Couleur Croatie

What budget for my holiday in Croatia

Croatia is not among cheap countries, although prices remain generally below those of France or Germany.
There are differences between the coast and inland, the coastal cities having higher prices, and on the coast prices are relatively homogeneous, except in Dubrovnik where everything is more expensive than elsewhere, it can go even doubled in summer on some expenditure items such as coffee shops or restaurants. Contrary to popular belief, the city of Zagreb is not as expensive as the dalmatian coast and Istria for housing, food, transportation...
In tourist areas one can note an increase of fares in summer in restaurants, ferry and taxis, carrentals, trips and excursions... and on accommodation.
The indications that follow are average estimates.

Approximate prices of accommodation in Croatia.

In all types of accommodation prices vary depending on the location, the services offered as the disposal of a pool or a private beach and season. We give you the means price indications in high season:

HOTELS (classified according to the croatian standards):
- 2 stars: from 60 to 90 € per night for a doubleroom
- 3 stars: from 90 to 140€ per night for a doubleroom
- 4 stars: from 140 to 200 € per night for a doubleroom

We also find, especially in tourist areas, hostels accessible to everybody:
- 15 to 20 € per night for a dorm bed.

CAMPING:
- Prices vary greatly between small family campings and large structures: 30 to 65€ and more per day (including location) for a family of 4 persons.
- Mobile homes in campsites: from 130 to 160€ per day for 4 persons.

RENTALS:
Private accommodation is traditionally widespread in Croatia.This formula, in addition to some economic aspect, has the advantage of a more humane approach of the country and inhabitants, enriching contacts.
For information, the average price for a hotel room for 2 persons 100€, you can rent an apartment or a small house for 4-5 people.
- Apartment for 2 people: around 50 € per day
- Apartment for 4 people: around 70 € per day
- Apartment for 6 people: around 100 € per day
- House for 4 people: around 90 € per day
- House for 6 people: around 140 € per day
Tourist taxes are payable for all and amount is 1€ per day per adult, halfprice for children from 12 to 18 years and free under 12 years old.
For some locations, prices are set included tourist taxes.

Some examples of food prices in Croatia

RETAILERS

Many brands ad chains of hypermarkets and supermarkets are present in Croatia; among Croatian brands, Konzum and Plodine are the most important; there are also brands of Germany, Czech Republic...as Interspar, Kaufland, Lidl .... Overall, prices are quite close to prices in France.

- Contrary to other countries, the prices are slightly different depending on the surface of the store; small nearby stores are not much more expensive than big supermarkets.
-Imported brands are generally more expensive than the croatian brands and as in most of european countries, you will find first price label brands in most chains.

- Below are examples of average prices of everyday goods of Croatian brand:
 Drinks:
 - 1.5 liter bottled water ....... € 0.80 in cylinder 6 liter ....... € 1.60
 - 1 liter croatian beer ....... € 1.70  Croatian beer in cans of 50cl  1.20€ .....
 - Bottle of wine ...... minimum 5€ for an average quality
 Dairy products:
 - 1 liter milk ... 0.80€
 - Yoghurt (usually sold individually or in 1 liter bottle).. .0,40 € the 200g pot, bottle 1 liter:  2€
 - Cheese (lots of German cheeses, Austrian cheeses... ): 8 to 15 € per kilo up to 30 € and + for the first Croatian cheese quality as the famous Pag cheese.
 - Butter: 250 g plate ...2€
 Groceries and other:
 - 500 g packet of pasta ....... 1.20€
 - Package rice 1 kg  1.80€ .......
 - Eggs per box of 10 eggs:  2€ .....
 - Chocolate plate 100 g ..... 1€
 - White bread ... 1 €  bread with cereals or corn bread ... ... 1.20 to 1.60€
 - Baby food jar .... 1 € 125 g
 - Dish soap ...... 1 € per 500 ml bottle

THE MARKETS

On markets prices are cheaper than in France; there are still many individuals or small farmers who sell vegetables and fruit from their gardens, according to the season, a good quality.

  - Tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, peppers ...1 to 2 € per kg, the cheapest in season
  - Peaches, nectarines, grapes....1.50€ per kg
  - Cherries, apricots.....2€ per kg
  - Watermelon... 0.50€ per kg
  - Local asparagus.....2 to 3€ the boot
  - Porcini.....around 10 € per kg (normal harvest year)

MEAT AND FISH
In butcher shops, you will not find prepared roasts or lamb ready to bake; the meat is sold just cut and not prepared: in general the quality is good.

