Our pick for travel credit card
American Express® Gold Card
Finder rating: 4.6/5
When visiting Croatia, you’ll be spending in kuna, the national currency. The exchange rate for the kuna is fixed to the euro — this allows the Government to make kuna more expensive during the summer tourist season, which it does every year.
ATMs are widely available all over the country, and you can pay with your Visa or Mastercard card almost anywhere. All you need is a debit, credit or travel card with a chip and a four digit PIN number.
Our picks for traveling to Croatia
Finder rating: 4.6/5
Our pick for multi-currency debit card
Wise Multi-currency
Finder rating: 4.5/5
Our pick for 0% transaction fee debit card
SoFi Money
Finder rating: 4.6/5
Travel card, debit card or credit card?
You shouldn’t have any trouble using your Visa or Mastercard in Croatia. American Express is also accepted, just in fewer places. To help avoid extra bank fees in Croatia, use a variety of cards and use each one for a specific purpose. Try to use a card that doesn’t charge a currency conversion fee and another that has no fee for ATM withdrawals — even better if you can find a card that has both features.
There are debit cards and credit cards that waive both the currency conversion and international ATM fees. Having a combination keeps you covered if you need credit or cash when you need it. Make the most of your trip in Croatia and organize your finances before you go. Compare the travel money products available to you to decide on the best way to take and spend money in Croatia.
Using a credit card
There are a handful of credit cards which let you spend in another currency without paying the extra 3% foreign transaction fee. Carrying a credit card gives you the added benefit of travel insurance and discounts, depending on your provider. For added savings, take advantage of the interest-free period by paying your balance in full each month. Watch out for cash advance fees and extra charges if you make a withdrawal on credit, it’s one of the most expensive ways to get cash.
- Tip: Some credit cards offer complimentary international travel insurance when you charge the cost of your travel ticket to your card.
Pros
- Protected by PIN & chip
- Access to money specified by your credit limit
- Accepted worldwide
- No currency conversion or transaction fees
- Benefits include reward points on spending, 0% purchases, frequent flyer perks, complimentary travel insurance
- Emergency card replacement
Cons
- Can charge high withdrawal and cash advance fees
- Higher spending limit (depends on your approved credit limit)
Using a debit card
Banks that waive foreign ATM fees and currency conversion fees will save you the most on your trip to Croatia. You’ll find plenty of ATMs in Croatia, but you’ll be charged a user fee from the Croatian banks.
- Tip: When you’re making a purchase with your card, if you’re asked whether you want to pay in US dollars or kuna, always pay in the local currency. You’ll lose out on the exchange rate otherwise.
Using an ATM
ATMs, called Bankomats, are easily found all over Croatia. When withdrawing a large sum of money, you may get stuck with large bills. The 500 kuna and even rarer 1,000 kuna will be tricky to change, especially from smaller shops. Try getting larger notes changed at a post office or in the bank of the ATM you used to make the withdrawal.
Pros
- PIN code protection
- Widely accepted
- Access funds from an ATM
- Save on overseas ATM fee when you withdraw
- Unlimited free withdrawals at selected banks
Cons
- Currency conversion fees on foreign transactions
- Lost debit cards while overseas can be easily paused, but not easily replaced
- No emergency cash
- No backup cards
Using a prepaid travel card
There are no travel cards on the market which allow you to load, withdraw or spend kuna. So even if your travel card is loaded with a major international currency, currency conversion fees still apply (there are a few travel cards that don’t charge for currency conversion).
Pros
- Protected by PIN & chip
- Preload and lock-in exchange rate
- Accepted worldwide
- Emergency card replacement and backup cards
- Ideal for managing your travel budget
Cons
- No travel card allows you to preload kuna
- Reloading time
- Currency conversion and international ATM fees
Paying with cash in Croatia
Travelers to Croatia need to be prepared to spend the kuna. Even though euros are widely accepted, using euros rather than kuna will almost certainly leave you short-changed. Use kuna either by exchanging foreign currency, withdrawing from an ATM or by using credit or debit cards to make purchases.
