  for more than a decade  highly recommend it !

Things to Do in Croatia: City & Regional Guides

Before planning your trip to Croatia, there are likely a few standout images you’ve seen on social media or in travel blogs—the most iconic spots across the country that form the bedrock of things to do in Croatia. The two most prominent mainland experiences include exploring the old city of Dubrovnik and visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Fortunately for travelers, there is so much more to do in Croatia than just these two things! With miles upon miles of coastline, it’s no wonder that island-hopping is a top activity.

Other things activities you might not suspect are Croatian highlights, however, include a visit to the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb, hiking in Risnjak National Park, and standing in awe of St. James’ Cathedral in Sibenik and the Krka Monastery near Skradin.

Favorite Travel Experiences in Croatia:

• Navigating the walkways and blue waters of Plitvice Lakes National Park .
• Biking with friends out to  Bribirska Glavica near Skradin .
• Wandering through  Krka National Park to see the waterfalls .
• Relaxing on Milna near split, a small island filled with friendly locals .
• Visiting the country’s many gorgeous islands.

Things To Do in Dubrovnik

You can spend an entire week enjoying Dubrovnik, it’s a gorgeous city in its own right, but it’s also a hub for day trips into nearby hotspots and countries. Many travelers cut their time short in Dubrovnik because of the overflow of cruise ship passengers—it’s true, they are overwhelming. But it’s hasty to assume that you won’t still love spending time in this city.

First off, it’s the filming location for King’s Landing in the uber-popular Game of Thrones  series. This is a growing business now, to find the locations and vistas featured in the show. Even for non-fans, it’s a gorgeous spot.

If you have a kitchen, take advantage of the locally-grown organic fruit and veggies for at least one meal, they’re a real treat. Sample the famed local wines while you’re in town, and buy rakija , homemade alcohol. Let’s take a look at what you should see in Dubrovnik, and then in the next section a close look at the best day trips nearby.

View the city walls.

Dubrovnik is known for the city walls, among the finest in the world. You have to hike the city walls at least once—plus you’ll have stunning photos of the orange tiled rooftops set against the twinkling blue of the Adriatic. The Pile Gate is always busy, my recommendation is to enter from the Ploče Gate. Bring water or you’ll regret it.

Explore Old Town on foot.

After hiking the walls, get lost among the streets of the old city. Plan your route so you can stop at Gundulić Square Market inside Old Town—if you make it there for noon there is a neat custom of feeding the birds in the Square that makes a neat photo-op. The Square is also an easy spot to buy souvenirs if you are short on time as they have a huge selection.

Visit Dubrovnik’s fish market.

This visit is easy to combine with your walking tour of Old Town. If you have the stamina (or fortify with a hearty lunch and wine), then take an Uber or a bus to Gruz Harbor to visit the produce and fish market located just outside the city walls.

Hike to Mt Srd.

This is a gorgeous hike and it’s usually brisk and cool even in the hot season if you start in the early morning. There is a cable car that starts just north of the city walls. You could hike in one direction and use the cable car. This is not to be missed, it has stunning views over Dubrovnik.

Rent a car.

Many of the most affordable hotels and restaurants are located outside of the city walls. The nearby towns are filled with options. While bus transport is easy, renting a car will give you more mobility to explore not only Dubrovnik, but also the many gorgeous day trips on offer. Prices on rental cars can be incredibly reasonable during shoulder- and off-season—I’ve always found the best deals on RentalCars.com .

Find somewhere nice to sleep.

• Budget . The two best options for convenience, price, and amenities are the Cocoon Hostel and My Way Hostel . Both are walking distance to Old Town and are fantastic affordable spots from which you can explore Dubrovnik.
• Midrange : Stay somewhere nice— Boutique Hotel Stari Grad is a charming spot in the Old Town and is a great choice if you are in looking for a nice spot right in the thick of things.
• Book an apartment for your stay . Nearly all of the rentals are privately owned apartments, or many homeowners rent rooms in their house. The best deals are outside the Old Town, it would make a great place to stay if you are there for a special occasion, but it’s incredibly expensive to stay in that area. Lapland is the most common spot to stay, but these hostels and hotels book up quickly.

Sample the tastiest Croatian eats.

Food inside the city walls is pricey. Croatia has the standard mediterranean fare, so you could easily find delicious seafood and fresh foods. If you have an apartment rental (I recommend VRBO ), then consider shopping and, consider cooking some meals at home.

If you’re vegetarian, then the advice to cook at home runs double true—Croatia is not vegetarian friendly. For all travelers, if you plan very full days, then it might be nice to pack snacks. Because Dubrovnik is a cruise ship port, eating or touring anywhere during the docking times is busy.

• Eat at  Nishta in Old Town . This vegetarian spot is so create and tasty that it’s a local favorite even with non-vegetarians. Visit a bit off of peak hours or you will queue for ages.
• Sample traditional eats at Amfora . This spot has some of the iconic Dalmatian favorites for the seafood and meat eaters.

Best Day Trips Near Dubrovnik

Sometimes I prefer to have a guidebook for day trips and long drives. The guides, like the  Lonely Planet or Rick Steves , offer a description of the highlights among the tiny towns you could visit. That said, here is a starting point for day trips into the nearby beaches, countries, and the best coastal drives around Dubrovnik.

Lokrum Island and the Beaches

Lokrum Island makes for a great day just spent relaxing and enjoying the beauty. The island is covered with wild peacocks and there is a salt water lake in the middle. You can easily take a boat over from either Dubrovnik Old Town Harbor, or usually any of the nearby towns where you might be staying. But because it’s so close to the Old Harbor port, it’s often crowded.

Also, the beaches in Lokrum are often rocky, so keep that in mind if you are hoping to relax in warm sand. You could also make it a beach day by visiting Mlini, Srebreno, or Kupari. There are neat abandoned hotels in Kupari that make for a good wander. There are so many beaches near Dubrovnik, but these are the best for quality and convenience. If you’re keen to sunbathe and explore, take a ferry to Mljet National Park—the views are gorgeous and the beaches are nice too.

Mostar & Kravice Falls in Bosnia and Herzegovina

From Dubrovnik, it’s easiest to rent a car and make a full day of your trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina . With a car, you can get an early start and avoid some of the tourist crowds that come in waves by mid-day. But if renting isn’t feasible, then there are plenty of tour buses from Dubrovnik running there as well.

Enjoy the gorgeous drive through the green mountains and then spend a few hours eating lunch in Mostar while watching people jump off Stari Most, an iconic bridge that was damaged during the war and rebuilt. Bosnia isn’t very vegetarian friendly, but a burek is always a good snack. Meat-eaters will enjoy the cevapi, a local sausage-like specialty.

The cobbled streets of Mostar are quite lovely, and it’s a great spot to relax. You could also enter the Koski Mehmed Paša Mosque, it has gorgeous aerial views of the cityscape. Mostar is a good spot to buy honey if you’re keen.

Then, it’s an easy drive to the truly spectacular Kravice Falls. It’s 40 kms outside of Mostar, and there is a cafe on site where you can grab lunch and coffee if you didn’t eat in Mostar. Bring your swimsuit as it’s a gorgeous spot to swim and cool off.

I happen to love Bosnia and have an entire travel guide for that country, too—it’s worth spending longer. If you have time, you could easily sleep in Mostar for the night and see a couple of other sites nearby. Budget backpackers will enjoy  Guesthouse “Taso” , and  Hotel-Restaurant Kriva Cuprija  is a great mid-range spot from which to organize travels.

Pelješac Peninsula

If you are a wine lover then this makes an easy day trip from Dubrovnik. You could arrange a tour as well if you are concerned about driving back—or if you’re in a large group consider renting a driver for the day and you can all have a good time at the wineries. My recommendation is to stop by the Korta Katarina Winery in Orebić if you’re a wine lover.

Kotor, Montenegro

Pop across the border into Montenegro and hike to the fortress above Kotor. This is one of the most idyllic spots in the world. Not only are the views from the fortress gorgeous, but the down is charming too. It’s just a wonderful place to hike and spend the day. And behind the fortress is a “secret” hole in the wall that makes for fun explorations.

Drive the Coastline

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and pack a spare set of clothes as this is a gorgeous coastal drive and you’ll want to cool off along the way. Give yourself a fair bit of time to stop in the little towns and wander. Head north along the coast from Dubrovnik, and make sure to stop by Trsteno, which has a pretty arboretum and a unique vibe.

Or, depending on what you like to do, you can go to Mljet National Park and rent bikes to bike around the island. I also heard Korcula was amazing, but we never had the chance to get there.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Travelers visit this area for Plitvice just for the National Park. Book two nights accommodation—arrive via bus by evening (the owner of your accommodation should pick you up), explore Plitvice Lakes all day, and stay one more night (you’ll be tired). Then leave on an early morning bus the next day!

If you’re driving, you might be able to drive in from your previous destination and still have a full day. Be warned that there are sometimes ticket scammers nearby trying to sell you overpriced (and sometimes invalid) tickets.

How to Enjoy Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a gorgeous UNESCO site in the center of Croatia. The stacked lakes take hours to explore and if you’re a nature lover you’ll enjoy it. The park has been designed for tourism though and there are a lot of tourists.

Don’t expect to commune with nature, but it is a beautiful couple of hours as you follow the boardwalks for miles through the various levels of lakes. I visited in the summer, but it’s equally stunning in the winter when covered with snow.

Where to Eat and Sleep

• Budget : House Jezerka is a hostel run like a B&B and comes recommend. It had free wifi, was impeccably clean, and featured gorgeous gardens. Laundry access too. The owner is great, he brought me a free drink on arrival and drives visitors one-way to the park; then it’s only a 20-minute walk back to his place. The bus stop to leave this area is walkable from here.
• Midrange : Consider  Guest House Korita  
• Splurge : Plitvica Lodge  is a nice place from which to organize your search. Hotel Jerezo is also a nice place for groups as they offer triples.
• Pizza Place : There is a nearby restaurant with great to-go pizzas that you pass on the walk back to the guesthouse, starts with a “G” and the guesthouse owner will recommend it. That was the easiest option since there isn’t a lot walkable nearby—we ordered a pizza on our way back then relaxed back at the guesthouse after the full day of walking.

Krka National Park

Skradin is roughly 20 km from Šibenik and the town borders the entrance to the Krka National Park. The buses and trains stop in Šibenik. If you arrive late in the day, you will have no choice but to cab it into Skradin (Euro 40+).

Krka is not on the beaten path and tourists only visit for the Krka Waterfalls—plan just one full day here to do the waterfalls. Wear a swimsuit and bring a picnic lunch to the falls with you since you’ll be there most of the day!

Things to Do in Skradin and the Krka Waterfalls

Krka waterfalls.

The main attraction in the Skradin area, and normally the only reason tourists visit this area of Croatia. Boats leave the docks and ferry tourists to the entrance to the park. This is, by far, the easiest way to see Krka. It drops you off right at the entrance and boats leave all day long (check times so you catch the last one!). You can also visit the monastery on Lake Visovac, it’s dated to the 14th Century and is gorgeous.

Biking to Bribirska Glavica

Not a “must-see” by any means, but a great way to pass the time if you’ve done Krka and you’re in Skradin for an extra day. Rent a bike from the bike shop on the riverfront and head West out of town. Bring snacks and water because there is nothing but houses along the way.

Places to Eat and Sleep

• Try Skradinski Rizot . This local risotto is crazy popular now because of Anthony Bourdain and as such it’s pretty easy to find in Skradin.
• Villa Marija . This is a well-run budget spot that makes an ideal place to visit the town.  Highly recommended if you’re visiting the waterfalls at Krka National Park. It’s a great location, more of a hotel than a hostel but still very reasonably priced. Gorgeous patio off of our room and a great breakfast included! Friendly staff and free wifi included.
• Stay somewhere gorgeous. If you’re feeling spendy, then the Hotel Panorama  has stunning views over Krka Canyon and is really a special spot to stay.
• Cantinetta.  Skradinskih Svilara 7. This is pricier than a backpacker budget but delicious seafood according to my travel buddies. This is considered one of the best kept local secrets.
• Zlatne Skoljke . Grgura Ninskog 9. This is a solid choice on all fronts. Lots of good options and I enjoyed it.

Other Things to Do in Croatia

Visit the istrian peninsula.

Head to the Istrian Peninsula, located in the northwest part of the country. The peninsula is known for its beautiful beaches, historic towns, and delicious cuisine.

Dive into Roman History in Pula

While there, explore the ancient Roman ruins at the city of Pula, located on the Istrian Peninsula. Pula is home to a number of ancient structures, including the well-preserved Pula Arena, an amphitheater dating back to the 1st century AD.

See Croatia From its Coast

Take a boat trip along the Croatian coast, visiting the many islands and coastal towns along the way. A few key islands you should pencil into your list of places to visit include:

• Brač is an island located just off the coast from the city of Split that is known for its beautiful beaches and charming towns. It is also home to the highest peak in the Adriatic, the mountain of Vidova Gora.
• Hvar , located off the Dalmatian Coast, is known for its beautiful beaches, charming towns, and Mediterranean climate. You can’t go wrong with it’s stretches of sandy beaches and clear waters.
• Korčula is an island that all the tourists will descend on in a few years. For now, enjoy its Old Town, beaches, pine forests, and vineyards.
• Mljet is a truly charming island located off the coast from Dubrovnik. Plan two days here exploring Mljet National Park, which features a number of hiking trails and two saltwater lakes.
• The island of Vis is known for its charming towns, beautiful beaches, and clear waters. It is a popular destination for diving and snorkeling, as the waters around the island are home to a number of interesting marine species.
• Šolta is also located off the coast from Split and is known for its charming towns, beautiful beaches, and olive groves. It is a popular destination for visitors looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a more laid-back atmosphere while traveling around Croatia.

Take in Some Culture in Rijeka

The city of Rijeka, located on the Adriatic Coast, is known for its rich history and cultural heritage. It is home to a number of museums, galleries, and other cultural attractions, including the Natural History Museum and the Croatian National Theatre.

Stop in Šibenik

The city of Šibenik, located on the Dalmatian Coast, is known for its historic Old Town and its beautiful beaches. It is also home to the Šibenik Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Essential Travel Planning Resources

❗ Yes, you need travel insurance . IMG Global is the travel insurance I’ve used for well over a decade of traveling solo, and with kids. Here’s why .

