🌐 Cross-border City Guide
Rijeka
Croatia · RJK Airport
Scenic Karst Route
Trieste
Trieste · Italy
Hire a car from Rijeka to Trieste and explore the northern Adriatic with comfort and confidence. Find the lowest possible rates on cross-border rentals in one place.
~75 km
E61 Route
~1h 10m
Drive Time
Rupa–Jelšane
Border Crossing
Per Day
Find the Best Car Rental Deal
3000+ happy customers booked this month · Most chose 3-5 day rentals
Book 7 days early → 15% cheaper
Route Overview
Car rental Rijeka to Trieste
Key facts before you go – distance, documents, and the best time to drive.
Parking Mostar
~€0.77/hour in the central zone
Old Town is pedestrian-only
Permit
Required at booking
Cannot be added at counter
Insurance
BiH endorsed
CDW valid in Bosni
One-way drop-off
Not standard on this route
Confirm per supplier
Crossing Difficulty
Easy Crossing
The Rijeka → Trieste route crosses the Croatia–Slovenia border before continuing into Italy. The Rupa–Jelšane crossing is one of the main routes toward Trieste, with the journey continuing through Slovenia toward the Italian border.
Document Required
📘 Passport
📋 Insurance certificate needed
👨✈️ Driving Licence
💳 Credit Card
Why go: Trieste combines Italian café culture, Austro-Hungarian architecture and Adriatic views. The short drive from Rijeka makes it an easy international day trip, while Kozina and the Slovenian Karst provide attractive stops along the route. The Rijeka–Trieste road connection is around 75 km, making this one of the most convenient international routes from Rijeka.
Demand & Border Queues
ℹ️
May–June and Sep–Oct offer the best mix of price and short border queues. Book 4–6 weeks ahead for July–August.
Vehicle fleet
Car Categories Available
Browse our range of vehicles to find the perfect match for your cross-border adventure.
*The prices above are subject to change without prior notice. Since costs vary by vehicle class, dates, supplier, and season, we recommend checking real-time rates to get the most accurate price.
Border crossings
Which crossing to use from Rijeka
Choose your crossing based on your route and expected queues. Border waits can change significantly during summer and peak travel periods.
| Crossing | Distance from RJK | Drive Time | Peak wait | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rupa–Jelšane Recommended | ~50 km (from RJK Airport) / ~30 km (from Rijeka city) | ~35–45 min | 1–2+ hours | Main international motorway crossing connecting Rijeka directly to Slovenia (towards Ljubljana and Trieste). |
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Rijeka to Trieste by Car
Explore Kotor, Budva, Herceg Novi and Podgorica with a rental car approved for
international travel. Book today and travel with confidence
Vehicle Guide
Which car category suits the Rijeka – Trieste drive?
The A1 and D8 are both well-paved modern roads – this is not terrain that requires anything special. The deciding factor is where you plan to park along the way.
- Family Trip
- Solo drive
- Business Travel
- Long Stay
- Coastal Road Trips
- Eco-Travel
Family Trip: Personalised rental options for families planning trip to Croatia with kids and luggage
Van/Minivan
7-9 seats
Ideal for family journeys and seating everyone comfortably
From €42 /day
Automatic SUV
5 seats
Best for long beyond city routes and handling different terrains
From €22 /day
Full-size cars
2-5 seats
Comfortable city and long coastal drives for groups of 3-4 adults
From €64 /day
Tips for this trip
Solo drive: Ideal for solo adventures below options lean toward smaller, efficient cars
Convertible
2-4 seats
Open top on Croatia’s Adriatic coastline & enjoy scenic views
From €62 /day
Compact Automatic
5 seats
Easily plan multi city trips with reduced stress on steep roads
From €36 /day
Electric Economy Cars
4-5 seats
Smart & sustainable choice for solo city travel
From €48 /day
Tips for this trip
Business Travel: For the right balance between comfort, cost, and professionalism choose from the versatile options below.
Automatic Sedans
4-5 seats
Classic business travel vehicle combining comfort + efficiency
From €48 /day
Standard Cars
4-5 seats
Balance of comfort & space makes them best for business trip
From €32 /day
Tips for this trip
Long Stay: For trips spanning 21 days or more across Croatia, here’s a breakdown of best options.
