An expert on the Balkans claims that traveling in Croatia without spending too much is still quite possible.
Croatia has been experiencing a real tourist boom in recent years, which inevitably leads to an increase in prices for holidays in this incredible country.
British travel journalist Mary Novakovich, who specializes in the Balkans, gave tourists 14 useful tips on how to spend a budget holiday in Croatia in her blog on Lonely Planet.
“Once this beautiful country was relatively profitable, but now prices are rising as more and more travelers discover its charms. The number of luxury hotels is growing rapidly, especially in some high-end resorts along the Adriatic coast and on several islands. At the same time, there is a surge in the popularity of private apartments and family guest houses, which are more affordable choices in Croatia if you keep an eye on every euro,” notes Mary.
However, according to her, the lion’s share of vacation expenses in Croatia is made up of air travel prices – the closer to the holiday season, the higher they are. Otherwise, traveling around the country without spending too much is still quite possible.
Average prices in Croatia
- place in the hostel – 35 euros per night;
- standard double room – 75 euros per night;
- apartment with kitchen for two people – 95 euros per night;
- city bus ticket – 0.50-2.90 euros;
- coffee – 1,60 – 3 euros;
- sandwich – 4 euros;
- dinner for two – 68 euros for two courses;
- beer in the bar – 4 euros for half a liter of Croatian draught beer;
- a piece of burek pie for breakfast – EUR 3.30.
14 tips for budget travel in Croatia
- Be flexible in your arrival airport plan. “Since June, the number of flights to Split has been growing rapidly – and this is not surprising, since this city is the gateway to some of the most attractive islands in Croatia, including Hvar, Brac and Vis. But the Split runway is not the only one in the region – and you may be surprised by the prices of flights to Zagreb, Zadar or Rijeka airports, ” says Mary.
- Avoid the summer months. According to the expert, the high season in Croatia-July and August, and sometimes the second half of June-brings high prices, while prices for accommodation and many attractions increase in line with demand. For example, the entrance fee to Plitvice Lakes National Park from June to September is about 40 euros, while in April, May or October it is only 25 euros, and in winter it is about 10 euros at all.
- Live a little further away. “While it’s always tempting to stay in the city center, such convenience usually comes at a cost. But a (very pleasant) walk of 15 or 20 minutes from the city center will usually give you cheaper accommodation options. Dubrovnik is a good example: instead of stopping in the Old Town or just outside the city walls, look further towards Gruj or Babin Kook, both of which are easily accessible by bus from the Old Town, ” she advises.
- Swap your hotel room for an apartment. In recent years, the number of short-term rental apartments in Croatia has increased. At the same time, the ability to cook independently will significantly reduce the cost of the trip.
- Use the trains. Although they do not cover the entire country, Croatia’s national railway company HŽPP is an affordable way to travel through parts of it. For example, a round trip between Zagreb and Split will cost 34 euros.
- Use intercity buses. “Along the Adriatic coast, Croatia’s bus network is as extensive as its rail network is limited. The only problem is to try to find the service you need among all the different companies that provide everything from long-distance travel to tourist buses. Arriva is a good place to start, as this company also offers international routes. Check the websites of major bus stations, including Split and Zagreb, for more information about timetables and tickets,” advises Mary.
- Get around on city buses. They can be surprisingly cheap in Croatia: in Zagreb, a ticket can cost as little as 0.50 euros. At the same time, they are usually slightly cheaper if you buy them at kiosks, and not from a driver who accepts only cash.
- Choose the right ferries. Croatia’s ferry network makes it easy and affordable to travel to inhabited islands both from the mainland and between islands. The national ferry operator Jadrolinija operates car ferries, as well as passenger-only vessels (catamarans). The latter are faster, but sometimes more expensive, especially in July and August. A typical car ferry from Split to Hvar costs about 6 euros per passenger, while a catamaran costs more than 7 euros. If you plan to travel around the islands actively, these savings can be significant.
- Beware of unexpected expenses in restaurants. “The seafood in Croatia is one of the best in Europe, and you should expect to pay more for such high quality. If you’re on a tight budget, you might want to skip fried fish, which many restaurants sell by the kilos. You won’t know the exact price until the invoice arrives, and this may come as an unpleasant surprise. There will also be other fish and seafood dishes on the menu that have a fixed price, so at least you’ll know how much you’re paying. Also keep in mind that many restaurants automatically charge a couvert – more like an entrance fee – for each visitor, about 4 euros per person. This usually includes a basket of bread. You can try to refuse bread and insist that you don’t have to pay for it, but this doesn’t always work,” Mary warned.
- Make marenda one of your meals. Marenda is the Dalmatian version of brunch, an affordable, hearty meal that is eaten before noon. Often, Marenda’s menu items that are served only at lunch are some of the cheapest meals in Dubrovnik.
- Grab a bite of burek from local bakeries. “These filo dough patties, bought from a bakery (pekarnica), are a cheap and delicious way to start the day and keep your energy up until lunch. Burek can be stuffed with cheese, spinach (sometimes both) or meat, and it tastes good cold as a picnic snack, ” says the expert.
- Drink tap water. It is quite drinkable in Croatia, and you can save money by avoiding bottled water in shops and restaurants by simply asking for a glass of plain water.
- Ask about discounts for students. If you have an up-to-date International Student Identification Card (ISIC), the savings can be huge. For example, instead of spending about 39 euros on a walk around Dubrovnik’s city walls, you will be charged only 15 euros if you present your card when purchasing a ticket.
- City maps are not always profitable. “While tourist city cards that offer free admission to certain attractions, free public transportation, and discounts at stores and restaurants may look good on paper, sometimes you’ll need to spend your entire trip visiting all of the listed attractions before you get any savings,” said the travel guide. Make calculations before investing in any multi-purpose pass, as often a la carte tickets are cheaper, ” explains Mary.
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