🧳 Smart packing can save your trip. Shop my favorite travel gear , including all of the packing essentials for world travel , gear to keep you safe on the road, my favorite travel books , and more.

🛏️ Find great accommodation . Booking.com is essentially the only hotel booking site that I use. It has a wide and affordable selection of traditional hotels, but also hostels and vacation rentals, too. Use these pro tips to find the best travel accommodation .

📍 Navigate more effectively. Rome2Rio is super handy to assess the full range of transport options between two cities—shows everything from flights to trains, buses, minibuses, and more. If you’re booking a rental car, I’ve always found the best deals on RentalCars.com .

✈️ Book affordable flights. Expedia is one of the first places I look for low-cost flights .

☕ Peruse all of my tips for round the world travel , or learn how to move and live abroad .

Croatia Travel Guide: Best Stories from the Blog

I spent many months across several years traveling and enjoying all that Croatia offers travelers. Each story was written live on my travel blog as I backpacked the region. Within these posts you’ll find detailed guides and stories about cultural quirks, fun activities, and things I enjoyed doing in every area.

A Little Travel Memory… That Tree Has Something to Say

A Little Travel Memory … Foraging for Your Food, Mulberry Style

A Little Beauty… Visiting the Waterfalls of Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park

A Little Misadventure… Biking to Bribirska Glavica from Skradin, Croatia

A Little Hiking… Enjoying Croatia’s Beautiful Krka National Park

A Little Adventure… Traveling Across Brac Island to Visit Milna

A Little Pampering… DIY Manis, Pedis, and a Haircut to Beat the Rain

A Little Rain… Passing the Time During Our First Days on Croatia’s Adriatic

A Little Misadventure… That Time I Was Bum-Rushed by Little Old Ladies En Route to Croatia

Dubrovnik Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 31, 2023

Located on the southern coast of Croatia , Dubrovnik is the most popular destination in the country. Already a booming tourist destination, it was made significantly more popular by Game of Thrones (which filmed here regularly) as well as a recent influx of cruise lines.

On everyone’s radar these days, Dubrovnik is beautiful and everything you might want it to be. The city is one of the wonders of Europe , combining a fantastically preserved medieval town surrounded by thick, 24-meter (80-foot) high walls with a glimmering azure sea as its backdrop. It’s simply striking.

And, as a bonus, the food and wine scene here has improved by leaps and bounds, and accommodations are plentiful and world-class.

While Dubrovnik does struggle with overtourism, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. Just be prepared for crowds in the summer (though I would totally skip the summer and go in early spring or late fall). If you get out of the old walled city, you can find a ton of places in the new part of town and in the surrounding regions that are free from the hordes of tourists.

This travel guide to Dubrovnik can help you plan your trip and beat the crowds as you explore Croatia’s iconic destination.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Dubrovnik

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Dubrovnik

1. Walk the medieval city walls

Walking the walls, which were constructed in the 12th-17th centuries and are still incredibly well preserved, is an obligatory activity for first-timers in Dubrovnik. It’s not cheap (and the price seems to go up just about every year), but the 2 kilometer (1.2-mile) journey around Old Town, or Stari Grad , is worth the price. With parts of the walls reaching a maximum height of 25 meters (83 feet), this is the best way to view the city from above. Along the length of the walls, there are an impressive 4 gates, 2 round towers, 2 corner towers, 12 forts, and 5 bastions. Admission is 250 HRK.

2. Explore the beaches

Lapad Uvala is a lovely sandy beach (a rarity in Croatia) on which to plant yourself for a day of swimming and sun-worshipping. Its proximity to restaurants, as well as the long, café-flanked Lapad promenade, makes it popular with both locals and tourists. If you’re staying near Old Town, take bus #2 from Pile Gate.

If you don’t mind a pebbled beach, Banje is located just a five-minute walk from Old Town. There’s a public section as well as the private Banje Beach Club, where you can dance the night away once it turns into a nightclub in the evenings.

3. Take a boat trip

Taking a boat trip is the best way to explore all the islands, coves, caves, and beaches near Dubrovnik. The Elaphites is a nearby archipelago popular for day trips by boat. Take your pick from the variety of tours on offer, including glass-bottom boats, sailing trips, kayaking tours, and sunset and dinner cruises. Another popular boat trip is to the so-called Blue Cave, a phenomenon in which sunlight pouring through the top of a cave lights up the limestone seafloor with a radiant blue color. Boat tours start at 210 HRK for three hours while boat tours to the Blue Cave that also visit Sunj Beach and include drinks are around 600 HRK.

4. Spend time on Lokrum Island

Lokrum , just a 15-minute ferry ride away, is a peaceful, verdant island, ideal for swimming and sunbathing. It boasts hiking trails, viewpoints, a fortress built by Napoleonic soldiers, and a botanical garden. There’s even a mini “Dead Sea” on the island — a small, calm lake with very high salt content, in which one can float. Locals also swear that the restaurant Lacroma has the best fried calamari in Croatia. Ferries run every 30 minutes June to September and hourly during the low season (200 HRK round-trip). You can find the schedule here .

5. Visit the Cultural History Museum

A 14th-century Gothic-Renaissance palace hosts Dubrovnik’s Cultural History Museum, featuring over 20,000 objects related to the city’s history, as well as rooms decorated in period style. The collections include paintings, prints, furniture, textiles, ceramics, metals, icons, glass, photographs, and more, ranging from the 14th to the 20th centuries. The building was also a prominent Game of Thrones filming location (standing in for the Spice King’s mansion in Qarth). Admission is 100 HRK.

Other Things to See and Do in Dubrovnik

1. take a free walking tour.

The first thing I do in a new city is to take a free walking tour. It’s the best way to see the main sights, learn about local history and culture, and connect with an expert guide who can answer all your questions. Free Dubrovnik Tours offers regular free tours that cover all the highlights around town. Just be sure to tip at the end!

2. Trek up to Fort Lovrijenac

Game of Thrones fans will recognize this imposing citadel as the Red Keep from King’s Landing. Nicknamed “the Gibraltar of Dubrovnik” (you’ll know why once you lay eyes on it), this 11th-century fort just outside the western walls of Old Town was built in an attempt to keep the dreaded Venetians from invading — and it succeeded. The walls facing the sea are 11-meters (39-feet) thick, allowing Dubrovnik — then called the Republic of Ragusa — to remain an antonymous city-state beyond the control of Venice (this lasted all the way up to 1808, before it succumbed to Napoleon and then the Austro-Hungarian Empire). With your ticket to the walls, you get entry to this fort and thus a very different angle and view of the city. And a very good one at that.

3. Tour the Red History Museum

Dubrovnik is not really known for its museums. But this newish spot , located near the new port in the district of Gruž, is worth the trek from Old Town. The exhibits tell the story of Yugoslavia, a country that included Croatia that dissolved in 1992, making it a good primer for anyone not familiar with the former country’s history. There are re-creations of a typical Yugoslav living room from the ‘60s and ‘70s, installations on the good parts of socialism, and text-heavy explanations of the country’s darker side. Admission is 50 HRK.

4. Drink local craft beer

When the founders of the Dubrovnik Beer Company wanted to open a brewery in this 1,300-year-old city, they did some research in the archives to learn about past breweries in Dubrovnik — only to learn that there had never been one. It seems hard to believe, but, then again, this part of Croatia is all about wine. But you’ll want to switch from wine to beer once you sip the delicious sudsy stuff they’re brewing here, located in the Gruž neighborhood. Hop on a stool in the taproom and sip from a variety of beers, including the refreshingly crisp lager Maestral, named after the warm northwesterly winds that blow down the Adriatic coast in the summer. The brewery is just around the corner from the Red History Museum, so after taking in some Communist history, you may want a beer or three to digest everything.

5. Visit the War Photo Ltd. Museum/Gallery

When New Zealand-born Wade Goddard decided to retire from capturing combat zones on film, he started an incredible photo gallery dedicated to war photography. This Old Town museum is a must-see, especially for those who want to get a better understanding of the Balkan wars of the 1990s and the 1991-92 siege of Dubrovnik. The images are sometimes shocking and often saddening, but a visit here is important. Admission is about 70 HRK.

6. See the spot where quarantines were born

The denizens of Dubrovnik know a thing or two about quarantines. That’s because the practice was first put into regular use here. In 1377, authorities of the city (then known as Ragusa) instituted a 40-day quarantine for incoming visitors due to the Black Plague that was ravaging Europe at the time. The place they designated for this 40-day stay was just east of Ploce Gate, today the most well-preserved historical lazaretti (quarantine structures) in the northern Mediterranean. They are now used for concerts and art exhibitions and other public events.

7. Explore an abandoned Yugoslav-era hotel

A 25-minute walk from Old Town’s Ploce Gate is the Hotel Belvedere. Until 1991, when it was bombed during the war, it was a luxurious five-star resort; it even had a helipad for the super-rich. Today it sits unloved and abandoned, making it an intriguing place to visit. If you squint a bit, you can imagine what Yugoslavia may have been like. You may also recognize some parts of the ruined hotel from scenes in Game of Thrones . There’s long been talk that a Russian oligarch has purchased the property and plans to restore the hotel to its five-star glory. But until that happens, visitors can still stroll around the ruined grounds before the 1% retake the space.

8. Gawk at medieval art

On the eastern end of Stradun near the clocktower sits the Dominican Monastery, founded in the late 14th century. It’s a fun stroll through the complex and admire its Gothic architecture and design, and the cloisters are the most striking part. Make sure you see the art collection and don’t miss “Mary Magdalene with SS Raphael, Blaise, and Tobias,” the amazing painting by Venetian master Titian (Blaise is the patron saint of Dubrovnik). Admission is 30 HRK.

9. Stroll on Stradun

In the early evening, when tourists and tour leaders retreat, locals descend upon Old Town to stroll the Stradun, its “wide” main street. Specifically, they do a dir — pronounced “dzeer,” derived from the Italian giro for doing a “tour” — a slow amble, while greeting old friends and neighbors to gossip. It’s a time-honored, centuries-old Dubrovnik tradition.

10. Ride the cable car up to Mt. Srd

There’s no better view of town than from the cable car as it soars 1,361 feet up to the top of the mountain. A Napoleonic-era fort at the summit has been turned into a museum dedicated to the siege of Dubrovnik and the wars that broke up Yugoslavia. A round-trip ticket is 200 HRK, available April to October. (Alternatively, you can hike up and down the mountain via a hiking trail.)

11. Explore the Homeland War Museum

While you’re at the top of Mt Srd, spend some time visiting this museum dedicated to the 1991–95 Croatian war of independence. Located in a historic fort that played a role in defending the city, the museum features a variety of military memorabilia as well as an English-language documentary. It’s a great place to understand more about this dark period of the country’s recent history. Admission is 30 HRK (cash only).

12. Go on a Game of Thrones tour

For an in-depth look at many filming locations for the famous HBO series, a tour is the way to go (most King’s Landing scenes were filmed here). There are countless to choose from, from walking tours to sailing tours, some complete with props so you can stage your own photos on location. The Ultimate Game of Thrones Tour lasts two hours and costs around 150 HRK.

If you’re on a budget, there’s also now a free Game of Thrones tour — just remember to tip your guide at the end!

13. View works by Croatian artists

Visit the Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik (MoMAD) to gain a deeper understanding of Croatian culture through the eyes of Croatians themselves. The museum is located in a former shipbuilder’s mansion and features over 3,000 works by prominent Croatian modern artists. Free admission is available as part of the Dubrovnik Pass.

14. Enjoy a wine tour

Croatian winemaking dates back over 2,500 years to the ancient Greeks. Today, Croatia is one of the world’s top producers, mainly focusing on white wines due to the area’s particular climate. On a tour, you’ll explore the rolling hills covered in vineyards, learning about the country’s beloved winemaking traditions that haven’t changed in centuries. Dubrovnik Wine Tours offers full-day tours starting at 1,130 HRK.

15. Take a food tour

If you prefer to skip the wine and just focus on the food, there are plenty of tours that do just that. Sample traditional Croatian favorites like freshly caught seafood, prosciutto, black risotto, and traditional desserts, like rožata (caramel flan). Dubrovnik Food Tours offers a variety, including an Old Town tour, a culinary boat cruise, and even cooking classes, starting at 565 HRK per person.

16. Day-trip to another country

Dubrovnik’s location makes it ideal for popping into another country for a day. Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kotor in Montenegro are both picturesque historic cities that can easily be visited in a day. If you don’t want to go solo, Super Tours organizes full-day tours into Montenegro for just 375 HRK per person while full-day tours to Mostar are just 300 HRK.

17. Visit the Maritime History Museum

Visit this more off-beat museum for an in-depth look at this important port’s maritime history. The small but fascinating museum includes artifacts such as old maps, navigational instruments, objects uncovered from shipwrecks, models of historic ships, and more. Admission is 130 HRK, which also includes entry to all the Dubrovnik city museums.

  For more information on other cities in Croatia, check out these other guides:

• Split Travel Guide
• Zagreb Travel Guide

Dubrovnik Travel Costs

Hostel prices – Hostels in Dubrovnik’s Old Town are few and far between. And they are expensive, with prices starting at 195 HRK per night for a dorm (120 HRK in the off-season). Private rooms start at around 375 HRK per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard, though self-catering facilities are rare.

Note that many hostels close in the winter.

Budget hotel prices – Hotels are not cheap in Dubrovnik, especially in Old Town. For a typical two-star hotel, expect to pay around 450 HRK per night during the low season and about 800 HRK during the high season. This gets you basic amenities like free Wi-Fi and TV, and occasionally free breakfast.

If you want your own apartment in Dubrovnik, expect the cost to fluctuate depending on location. In Old Town, which is basically one giant Airbnb these days, high-season apartments cost around 400-600 HRK per night for a one-bedroom flat. For apartments outside of the center, expect to pay around 300 HRK per night. During low season, Old Town apartments can drop down to about 250 HRK per night.

Food – Croatian cuisine has influences from Central Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Balkans. Seafood is a prominent staple in Dubrovnik, owing to its location on the coast, and sausage and schnitzel can be found at most traditional restaurants as well, as can a variety of pasta dishes and stews, especially goulash.

Like everything else in Dubrovnik, eating out is not exactly cheap. Expect to pay about 130-190 HRK per person (without drinks) at most restaurants. If you want to splurge, a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant costs around 250 HRK.

For fast food (think McDonald’s), a combo meal costs around 50 HRK. Sandwiches from Milnar (a bakery chain) are your cheapest to-go option, usually costing around 30 HRK.

