I searched the board and found this thread with some limited info about renting a car in Croatia.

But I've read elsewhere that one must be very careful when renting a car in Italy if the intention is to drive it into Croatia. Some agencies won't allow it; others will allow it but charge extra fees. Fact or fiction?

Are there hassles/concerns about insurance? Special stamps on the car hire papers to ensure smooth passage through Slovenia?

And can anyone recommend a place in Trieste from which to rent/pick up the car?

Thanks!

cobblehill,
it is true that some rental agencies in Italy won't let the car go into some Eastern European countries.

What I've been told why I could not drive from Western Europe to Eastern Europe is that the theft rate is much higher in Eastern Europe. And, once the car is stolen it will probably never be recovered. Whether the theft angle is true now or not I do not know, but that is what I was told.

Yes, it can be problematic renting a car in Trieste to take to Croatia as some insurance stops at the border. If you go here, http://www.croatiatraveller.com/transport, you'll find a few online options to book a car in Trieste. I'd be interested to know how it works out.

Jeanne

***url fixed***

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Colleen,

Cobble,

we had no problems with renting a car from autoeurope in Rome and taking it to Croatia. As I recall, the rental rate was unchanged. I'd have to guess that it is very common to rent in Trieste and travel into the Balkans.

Steve

Thanks for the input, everyone.

I found a great rate for renting a car through Jeanne's site, but it required pickup in Koper, Slovenia. Didn't justify the savings, for me.

So I went ahead and booked with AutoEurope (using the link from this site, of course ) We've had good success with AE on previous trips, and I appreciate the "inclusive" rate they quote. It said right on the voucher that travel into Croatia is allowed; I called to confirm and it is indeed so. No "extra" charges for driving into Croatia. And ... as Steve points out ... and AE confirms... the counter staff in Trieste is fully experienced renting cars for travel into Croatia.

BTW the rate for an Opel Vectra wagon (or similar) was $1250 for 13 days; a bit high it seems to me easily cancelable should I find something cheaper.