Top Ten Croatia Travel
Tips

• Reserve ahead in high season
  The Croatian coast is jammed for about six weeks starting in mid-July, ending late-August. Accommodation is scarce and prices are highest. You can get on local ferries as a passenger, but car space may be non-existent. See more on accommodation in Croatia.

• Learn a few words of Croatian
  A cheery "Dobar dan" (Good day!) works wonders. German is widely spoken in the interior and Italian on the coast but English is rapidly catching up. French speakers are rare. Consider learning a little Croatian or at least 10 useful phrases in Croatian. See more on the Croatian language.

• Don't be cash-short
  Many restaurants and all private accommodation are cash only but you will find ATMs everywhere. Big hotels, ferry companies and car rental agencies take credit cards. In a pinch, you can usually pay with euros although the exchange rate is not as good as when you change money at a bank or withdraw it at an ATM. See more on money in Croatia.

• Try to arrange four-night stays
  Hotels and most private owners impose a hefty surcharge of at least 30% for shorter stays. To save money, settle in one place and arrange day trips.See more on getting good deals on Croatian accommodation.

• Drive sober
  Croatia has recently repealed it's zero-tolerance law for drunk driving. Now, you're allowed a glass of wine with dinner but penalties are severe for a blood alcohol level that exceeds 0.05%. In any event, you'll need your wits about you to deal with Croatian daredevils on the road. Find out more about driving in Croatia

• Be politically sensitive
  Feelings are still raw from Croatia's painful separation from Yugoslavia. It's better to listen and learn than expound and offend. Find out more about Croatian history.

• Bring rubber shoes
  Most of Croatia's beaches are rocky or pebbly, not sandy. Flip-flops are OK but shoes you can wade in are better.

• Get to the ferry early!
  Passengers don't need to worry but if you're bringing a car in the summer, get to the ferry at least two hours in advance even if you have a reservation. You could get shut out. Find out more about ferries in Croatia.

• Take the batteries out of your luggage before boarding a flight in Croatia. All batteries. They are not permitted in checked luggage and you will wind up unpacking and repacking your bags at the check-in counter (as I have done). Find out more about air travel in Croatia.

• Check local ferry schedules carefully
  Local ferries to and among the islands are not necessarily daily and vary by season. Do not assume that there "must be" a ferry from one place to another. You could get stuck! Study the schedules at Jadrolinija carefully and if you need help planning your itinerary, contact me.

• Buy a travel insurance policy. For the peace of mind that medical or trip cancellation insurance provides, the cost is minimal.

Find out more about language, money, driving and insurance in Croatia. See my tips for solo travellers and don't forget to subscribe to my Croatia Travel Blog to get the latest on ferry routes, new flights, new hotels and lots of other information that could affect your trip. It's free! Take a look!

Related Pages

Practical Information

Back to Top

©CroatiaTraveller 2005-2012 All rights reserved