Beer costs around 30-40 HRK, while a latte or cappuccino is around 15 HRK. Bottled water is usually around 15 HRK.

If you plan on cooking your own food, expect to spend 230-275 HRK for a week’s worth of groceries. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, seasonal produce, and some meat or fish.

Backpacking Dubrovnik Suggested Budgets

If you are backpacking Dubrovnik, my suggested budget is 355 HRK per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel dorm, cooking all of your meals, limiting your drinking, doing free activities like hiking and walking tours, and using local transportation to get around. You’ll need to budget more if you’re visiting in the summer or if you plan on drinking.

On a mid-range budget of 925 HRK per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, eat out for most of your meals, have a few drinks, take some guided tours, take the occasional taxi to get around, and visit more museums and attractions, like walking the walls and going to the Game of Thrones museum.

On a “luxury” budget of 1,825 HRK per day, you can stay in a hotel, rent a car to get around, do private guided tours, eat and drink as much as you’d like, and visit as many museums and attractions as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in HRK.

Dubrovnik Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Dubrovnik is the most expensive city in Croatia, especially during the peak summer months, when prices shoot through the roof. It’s simply not a budget destination during the summer. It’s best to visit in the shoulder seasons if you’re on a budget, as accommodation prices become much more affordable. Here are a few ways to save money no matter when you go though:

• Buy a Dubrovnik Card – Purchase a Dubrovnik Card at the main tourist office at Pile Gate outside of Old Town and you’ll get free entry to the walls, the Franciscan Monastery, the Rupe Ethnography Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art, in addition to a handful of other sites. It also gives you free transportation on city buses and up to 30% discount on certain restaurants, shops, and excursions. There are three types of cards: 1 day for 250 HRK, 3 days for 300 HRK, and 7 days for 350 HRK.
• Walk everywhere – Dubrovnik’s outsized reputation and popularity belies its small size. It’s a very walkable city. You could trek from one side of town to the other in about an hour. But most of the sites you’ll want to visit are less than a 30-minute stroll.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water in Dubrovnik is safe to drink when there’s not a rainstorm (for reasons that are too complicated to explain here). Bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your reliance on single-use plastic. LifeStraw is my go-to choice, as it makes a bottle with a built-in filter that ensures that your water is always clean and safe.
• Travel during off-season or shoulder season – To avoid the higher summer prices, visit during the shoulder season (see below for details). Additionally, stay outside the Old Town in the Gruz, Lapad, and Zupa areas. Prices are much lower there.
• Cook your own meals – Dubrovnik is the most expensive city in Croatia, so avoid eating out here if you’re on a tight budget. Head to the market, grab some fresh food, and cook your own meals. You’ll save a fortune.
• Stay with a local – The best way to save on accommodation is to Couchsurf . You’ll not only get a free place to crash but also connect with a local insider who can teach you about the city and its culture. If you don’t want to stay with a stranger, you can also use the app to meet people for coffee and other activities.
• Take a free walking tour – Free tours are the best way to learn about a destination and see the highlights on a budget. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Visit accessible destinations – Instead of going on tours, which can often be way more expensive, consider going to destinations that are fully accessible by public transportation. For example, instead of Lokrum Island (150 HRK return), consider Lopud (also one of the gorgeous Elafiti islands) on the Jadrolinija ferry for around 46 HRK return. Additional destinations that can be easily reached by public ferry include to Pomona (on Mljet) for as little as 35 HRK.
• Eat at Milnar – The best way to eat on a budget besides cooking is to eat sandwiches and slices of pizza at shops like Milnar. These offer the cheapest foods in the city.
• Pay in local currency – When paying with a credit card, if you’re asked whether you want to pay in the local currency rather than US dollars (or whatever currency your card is tied to), always choose the local currency. You always get a better rate with the local currency.

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik has plenty of fun, social, and affordable hostels. Here are some of my favorite places to stay there:

• Old Town Hostel
• Hostel Lina
• Dubrovnik Backpackers Club
• Hostel Free Bird

How to Get Around Dubrovnik

Public transportation – City buses are the way to go in Dubrovnik. There are nine lines, and nearly all of them end up at Old Town at some point. You can buy a ticket onboard or purchase one at any newspaper kiosk and validate it once you board. Tickets from kiosks cost 12 HRK; onboard they cost 15 HRK.

Taxis – Taxis start at 25 HRK and go up by 8 HRK per kilometer. Skip them if you can, as that adds up quickly and will blow your budget. A taxi from the bus station to Old Town is around 90 HRK. Prices are also set, so don’t try to negotiate a lower fare. You’ll get nowhere.

Ridesharing – Uber is available and cheaper than taxis. One thing to keep in mind is that drivers are notorious for canceling. If you’re planning to use a rideshare, budget some extra time for your trip just in case one cancels.

Bike rental – Dubrovnik isn’t a great city for biking, owing to its busy roads. Bike rentals aren’t super cheap either, costing around 150 HRK per day.

Car rental – You don’t need a car to get around town. However, if you plan to explore the region, a vehicle might come in handy. Rentals start around 100-130 HRK per day for a multi-day rental. Drivers need an international driving permit (IDP).

When to Go to Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik changes dramatically from summer to winter and back to summer again. In summer, it is overwhelmed with tourists. In winter, it’s almost dead, and a lot of shops and restaurants close until March or April.

Fortunately, there’s always that happy medium: shoulder season. April-May and mid-September to the first week of November are excellent times to go. Prices are lower than in summer, and there are fewer tourists. Expect highs in the shoulder season to be around 23°C (73°F).

If you must choose between the spring and autumn shoulder seasons, go with April-May. Locals are very happy to get back to work after a winter of doing nothing, so they welcome visitors with open arms. By September or October, though, they start to get tired and crabby from working hard during the long tourist season and are not as pleasant.

If you go in winter, time your visit to the annual Dubrovnik Winter Festival, a multiweek extravaganza that centers around Old Town. It’s the one time you’ll see only locals using the historic center the way it had been for centuries: a place for residents and not tourists. It usually runs from the last week of November until January 6.

How to Stay Safe in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a safe place to backpack — even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. The city is relatively free of crime, even petty theft. There have been spurts of pickpocketing in the last couple of years, but the police have done a good job of stomping it out.

That said, always keep your valuables secure and out of sight when in crowded areas and when on public transportation, just to be safe. Also, never leave your things unattended when at the beach. Thefts are rare but they can occur.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here but, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone at night if you’ve been drinking, etc.). For more tips, check out one of the many solo female travel blogs about the city. They can provide specific tips.

Luckily, save for the shady, dodgy restaurants on Prijeko Street in Old Town, there are very few scams in Dubrovnik. Still, if you’re worried about getting ripped off here’s a list of common travel scams to avoid .

When hiking, always bring water and sunscreen. Be sure to check the weather before you depart, and dress accordingly.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. It will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancelations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Dubrovnik Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Dubrovnik Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking and traveling Croatia and continue planning your trip:

The Perfect 7-Day Croatia Itinerary

The 6 Best Hotels in Dubrovnik

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 4 Best Hostels in Split, Croatia

The 8 Best Hostels in Dubrovnik

Croatia is Underappreciated

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Travel Croatia on Budget: Money-saving Tips

Visiting Croatia doesn’t need to be expensive, and our travel Croatia budget tips will help you better plan your holidays in Croatia . With these simple money-saving tips we show you how to travel in Croatia on budget.

These tips aren’t only for frugal travelers, but for everybody who likes to avoid unnecessary costs whether you travel on a tight budget, or planning to treat yourself to a luxury stay in Croatia .

Table of Contents

The 32 best travel Croatia budget tips

If you started budgeting your trip to Croatia, then check out our 32 tips to get a better idea of what to expect in Croatia in terms of costs, and how to avoid necessary spending.

Use the exchange rate to your advantage

Croatia started using the Euro as of January 1st, 2023. At the moment of this writing, 1 US$ equals 0.93 €, 1 CAD equals 0.7 €, 1 AUD equals 0.65 €, and 1 GBP is 1.13 €.

Check the exchange rate in your country, and if more favorable bring some Euros already with you. If you decide to buy some euros in Croatia, shop for the most favorable exchange rate. There are many currency exchange offices, and not all have the same rates. Ask locals to save time!

When paying with a credit card, always choose charges in a local currency

When you pay with a credit card in Croatia, at many places the cashiers will ask you if you prefer to be charged in your country’s currency or local currency. This is a tricky one, as it is counterintuitive to choose the local currency. But you better do it if you want to save money! The banks use something they call Dynamic currency exchange, and it is just a fancy name to take you a few extra euros from your account.

Know when to go

Croatia, when it comes to tourism, has a very seasonal demand. The main season runs from mid-June to the first week of September, but the peak time is from the last week of July to the last week of August. At this time of the year, prices are at their highest levels.

If you are flexible with your travel dates, try to visit Croatia before or after the main season . Prices of accommodation, tours, and activities drop dramatically.

Here are a few examples of how much you can save in June compared with August

• A double room with breakfast in a 4-star hotel in Rovinj will cost you 200 € the first week of June, while in the first week of August, for the same room, you’ll pay 350€.
• In August, renting an economy-class car will cost you 90€ a day, and the same car in September will cost you 30€ a day.
• An entrance fee for the Plitvice Lakes Nation Park costs 23.50 € per person in May, but 39.80 € per person in July or August.

How long you stay in a particular place matters

Trying to squeeze in as many places as possible in a short time is not always the smartest thing to do budget-wise. Many hotels and private apartments offer long stay discounts (long stay is usually considered any stay longer than 3 nights in the shoulder seasons, or stays longer than 5 nights in high season).

A long stays discount can save you up to 30% off an accommodation price. If you’d like to visit lots of sites during your travel to Croatia, consider choosing a centrally located place, and then do the daily excursions.

If you do them on your own, and using public transport, you’ll be able to save a considerable amount of money. For example, if you choose Split for your base, from there you can easily visit Omis, Trogir , islands Brac and Hvar , Krka Waterfalls, and Zadar for a day, even if using public transport.

Choose the right destination

Croatia is small, and most of the regions have a very good bus network. Stay out of the most popular destinations . They are often overcrowded, more expensive, and not always the best.

Choosing a smaller village in the vicinity of a famous place can help you save lots of money. Dubrovnik , for instance, is crazily expensive, way overcrowded, and short on parking. Instead, check out Dubrovnik Riviera, or the Konavle region . The small village of Zaton, and Cavtat can be great alternatives to Dubrovnik. And you can easily visit Dubrovnik daily using a local bus.

The same goes for any popular destination in Croatia. Instead of Split, stay in Stobrec, or in Omis. Save on your trip to Istria, by staying in Rupeni  instead of Porec, etc.

Cross to the islands on foot!

It is convenient to travel by car, but when it comes to visiting the Croatian islands, the costs of taking a car across on a ferry become ridiculously expensive.

For example, ferry-crossing from Split to Stari Grad on the island of Hvar costs 7.3 € (7.8 $, 6,5 GBP) per person. But if you decide to take a car on a ferry, that will set you back an additional 43.4 € (46.5 $, 38.5 GBP). Crazy, no?!

Use loyalty points where available

We don’t yet have many international hotel chains in Croatia, but we have some, and where available you can save money using your membership points.

In Zagreb, you’ll find Sheraton, Hilton’s DoubleTree and Canopy, Westin, and Best Western. In Dubrovnik, you have Hilton, Sheraton, and two members of the Leading Hotels of the World; in Split Radisson Blue, and Le Meridien; in Savudrija there is the Kempinski hotel.

Rovinj features two Leading Hotels of the World and one Design Hotel that belongs again to the Marriott group. There is a number of Relais & Chateaux hotels in Istria, Korcula, Zadar, Opatija, and Peljesac.

Member hotels of the Small Luxury Hotels you’ll find in Sibenik, Dubrovnik, Istria, and Split.

Some Croatian hotel chains, like Valamar Hotels & Resorts , and Maistra , also offer Loyalty program benefits and you obtain some of them already on a sign-up. Check them out, you might be able to save some money or obtain other perks!

Book your hotel before the end of February

The majority of hotels along the coast offer an Early Booking Discount . This discount applies to bookings made up until the end of February, sometimes mid-March (but valid for stays during the entire year).

Choose the right cancelation policy

Look for a flexible cancellation policy . The most common flexible cancellation policy allows you to cancel your booking without a penalty up to 48 hours prior to arrival. It also gives you an option to cancel your booking should you find a cheaper price at the last minute.

Check for the last-minute deals

Look for last-minute deals . Hotel prices are dynamic; this means that they change with demand. While in an ideal world this would mean that the prices increase as the stay period approaches, unfortunately, it isn’t always the case. You can end up with a much more expensive room that you booked at the early booking discount than the one that the hotel sells at the last minute. This is where a flexible cancellation policy comes in handy.

Check the non-refundable rates the sooner your travel date is

Many hotels offer a non-refundable or advanced purchase rate at a discounted price. This way the hotels try to minimize the risk of cancelations. We never book these rates when our travel dates are far ahead because travel plans can change. But once our travel date approaches, we always check the available rates and if we find any that is cheaper, we cancel our original reservation and rebook the same property but for a cheaper price.

Book directly

Don’t be afraid to book your stay directly with the hotel , vacation rental, or campsite. You can do so through its website or its call center. You can always ask for a small discount or special offer, or even find the deals that you normally won’t find elsewhere. Hotels often offer exclusive value-added packages or web-exclusive deals if you book directly through their websites.

Rent an apartment for your stay in Croatia

Private accommodations are great alternatives to hotels . Croatians have been renting out apartments to tourists forever. You should have no worries to book them! The apartment prices are mostly stated per apartment, regardless of the number of people staying. This can save you a lot of money (e.g. for four people, it’s way cheaper to rent a two-bedroom apartment than two hotel rooms).

Be mindful when choosing your location

Choose accommodation in the vicinity of popular tourist resorts, but not directly in the city center or by the sea . You can find much cheaper and better-equipped accommodations, as these properties try to compensate for the distance from the town with extra services and better rates.

Choose accommodation with free parking space

Look for accommodation that offers free private parking place . Parking fees can really increase the cost of your vacation rental, especially when staying in popular towns like Dubrovnik, Porec, or Rovinj.

Avoid hidden costs

Beware of hidden costs , like tourist tax, and a cleaning fee. Tourist tax in Croatia amounts to about 1.35 € per day per person, while the cleaning fee is anywhere around 30-50 € per stay. Check before you book if a property has these costs already calculated in the final price.

