Car Rental Pickup -- Dubrovnik / Split City Center or Airport Locations?
 

I will be renting a car twice during a 14 trip to Croatia in September. Renting a car for a two day trip from Dubrovnik to Mostar then will proceed to Split to drop off. Any issues with picking up car at the downtown Dubrovnik location versus the airport? Not sure how difficult it would be get out of downtown Dubrovnik?

Second after a four day stay in Hvar, will rent car in Split to travel to Plitvice Lakes. Appears it is more convenient to rent from Split City Center versus airport unless its hassle getting out of the city center area. Appreciate your thoughts on these questions...thanks

There is a car rental office across the street from the harbor in Dub. We once rented there and dropped in Split with no problem. It was a Budget office then but may have changed to another company.

Keep in mind that "downtown Dubrovnik" isn't the relatively small old town which has very limited car access anyway. You'll pick up the car somewhere outside the walls. Driving out of town isn't difficult if you are not in a hurry and there isn't a ton of traffic. Take your time and you should be fine.

A few years ago, I rented a car in Zagreb and drove to Dubrovnik and dropped it there (the company was Sixt, kind of a European version of Hertz or Budget). Finding the place to drop the car was a bit of a challenge - but finally I figured out it was in the Hilton Imperial hotel near the Pile Gate. Just be clear on exactly where you will pick up the car, what their opening hours are, and have a phone number for them handy.

I didn't have a car in Split, but I took a city bus to the airport from Split once. It takes about 40 minutes or so as I recall; you can also hop on a Croatia Airlines bus to get out there. That's the only inconvenience (the bus ride), but if they are the same price I guess I'd rent in town too and drive out. Renting at the airport wouldn't be a big deal, though.

Have you considered taking the bus to visit Mostar? IME, it is very comfortable and you would be able to take full advantage of the spectacular scenery without needing to watch the roads or other drivers....