  - Pork: 6,50€ per kg on average
  - Beef: prime rib...7.30€ per kg     braising.... 6.50€ per kg
  - Calfcutlets... 11€ per kg,  liver... 8€ per kg
  - Chicken 6.70€....the best quality

  Fish markets and fishshops have homogeneous prices.
  - Sardines, mackerel... 2.70 to 4€ per kg
  - Mullet.....5.50 to 10€ per kg depending on size
  - Farmed fish....9 to 11€ per kg
  -Wild fish like tuna... from15€ per kg

The indicative cost of transport in Croatia

By car
- The price of gasoline is the same as in France
- Tolls on the highway: Sample price for a normal car
  from Zagreb: Rijeka 10€, Zadar 16€, Split 23€, Varazdin 3.60€, Osijek 15.50€
  from Zadar: Skradin (Krka National Park)  3€, Split 7€, Rijeka 17€
  the bridge between the mainland and the island of Krk: 5 €
option of paying in euros or kuna, cash or by credit card.
- Car parks: they are often pay parking in the cities, the price depends on the parking areas.
  Paying time: on average from 8 am to 20 pm or 21pm, which can be earlier and later in some cities; cost of 0.50€ to 1.35€ per hour depending on the areas and cities.

By taxi
Prices vary widely depending on location and companies. Ask several taxis their price for your destination.
Average price recorded in the city of Zadar in summer: 5.40€ for 5 km (half price off season) + 1.35€ extra km.

By bus
Local urban tickets cost around 1.40€ the route in most major cities when you pay the driver; You can buy 2 trips tickets at kiosks, they will cost you 2.15€.
Intercity buses are fairly cheap in Croatia but the price may be different depending on companies: Zadar /Zagreb12 € to 15€, Zadar/Split from 12 to 16€, Split/ Dubrovnik 16€, Zagreb/Rijeka 10€ ...in average.

By boat
There are boats catamarans for pedestrians only and ferries embarking cars.
The price of the passenger is generally cheap: for example a crossing of 1:40 between Zadar and Dugi Otok costs 4€...

High season rates summer 2016:
- From Zadar to Preko(Ugljan island opposite) 25-minutes crossing, passenger  2.40€, car 14€
  Island Iz 1:15 hour of crossing, passenger 3.20€, car 23.5€
- From Split: Supetar (island of Brac) 50 minutes crossing, passenger 4.40€, car 21.40€
  Stari Grad (island of Hvar) 2 hours crossing, passenger 6.30€, car 42.40€
  Vela Luka (island of Korcula) 2h45 crossing, passenger 8€, car 71€

For rent
- A car: there are many internet rental sites to find the best price; the earlier you book, the more you may have low prices. It costs around 50 € per day, and prices are much lower off season. Be vigilant in your comparisons based on options included or not.
- A scooter: 30 € per day
- A bike:10 € per day

The cost of distractions and activities in Croatia: restaurants, sports, excursions ...

Restaurants and cafes have lower prices by about 20% than those in France.
  - 1 main course: less than 10€
  - 1dish of grilled meat for 2 persons: 25-32€
  - 1 starter:3-6€
  - 1 dessert: € 3
  - 1 complete menu in a tavern: 15 €
  - 1 pizza: 6 €
  - 1 liter of domestic table wine: 11€
  - 1 draft beer 50 cl: 2€
  - 1 soda: 2€
  - 1 coffee: 1€
Fast food: sandwiches 1.50 to 2€, pizza slice 1.60€, prepared sandwich 3 to 4€...
The ice cream cones 1€ the ball in tourist areas.

Sports activities:
- Rent a tennis court: 6.70€ per hour
- Jetski: 10 minutes for 27€
- Diving: 40€ per dive or dive baptism
- Canoe safari: one trip 38€
- Sea kayaking: 30-45€ according to the output time and location.

Entries in the National Parks (rates high season 2016):
-Plitvice: 24€ for adults, 11€ for children
-Krka: 20€ for adults, 12€ for children
-Paklenica: 7€ for adults, 4€ for children
-Kornati: day trip  40€ lunch included

How to pay for my purchases in Croatia: currency, means of payment.

Croatia is part of the European Union and the SEPA area but not in the euro zone.
The croatian currency is thekuna, divided into lipa 1 lipa.
The exchange rate against the euro is relatively stable, it must be based on 1 € = 7.5 kuna.

- Euros are accepted for payment of accommodation in hotels, campsites, private rentals, tourist agencies.
- Some stores (clothing, souvenirs...) sometimes offer you to choose your payment currency
- However,most of the expenses you will make will be made in HRK (supermarkets, coffee shops and even restaurants that do not always accept credit cards...)

The exchangeis done in banks, post offices, exchange offices ( these taking often higher commissions as hotels or campsites).
Banks and post offices almost apply the same rate, not worth wasting time to choose the cheapest.

Credit cards are widely accepted as payment, especially in tourist areas.
The ATMs are every where in the country and allow you to withdraw kuna.
nb: the use of the bank card to pay or make withdrawals incur costs which vary depending on your original bank. Better check before leaving with your bank to avoid unpleasant surprises.

My advice: go with cash and change when you need and if you withdraw money, take a higher amount less often (to limit fixed costs that are applied to each withdrawal).