Cheap Car Rental Zadar Airport –
Save upto 70% with Local Expert Tips

Some suppliers do offer after-hours pickup, but it comes at a cost. After-hours pickup is available at certain desks at Zadar Airport, but customers must provide their flight number and arrival time in advance, and an additional charge of €50 applies for pickups outside standard opening hours.

Not all suppliers at ZAD offer this – if your flight arrives late, confirm the policy before booking and choose a supplier that supports it explicitly.

Yes, returning the vehicle outside the supplier’s operational hours is possible. For after-hours returns, confirm the key drop procedure with your supplier at the time of booking. An out-of-hours surcharge of approximately €32–50 typically applies. Return the hired vehicle to the same on-site car park adjacent to the terminal, and if booked with an off-airport supplier, return to their branch location (not the terminal).

Remember to photograph all panels and the dashboard fuel level before handing over keys. Keep all fuel receipts. This will help dispute any false missing-fuel claims later on. 

There are two petrol stations in Zemunik Donji — the village the airport sits within — both on Ulica V, roughly 2–3 minutes by car from the terminal. Refuel here rather than elsewhere; it is the last practical stop before the rental return bays.

Neither is operational 24 hours, so if returning the car very early or very late, refuel the evening before. Do not rely on refuelling at the terminal itself — no fuel station is located within the airport boundary.

A full-to-full fuel policy is commonly followed by most companies, wherein you receive the car with a full tank and must return it full. Sometimes a same-to-same policy is used, in which you get the car with a certain amount of fuel and should return it with the same amount as at pickup. Returning the car with missing fuel can incur higher-than-market fuel prices and a service fee from the supplier. A full-to-empty option may also be available, but there are no refunds for unused fuel at drop-off.

In most cases, EU licences are accepted for renting a car in Zadar without an International Driving Permit. For non-EU licences in Latin script (UK, US, Australian, Canadian), an IDP is not legally required, but some local suppliers will still ask for it. For non-Latin-script licences, an IDP or certified translation is required for all rental companies.

Always confirm the requirements by referring to the supplier-specific terms and conditions when booking to avoid confusion later. 

Hiring a car with most suppliers requires you to be at least 18 years old. The minimum age limit may be higher for certain suppliers and vehicle categories, such as luxury vehicles and large vans. For that reason, a Young Driver Surcharge usually applies to drivers under 25. The driver age and license requirements are the same for the main driver and any additional driver(s). Use your correct age details to find appropriate deals and confirm eligibility within the supplier’s terms and conditions before booking.

A requirement under Croatian law, thirty-party insurance is included in all car rental deals for Zadar Airport. Most suppliers also include basic CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) and TP (Theft Protection); these come with an excess amount for which you are liable in case of any damage or theft.

Tyres, windscreens and the undercarriage are frequently excluded from basic CDW. To remove liability entirely, purchase an additional insurance package at the time of booking.

A certain amount in the form of a security deposit is temporarily held by nearly all suppliers on the main driver’s credit card at pickup. The deposit serves as financial protection to cover any damage to the rental car and any traffic fines or unpaid tolls during the booking duration. The deposit is released in full, provided the car is returned in the same condition as at pickup and with no fines.

Driving from Zadar Airport, the route into Zadar city centre via the D424 is completely free — no motorway needed. Tolls only apply if you join the A1 motorway heading north or south. Below are the major toll routes from Zadar Airport:

Croatia uses a distance-based toll system. You pull a ticket when entering the motorway and pay at the toll plaza when exiting. Payment Methods: You can pay in Euros (cash), by major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), or via the electronic ENC transponder system.

You cannot drive directly to any island from Zadar — all crossings require a car ferry (operated by Jadrolinija). Most suppliers permit ferry crossings to the closer islands but require advance written permission, and loading a car onto a ferry incurs a separate ferry ticket fee not covered by your rental.

Ferry car spaces must be booked separately — vehicle decks sell out weeks in advance in July and August. Your rental supplier’s written permission does not reserve you a space on the boat. Arrive at Gaženica port at least 20–30 minutes before departure.

For the best overall suitability, factoring in security, daily rate, and walk time to Old Town, below are the top parking options for rental car visitors:

Ravnice 2 is the most consistently recommended option by local accommodation hosts – close enough to walk, cheap enough to leave all day, and no overnight charge. Avoid Zone 1 street bays for anything longer than a 2-hour stop.