Rocio Aguilera2 weeks ago
Excellent! The rental was super easy and quick, with no queue at all to pick up the car at Dubrovnik airport. Very good communication with the team and everything was perfect when returning it in Zadar. Highly recommended!
Rocio Aguilera2 weeks ago
Excellent! The rental was super easy and quick, with no queue at all to pick up the car at Dubrovnik airport. Very good communication with the team and everything was perfect when returning it in Zadar. Highly recommended!
Sonja Gulić1 month ago
Everything was great, with good communication with the rental company:)
Martina Kovács1 month ago
Highly recommended! We rented a car from Avax Car Rental in Zadar and were extremely happy with everything. We booked on the same day in the afternoon, and the crew was incredibly helpful, providing us with a great Toyota Yaris. While the team prepared our car, we enjoyed a lovely little excursion around Zadar’s old town.The entire rental process was smooth, and the communication was always fast and clear. After our holiday, dropping off the car was just as easy. Even though their office is located in Zadar, they kindly gave us a lift straight to the airport. Thank you to the wonderful team for an excellent experience!
Mònica Pou1 month ago
Julian Kulišev1 month ago
Eduardo José Da Silva González2 months ago
Great price!!! Great service!!!! The Croatians are incredibly friendly: polite, kind, and down-to-earth. But Dilan Matešić was even better: available, professional, and courteous. And he speaks Spanish too!!! 100% recommended!!!
Samuel j2 months ago
Highly recommend, smooth pick-up and a big plus that you got a ride to and from the airport!
Asta Petrovskaja2 months ago
We had an excellent experience with this car rental company from start to finish. Everything was exactly as expected, and the entire process was smooth and hassle-free. The online check-in was very convenient and significantly reduced the time needed to pick up the car. It made the entire process quick, efficient, and stress-free. The handover was fast, well organized, and clearly explained, so we were on the road in no time. The car was in excellent condition, clean, comfortable, and exactly as described. Communication was clear, prompt, and professional throughout, and the staff were friendly, helpful, and welcoming. We chose to pick up the car in one location and return it to another. Although this option came at an additional cost, it was absolutely worth it for the convenience and made our trip much easier. Overall, we were very satisfied with the service and would gladly use this company again. We highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable, professional, and efficient car rental experience.
Alexandra Fésű2 months ago
Rent a car at Zadar Airport with just a debit card — no credit card, no hidden deposit. One of the very few car rental companies at ZAD that accepts debit cards and cash payments. Ideal for international travelers who prefer flexible payment options.
You can rent a car without a credit card at this location — no card blocking, no stress.
| Unlimited Mileage | Included |
| Liability Insurance | Included |
| Local Tax & License Fee | Included |
| Free cancellation up to departure | Included |
| Extra Driver | €0 |
| Cross-Border (Montenegro/Bosnia, 3+ days) | €0 |
ZAD is Ryanair's Croatian hub — and we've designed our service around budget travelers. No credit card required, no deposit, no hidden airport surcharges. Book direct and pay less than the "exclusive" deals shown on airline booking pages.
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Zadar Old Town | 8 km | 15 min |
| Nin (salt lake) | 15 km | 20 min |
| Šibenik | 75 km | 1 h |
| Novalja / Zrće Beach (Pag) | 95 km | 1 h 15 min |
| Plitvice Lakes NP | 130 km | 1 h 30 min |
| Split | 160 km | 2 h |
| Feature | Avax Direct | Rental Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Local phone & WhatsApp | Abroad call centre |
| Cross-Border (Bosnia/Montenegro) | FREE (3+ days) | Often €50+ extra |
| Modifications | Free & instant | Complex or costly |
| Deposit | Zero (with Premium ins.) | Credit card hold required |
| Cancellation | Free | Fees may apply |
Choose your dates and vehicle. Secure your booking online and pay at pickup.
Collect your car quickly and easily. Our staff will walk you through everything.
Explore with unlimited kilometers and 24/7 support assistance included.
| Vehicle | / day | Total | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
Toyota Aygo XBest deal Manual · 4 seats | ~€36 Anchor €36 | ~€108 | |
Opel Corsa Manual · 5 seats | ~€37 Anchor €37 | ~€111 | |
Renault Clio New Manual · 5 seats | ~€43 Anchor €43 | ~€129 | |
Suzuki Vitara Manual · 5 seats | ~€44 Anchor €44 | ~€132 | |
Toyota Yaris A/T Automatic · 5 seats | ~€81 Anchor €60 | ~€243 | |
Toyota Yaris Cross A/T Automatic · 5 seats | ~€82 Anchor €66 | ~€247 |
Estimates based on current rates. Final price shown at checkout.
Car rental prices in Croatia vary by season. Plan ahead for the best rates.
Includes automatic & manual transmission options.
At ZAD, most major rental companies pre-authorize €750–€2,500 on a credit card as a security deposit at pickup. Avax does not. With our Premium insurance package, you pay zero deposit at the counter — no hold, no blocked funds. The price you see at booking is the price you pay; nothing extra is reserved on your card.
Premium insurance is available on every car category at this airport. It includes zero excess (zero deposit), Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Theft Protection, Super CDW, and third-party liability — Croatia’s most comprehensive coverage. 24/7 roadside assistance is available separately as an add-on for €6/day.
No credit card? You can still rent at ZAD. Mini, Economy, and Intermediate categories accept a debit card with a one-time €60 no-credit-card fee. Bring your driving licence and a passport or national ID. Free cancellation any time before pickup is included on every booking.