When staying in a hostel, make sure the price includes bed sheets or towels, as some hostels charge them separately.

Decide what perks are worth the money, and ditch the rest

Some room types are more expensive than others. Sometimes the difference between the two is obvious and worth the money, like a room with a sea view or a balcony.

But sometimes, it’s completely worthless to pay more. For example, paying extra for a room with a plunge pool in April or May when it’s cold enough not to be able to use the pool makes no sense.

Some hotels add simple in-room amenities , like a bottle of water, or a fruit basket, and they call that room Deluxe and charge you extra. It’s still the same room as the cheaper basic hotel room.

And the worst rip-off when it comes to room types is when a hotel charge you extra for a seaside room . You notice the nuance – side not a view . This often means that your room is facing the sea, but because of all trees, the view is so obstructed that you don’t even see the sea.

Before you pay extra for the seemingly better room type, make sure these extras are worth the money.

Go camping in Croatia

Campsites are extremely popular in Croatia, and they can be a great option for your holidays in Croatia. They are well-equipped, real holiday parks with lots of facilities, services, and activities.

Campsites along the coast  are located by the sea and come with their own beach. A pitch for two persons, a tent or camper van, equipped with electricity and water will cost you around 50 to 80 euros in high season  (although there are a couple of campsites that charge crazily high prices like 150 euros a night for a pitch). In the low season, it goes as low as 18 euros .

Don’t book a campsite in advance, simply walk-in

Some campsites charge a one-off non-deductible booking fee (around 50 €) when booking your place in advance. Others charge an advanced payment (around 100 €), non-refundable in case you cancel your booking.

So unless you really want a particular pitch on the ground, don’t book a campsite in advance. Anybody who ever camped in Croatia knows that there is always a free place at the campsite, even in the high season, even when reception tells you differently. Just drive around and look for that little piece of land you’ll call home for a couple of days.

Vacation rentals in Croatia are often cheaper than hostels

Hostels in Croatia are popular in larger towns, like Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik; while in small coastal towns, you’ll have many more vacation rentals to choose from, as well as private rooms. And, vacation rentals are often cheaper than hostels.

Prices of a hostel are based on the price per bed. While this can be really cheap if you travel solo, the costs can quickly add up if you travel as a family. Double-check if this is really your cheapest option for accommodation in Croatia.

Many hostels have private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. However, a private room in a hostel can cost you as much as a room in a proper hotel.

Use large booking sites to compare the prices of various properties

Use the big booking sites to compare the prices of different accommodation choices. This way you can narrow down your search, and then decide where to book your accommodation of choice: on the booking site or directly on the property’s website.

Sometimes it is cheaper to book your accommodation on big booking sites like Booking.com , Hostelworld , or Airbnb .

Use metasearch to compare rates of the same property across multiple sites

Sometimes the same room is sold through various distribution channels including Expedia, Booking.com, the hotel’s own website, etc… Metasearch websites like Kayak , Google Hotel Search , Trivago , and alike are good to compare rates across multiple sites and pick up the cheapest.

Before you decide with whom to book the accommodation make sure that the rates are actually comparable. For example, sometimes Expedia doesn’t calculate tax into the rate but adds it later. The seemingly cheaper rate can suddenly become more expensive.

Not all hotel rooms are distributed on all channels. Make sure you compare the price of the same room type.

Skip dinner, and eat lunch instead

We all like to eat out, and taste local food when we visit a new place. However, this can be expensive, especially if you travel as a family with kids.

We don’t say you should completely skip the experience of eating out in various restaurants in Croatia. We just say you can follow our simple travel Croatia budget tips to avoid unnecessary costs.

Many restaurants in Croatia offer lunch menus for a fixed price. Restaurants are often less busy during lunchtime (people are at the beach, or it’s too hot to eat anyway), and they run specials, like a full meal for 15 € a person.

Eat marenda

Another suggestion is to eat where locals eat. Many restaurants offer “marenda” or “gablec” . These are special meals prepared for local businessmen and workers for their lunch breaks.

Those meals are usually offered from 11 am to 3 pm, and the full meal (main course, side, salad, and sometimes even a dessert) cost around 6 to 10 euros. Don’t expect haute cuisine, just a simple, hearty meal that will keep you full for a good part of the day.

Get a dessert on the house

Many restaurants in Croatia (in Istria particularly) offer a dessert or a local liqueur on the house at the end of the meal. Dessert usually includes traditional dry cakes, like fritule, krostule, or apple, cheese, or walnut-filled pastry.

The quantities are not large, but hey, if you’ve already had a great meal, just a little sweet bite at the end that comes free of charge, can save you on dessert.

The same goes for local schnapps. Just skip the last drink, and ask the waiter for your complimentary liqueur. They usually have a variety of schnapps on offer: honey, walnuts, herbs, and cherries are the most common.

Stay at hotels offering a half-board

If you travel with children , you might consider staying at a hotel that offers either a half-board or all-inclusive meal plan.

The majority of hotels in Croatia have a half-board as their basic service. And the half-board will usually cost just a few euros per day more than a simple bed & breakfast. This means that you can get dinner for as little as 5 € a day. Do your research, and compare it. Look for cheap half-board options. Some hotels build their reputation around an excellent buffet they offer, in particular Valamar Hotels & Resorts.

Cook your own meals

An excellent way to save on food when in Croatia is to rent a private apartment with a fully-equipped kitchen. This way, not only that you save on accommodation, but you also can cook your own meals, and get your groceries at the local market, and supermarkets.

I personally, when traveling, love to try local restaurants, and eat out. But after a few days in a row of eating at the restaurants, my stomach doesn’t feel right, and I just long to cook something simple. I also like to shop at the farmer’s markets and feel like a local.

Book your flights as early as possible

If you plan on traveling to Croatia by plane, try to book your flight with a low-cost carrier as early as possible. The same goes for car rental and some activities.

Fly low cost

Many low-cost carriers, like RyanAir, EasyJet, Norwegian, or Eurowings, fly into Croatia seasonally from April to October. These companies offer really cheap rates especially off-season and the earlier you book. The busiest Croatian airports when it comes to low-cost carriers are Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, and Pula.

Consider package holidays to Croatia

If you are planning on flying to Croatia and staying at the hotel, particularly from the UK, you can check hotel package holidays with large tour operators like TUI UK, Jet2Holidays, or booking through Expedia. These companies usually offer better deals for certain destinations than if you book your flight and a hotel room separately.

Use buses in Croatia

The cheapest way to travel around Croatia is by bus. The Bus network in Croatia is pretty good, buses are comfortable, modern, and reliable, and they are very frequent to and from the major resort towns in Croatia.

The entire Dalmatia can be explored on the bus. If you plan on exploring Istria (especially inland Istria), Croatian islands , or you stay at a small and remote village anywhere in Croatia , then we suggest you rather rent a car, than rely on bus transport.

For the rest, you’ll be fine using this mode of transport. Don’t forget that students and senior citizens have a discount on the majority (if not all) of bus companies.

Avoid highways, travel on state roads instead!

If you travel by car in Croatia, keep in mind that highways have tolls. The highway toll from Zagreb to Split is 24 €. However, if you would like to avoid road tolls, you can use local roads. They are in good condition, although they can be winding (particularly along the Dalmatian coast), and slow considering the speed limits. Since the new highways have been built, the local roads get much less traffic and are not as bad as before to drive on.

We hope our budget tips for travel in Croatia helped you save money on your next Croatian trip. If you have any questions, or suggestions leave them in the comments below.   

Frankaboutcroatia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post might also contain affiliate links to other sites, like accommodation or activities. And if you purchase anything using these links, we earn a little commission with no extra costs for you. Thank you for supporting our blog! Read full disclaimer here.

Home / Croatia Travel Tips / Travel Croatia on Budget: Money-saving Tips

26 thoughts on “Travel Croatia on Budget: Money-saving Tips”

Driving from Slovenia to Croatia is super simple, and for the majority of the trip you’ll be driving on a modern, multilane highway

Many thanks for all the info I’ve just been reading through. We travel as a family of 5 with luggage in just under a weeks time and are all excited about our trip. We stay for the first week in Orebic and here is where I get a bit stuck! Could I ask what you would suggest for us all to travel from Orebic to Bol as that is where we are staying for the second week? Thanks ever so!

This was really informative! I have not traveled previously to Croatia, but am excited to this summer. How difficult is driving from Croatia to Slovenia? It looks very simple, but is that correct? Is there anything special to know. We will have a rental van. Thanks.

Really helpful tips Frank, thank you so much!! Love this website. I’m planning to visit Croatia in the beginning of October for 8-9 days, starting in Dubrovnik and ending in Pula. Do you think it may be too much? Could you please highlight the spots you consider the best in this route (doesn’t need to be the most turistic ones). Is the weather normally fine at this time of the year? Also, we are planning to rent a car, but maybe from Dubrovnik to Split we take the ferry and rent the car only in Split, since I read the coastline from Dubrovnik to Split by ferry is beautiful, and there is border in between which might not be very convenient. What do you think? Thank you so so much for your help! And congrats about the great job with the website.

Thanks so much for this information, I’m just starting the planning process for my trip and this was a great kicking off point! I am traveling end of September-beginning of October. What kind of weather can I expect? I’m looking to rent a car and wanted to do a two or three day trip to Albania, do you know of any car companies that allow travel to albania or would I be better off to take a bus? Also, have yyou been to Albania and do you have any recommendations?

Thanks so much, love the website!!

All your tips are absolutely spot on and amazing, throughout our planning they have helped us make awesome choices! I have chosen this gorgeous country for my honeymoon trip starting 29th may. we also plan to attend the Croatian spring break island from 2nd to 5th! Do you have any advice for us while in Novalja partying? like can we in those 4days of partying look around some place or a beach nearby(I am also particularly fond of lighthouses :) ). Also is there any boat trip which could take me island hopping on many good West coast islands? I am in Croatia until 11th June. Thanking you and appreciate your great tips!

Hi Vivian, we just came back from Vis. It’s stunning! If you decide to go there, stay in Komiza, not in Vis Town. Komiza is just so cool, and beautiful.

Hi Ruba, thanks for reaching out. Hm, not so easy to pick only three places in Croatia, but based on your preferences, you might check Split, Porec, or Hvar. Hope this helps. Cheers!

This website really helped. However, I wanted to ask you if you could suggest two or three of the best places I could visit. Its me and two of my other friends. We want to go to the beach, but also trek/hike, do watersports do some historical stuff (Roman ruins). We’re gonna be on a budget and I could really do with some suggestions/ideas of the best places to go to.

Thank you for all your Info… We will definitely be using it on our trip to croatia this summer. The only thing we are still unsure about is which islands to visit. We were thinking of two islands for our two-week holiday. Our top choices are Dugi Otok and Vis. What do you think? since we will be visiting Split and Dubrovnik we wanted to have a few quiet days on a nice island to have some peaceful and perfect beach-holiday-days. We’d love to hear your opinion on this, since locals know so much better… :-) Thank you so much in advance!!!!

This is an all-inclusive article, Frank! I will save it for when I travel to Croatia!

Thanks for reading, JoJean! Enjoy Croatia, and let us know if we can help with anything.

My husband, my 14 year old son and me are going for two weeks in May. We are so excited! Thank you for your helpful hints.

Hi Rahim, Flixbus started operating in Croatia on limited routes last year. You might check their website for the routes they cover and prices. They should be the cheapest. Other companies include Autotrans, Croatia Bus, and Cazma Trans. Let us know if we can help with anything else.

Very useful post indeed.I am going to Croatia in early May this year with my husbnad.We plan to go to Zagreb,Zadar and Dubrovnik then to Kotor.Can you suggest the cheapest yet the reliable bus company to go to these places.The luggage will be charge by the bus…is that true?

I find your site really useful, thanks. There are so many things you can do to save money, and to have a great time anyway. I enjoy good food, and in Croatia you can really surprise your palate. Local specialties can be found in numerous family restaurants, usually settled in smaller villages around larger touristic towns. Complimentary homemade Medica, a mixture of schnapps and honey is usually served in Istria, followed by very nice local white wine called Malvazija. In small, rustic restaurants called ‘konoba’, usually run by local fishermen, you can enjoy fresh fish or pasta with clams and chili, tagliatelle or black risotto for reasonable amount of money. There is another site I think provides valuable info about different places in Croatia, http://www.croatia-holidays.com , and this includes different accommodation possibilities. They also have detailed descriptions of beaches, places to see and explore and other things you might find useful while spending your holidays in Croatia.

Thanks for your comment, Dee! Congrats on your wedding (it must be a wedding sometime, if you travel for your honeymoon :). Let us know if we can help you with anything regarding your upcoming trip to Croatia.

Great post! I am so glad to have found your website – we are traveling to Croatia the first week in September for our honeymoon and I plan to spend a lot of time on your website guiding our activities. Thank you!

Useful tips here. We will be renting a car and driving from Dubrovnik to Zagreb over a week. Do you know if the car rentals there have the option of a window-mounted toll pass like they do here in the US? Or do we pay toll with cash? Any help is appreciated?

Thanks, Alain! Let us know if we can help with anything.

This is very helpful. Thanks, Frank. I’ll be there soon. :)

Great tips. We were just in Croatia at the end of September for 2 weeks and loved it.Not to many tourists and the prices weren’t terrible either!

Hi Katie, you definitely did the best thing regarding a visit to Plitvice. It’s just so convenient to take a regular bus either from Split, Zadar, or Zagreb. And as you said, it is about half price. How did you like Plitvice? Would you like to share your experience of Croatia with our readers? Let us know, and thanks for stopping by.

What a comprehensive and informative post. These tips are all so helpful. Thanks for including the portion on traveling with children. Glad to hear apartments are the way to go too. I’m bookmarking this and hopefully I can use it one of these days – soon.

Thanks for the tips, Frank! Pleased to say I actually followed most of these without knowing it when I was in Zadar a couple of weeks ago. My best cost-saving moment was definitely taking the regular bus to Plitvice Lakes, rather than going on an organised trip – it was about half the price, and I had much more freedom to look around at my own pace. So I’m all for taking the bus in Croatia!

