Croatia Travel Costs 2025: How Much You’ll Spend and How to Save

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How much does it really cost to travel to Croatia in 2025? Real prices for accommodation, food, transport, beaches, and more. Tips to save and still enjoy your trip.

Busting myths and counting real expenses

Some people say: “Croatia? Way too expensive!” And of course, they love to blame German tourists. Apparently, they show up and drive the prices sky-high. But let’s see if Croatia is really some kind of luxury-only destination.

I’ve personally road-tripped across the whole country — north to south, islands to mainland, highways to scenic backroads. And here’s the honest truth:

  • Yes, Croatia is definitely more expensive than small towns like Berdychiv.

  • Prices are similar to Greece or Cyprus.

  • About 30% more expensive than Albania.

  • Slightly pricier than Montenegro.

But relax — it’s not as terrifying as it sounds.
There’s only one place where your wallet will cry: Dubrovnik.
Parking, coffee, sightseeing, dinner — even breathing feels like it costs money there. Friends from Los Angeles told us: “Dubrovnik now beats California prices.” And honestly, we agree.

So, why is Croatia not the cheapest? Nope, it’s not the Germans. It’s all about high taxes and crazy real estate prices. But this mostly hits the luxury segment.
For regular travelers like us — Croatia is very doable, affordable, and absolutely worth it.

Drashnice, Makarska Riviera, Croatia
Drashnice, Makarska Riviera, Croatia

Best Time to Visit: When to Go Without Breaking the Bank

Croatia has two classic tourist seasons:

  • High Season: July – August → everything is at least 30% more expensive.

  • Low Season: May – June and September – October → perfect weather, fewer people, friendlier prices.

Oh, and don’t forget Croatian Winter!
Nobody really travels to Croatia in winter, which is a shame. Sunny days, no crowds, super cheap accommodation, and the old towns are all yours.

📝 All the prices in this article are based on September rates.
If you’re planning a summer trip, add around 30% to accommodation and 20% to ferry tickets. Gas, food, and restaurants stay pretty stable year-round.

💡 We always travel in the low season — not just to save money, but because we love quiet beaches and no queues.

Croatia, Umag
Umag, Croatia

Transport in Croatia: Costs, Tips, and What’s Worth Paying For

Gas Prices

In 2025, gasoline costs around €1.60–€1.70 per liter. Slightly more expensive on the highways.

Car Rental

Rental prices start at €35–€45 per day for a basic car. We usually book through LocalRent.

Highways (Toll Roads)

Driving from the Hungarian border to Dubrovnik will cost you about €45 one way. But the highways here are pure joy: tunnels, sea views, and perfect road conditions. Driving in Croatia feels like a mini-vacation on its own.

Ferries

  • As a foot passenger — €5–€15 per trip.

  • With a car — €20–€80 depending on the route.

Our most expensive ferry: Hvar – Split — €80 for 4 people + car, about 1 hr 40 min.

Parking

  • Most cities: €1–€2 per hour.

  • In Dubrovnik: from €3–€4 per hour.
    Free parking? Only in small villages or hidden beaches — like winning the lottery.

Split Croatia
Split, Croatia

How Much Does Food Cost in Croatia? And How to Avoid Going Broke at Dinner

Supermarkets: Friendly Prices

Grocery prices in Croatian supermarkets in 2025 are pretty similar to Kyiv — maybe just a little higher. We shopped every 2–3 days, spending about €60–€80 per haul. This includes wine, beer, and sweet treats to keep life happy.

Eating Out: Great but Not Every Day

  • Dinner by the sea with fresh fish or seafood and a bottle of white wine will cost you €50–€60 for two.

  • Lunch at a local bistro — €30–€35 for two.

  • Pizza in a great pizzeria (like Da Sergio in Rovinj) — €12–€15 for a large one. Cheaper places: from €9.

Coffee & Snacks

  • A nice café coffee: €1.5–€2.

  • Quick coffee on the go: from €1.

  • Fresh pastries: €1.5–€2 each.
    Bakeries are the go-to fast food in Croatia — cheap, fresh, and delicious.

Oysters: Fancy Restaurant vs. Straight From the Sea

  • In tourist restaurants in Mali Ston: €1.5 per oyster.

  • At the oyster farms near Ston: €0.8 per oyster.
    Rustic wooden tables, sea breeze, oysters pulled fresh from the water, your own bottle of wine — pure magic.

Alcohol

  • Beer in a café: €3.5–€4.5.

  • Beer in a supermarket: about €1.5.

  • Wine in a supermarket: from €4 per bottle, decent bottles from €6.

  • House wine in a restaurant: €10–€15 per liter.

  • Local white wines (Posip, Grk, Malvasia) in restaurants: €20–€30 per bottle.

Wine Tasting

At Vitis Winery on Korčula island:

  • €4–€5 for a 3-wine tasting set (50 ml each).
    And the views? Totally Instagram-worthy.

Rovinj, Croatia
Rovinj, Croatia

Beach Time, Tours, and Other Costs

  • Beach lounger + umbrella: €14–€20 per day (for two people).

  • At luxury hotels: up to €150 per day. Thanks, but we’ll pass.

  • Public beaches: Free. Shade under a pine tree? Also free and often way better.

Toilets

  • In town and at beaches: €0.5 per visit.

  • Free ones? Sometimes along highways — a small but important win.

  • At gas stations — usually paid.

Water Activities

  • Renting a motorboat: from €120 to €350 per day.

  • Kayak rental: €25–€35 for half a day.

Excursions

  • Group tours: €50–€100 per person.
    But honestly, self-guided trips are much more fun — no schedules, no flags, just freedom.

Real-Life Summary for 2025

Over the last 5 years, prices in Croatia haven’t changed much. The big exception? You guessed it — Dubrovnik.
Locals joke they can no longer afford to visit their own city.
One apartment owner told us: “I’ve never been to Dubrovnik. It’s too expensive for me.”
And we totally get her.

Croatia, Dubrovnik
Beautiful view of Banje beach and old town of Dubrovnik with summer flowers in Croatia, Europe. Summer vacation resort

How to Travel Smart and Save Money

  • Forget fancy hotels. Seaside apartments with balconies are 3x cheaper and super comfy.

  • Skip the city center. Small fishing villages or 10-minute walks from old towns = up to 30% savings.

  • You don’t need a restaurant every day. We only dined out 8–10 times in a whole month. Homemade breakfasts and picnic lunches are the way to go.

  • Travel in a group. Ferries, car rental, and apartments are all cheaper when shared.

Split Croatia
Split, Croatia

Where You Should NOT Save Money:

  • Transport. Renting a car is essential in Croatia. Ferries, toll roads, gas — up to 30% of your budget, but the freedom to explore is priceless.

💡 Pro tip: Avoid refueling on highways — gas is €0.3–€0.4 cheaper per liter on regular roads. Over the trip, you’ll easily save enough for a bottle of great local Grk wine.

Istria, Croatia
Istria, Croatia

Final Thoughts

Croatia is a fantastic destination where you can still travel affordably and comfortably. The secret?
Don’t get stuck in Dubrovnik and don’t rent beach loungers for €150 a day.

Plan your own route, find local beaches, enjoy oysters straight from the sea, and you’ll see: Croatia can totally fit your budget.

Useful travel planning tools:

✈️ Aviasales – budget-friendly flights
🏨 Booking.com – accommodation for every taste
🚘 LocalRent – car rentals (with free cancellation)

More about Croatia:

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