Rijeka

Europe > Croatia > Rijeka (RJK)

The Car or no Car advice for  Rijeka can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Rijeka ;  is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).

🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Rijeka ?

These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.

🇭🇷 Mode

Score
🚆 Non-car score non-car score 6

💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Rijeka?

These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.

🇭🇷 Factor

Score
🚗 Car Score car rental availability score 6
🚗Do we need a car in Rijeka? Is it worth it? Should we rent one? | Comment
  Rijeka is an interesting case for short visits because it sits somewhere between a compact city break and a regional gateway. So, should you rent a car in Rijeka? For the city itself, usually no — but the balance shifts quickly once you start looking beyond the urban area.

📍 Rijeka as a City Break

Rijeka’s centre is linear, coastal, and fairly compact.

  • The main pedestrian street (Korzo) anchors the city

  • The port, old town remnants, and central districts are close together

  • Much of the city break experience works well on foot

  • Hills exist, but most visitor activity stays low and central

For a short stay focused on Rijeka itself, a car is unnecessary.

🚶‍♂️ Walking and Urban Transport

From a visitor’s perspective, Rijeka is manageable without driving.

  • Central areas are walkable

  • Local buses cover neighbourhoods and hillside districts

  • Taxis are available and relatively affordable

You can comfortably explore the city without worrying about parking or traffic.

🚆 Rail and Bus Connections

Rijeka works well as a public-transport hub.

  • Trains connect Rijeka with Zagreb and inland Croatia

  • Buses provide extensive regional coverage

  • Long-distance buses are often more useful than trains along the coast

For onward travel, public transport is a realistic alternative to driving.

🚗 When a Car Becomes Useful

The real case for renting a car appears once you leave the city.

A car is especially helpful for:

  • Exploring the Istrian Peninsula

  • Reaching smaller coastal towns and beaches

  • Visiting islands like Krk (via bridge)

  • Flexible travel along the Adriatic coast

Public transport exists, but it’s slower and less flexible for coastal exploration.

⚠️ Why You Might Skip a Car in the City

  • Limited central parking

  • Narrow streets

  • One-way systems

  • Little time savings compared with walking and buses

Many visitors who rent a car find it sits unused while they’re in Rijeka itself.

Conclusion: should you rent a car in Rijeka?

Rijeka works well as a walkable, no-car city break. But if you’re using it as a base to explore the coast, islands, or Istria, a rental car quickly becomes worthwhile.

🚗Do we need a car in Rijeka? Is it worth it? Should we? Destinations | Comment

🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary score brings how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation.

🇭🇷 Factor

Score
🚗Should You Rent a Car in Rijeka?
 overall should you rent a car score 5
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