Would love to go back someday and visit other parts of the country – it’s such a beautiful place. :-)

Thanks for the many useful budget tips Frank. I was actually debating of going camping in Croatia, but 35 to 50 euros make that sound quite unattractive all of a sudden. But staying outside the main tourist areas of Dubrovnik and Split seems like a really good advice, especially if it is still easy to visit on a day trip. Highway tolls is another issue I like to forget about, mainly because they don’t exist in Germany, but I guess it’s much more fun to cruise around on back roads anyway… :)

Leave a Comment

• Travel Planning Guide

Croatia Travel Budget - Visit Croatia on a Budget or Travel in Style

• Croatia Costs

• Is Croatia Expensive?
• How much does a trip to Croatia cost?
• Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Croatia Hotel Prices
• Croatia Cities: Hotel Prices by City
• Best Party Hotels in Croatia
• Best Hotels for One Week in Croatia
• Best Adults Only Hotels in Croatia
• Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Croatia
• Best Business Hotels in Croatia
• Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Croatia
• Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Croatia
• Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Croatia
• Best Hotels for One Night in Croatia
• Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Croatia
• Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in Croatia
• Best Hotels for Skiing in Croatia
• Best Beach Hotels in Croatia
• Best Cheap Hotels in Croatia
• Best Luxury Hotels in Croatia
• Hostel Prices & Reviews
• Croatia Tour Prices
• The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia
• The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Croatia
• The Best Historical Tours in Croatia
• The Best 10-Day Tours in Croatia
• The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia
• The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia
• The Best Bicycle Tours in Croatia
• Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Croatia
• The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in Croatia
• The Best Coach Bus Tours in Croatia
• The Best Adventure Tours to Croatia
• The Best Eco Tours in Croatia
• The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia
• The Best Sightseeing Tours in Croatia
• The Best Cultural Tours in Croatia
• The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Croatia
• The Best Self Drive Tours in Croatia
• The Best Walking Tours in Croatia
• The Best Honeymoon Tours in Croatia
• The Best Tours Under $1000 in Croatia
• The Best Luxury Tours to Croatia
• The Best Budget Tours to Croatia
• The Best Tours for Seniors to Croatia
• The Best Contiki Tours to Croatia
• The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia
• How much does it cost to travel to Croatia? (Average Daily Cost)
• Croatia trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

How much do package tours cost in Croatia?

Is croatia expensive to visit.

• How much do I need for a trip to Croatia?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Croatia?

You should plan to spend around $103 (kn721) per day on your vacation in Croatia. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $31 (kn219) on meals
• $13 (kn92) on local transportation
• $105 (kn738) on hotels

A one week trip to Croatia for two people costs, on average, $1,439 (kn10,097) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 103 kn 721
• One Week Per person $ 719 kn 5,049
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 1,439 kn 10,097
• One Month Per person $ 3,083 kn 21,637
• One Week For a couple $ 1,439 kn 10,097
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 2,877 kn 20,194
• One Month For a couple $ 6,166 kn 43,273

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Croatia cost?

A one week trip to Croatia usually costs around $719 (kn5,049) for one person and $1,439 (kn10,097) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Croatia on average costs around $1,439 (kn10,097) for one person and $2,877 (kn20,194) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Croatia will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Croatia on average costs around $3,083 (kn21,637) for one person and $6,166 (kn43,273) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Organized tours are usually more expensive than independent travel, but offer convenience and peace of mind that your trip has been planned by a travel expert.

The average price for an organized tour package in Croatia is $228 per day. While every tour varies by total price, length, number of destinations, and quality, this is the daily average price based on our analysis of available guided tours.

• Bike Cruise Split South Premium 8 Days - 14 Destinations $ 908
• A Taste of Croatia with Coastal Cruise 14 Days - 13 Destinations $ 5,249

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Croatia is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.

Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Croatia is reasonably affordable compared to the other countries. It is in the top 25% of countries in Europe for its affordability . You can find more affordable countries such as Ukraine, but there are also more expensive countries, such as Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands.

For more details, see Is Croatia Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Croatia?

The average Croatia trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Croatia travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Croatia

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Croatia is $53 (kn369). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Croatia is $105 (kn738). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 53 kn 369
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 105 kn 738

Hotel Prices in Croatia

Looking for a hotel in Croatia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Croatia based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $80. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

• Eko house Lidija Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 132
• Hotel Mozart Opatija Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 100

Local Transportation Budget in Croatia

The cost of a taxi ride in Croatia is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $13 (kn92) per person, per day, on local transportation in Croatia.

• Local Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 13 kn 92

Recommended Services

• Private Transfer from Split to Dubrovnik with Mostar Town Viator $ 95
• Private Transfer Dubrovnik Airport to Accommodation in Dubrovnik Viator $ 64

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in Croatia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Croatia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Bus Around Town kn 11

Food Budget in Croatia

While meal prices in Croatia can vary, the average cost of food in Croatia is $31 (kn219) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Croatia should cost around $12 (kn88) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Croatia is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 31 kn 219

Recommended

• Culinary Experience – Cooking Class & Walking Tour Split Viator $ 251
• Hvar Small Group Wine Tour and Authentic Dalmatian Dinner Viator $ 272

What did other people spend on Food?

Typical prices for Food in Croatia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Croatia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Seafood Dinner (for 2) kn 218

Entertainment Budget in Croatia

Entertainment and activities in Croatia typically cost an average of $14 (kn98) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 14 kn 98

Recommended Activities

• Bits of History - Half day kayak Tour Viator $ 66
• Dubrovnik E-Tuk Tuk Sunset Tour to Mount Srd Viator $ 54

What did other people spend on Entertainment?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Croatia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Croatia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2) kn 340
• Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2) kn 400
• Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2) kn 100

Tips and Handouts Budget in Croatia

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Croatia is $0.73 (kn5.14) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Croatia is 5% - 15% .

• Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 0.73 kn 5.14

Alcohol Budget in Croatia

The average person spends about $12 (kn84) on alcoholic beverages in Croatia per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 12 kn 84
• Korcula Bike & Wine Tour Viator $ 112
• Educational wine tasting in Split Viator $ 52

Water Budget in Croatia

On average, people spend $1.89 (kn13) on bottled water in Croatia per day. The public water in Croatia is considered safe to drink.

• Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 1.89 kn 13

Related Articles

Croatia on a budget.

At A Glance

• If you're traveling to Croatia from elsewhere in Europe, you'll find some great discount flight options into cities like Dubrovnik. Check regional airlines to make sure you're getting the best deal. If you're traveling from a nearby country and are coming by land, then there's a great bus network that will take you to almost any city within the country. This is easily the cheapest way to travel and is generally smooth and reliable.
• If you're hoping to do a little island hoping while you're in the area, then ferries are usually the cheapest and most convenient way to get around. They can move a little slow at times, but they offer excellent views of the coast line and can make for an enjoyable trip. Jadrolinija is the largest ferry company with the greatest number of connections, but there are also international routes that are available through Blue Line International.
• Internet access is widely available throughout the country. In the larger cities there are plenty of internet cafes that offer cheap access to high speed internet. Many hotels also offer wireless internet access to their guests, sometimes for an additional fee. Inquire before you make a reservation or at the time of check in if this is something you're interested in.
• Many people choose to spend all of their time in Croatia along the coast. It's easy to see why many people are drawn to these areas, but if you're hoping to experience more of the country then head inland to see some of the more diverse natural beauty that the country has to offer. Towns and cities that are not on the coast are often cheaper as well, so you'll find you can stretch your money a little farther if you decide to diversify.
• Many people do a highlights tour of the country and visit little more than Dubrovnik and Split. If time allows, try to explore some of the less popular areas so you can get a true feel for what the country has to offer.

Top Tourist Attractions

Popular foods, more related articles.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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• Activities, Day Trips, Things To Do, and Excursions

Croatia Travel Guide – Everything You Need To Know About Traveling To Croatia

Planning a trip to Croatia, but not sure where to start? This Croatia travel guide is perfect for you!

Located on the Adriatic Sea, at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, you will find the beautiful country of Croatia. In recent years Croatia has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, and it’s easy to see why.

In Croatia you will find incredibly well preserved medieval towns, pristine beaches and stunning natural landscapes. It’s the perfect destination for anyone looking for a varied and well-rounded holiday.

I visited Croatia three times, and always find myself going back. Whether you’re looking for your next party holiday, for a relaxing beach vacation or an adventurous escape, Croatia won’t disappoint you.

In this Croatia travel guide I have put together all the resources you need to plan the perfect Croatia trip. Here you will find all my blog posts about traveling to Croatia, as well as some additional useful information.

Including sample itineraries, detailed guides about every city, reviews on the best tours and hotels, packing suggestions and much more! I hope all this information will help you travel to Croatia and have the best time there.

So without further ado, let’s dive into my Croatia travel guide, and start planning your dream Croatia trip!

• 1 Croatia at a glance
• 2 My Croatia 10-day itinerary
• 3.1 Dubrovnik
• 4 Travel insurance for your Croatia trip
• 5 Where to stay in Croatia
• 6 Best time to travel to Croatia
• 7 How to travel around Croatia
• 8 Estimated cost of traveling to Croatia
• 9 What to pack for a Croatia trip
• 10 Where to book your Croatia trip
• 11 Croatia guides, books & resources to check out before you travel

The Old Town in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Croatia at a glance

Where is Croatia?  Croatia is in Europe on the Adriatic Sea.

Currency:  Croatian Kuna (HRK) – see the latest exchange rate  here .

Capital City:  Zagreb.

Electrical plugs in Croatia: Types C&F (the ones you find throughout most of Europe) – I recommend an  international adapter  so you can use it on multiple trips.

Visa requirements:  Croatia is in the EU but is not part of Schengen. Most passport holders won’t need to apply for visas before travelling to Croatia. Check the visa requirements for your nationality  here .

Enjoying Diocletian’s Palace at 6am without the crowds

Exploring the side streets of the medieval Old Town of Dubrovnik

My Croatia 10-day itinerary

If you’re looking for suggestions for how to spend 10 days in Croatia, check out my ultimate Croatia itinerary here !

Best places to visit in Croatia

Let’s start with the basics, and discover the must-see places in Croatia that you absolutely cannot miss!

KRKA NATIONAL PARK

PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK

HVAR ISLAND

ELAPHITI ISLANDS

Dubrovnik is one of my favourite places in Croatia. The Old Town of Dubrovnik is simply stunning, with its white brick walls, red rooftops and towering walls that surround it.

Walking through the streets of Dubrovnik feels like stepping back in time. There are a huge variety of Dubrovnik tours that you can do to make the most of your time in this beautiful city.

From Old Town walking tours to island hopping tours, here are some of the highlights you shouldn’t miss.

GAME OF THRONES FILMING LOCATIONS TOUR

KAYAK SUNSET TOUR

OLD TOWN WALKING TOUR

ELAPHITI ISLANDS BOAT TOUR

After Dubrovnik, Split is without a doubt the next most popular Croatian destination. Split is home to Diocletian’s Palace, beautiful beaches and an old town with timeless streets at every corner.

Split is also a popular destination thanks to its proximity to other must-see Croatian sights. From Split you can go on epic day trips to the famous waterfalls of Krka or Plitvice National Parks, as well as the iconic beaches of Hvar Island.

Simply join one of the tours below to make the most of your time in Split and surroundings!

KRKA NATIONAL PARK FULL-DAY EXPERIENCE

HVAR, VIS & BLUE CAVE FULL-DAY BOAT TRIP

SPLIT CITY WALKING TOUR – DIOCLETIAN’S PALACE & MARJAN HILL

PLITVICE LAKES FULL-DAY TOUR

If you want to discover Croatia off-the-beaten track, then you have to add Omis to your bucket list. This small town is a short drive away from Split, and yet it doesn’t receive anywhere near the attention of its popular neighbour.

Omis has a gorgeous old town centre, a pristine turquoise beach on its doorstep, and a spectacular canyon right next to it. Omis sits on the mouth of the Cetina River, and is surrounded by the scenic mountains of the Cetina canyon.

If you love adventurous activities, you will love visiting Omis. From here you can go hiking, zip-lining, rafting and even canyoning! Simply check out one of the tours below to live these thrilling experiences!

ZIP-LINE OVER THE CETINA CANYON!

RAFTING ADVENTURE IN THE CETINA RIVER

VIA FERRATA HIKING TOUR

CANYONING EXPERIENCE IN THE CETINA RIVER

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, and a must-see for many travellers. I’ll admit I haven’t been to Zagreb, as I visited Croatia in summer and wanted to discover the Croatian coast.

In Zagreb you will have the opportunity to discover its unique 18 th and 19 th -century Austro-Hungarian architecture, as well as the famous twin spires of the Gothic cathedral.

There are also lots of cute pedestrian streets, lined with cafes, shops and museums. Joining one of these popular tours will give you the opportunity to fully experience this gorgeous city.

The twin spires of the Zagreb Cathedral and Zagreb skyline at sunset – Photo by Nina Varga on Scopio

Travel insurance for your Croatia trip

After ending up hospitalised in a private clinic in Tenerife for two nights and having to pay for it out of pocket (spoiler alert; it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trips.

Since then I always get travel insurance with HeyMondo , and can highly recommend them. HeyMondo has a very comprehensive Covid-19 policy, on top of the usual trip cancellation and medical assistance.

You might not end up using it, but at least you will visit Croatia with a carefree mind, without worrying of having to pay out of pocket for any complications that might arise.

As a Greta’s Travels reader, you also get 5% off your HeyMondo insurance if you purchase it through this link !

Click here to purchase your travel insurance for your trip to Croatia!

Zip-lining in the Cetina Canyon

Where to stay in Croatia

If you’re looking for the best places to stay in each city of your Croatia trip, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Discover my top accommodation suggestions for every budget in the detailed guides below!

WHERE TO STAY IN SPLIT

WHERE TO STAY IN DUBROVNIK

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN HVAR ISLAND

WHERE TO STAY IN ZAGREB

Best time to travel to Croatia

The best time to visit Croatia ultimately depends on the experience you’re looking for. Summer is high season in Croatia. From June to September you can find warm and sunny weather, but also quite large crowds and high prices.

In spring (March to May) and autumn (September and October) you will still find fairly nice weather, with considerably less tourists. It won’t quite be beach weather, but you can explore the epic waterfalls and national parks of Croatia without the crowds.

Winter is low season in Croatia. Some travellers prefer it as the prices drop considerably and you might often be the only tourist in a location. However that also means many attractions might be closed.

