You want to travel Croatia on a budget and need some tips and tricks to plan your trip? You are in the right place! Keep reading, and start planning your trip!
With Croatia becoming a popular destination over the last few years, prices have increased and traveling around there on a budget has become a tiny bit more complicated. But don’t worry, nothing is impossible, and after traveling in Croatia for 3 months, I have all the best tips for you to travel Croatia on a budget!
Keep reading and soon, you will find out how to visit the Land of a Thousand Islands while not going overboard with your budget!
This post is all about the ultimate tips you need to know to travel Croatia on a budget!
ACCOMMODATION FOR BUDGET TRAVELER IN CROATIA
When it comes to traveling on a budget, no matter the destination, the biggest part of your budget is the accommodation. Hopefully, there are some ways to reduce it. If you want to travel Croatia on a budget, here are my advices to find the cheapest accommodation.
1. STAY OUTSIDE THE CITIES
Whether you are traveling around Croatia or another country, accommodations in the city center are (almost) always more expensive than in the surroundings. If you are staying outside the biggest cities in Croatia, don’t worry, public transportation is really cheap and easy to understand. Or if you feel like it, you can walk to the main touristic attractions and discover the area on your way!
2. HOSTELS AND SHARED ROOMS
If you are a budget traveler, you probably already know that, but take a look at hostels and shared rooms. They are often cheaper than hotels and Airbnb and if you want to meet fellow travelers it is a great way to do so!
3. CAMPING
For the most adventurous of you all, or the nature lovers, take a look at camping sites! They are typically cheaper than hostels and way more peaceful. The only downside is that you will have to bring all your camping gears with you. Which can be inconvenient if you are traveling around by public transportation…
4. VOLUNTEERING
You might have heard of Worldpackers and Workaway before, and especially if you are used to traveling on a budget. In exchange for a few hours of work a day, your host will give you free accommodation and even up to 3 meals a day. You can’t really do cheaper than that!
CHEAPEST WAY TO TRAVEL AROUND CROATIA: USE THE BUSES NETWORK
Renting a car, especially if you are traveling by yourself, can be very expensive. And if you are a budget traveler, it probably won’t be possible for you.
Great news! The buses network in Croatia is relatively cheap and public transportations will take you anywhere you want to go. It just requires a bit more planning than just hoping in your car seat and drive to your next destination. But believe me, it is more than doable!
TRAVEL DURING SHOULDER SEASON TO STICK TO YOUR BUDGET
This rule apply to any destination in the world, really. When you travel during shoulder season (end of spring and beginning of autumn) you can still enjoy a nice weather and prices will be lower than during peak season.
It might not be possible to do for all of you, as some of us can only travel during summer, but if you can, it will save you a ton of money! Plus, you will avoid the crowds… What else can you ask for?
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN ADVANCE
There are a few reasons to plan your trip in advance in order to save money and stick to your budget while traveling around Croatia. I know the unexpected and traveling without a plan can be exciting but hear me out if you want to travel Croatia on a budget.
1. PLAN YOUR ITINERARY BEFORE LEAVING FOR YOUR TRIP
By planning your itinerary beforehand, you can estimate all expenses related to transports, accommodations, and even food. All you have to do is research the least expensive places to visit in Croatia (or where you want to go), how to get there and how much it will cost you and the price range of the restaurants in the surroundings.
It seems like a lot to do, I know, but it will save you a ton of time and money on your trip!
2. BOOK ACCOMMODATIONS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE
Whether you book your accommodation early or not, the price should be more or less the same. But the earlier you book it, the more option you will have. Which means you can have a better accommodation for the same price. When it comes to sticking to your budget, planning is everything!
3. DEFINE A DAILY BUDGET
Once you know how much accommodations and transportations is going to cost you, you can define a daily budget for the rest of your expenses. Drinks, foods, excursions… Stick to this budget and everything is going to be fine!
THE LEAST TOURISTIC THE DESTINATION, THE LEAST EXPENSIVE
If you travel Croatia on a budget, avoid the most touristic places. Or at least, visit them during the day but try to sleep further away from them at night and pack your lunch so you won’t have to spend money in a restaurant. We all know that restaurant and accommodations are way more expensive in more touristic places!
WHERE AND WHAT TO EAT WHEN YOU TRAVEL CROATIA ON A BUDGET
1. EAT WHERE LOCALS EAT
Locals always know where to eat good and cheap food. So if you are too shy to ask them for recommendations, just take a look at the restaurants and see if people eating there look like locals or tourists.
Another way to know? Take a look at reviews on Google Maps and find the ones written in the local language (here in Croatian). Then translate them to know what they are saying!
2. STREET FOOD
There is a lot of street food in Croatia. I still remember how good, and cheap, their kebabs were when I was living there. It’s not the healthiest choice, I’ll give you that… But vacations are meant to be enjoyed!
3. COOK YOUR OWN MEALS
If you are staying in a hostel or an Airbnb, you will probably have access to a kitchen area. In order to save money, buy basic groceries and cook your own meals. Even if you don’t do it three times a day, you will still save a lot of money by not eating out for every single meal!
PRIVILEGE FREE ACTIVITIES TO KEEP YOUR EXCURSION BUDGET LOW
There are a ton of free activities to do in Croatia. Going to different beautiful beaches every day, going on various hikes, wandering in pretty old towns… If you don’t have the budget to go on guided tours, don’t worry! You will still have a blast. The Land of a Thousand Islands is beautiful, and visiting most of the natural areas won’t cost you anything.
There are two paid excursions that I would highly recommend you if you can afford it, though… Krka and Plitvices National Parks. These two places are worth every single penny!