If you’re concerned about exchanging money overseas, check out the option of sending cash to Croatia before your trip with an international money transfer service.
Tips:
- Exchanging cash. Exchange booths (Mjenjacnica), banks and post offices are where you’ll be able to exchange currency — post offices and banks will be the most dependable.
- Exchanging currency. It is best to exchange foreign currency into kuna on the mainland. Tourist agencies and exchange offices are plentiful on the islands, but the rate is often poor.
- For road-trippers. One of the first things you see once you cross the border will be exchange booths. Only change enough to get you to the nearest town as these exchange booths are notorious for poor exchange rates. Make sure you have euro to change, it is by far the most accepted foreign currency for exchange.
- For jet-setters. Don’t get your money changed at the airport. If you need cash and don’t have kuna, just change a small amount to get you into town.
Pros
- Payment flexibility
- Convenience
Cons
- Difficult to manage expenses
- Higher risk of theft
Using traveler’s checks
Don’t concern yourself with traveler’s checks, it is more hassle than it’s worth. Card payments are the norm in Croatia and card providers offer money back guarantees if you’re the victim of fraud.
Pros
- Secure and can be easily replaced if lost or stolen
- Photo ID needed to cash checks
Cons
- Initial purchase charges
- Not accepted everywhere
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Exchange rate history
Over the past 12 months, $1 will get you about 7HRK. While it’s extremely difficult to predict where forex rates will move in the future, over the past couple of years, changes in value between the two currencies will have had little or no significance for Americans visiting Croatia.
Live Rate
Refreshing in: 60s | Tue, Jan 25, 11:32PM GMT
Getting familiar with Croatian kuna
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The main banks in Croatia are:
- Privredna Banka (PBZ)
- Raiffeisenbank Austria Zagreb (RBA)
- Erste & Steiermärkische Bank
- Addiko Bank
- Splitska Banka
- Hrvatska Poštanska Banka (HPB)
- Zagrebacka Banka
- Sberbank
- Kreditna Banka Zagreb
- Podravska Banka (POBA)
Find ATMs in Croatia
What should I budget for my trip to Croatia?
During the summer season, along the coastal stretch, prices are much higher than the rest of the year. This can’t really be avoided, but if you are on a tight budget, you can scrape by staying in hostels and cheap hotels. On the other hand, if you have money to spend, Croatia is an excellent place to let loose and live a glamorous life, even for just a week. All prices are in US dollars.
| Basic costs | Mid-range | A luxury experience | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | One night Dorm: $25 Campsite: $6 | Hotel $95 per person | 4-star hotel Double $135 |
| Meals | Basic meal at a small restaurant $8 | Meal at a mid-range restaurant $15 | Fine dining $45 per person |
| Activities | Walk around the city Free | A local city bike tour $25 per person | Private sailing trip $160 per person |
Prices are approximate and are subject to change.
Case study: Phil's experience
Phil
An interview with Phil on the Croatian Coast
What do you think is the best way to take money to Croatia?
Phil says a debit card and a credit card combination are a good way to fund your vacation. He didn’t bother applying for a travel card because he says they’re pretty useless to use in Croatia.
Cash pickup services in Croatia
Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.
Get travel insurance quotes for your vacation in Croatia
Croatia offers travelers a chance to look into history. From the seaside castle walls of Dubrovnik — or the site of Kings Landing in Game of Thrones — to the old world charm of Zagreb, Croatia has many sights for tourists to see.
However, just like traveling anywhere Croatia presents a unique set of risks, which is why every travelers needs travel insurance. Travel insurance for Croatia covers:
- Repatriation
- Resumption
- Cancellation
- Lost luggage
- Missed connections
- Personal liability
Read more on this topic:
Heading to other parts of Europe? Read our travel money guides for neighboring countries.
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