Personally, I like travelling in shoulder season (late spring and early autumn). That means the crowds won’t be as huge as peak summer, so that you can enjoy the gorgeous sights with fairly good weather and a cheaper price.

Exploring the Old Town walls in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Admiring Skradinski Buk falls in Krka National Park

How to travel around Croatia

There isn’t one single best way to travel around Croatia. It ultimately depends on your itinerary and how long you plan to spend on the road.

For example, if you’re planning to base yourself in Split and just go on day trips from there, you won’t need to rent a car. You’ll easily be able to get everywhere with public transport or organised tours.

If you want to road trip across the whole country then renting a car will give you the most flexibility, both over your itinerary and timings.

Personally we only rented a car once we reached Hvar, so that we could freely drive around the island and explore all the hidden beaches. To travel from Dubrovnik to Split we took a FlixBus, which is a very fast and cheap bus service.

The car we rented in the brief afternoon we had it, with the beautiful coastline of Hvar behind

Estimated cost of traveling to Croatia

I have to admit that on my last trip to Croatia I was surprised at how much more expensive it had become compared to my first visit. The first time I visited I found it fairly cheap, whilst on my last trip it was much more expensive.

While it’s definitely not as expensive as some luxury destinations around the world, it still sits on the average price range for a European holiday.

On a trip to Croatia you can expect to spend anywhere between 30 to 150 EUR a day, depending on your travel style and interests.

Last time I was there (September 2017) we spent on average anywhere between 100 to 250 HRK for a nice sit down meal with alcohol, and between 20 and 50 HRK for a more on-the-go sandwich, wrap or pizza.

Accommodation ranges from 20 – 30 EUR per night for a bed in a hostel dorm, or between 50 and 100 EUR for an apartment, and can go over 100 EUR for a nice hotel.

When it comes to activities it will vary massively depending on what you choose to do. Some activities (eg. a city walking tour) you can do alone and save a bit of money, whilst others (eg. zipline or island hopping) are worth paying for to ensure you have a relaxing time.

Kayak sunset tour in Dubrovnik, Croatia

We went on a sunset stand up paddling tour while in Split

What to pack for a Croatia trip

Besides your usual clothes and travel essentials , here are some items you don’t want to forget for your trip to Croatia, regardless of the season!

Swimsuit & sun block – I’m putting these two together as you would only need them if you’re visiting Croatia in summer. The sun can be pretty strong in the summer months, so make sure you’re prepared.

Water bottle – I love steel water bottles because they keep your water cold, reduce plastic consumption and save you money in the long run, it’s a win-win all round!

Money belt   – I always travel with a money belt, and while I never personally felt unsafe in Croatia, petty theft is common in tourist areas all over the world. Better to be safe than sorry!

Comfortable walking shoes – Regardless of the season, make sure to pack comfortable shoes so you can walk all around the beautiful old towns of Croatia without hurting your feet!

Packing cubes – You’ll need these especially if you’re planning an on the road Croatia trip. That way you can easily pack all your things and keep them tidy every time you change destination.

View over Hear from the top of the fort

Where to book your Croatia trip

If you’re not sure what websites are best to book your Croatia trip, here are my top suggestions. These are the online platforms and travel resources I personally use for every trip I plan.  

Skyscanner   is my favourite flight search engine. They collate lots of different airlines and will show you the cheapest flight combinations. You then have the option to buy on different platforms or from the airline’s own website.

Booking.com   is the first place I check when searching for accommodation. They have a wide selection of accommodation types, so whether you’re looking for a fancy resort, a bed & breakfast, or an apartment, they have the functionality of filtering by all these choices and many more (eg. price, star rating etc) so that you can find exactly the type of property you want.

If I want to stay in a hostel, I head straight for Hostelworld . I prefer it for hostel bookings as their reviews tend to be more detailed and it has more of a community feel.

GetYourGuide is the first tour booking platform I check. They sell a huge variety of tours everywhere in the world and have a very flexible cancellation policy (up to 24 hours before the tour). You can compare prices between similar tours and see the reviews left by previous tour participants.

Viator   is another great place to book your tours. Similarly to GYG you can filter by ratings, prices and types of tours.

HeyMondo sell tailor made travel insurance, and they are committed to offering the best value for money and support for your specific trip.  Besides the usual cancellation, medical expenses, luggage coverage and general travel insurance services,  Heymondo  also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.

Amazon   sell pretty much everything. They also offer very competitive delivery prices and windows. If you realise the day before a flight that you’re missing something, Amazon  can probably get it delivered to you on time.

Wandering the streets of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia

Exploring the Old Town of Split, Croatia

Croatia guides, books & resources to check out before you travel

Last thing before you go! Before heading off to Croatia, you might want to grab one of these interesting reads. Some are to help you learn more about the country’s history, others to help with your travel planning!

Lonely Planet Croatia (Travel Guide) – A classic guidebook for anyone who wants lots of information and details about Croatia.

A Traveller’s History of Croatia –  If you want a guide that goes beyond the classic restaurants, hotels and tourist highlights, this is a great option.

“Running Away To Home: Our Family’s Journey to Croatia in Search of Who We Are, Where We Came From, and What Really Matters” by Jennifer Wilson – If you’re like me and prefer reading stories to guidebooks, you will enjoy this book. This award winning book is a great read for anyone who is searching for a more personal and engaging story about Croatia

View over the rooftops of Dubrovnik from the Old Town walls

Final thoughts on traveling to Croatia

There you have it, the ultimate Croatia travel guide! Have you been to Croatia before? How did you find it? I hope you find my detailed travel guide to Croatia useful in planning your trip!

I tried to include answers to every possible question that you might have when planning your Croatia trip. I know these are some of the questions I had myself before first travelling there.

If you want more information on a specific city or tour, simply click through to my detailed Croatia guides! If you have any questions about traveling to Croatia just let me know in the comments below, I’m always happy to help!

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18 things you need to know before visiting Croatia

Mar 17, 2024 • 7 min read

Plan the perfect Croatia trip with these top tips © TerryPrince / Getty Images

With its glittering coastline, 1244 islands, endlessly fascinating cities and extraordinarily dramatic landscapes, Croatia has been steadily making its way up people’s must-go lists. 

Naturally, tourists are drawn to those beautiful Adriatic beaches that easily hold their own against their Mediterranean rivals. But inland Croatia is just as captivating, from the hilltop villages of Istria to the elegantly buzzing capital, Zagreb .

Don't book your flights just yet though – first, make the most of our planning tips covering everything you need to know about health, safety and etiquette before you go.

1. Don’t overstretch yourself when planning an itinerary

It might be tempting to squeeze in as many destinations as possible into one trip, but you won’t be doing yourself any favors unless you’re staying for at least two weeks. If you’re planning to visit more than one Adriatic island, think realistically about how much time you can spend in each place and how you will be getting around .

Check the schedule of the national ferry operator,  Jadrolinija , if you intend to do some island-hopping. Croatia has an extensive bus network, but factor in some long journey times if you’re traveling along the Adriatic coast.

2.  Croatia's currency is the euro

Although Croatia joined the EU in 2013, the euro was only introduced as the national currency on the January 1, 2023. The Croatian kuna is no longer in use, and if you happen to have any of the old currency, you'll need to go to the Croatian National Bank to exchange them. 

3. Expect to tip at least 10% in restaurants

Croatia’s tipping culture is more laid-back than in other countries. Having said that, it’s customary to leave at least 10% in restaurants and for beauty and spa treatments. In bars and cafes, just round up the bill. Tour guides appreciate a few euros at the end of a tour, and taxi drivers don’t expect a tip, but, again, if you want to round up a fare to the next euro, it’s appreciated. If you’re filling up your car and notice a few students cleaning car windscreens, consider giving them a couple of euros as they’re working for tips only.

4. Croatia is generally considered a safe place to travel

Croatia is a safe country with low levels of violent crime. The most prevalent issue for tourists is pickpocketing, but even that’s on a much lower scale than in other European countries. Solo women travelers should be safe on their own, although it’s wise to ask your accommodation provider if there are any areas in the vicinity that are best avoided. When using taxis, all travelers should make certain they’re using a licensed car either from an official taxi rank or ordered from your hotel. Uber operates in most major towns and cities, including Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split .

5. Some caution is recommended for LGBTIQ+ travelers 

In this relatively conservative country, homosexuality is tolerated, but LGBTIQ+ travelers should be discreet. Public displays of affection could raise a few eyebrows, and some travelers have experienced hostile reactions. Zagreb’s gay scene is growing, however, and both Zagreb and Split hold Gay Pride festivals every June.

6. Bring some swimming shoes

Most of Croatia’s beaches are pebbly or rocky and can be hard to enjoy in bare feet. Just pick up a pair of those neoprene or plastic swimming shoes you see in all the resorts, and you’ll also be protecting your feet from sea urchins that lurk under rocks and pebbles.

7. Nudity at the beach is pretty standard

Naturist beaches are popular in Croatia, and sometimes you won’t know you’re on one until people start stripping off. Most are marked with FKK – the German phrase “Frei-Körper-Kultur,” meaning free body culture – which isn't surprising as Germans make up some of the biggest numbers of tourists in Croatia. Away from the FKK beaches, topless bathing is quite common.

8. Dodge the crowds in Dubrovnik by timing your visit carefully

There could be times when up to 8000 cruise ship passengers might descend on Dubrovnik in one day. That’s the cue to stay away from the Old Town  within the city walls until they leave in the late afternoon. Keep an eye on the Dubrovnik Port Authority’s website for cruise arrivals and the online crowd monitoring system that predicts the numbers of visitors. 

9. Wi-fi is readily available

Croatia is part of EU roaming, which is handy if you have a contract that allows you to use your data abroad. It’s easy to find wi-fi in cafes and bars – just ask the server for the password ( šifra ).

10. Swimwear is for the beach, not the town

If you’re visiting churches and other sacred sites, keep your shoulders covered and avoid bare thighs. If you’re wearing a hat, take it off when you’re in a church. Even though dress codes are relaxed on the coast, Split, Dubrovnik and Hvar have passed laws against walking around the city in swimwear or bare-chested. Croatians like to dress smartly and take great pride in their appearance, so do as they do and avoid looking scruffy.

11.  Don’t get drunk in public

Croatia has developed a reputation as a place to party, which has led to some areas being inundated with badly behaved drunken tourists. After years of enduring this, the mayor of Hvar Town had enough. In 2017, the destination started to issue fines of up to €700 for public drunkenness and things like taking a drunken nap in a public place, such as on a park bench. Split introduced fines of up to €300 in 2023, placing signs in the city center reminding people that public drinking is not allowed, and that no one should be urinating on the walls of Diocletian's Palace .

12. Get to know the Croatian character

Croatians can be quite reserved people, sometimes appearing brusque. It’s nothing personal, which you'll realize when you get to know them better, and the initial reserve melts to reveal a warm and friendly side.

13. Be tactful when talking about Croatia’s war of independence

The 1990s war that splintered the former Yugoslavia is a topic that needs careful handling. If people show a willingness to talk about it, then by all means ask sensible questions. But don’t be intrusive, and bear in mind that Croatians won’t take too kindly to being called either Yugoslav or Balkan. Similarly, in this predominantly Catholic country, be mindful of making loud statements against religion.

14. You can drink the tap water

Tap water in Croatia is perfectly safe and very drinkable, and you can refill your reusable water bottles at public drinking fountains.

15. Keep your lights on if driving during winter months

If you’re driving in Croatia from November to April, it’s compulsory to have your lights on during daylight hours as well as at night.

16. Croatia has occasional earthquakes

Croatia has a history of earthquakes going back centuries, but two recent ones in 2020 caused significant damage. The quake that shook Zagreb damaged thousands of buildings, many of which are in the old town, including the cathedral. Soon after, the city of Petrinja, about an hour’s drive south of Zagreb, was severely damaged in a quake, and aftershocks rippled throughout the region. If an earthquake happens while you're there, follow local guidance.

17. There are still some landmines

There are still parts of the country in the hinterlands of Northern Dalmatia and Lika where landmines remain from the war of independence, but these will be signposted with a skull and crossbones symbol. Don’t go anywhere near them.

18. Take out travel insurance

Dial 112 for general emergencies, 192 for police, and 194 for an ambulance. If you fall ill in Croatia and you're an EU citizen with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a UK citizen with a Global Health Insurance Card, you’re entitled to a vastly reduced price for health care . But even with this cover, you should still take out travel insurance.

This article was first published May 17, 2022 and updated Mar 17, 2024.

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How much does a trip to Croatia cost?

Faraway Worlds

• Croatia travel costs

Croatia, with its stunning Adriatic coastline , historic cities, and diverse natural beauty, has increasingly captured the hearts of travellers worldwide over the last decade. Since joining the EU, this enchanting country has firmly established itself on the global tourist map. If you're contemplating a journey to Croatia, one of the key questions on your mind is likely about budgeting for your trip.

Given its growing popularity, the cost of travel in Croatia can vary, largely depending on your travel style and season of visit. Despite its increasing appeal, Croatia still manages to maintain a spectrum of affordability that caters to both luxury and budget travellers.

To help you plan your journey, below is a detailed breakdown of the potential costs for a week-long visit for two in Croatia during the shoulder season. In this budget, we'll cover accommodation, food and drinks, activities, and transportation costs, providing an estimated total for your Croatian adventure.

As always, these are general estimates and actual costs may vary depending on your personal preferences, travel season, and any unexpected circumstances. This budget does not include other potential expenses such as international flights, travel insurance or souvenirs.

Total cost for a week in Croatia

Overall, we suggest budgeting around €1500 for a week-long trip for two in Croatia . This includes: 

Accommodation: €630

Food and drinks: €600

Transportation: €100

Activities: €160

The above cost is based on staying in good, mid-range accommodation and eating out most of the time. It makes allowances for sightseeing activities and day trips, but doesn’t take into account expensive activities like adventure sports or private tours.

Generally speaking, the longer you travel, the cheaper it costs per day, while fly-in, fly-out trips can be more expensive.

 Below is a breakdown of these costs, so you can update your own budget accordingly.

Accommodation costs in Croatia

Croatia's accommodation options run the gamut from luxury resorts to cozy bed-and-breakfasts, suiting a wide range of preferences and budgets. For a comfortable double room in a hotel, which generally includes a private bathroom and other basic amenities, you can expect to pay an average of €90 per night . This totals to around €630 for a week-long stay.

