Travel information for Croatia

The essentials for a holiday in Croatia, with an eye on what US, UK, and Australian travelers typically want to know before arriving in Dalmatia.

Entry and documents

US, UK, Australian, and Canadian citizens: no visa required for stays up to 90 days (Schengen rules). Bring a passport valid at least 6 months beyond your planned departure.
Schengen area since 2023: no land border checks if you’re coming from Slovenia, Hungary, etc.
Children need their own passport.

Croatia switched to the Euro on January 1, 2023. The former Kuna is no longer in circulation.
Cash: most ATMs (called “bankomat”) dispense Euros. In towns and larger establishments, cards work fine (Visa, Mastercard; Amex less often). In small konobas and rural shops, bring cash.
Watch out for Euronet ATMs – high fees. Bank-branded ATMs (Zagrebačka banka, PBZ, OTP) are cheaper.

UK guests: post-Brexit, EU roaming depends on your carrier – some still include it, some charge. Check before you travel.
US guests: your US plan will usually roam at high cost. Easiest options: a local Croatian SIM (A1, Hrvatski Telekom/T-Mobile, Telemach – about €10–20 for a prepaid with data), or an eSIM (Airalo, Nomad, Holafly) before you land.
Australian guests: similar – buy a local SIM or an eSIM.
Wi-Fi in our apartments is free and unlimited.

See also Getting here for arrival details.

Airport: Split (SPU) is 20 minutes away; Zagreb (ZAG) 4 hours; Dubrovnik (DBV) 3.5 hours
Car rental at Split Airport from all major international brands plus local firms. Your home license is valid; an International Driving Permit is optional but can help in roadside checks
Public transport: buses work well for intercity travel (Split, Šibenik, Zadar); rare in rural areas
Ferries to the islands from Split and Trogir – book car ferries ahead in summer

Drive on the right (same side as in continental Europe, opposite of the UK).
Speed limits: 50 km/h (31 mph) in town, 90 km/h (56 mph) on rural roads, 110 km/h (68 mph) on expressways, 130 km/h (81 mph) on motorways.
Blood alcohol limit: 0.05 % (0.0 % for new drivers).
Headlights: only required in daylight November–March.
Tolls on the A1 autobahn (Zagreb–Split/Dubrovnik): pay at toll stations by card or cash, or use the electronic ENC transponder. Zagreb–Split costs about €25.
Austria/Slovenia: if driving in via those countries, you need a vignette (toll sticker) for each – around €10–15.

230 V, 50 Hz, Type F plug (European two-prong).
- US travelers: you need a plug adapter. Most modern electronics (laptop chargers, phone chargers, camera batteries) are dual-voltage and work fine; a hair dryer or curling iron from the US may burn out – check the label.
- UK travelers: just a plug adapter, voltage is compatible.
- Australian travelers: plug adapter needed; voltage compatible.
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Croatia. Quality is very good.

See Weather & climate for month-by-month data. Summary:

May/June & September: best all-around – warm sea, fewer tourists, 70–80 °F (22–28 °C) daytime
July/August: peak season. Sea at 77 °F (25 °C), but crowded and hot (often 90–95 °F / 32–35 °C)
October: often still over 68 °F (20 °C) daytime, sea around 68 °F. Quiet, cheaper
November – March: mild (50–59 °F / 10–15 °C daytime), more rain, good for hiking and city visits

EU EHIC cards work; US/UK/AU travelers should have travel health insurance. Private coverage is cheap and strongly recommended for longer stays or active pursuits.
Emergency number: 112 (same across Europe).
Croatia is very safe. Petty crime (tourist scams, pickpocketing) is concentrated in Split and Dubrovnik, not a real concern in Poljica.

Restaurants: 5–10 % if service was good (not obligatory). Round up in cafés.
Taxi: round up.
Housekeeping/tours: a few Euros per day is nice but not expected.
No “mandatory service charge” culture like in the US.

Official language: Croatian (Latin alphabet). English is widely spoken in tourism. A handful of phrases always helps:

More at the official Croatian tourism site: croatia.hr