Monthly rental
Select any vehicle
An affordable option with lower per day prices than daily rentals
From €16 /day
Long Term Car Rental
Varied vehicle options
For substantial savings rent for 3+ weeks
From €22 /day
Automatic Car
4-9 seats
Most reliable for trips on mountainous terrain & coastal hills
From €34 /day
Tips for this trip
Coastal Road Trips: Review our breakdown of the best categories for coastal drives in Croatia.
Convertible
2-4 seats
Ideal for enjoying top-down views of the Mediterranean coastline
From €62 /day
One Way Rentals
Select any car
Pick up in one city, return in another for enhanced flexibility
From €25 /day
Compact SUV
5 seats
Perfect for coastal trips: elevated views & extra space
From €35 /day
Tips for this trip
Eco-Travel: Choose from 3 matching low-emission and eco-friendly options suited for sustainable travel.
Electric Car
4-5 seats
Modern eco friendly EVs to enjoy a greener way of driving
From €55 /day
Hybrid
4-5 seats
Great alternative to traditional gasoline vehicles for long drives
From €35 /day
Small Compact
4-5 seats
These hit the right spot for island hopping & coastal drives
From €34 /day
Tips for this trip
Utilize apps like Chargemap and PlugShare to check real-time availability, charger type, and user reviews for charging points.
Explore More
Top Locations, Airports and Companies
Browse car rental locations across Croatia, including airports, cities, trusted suppliers, and popular travel routes.
- Car Rental Airport
- Car Rental Cities
- Car Rental Bus & Train Station
- Car Rental Companies
- Car Rental Port/ACI Marina
| Airport | Code | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubrovnik Airport Book Early | DBV | €4/day | South Dalmatia |
| Osijek Airport | OSI | €13/day | Northeastern Croatia |
| Pula Airport Popular | PUY | $7/day | Istria |
| Rijeka Airport | RJK | €7/day | Coastal Road Trips |
| Split Airport Most popular | SPU | €5/day | Central Dalmatia |
| Zadar Airport | ZAD | €9/day | National Parks |
| Zagreb Airport Lowest rate | ZAG | €4/day | Nationwide Road Trips |
| City | Region | From | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biograd na Moru | Dalmatia | €40/Day | Nautical hub |
| Čakovec | Northern Croatia | €/17 day | Historic Međimurje center |
| Cavtat Quiet alternative | Dubrovnik Riviera | €27/day | Quiet seaside resort |
| Dubrovnik Plan parking | South Croatia | €26/Day | Access ban in old town |
| Karlovac | Central Croatia | €15/day | River junction city |
| Kastela | Dalmatia | €20/day | Bay coast town |
| Mlini | Dubrovnik Riviera | €38/Day | Peaceful Riviera village |
| Opatija | Kvarner | €27/day | Historic seaside resort |
| Osijek | Slavonia | €15/Day | Cultural center |
| Porec | Istria | €26/Day | Popular seaside resort |
| Pula Cheapest | Istria | €7/day | Roman sites & wine |
| Rabac | Istria | €40/day | Scenic resort town |
| Rijeka | Central Croatia | €12/day | Port city base |
| Rovinj | Istria | €13/day | Romantic coastal town |
| Samobor | Central Croatia | €15/Day | Charming market town |
| Seget Donji | Dalmatia | €35/Day | Quiet coastal village near Trogir |
| Sesvete | Slavonia | €41/Day | Large Zagreb suburb |
| Slano | Southern Croatia | €30/Day | Peaceful coastal bay |
| Split Great value | Dalmatia | €8/Day | Ferry access |
| Srebreno | South Croatia | €30/Day | Coastal bay suburb |
| Trogir | Dalmatia | €26/Day | UNESCO old town island |
| Umag Downtown | Istria | €13/day | Northern coastal gateway |
| Vela Luka | Dalmatia Islands | €25/day | Island port town |
| Zadar Great value | North Dalmatia | €8/Day | Islands nearby |
| Zagreb Best value | Central Croatia | €5/day | Best value |
| Station | City | From | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubrovnik Bus Station Book early | Dubrovnik | €29/day | Book early for peak season |
| Rijeka Train Station | Rijeka | €40/day | Convenient city center pickup |