Avax operates 2 automatic-transmission categories at ZAD. Automatic gearboxes are recommended for first-time drivers in Croatia, the Adriatic coastal road (D8), and stop-go traffic in Dubrovnik’s Old Town and Split city centre. All automatic cars below are bookable for direct pickup at the terminal.
Written by Aaron, Avax Rent a Car
Zadar Airport (ZAD) is located near the village of Zemunik Donji, approximately 12 km east of Zadar city centre. It has grown rapidly in recent years as a popular low-cost carrier destination, with direct flights from across Europe operated by Ryanair, easyJet, Eurowings, and others. The compact terminal makes arriving and departing a quick, hassle-free experience.
Avax handles Zadar Airport pickup as a meet & greet inside the terminal — there is no separate rental office to walk to and no shuttle bus. After your flight lands, message Officer Andro on WhatsApp at +385 99 616 3762; he meets you in the arrivals area, hands over the keys, and the car is parked just outside. From there, Zadar's historic old town is a 15-minute drive west along the D424 road. The old town sits on a narrow peninsula and is famous for the Sea Organ, a unique installation that creates music from the movement of waves, and the Sun Salutation, a spectacular light installation best viewed at sunset.
Zadar is perfectly positioned for exploring northern Dalmatia. The Kornati Islands National Park, an archipelago of 89 pristine islands, can be reached by boat from Murter (1 hour drive). Plitvice Lakes National Park is approximately 2 hours to the northeast. For beach lovers, the Saharun beach on Dugi Otok island is consistently rated one of Croatia's most beautiful and can be reached via ferry from Zadar port.
A 3,000-year-old peninsula town featuring Roman ruins, the 9th-century Church of St. Donatus, the Sea Organ, and the Sun Salutation. Alfred Hitchcock reportedly said Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world.
Croatia's crown jewel, a UNESCO-listed network of 16 turquoise lakes and countless waterfalls. From Zadar, it makes for a perfect day trip with enough time to walk the main trails.
A stunning archipelago of 89 islands and islets known for their dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and extraordinary marine biodiversity. Best explored by boat tour from Murter or Biograd.
A dramatic canyon park in the Velebit mountain range, popular for rock climbing, hiking, and its network of underground tunnels. The Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica gorges are spectacular.
The A1 motorway is easily accessible from Zadar Airport and connects north to Zagreb and south to Split. For the coastal drive to Sibenik or Split, the D8 road offers beautiful sea views but is slower and winding. Zadar old town has limited parking; use the Fosa garage near the Land Gate or the large open-air lot near the bus station. Street parking in the old town zone requires tickets from kiosks or the mParking SMS system.
Our Zadar office is well-connected to local neighbourhoods including Bili Brig, Borik, Diklo, Stanovi, Arbanasi, making it easy to reach your accommodation or explore the city and its surroundings.
| Destination | Distance | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Zadar Old Town | 12 km | 15 min |
| Zadar Ferry Port (Gaženica) | 13 km | 18 min |
| Nin (Queen's Beach) | 23 km | 30 min |
| Paklenica National Park | 50 km | 45 min |
| Biograd na Moru | 35 km | 35 min |
| Murter (Kornati gateway) | 60 km | 55 min |
| Novalja / Zrće Beach (Pag) | 90 km | 1h 20 min |
| Šibenik | 73 km | 55 min |
| Krka National Park | 90 km | 1h 10 min |
| Plitvice Lakes | 125 km | 1h 30 min |
| Split | 165 km | 2h |
| Split Airport | 140 km | 1h 40 min |
| Zagreb | 290 km | 3h |
| Dubrovnik | 395 km | 4h 30 min |
Travel times are approximate and may vary with traffic conditions.

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Popular One-Way Route
Drive south along the Dalmatian coast to Split. Enjoy views of the Kornati islands and stop at Šibenik along the way. Free cross-border included for 3+ day rentals.
Popular One-Way Route
Drive north from Zadar to the Croatian capital. Stop at Plitvice Lakes National Park — just 90 minutes from Zadar. Free cross-border included for 3+ day rentals.
Popular One-Way Route
Drive the length of the Dalmatian coast from Zadar to Dubrovnik. Pass through Split and across the Pelješac Bridge. Free cross-border included for 3+ day rentals.
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117 Google reviews
Rocio Aguilera
2 weeks ago
(Translated by Google) Excellent! The rental was super easy and quick, with no queue at all to pick up the car at Dubrovnik airport. Very good communication wit…
Sonja Gulić
1 month ago
Everything was great, with good communication with the rental company:)
Martina Kovács
1 month ago
Highly recommended! We rented a car from Avax Car Rental in Zadar and were extremely happy with everything. We booked on the same day in the afternoon, and the…
Mònica Pou
1 month ago
No written review
Julian Kulišev
1 month ago
No written review
Eduardo José Da Silva González
2 months ago
(Translated by Google) Great price!!! Great service!!!! The Croatians are incredibly friendly: polite, kind, and down-to-earth. But Dilan Matešić was even bette…
Samuel j
2 months ago
(Translated by Google) Highly recommend, smooth pick-up and a big plus that you got a ride to and from the airport! (Original) Rekommenderar, smidig upphämtnin…
Asta Petrovskaja
2 months ago
We had an excellent experience with this car rental company from start to finish. Everything was exactly as expected, and the entire process was smooth and hass…
Alexandra Fésű
2 months ago
No written review
+108 more
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