However, costs can vary significantly depending on your destination and choice of accommodation. Notably, popular tourist cities, such as Dubrovnik, tend to command higher prices, especially during the summer months. Staying in smaller towns on the mainland or lesser-visited islands like Korcula typically costs a bit less.

For travellers on a tighter budget, consider staying in hostels. Hostels in Croatia are often well-maintained and centrally located, offering dormitory-style rooms for a fraction of the price of hotels. They're also a fantastic way to meet fellow travellers.

Remember that venturing off the beaten path can often lead to not only quieter, more unique experiences but also more affordable accommodation options. Planning ahead and booking in advance, particularly for popular areas during peak season, can also help secure the best deals.

Costs for food and drinks in Croatia

While you’re in Croatia, you’re going to want to try the local food, so this budget assumes you’ll be eating out most of the time (or at least twice a day). There are options at a range of price points in Croatia and we’ve budgeted to eat at a couple of nice restaurants as well as having cheaper lunches on a couple of days.

This is an easy place to cut costs if you're travelling on a budget - just plan on eating cheap meals or cooking for yourself.

Budget meals: If you’re on a budget, you can find a basic lunch for around €7 each. Don't miss out on trying burek , a popular and delicious pastry filled with cheese or meat, often enjoyed as a quick, affordable snack.

Mid-range meals: Expect to pay around €11 each for lunch. If you’re after local dishes, you can try peka , a traditional slow-cooked dish with meat or seafood and vegetables, or pljeskavica , a local version of a hamburger often found in street stalls and casual eateries. 

Restaurants: Expect to pay around €50 for a nice dinner with drinks. Meals in fine-dining restaurants will be more expensive.

If you’re planning on drinking alcohol or coffee during your visit, you can expect to pay around €8 for a cocktail, €3 for beers, and €7 for a bottle of wine. Cappuccinos are around €2 each. This budget includes room for daily coffees and a couple of alcoholic drinks, so expect to spend less on food if you don’t drink.

Keep in mind that dining costs can escalate in heavily touristed areas and during peak summer months. To try more authentic and often less expensive food, consider dining out of the major tourist centres.

Transportation costs in Croatia

Navigating Croatia is relatively straightforward with its efficient public transportation. Plan to budget around €100 for the week for transport , which includes travelling between towns and taking a couple of day trips.

Popular destinations and routes may command higher fares, particularly during the summer months.

Intercity travel: For travel between cities, you could use Croatia's reliable and extensive bus network. However, for a more scenic experience, consider travelling by ferry along the beautiful Adriatic coast or by train through the picturesque interior. The average cost for a one-way intercity bus or train ticket is around €15.

Day trips: Expect to pay around €40 per person for a round-trip ticket.

Local transportation: Croatia’s cities and towns are generally very walkable, otherwise public transportation such as trams and buses are an economical choice, with a one-way ticket typically costing around €1.50. Alternatively, taxis and ride-sharing services are widely available and offer a convenient but slightly more expensive mode of transport. 

Activity costs in Croatia

While you’re in Croatia, you’ll want to experience some of its beauty, whether it’s a day trip to see the cascading lakes and waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes National Park (€64) or a Game of Thrones tour in Dubrovnik (€25).

Activities vary in cost, depending on whether you’re just paying an admission fee (often around €10-15) or want to take an organised trip that includes transport to a nearby island (€60). If you are still planning the specific things you’d like to do in Croatia, we recommend budgeting an average of €40 each per activity .

If you’re on a budget, many of the activities are free or cost very little to enter.  Wander around a lesser-visited town, go for a hike, or visit one of the historic sites in the country (entry usually around €10). Many attractions also offer reduced prices for students, seniors, and children, so don't forget to bring any relevant identification to take advantage of these discounts.

A few things to note

These estimates don't include extras like international flights, travel insurance, or personal expenditures for souvenirs or additional entertainment. Please note that costs can vary, and prices in tourist-heavy cities or during peak seasons may be higher. Nevertheless, with thoughtful planning, Croatia can be an affordable and unforgettable destination that offers value for every travel budget.

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Last Updated 12 February 2024

MyFunkyTravel

Backpacking | Budget Travel | Living Abroad

Croatia Cost of Travel – What is a typical Backpacker Budget?

On this page you will find our estimated Croatia cost of travel. Read on for suggested shoestring and more comfortable backpacking budgets in this popular Balkans country which is one of the most expensive in the region. We also have info on the local currency which changed in early 2023.

Croatia Cost of Travel in 2023

Shoestring backpacker budget.

For anyone backpacking Croatia on a low budget, expect to spend roughly 45 Euros per day. This shoestring budget is designed to cover all of your daily travel expenses including the cost of accommodation (hostel dorm bed), transport and meals. Your exact costs will depend on when you visit though, as well as where you go, and this budget may not suffice during the summer months in the most popular coastal areas.

Many people come to Croatia with the idea that its Eastern European location means cheap prices and easy budget travelling. That may have been the case 20 years ago, but Croatia today is as expensive as it gets in the Balkans. If you’re arriving here from Hungary, Romania or Bulgaria or any of the other former Yugoslav states (with the possible exception of Slovenia), you’ll most likely be in for a nasty shock when it comes to paying for everything from accommodation to food, drink and transport.

That being said, Croatia is still slightly more affordable than many other Mediterranean destinations and ranks roughly in the middle when it comes to backpacking costs in Europe . There are also some really large regional variations and if you move inland away from the stunning Adriatic coastline, it certainly becomes a lot easier to keep travel costs down. Croatia is also somewhat unusual in that its capital (Zagreb) is cheaper to visit than most of the other major destinations.

Although small in terms of the area it covers, Croatia’s unusual shape and long coastline means it is some 600 km from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, the country’s most popular travel destination, so transport costs can add up if you want to see all the major regions.

Food and drink is quite affordable but if you’re a budget traveller, you really do need to be careful in terms of avoiding the obvious tourist bars and restaurants. An evening meal and a few drinks in Dubrovnik or on the Croatian islands can quickly amount to over half of our suggested daily shoestring budget if you head to the wrong place.

More Comfortable Croatia Backpacking Budget

Increasing your budget will give you a bit more freedom to get out and explore fabulous Croatian islands such as Hvar and Brač. A budget of approximately 60 Euros per day may also be more appropriate than the previous one if you are coming during the peak summer season from late July through August when accommodation prices do rise.

This kind of budget will also be a bit more doable if you’re planning to do a lot of partying while in Croatia. While beer is very cheap in local bars in many towns and cities, you can end up paying two or three times as much for alcohol in a lot of the more touristy destinations. A night out in Croatia is significantly more expensive than in neighbouring countries such as Serbia and Montenegro which also feature in our Balkans Backpacking Route along with a suggested 10-14 day itinerary for Croatia.

How much do things cost in Croatia?

These prices are accurate as of March 2023 but you may experience some seasonal variation, particularly in coastal destinations such as Dubrovnik, Split and nearby islands. Accommodation prices are quite high by regional standards but you’ll generally find food and drink good value when compared to other popular Mediterranean destinations such as Italy, Spain and Greece.

Currency in Croatia – Euro

US$1 = €0.93

The Euro became the official currency of Croatia on 1st January 2023 , replacing the Kuna. As a result, you only need Euros in Croatia these days but if you have any Kuna from a previous visit, they can still be exchanged free of charge in banks until the end of 2023. The above exchange rates are accurate as of March 2023.

These estimates for the cost of travel in Croatia were last updated in March 2023.

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Frugal Traveler

Affordable Island-Hopping in Croatia? What Could Go Wrong?

A 30-percent-off Black Friday sale on a cruise aboard a yacht meant off-season sailing and being prepared for the unexpected.

By Elaine Glusac

Elaine Glusac is the Frugal Traveler columnist, focusing on budget-friendly tips and journeys.

As Croatians tell the story , the Greek hero Odysseus was shipwrecked and held captive on the Croatian island of Mljet. Visiting in May, I and six other sailors embraced the myth when the motor on our 54-foot yacht failed.

“Remember, Odysseus spent seven years on Mljet,” said Ivan Ljubovic, our captain. “We can do two nights.”

In the scheme of things, the clogged fuel filter that impeded our progress on a seven-night, island-hopping cruise from Split to Dubrovnik on a yacht — which the passengers helped sail — was minor. Though an engine, even on a sailboat, is vital for docking and sticking to schedules on becalmed days, most of my shipmates agreed that getting waylaid in a village with Roman ruins on a turquoise bay was an acceptable fate.

I had been resigned to what were, in my mind, worse inconveniences when I had signed up for the trip last November. Then, the tour operator G Adventures had put several trips on sale over the Black Friday weekend. Its best deals were in the off-season, which meant potentially chilly weather and closed restaurants and attractions. But leaving in late April for seven nights of island hopping at roughly $1,300 — after a 30 percent discount — was too tempting to pass up.

My cousin Kim agreed and we made plans to pack rain gear and meet in Split to test the budget waters.

‘Everything between is an adventure’

Little about the itinerary was published pre-departure and none of it was firm.

“Split and Dubrovnik are fixed,” said the captain, who would pilot the ship solo and double as our guide, on our first day. “Everything between is an adventure.”

It started with the Sauturnes, a handsome Kufner yacht with four snug guest cabins, four economical bathrooms where the retractable faucet doubled as a shower spigot, and a spacious galley. Our “crew,” a mix of Australians and Americans ranging from 18 to 75 — all of whom had also jumped on the promotional pricing — spent most of the time atop the boat, where foam mattresses invited sunbathing and a cockpit awning provided shade.

The weather, which turned out to be sunny and comfortably cool, was not our greatest concern. The G Adventures website had mentioned well-known islands, including beachy Brac and Vis , which played a convincing Greek idyll in the movie “Mamma Mia 2.” But since many places would be closed in the shoulder season, we would proceed, according to the captain, based on the dictates of the weather and conditions on shore.

Meals were not included, which meant finding open restaurants was critical. For shipboard breakfasts and lunches, we each chipped in 50 euros (about $54) for communal groceries, which we shopped for at local markets. At night, we would dine at restaurants; G Adventures advised budgeting $250 to $325 for the week, which was accurate, though we often splurged on Croatian wine (a carafe of house red averaged $15).

Small ports

After the frenzy of grocery shopping and moving into the bunk-bedded cabin Kim and I shared, we experienced the Zen of sailing as the ship set off on a sunny morning for 43-mile-long Hvar , the longest and purportedly sunniest island in Croatia.

Neighboring islands drifted past as the wind patterned the sea in shifting ripples and ruffles. A flock of shearwaters soared by at eye level.

Within a few hours, the ridgelines of steep Hvar appeared, revealing terraced lavender fields and olive orchards. Motoring down a long, narrow inlet, we arrived in Stari Grad , a village of stone homes with terra cotta roof tiles, as travelers had since 384 B.C., when Greek sailors from the island of Paros settled here.

Our mooring provided a front-row view of fishing boats and cafes animating the waterfront. Stari Grad’s attractions, including the Greek ruins of Faros and a 17th-century Venetian cathedral, had yet to open for the season, but we relished exploring the old quarter’s narrow lanes and deserted plazas.

From the waterfront, an aerobic 20-minute hike up a steep hill crowned by a giant white cross offered views over Stari Grad and the plains beyond, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of fourth-century agricultural fields, with stone walls circumscribing grapevines and olive orchards.

That evening, we visited them to reach Konoba Kokot , a farm restaurant that specializes in “peka,” a kind of barbecue in which meat cooks under an iron lid piled with hot coals. The family that runs it opened in the preseason, welcoming us with bracing shots of rakija, a local herbal liquor. At a long table under an arbor, we gorged on homemade goat cheese, wild boar pate and, from the hearth, roast lamb, veal and octopus with limitless jugs of red and white wine for 35 euros a person.

Starry nights

Small ships are unmatched at getting into small ports, but a yacht trip is also a little like camping, starting most mornings with D.I.Y. instant coffee. Marinas offered free bathhouses with showers.

Cool temperatures apparently deterred the celebrity-filled mega yachts, which are known to anchor in the town of Hvar on the south shore of Hvar island. Our captain declared it the “Mykonos of Croatia” as we motored by the port bustling with visitors carrying shopping bags and cones of gelato.

With clear weather in the forecast, we moored in an undeveloped cove east of town. The mooring belonged to the owners of Moli Onte restaurant, who ferried us to land on a motorized dingy, allowing us enough time before dinner to visit the fortress above Hvar and have an Ozujsko beer on St. Stephens Square, the largest in the region of Dalmatia.

Back on board, with no artificial light to wash out the night sky, we hit the upper deck for stargazing. As my shipmates peeled off to bed, I grabbed a blanket and beanie and bedded down under the stars for the evolving show, periodically waking to catch the drama of the moon rising, reflected in the still water.

Little Dubrovnik

Fingers of gray rock reached down to meet sloping vineyards along Hvar’s south coast as we departed for its neighbor, Korcula. On our longest day of sailing, five hours, I welcomed the chance to play first mate, manning the lines on the jib sail.

To break up the trip, Captain Ljubovic navigated to a quiet cove off the Peljesac Peninsula where the Caribbean-blue waters, cloudless sky and sandy bottom convinced us to jump in despite numbing sea temperatures.

Fifteenth-century walls ring the historic center of Korcula, earning it the nickname “Little Dubrovnik.” Past the stone gates carved with a winged lion representing the empire of Venice, which controlled much of the Adriatic after the 13th century, narrow alleys led to ornate churches and mansions. There was no better history trip than getting lost in the web of pedestrian lanes. Or so we told ourselves as we passed the purported home of Marco Polo, still closed preseason.

Along the seafront walls, restaurants served pizza and seafood under lights strung in the pines and we caught sunset from a former turret, now converted into Massimo Cocktail Bar , which requires patrons to climb a ladder to the rooftop, a caution against second rounds.

The most romantic port of the trip was also the rowdiest, at least in the marina, which was hosting a Polish sailing regatta. When I headed for the showers at 6 a.m. the next morning, I found a group still cheerfully dancing atop a yacht littered in empty booze bottles and crushed potato chips.

Marooned on Mljet

We left Korcula on strong 20-knot “jugo” or south winds and Captain Ljubovic unleashed the sails, saying “You paid for a sailing vacation, not a motorboat.”

As we tacked back and forth toward Mljet , the boat heeled at a queasy angle and we took face shots of ocean spray.