| Split Train Station Ferry connection | Split | €32/day | Steps from the ferry port |
| Zagreb Bus Station Lowest rate | Zagreb | €26/day | Great for eastern highway access |
| Zagreb Train Station | Zagreb | €32/day | Walk to downtown hotels |
| Supplier | Type | From | Fleet | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active | Local | €25/day | Economy, Compact, SUV, Luxury, Vans | ⭐ 8 |
| AddCar | International | €48/day | Economy, Compact, SUV, Luxury, Vans | ⭐ 7 |
| Alamo Top rated | International | €25/day | Economy, SUVs, Minivans, Full-size | ⭐ 9.4 |
| AutoUnion | International | €40/day | Mini, Economy, Intermediate, SUV, Luxury | ⭐ 8.5 |
| Autowill | Local | €7/day | Economy, Compact, SUV, Vans | ⭐ 7.9 |
| Avant Car | Regional | €6/day | Economy, Sedans, SUVs, Luxury | ⭐ 8.6 |
| Avia Rent a Car Cheapest | Local | €5/day | Compact, Economy, Standard Sedans | ⭐ 8.8 |
| Carwiz | International | €6/day | Economy, Compact, SUVs, Luxury, Vans | ⭐ 8.6 |
| Dollar Thrifty Automotive | International | €30/day | Economy, Compact, SUV, Full-size, Vans | ⭐ 9.2 |
| Enterprise Top rated | International | €24/day | Compact, SUVs, Sedans, Luxury | ⭐ 9.4 |
| Europcar | International | €9/day | Economy, Compact, Luxury, Vans | ⭐ 8.6 |
| Firefly | International | €17/day | Mini, Economy, Compact, SUVs | ⭐ 8.6 |
| Goldcar | International | €10/day | City Cars, Compact, SUVs, Minivans, Luxury | ⭐ 10 |
| Green Motion | International | €3/day | Economy, Compact, SUV, Vans, Luxury | ⭐ 7.2 |
| Hertz Premium choice | International | €63/day | Economy, Compact, SUVs, Vans, Luxury | ⭐ 8.7 |
| Keddy by Europcar | International | €7/day | Economy, Compact, Standard, SUV, Vans | ⭐ 8.5 |
| Mack | Local | €28/day | Economy, Compact, Standard, SUVs, Luxury | ⭐ 8.6 |
| National | International | €13/day | Economy, Compact, Full-size, SUVs, Vans | ⭐ 8.7 |
| North Car Rental | Local | €32/day | Economy, Compact, Standard, SUVs, Vans | ⭐ 8.6 |
| Nova | Local | €26/day | Economy, Compact, Standard, SUVs, Premium, Vans | ⭐ 8.9 |
| Oryx | Local | €38/day | Economy, Compact, Standard, SUVs, Premium, Vans | ⭐ 8.6 |
| Prestigio Rent a Car | Local | €28/day | Economy, Compact, Standard, SUVs, Vans | ⭐ 8.9 |
| Routes | International | €8/day | Mini, Economy, Compact, Crossover, SUV | ⭐ 8.7 |
| Sixt | International | €9/day | Luxury/Premium, SUV, Convertible | ⭐ 9.2 |
| Street Rent a Car | International | €9/day | Economy, Compact, Standard, SUV, Luxury | ⭐ 8.6 |
| Surprice | International | €13/day | Mini, Economy, Compact, Midsize, SUV | ⭐ 6.2 |
| XL Rent a Car | Local | €34/day | Economy, Compact, SUV, Passenger Vans | ⭐ 9.1 |
| City | Region | From | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACI Marina Dubrovnik | South Croatia | €32/day | Marina base |
| ACI Marina Korčula Island favorite | Dalmatia Islands | €32/day | Island hub |
| ACI Marina Slano | South Croatia | €42/day | Quiet bay harbor |
| ACI Marina Split Lowest rate | Dalmatia | €27/day | Coastal port pickup |
| Split Port Lowest rate | Dalmatia | €27/day | Ferry access |
Car Rental Croatia
Josip Stjepan – Croatia Travel & Car Rental Specialist
Josip spent a decade coordinating vehicle logistics for Jadrolinija’s ferry network, matching rental cars to sailing schedules for Hvar, Brač, and Korčula. The job gave him insider insights into where exactly rental companies quietly pass costs onto tourists. Drawing from his extensive knowledge of Croatia’s ferry network, coastal routes, and driving conditions, he helps travellers compare rental options, plan efficient itineraries, understand toll roads, avoid unnecessary fees, and prepare for cross-border travel.
How this content is created:
- Based on real ferry and route data
- Reviewed by a local Split-based specialist
- Updated regularly for seasonal pricing changes