On Mljet, where the western end of the island is home to Mljet National Park , we rented bikes (10 euros) to ride a lung-busting route over the park’s mountain spine. On the other side, we cycled around a pair of inland lakes and took a boat trip to a 12th-century monastery built on an island in one of them (park admission, 15 euros).

Docked in the still sleepy town of Polace, we heard tales of high season, when up to 100 yachts anchor in the bay and members of the band U2 were once seen biking in the park. After a brief shower, the town glimmered at sunset and the restaurant Stella Maris welcomed us with grilled sea bass (25 euros) and prawns (20 euros).

“I’m so glad I chose this time, because I don’t do crowds,” said my shipmate Nova Hey, 46, of Sydney, who was traveling with her 18-year-old daughter.

In the morning, I had the trail to the peak of Montokuc to myself. The roughly three-mile round-trip hike reached one of the highest points on the island, a rocky knob with stunning panoramas shared by a family of feral goats.

Not long thereafter, the Sauternes’ engine refused to turn over, stranding us in a national park on a remote island with no mechanics.

Teeming Dubrovnik

The next morning, Captain Ljubovic jimmied a fix but it didn’t last long and the engine died again, this time just opposite a cave on Mljet that we joked had to be the refuge of Odysseus.

After a morning of light sailing, a mechanic from the mainland arrived by speedboat and within an hour we were motoring toward the Franjo Tudman Bridge that spans the inlet to the Dubrovnik marina where hot showers awaited.

“Dubrovnik is the most expensive city in Croatia,” said Captain Ljubovic as we spent the last of our pooled money, 70 euros, hiring a taxi van to get us to and from the walled heart of the ancient city about 15 minutes away.

With two large cruise ships in port, Dubrovnik was teeming with visitors and the price to climb the stone walls that encircle the city was a sticker-shocking 35 euros. (In the ensuing two days Kim and I would spend post-cruise in the city, we bought the more comprehensive Dubrovnik Pass for 35 euros that included admission to the walls as well as several museums and public bus transportation.)

On our final evening, we measured the lack of crowds versus closed museums; perfect hiking weather versus swim-inviting water; ample dock space versus more restaurant choices — and felt we’d come out ahead sailing in the bargain season.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Ljubljana, Slovenia:  Stroll along the river, explore a contemporary art scene and admire panoramic views in this scenic Central European capital .

Cities With Great Beaches:  Already been to Miami, Honolulu and Sydney? These five other coastal destinations  are vibrant on land and on the water.

Southern France:  The Canal du Midi traverses the Occitanie region and gives cyclists of all skill levels  access to parts of France that are rich in lore .

Port Antonio, Jamaica:  The D.J. and music producer Diplo recommends spots in a city he loves  on Jamaica’s northeast coast. A dance party makes the cut.

New Mexico:  Visiting the vast and remote Gila Wilderness, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, is both inspiring and demanding .

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The 10 Best Budget Carriers for Long-Haul Flights

By Rachel Chang

“Low-cost” and “ long-haul ” can feel like oxymorons when it comes to airlines, with seat comfort often sacrificed for affordable fares. But with several new budget international airlines launching around the world in recent years, it’s possible to snag perfectly-bearable long-haul flights for under $500 roundtrip.

This week, UK-based consulting firm Skytrax released their annual World Airline Awards , known within the aviation industry as the “Oscars of aviation.” Among this year’s winners are lesser-known airlines going the distance to provide affordable flight options in the long-haul low-cost airline category. Launched in 1999, the awards are based on passenger surveys completed by travelers representing over 100 different nationalities who make “their own, personal choices as to which airlines they consider to be the best, underlining the brand as the Passenger’s Choice Awards,” according to Skytrax’s methodology. A total of 21 million entries including 350 different airlines were submitted between September 2023 and May 2024 (airlines pay no entry fees and all survey costs are paid for by Skytrax).

Below, see the 10 top low-cost carriers in the long-haul category, according to the 2024 World Airline Awards, organized in descending order.

Toronto-based Air Canada launched its low-cost affiliate Air Canada rouge in 2013.

The top 10 budget international airlines in 2024

1. Scoot Scoot is the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines—which earned the No. 2 spot in the overall world’s top airlines category. The carrier serves 67 destinations in 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Europe. Launched in 2012, the airline has won several accolades since then, including membership to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2022 for its high safety standards. It holds the No. 1 spot in this Skytrax category for the fourth consecutive year.

We found roundtrip flights from Singapore to Phuket from $71, Kuala Lumpur to Taipei from $79, and Chennai to Sydney for $239.

2. Jetstar Airways This Qantas Group subsidiary is a part of the Jetstar Group, which had its first flight take off in 2004. Technically speaking, Jetstar Airways serves Australia and New Zealand, while its affiliates Jetstar Asia Airways and Jetstar Japan serve Asia. Together, they have 5,000 flights a day to more than 58 destinations in 18 countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Having been voted the best low-cost airline in Australasia for the second time in three years, the airline has also been honored for its cabin crew and operational excellence.

We found roundtrip flights from from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City starting at $227, Sydney to Honolulu from $373, and Gold Coast to ChristChurch from $322.

3. Norse Atlantic Airways Celebrating the two-year anniversary of its inaugural flight from Oslo to New York this month, Norse Atlantic Airways has quickly made a name for itself, specializing in trans-Atlantic flights between the US and Europe. It snagged the No. 4 spot for best Northern European airline in the World Airline Awards as well. The carried, based in Arendal, Norway, has a fleet of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and goes to New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, and Orlando in the United States; as well as Bangkok, Cape Town, Oslo, Athens, Berlin, London, Paris, and Rome.

We found roundtrip flights in economy light class (without any extras) from Los Angeles to London for $417 and New York to Oslo for $494.

4. Air Canada rouge Toronto-based Air Canada launched its low-cost affiliate Air Canada rouge in 2013 branding itself as a “leisure airline,” with flights in North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Central America. Now fully integrated into the Air Canada network, passengers will simply see the rouge flights pop up in their searches when available on that route. Free checked bags are included on long-haul flights, and high-speed Wi-Fi is available for purchase. There's also a Premium Rouge class with priority check-in and boarding; wider seats with more leg room; free Wi-Fi, and meals on flights longer than two hours.

We found roundtrip flights from Montreal to Tulum for $278 and Toronto to Punta Cana at $280.

5. Zipair Japan Airlines began operations of its low-cost carrier Zipair in 2018. Based in Tokyo Narita (NRT), the subsidiary flies to four Asian destinations (Bangkok, Singapore, Manila, and Seoul) and five North American ones (Honolulu, Los Angeles, San José, San Francisco, and Vancouver). Wi-Fi is complimentary to all passengers of its 290-seat Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. Also innovative: a contactless in-flight experience to order meals and goods from personal phones and tablets.

We found standard-class roundtrip flights from Honolulu to Tokyo for $519 and San Jose, California to Tokyo for $697.

6. AirAsia X While Malaysian company AirAsia took the overall best low-cost airline award for 2024 , its longer-haul affiliate AirAsia X snagged the No. 6 spot in this long-haul category. With three Asian hubs in ​​Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Denpasar in Bali, the subsidiary serves 29 destinations in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and one US destination, Hawaii (it was the first airline from Southeast Asia to receive Federal Aviation Administration approval to fly into the US). Booking is integrated into AirAsia’s greater network.

By Arati Menon

By Audrey Phoon

By Steph Koyfman

By Madison Flager

We found roundtrip flights from Kuala Lumpur to Seoul for $214 to Kuala Lumpur to Osaka for $278.

7. LEVEL Barcelona-based LEVEL specializes in connecting the Spanish hub with the Americas, with direct flights to five US cities—San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, New York, and Miami—as well as Buenos Aires in Argentina and Santiago in Chile. Launched in 2017 by International Airlines Group (IAG), which also owns British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, and Aer Lingus, the brand is known for its simple and clean style and is one of the cheapest ways to get from the US to Spain.

We found $434 roundtrip flights from New York to Barcelona and $495 from San Francisco to Barcelona.

8. Cebu Pacific One of the longer running airlines to make the list, Philippines -based Cebu Pacific made its first flight from Manila to Cebu back in 1996, and has continued to serve destinations popular for Filipinos to travel, like Hong Kong and Dubai. The carrier has been switching to more eco-friendly Airbus A321neo and A330neo, and aims to run only neo aircraft by 2027. Not only did it welcome its 200 millionth passenger in 2022, it’s also been a leader in giving back, in particular to the UNICEF Change for Good program.

We found Cebu to Seoul flights starting at $66 and Manila to Dubai for $86 as part of Cebu Pacific's current seat sale .

9. French Bee Based in Paris’ Orly airport (ORY), French Bee has been offering its trademark à la carte flight experience since launching in 2016. With an all-Airbus fleet, the aircraft boast high ceilings, effective ambient lighting, and improved temperature control. French Bee flies from Paris to Punta Cana, Reunion Island, Tahiti, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Bora Bora.

We found roundtrip flights from Los Angeles to Paris starting at $685 and Miami to Paris for $552.

10. Discover Airlines Lufthansa Group’s low-cost affiliate Discover operates out of Munich and its headquarters in Frankfurt. Running since 2021, the fleet of 27 aircraft is focused on leisure destinations in North America, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Some searches are integrated into the Lufthansa search engine.

Current flight deals include Frankfurt to Split, Croatia, from $159 and Frankfurt to Mauritius from $793.

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I left San Francisco to live in Eastern Europe and regret it. People here stereotype me — it's not ill-intent, but I feel let down.

• Gigi Chow spent years as a digital nomad before deciding to settle down in 2021.
• She and her partner didn't want to move home to San Francisco long term because of rising crime.
• They went to Croatia planning to get a digital-nomad visa, but Dubrovnik had its downsides.

This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Gigi Chow, a digital nomad  and former government-agency manager. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

In 2016, I quit my job as a manager at a government agency in San Francisco to go traveling. My friends and family were shocked that I was leaving a stable job and paycheck.

My partner and I planned to travel for 18 months — as long as we could afford — and then settle back into life in San Francisco.  

Once we started traveling, we fell in love with the nomadic lifestyle

From 2016 to 2021, we lived as nomads, visiting cities in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

To sustain our travel, I became a consultant and contractor doing freelance work such as content marketing, copywriting, and ghostwriting. I also did freelance recruiting. 

My husband, who had been a financial manager, transferred his skills and experience into remote private-portfolio management.

When everything shut down because of the pandemic in 2020, we were in Barcelona, Spain, and stayed there until things opened up. We returned to the US in 2021 to get married but didn't plan to stay long term.

Rent in San Francisco had fallen slightly because of the pandemic. We started paying $2,200 for a one-bedroom apartment. Even though we'd found a great deal, we were itching to leave again.

San Francisco is not what it used to be 

I grew up in San Francisco, and that's where my family lives. You can't avoid homelessness anywhere, but the homelessness problem in San Francisco has become overwhelming . I struggle to take my dog out for a walk. There are tents everywhere. 

There's also a lot of crime . When we returned in 2021, cars were getting broken into so frequently that people were leaving notes on their windshields saying: "Please don't break into this car. There's nothing valuable here."

After we got married, we traveled to South America for eight months before I returned to San Francisco to visit my parents.

I debated moving back to be closer to them, but the situation in the city hadn't improved. We were exhausted from traveling constantly and wanted to put roots down somewhere.

We floated ideas of where to move and decided on Dubrovnik, Croatia 

We'd visited Dubrovnik twice before, in 2016 and 2019. Many Croatians we met spoke English, which was a big plus.

We knew there was a digital-nomad visa available in Croatia. Expats I'd spoken with said as long as you earned at least 2,300 euros a month, you could get residency for 12 months relatively easily.

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Dubrovnik is a beautiful castle town of 41,000 people with views of the Adriatic Sea. It's a million-dollar view without the million-dollar price tag. 

We wanted to test the waters to see whether we would like living there long term

We came over March 2023 on a three-month tourist visa. Being in Dubrovnik that long has been very different from staying as a tourist.

We found a furnished short-term rental for $1,300 a month. It's more expensive than a long-term furnished apartment, but it was a great size, included utilities, and came with weekly housekeeping. In San Francisco, our total housing and utilities cost was about $2,760.

Food in Croatia costs us around $1,500 a month. In San Francisco, our budget was at least $2,200. 

Croatia is affordable and relaxing, but there are downsides

I love the slower pace of Dubrovnik. It's clean and we don't need a car to get around. It's a small place, so after the first few weeks, people started to recognize me. I found this creepy.

San Francisco is so populated that everyone goes about their business freely. People move around, and you'll never know unless they're a new neighbor.

Dubrovnik is a tourist town. The local population is small, and families who live there have done so for generations. Everyone knows each other, so I really stick out.

I'm new, but I'm also Asian. I've experienced what I call "unintended racism." I don't think it's done with ill intent, but I have gotten comments and gestures.

People will ask me: "Where are you from?" After responding, "I'm born and raised in California," the most common response is, "Oh, you don't look American." Then they'll mimic my stereotypically Asian eye shape. I'll have to explain that my parents are Chinese.

I'm not offended, but I took for granted always feeling accepted in San Francisco because it's such a multicultural city, while Dubrovnik is not. 

Sometimes when I'm walking my dog, locals will start talking to me in Chinese or Japanese. I think it's because they are more accustomed to Asian tourists than Asian American tourists.

It seems like a lack of awareness that America is a very diverse country. I'm as American as a person who is of European descent.

The amenities for residents are limited 

I don't really cook, so restaurants are important to me. As a tourist, I didn't think about it, but as a resident, I was surprised that the food was so expensive. That's because many of the restaurants cater to tourists. 

It's not like going to Thailand, where the food, whether it's catering to tourists or not, is good and cheap. A lot of the food I've had in Dubrovnik is made for a one-time visitor. Locals eat at home, as it's too expensive to eat out.

I travel with my dog, Roger . This city is so small that there are only two care options for him. The veterinarian or the animal hospital.

I'm used to Googling "vets near me" and finding 10 within a 2-mile radius. Then I can be picky and check reviews. But here, it's take what you can get and hope for the best.

Reach out to expats before you consider moving 

If you're considering moving to Dubrovnik, I highly recommend connecting with the expat community first. 

There are a lot of Facebook and Instagram pages. Try to connect with the people in a similar situation to you. They can give you a better feel of what to expect of the city. It's more realistic than Googling it yourself. 

I didn't do that because I'd been here, but it's different when you stay here longer. We'll probably move to East Asia at the end of our three-month stay and won't apply for the nomad visa.

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