Rent a car or take a taxi? How to plan your day trips on Hvar
When you're planning a holiday on Hvar, one of the first questions is how best to get around the island: rent your own vehicle, or rely on taxi rides. Both options have their merits, but the right answer comes down to your travel style, your budget and how much of the holiday you actually want to spend behind the wheel.
Key points in 20 seconds
- Renting a car makes sense for full-day trips into the interior and the more remote villages.
- Parking is the biggest cost and the biggest hassle, in town and on the approaches to the bays alike.
- For the beach, dinner, a winery or a night out, a fixed-fare ride is the better bet.
parking is the main cost costs compared wine without a designated driver Renting a car: freedom that comes with summer challenges
Renting a car looks like the most flexible answer at first, especially if you're planning full days roaming the island's interior and visiting the more distant villages.
- The upside: complete independence from any timetable, room to carry more beach gear, and an easier time covering several inland spots in a single day.
- The reality on the ground: Hvar's roads away from the main route can be extremely narrow, steep and blind. The real problem, though, is parking: an hour in Hvar Town costs a lot, while on the approaches to bays like Dubovica or Zaraće the spaces are limited and risky. Add up the rental, the fuel, the insurance and the parking, and the summer total often overshoots the budget you had in mind.
Taxis and private transfers: no worries from A to B
Relying on taxi rides is an increasingly popular choice for visitors who want a holiday with no stress behind the wheel.
- The upside: no hunting for parking in the heat, no driving unfamiliar hairpins, and you can enjoy a tasting of Hvar wines in peace. The driver leaves you exactly at the start of the path or at your destination.
- The reality on the ground: if you take rides “blind” from street ranks, the haggling and the swings in price can spoil the experience.
When to choose which?
| Criterion | Rental car | Taxi or private transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Full days wandering the island's interior | A relaxed trip to the beach, dinner or a night out |
| Parking | Find it and pay for it yourself | Nothing to think about, dropped at the spot |
| Wine tasting | Needs a designated driver | Everyone in the car is free to enjoy it |
| Predictable cost | Rental plus fuel plus expensive parking | A fixed fare per ride |
Swipe the table sideways to see all the columns.
How to get the most out of taxis on Hvar
If you go for comfort without the wheel, the key is avoiding unverified options. Since global platforms like Uber don't operate on the island, the best way to organise your outings is the PickApp app.
As the only local taxi app on Hvar, PickApp lets you see the exact fixed fare to any bay or village in advance. Just book a ride when you're ready to move, with no thought for parking, narrow roads or haggling in the sun.
Ivana
born on Hvar, writes about the islandShe explores the island well away from the main routes and knows the bays that are hardest to reach by car. She writes guides for the PickApp blog.
18 Comments
Rented a car for 2 days then gave up. parking stress in hvar town ate the savings
How long is a taxi day trip to sveta nedjelja and zavala?
Half a day is comfortable, about 35 minutes each way from Hvar town plus your time there. We set a pickup time and adjust if you want to stay longer.
Is parking in hvar town really that bad
In July and August, yes. Spaces fill by mid morning and the old town is closed to cars. Many apartments have no parking, ask your host before renting.
Can we bring a dog?
Yes, just mention it in the booking note so we send a car that suits.
Roads to the south side beaches ok for a normal car?
The main road is fine. The last stretch down to some coves is narrow with tight turns, doable but not relaxing in a rental.
Taxi to dubovica and back, no parking on the road, no ticket. worth it
if you do rent, get a small car. the lanes around velo grablje are not for an suv
5 days in august. honestly, car or taxi?
For 5 days with beach days and one or two village trips, taxis usually come out cheaper and calmer than a car plus parking. Many guests do a mix: taxis for beaches, one day with a car for the east of the island.
helped us decide, thanks
This answered my question
Can we rent a car for just one day on the island?
Yes, there are rentals in Hvar town and Stari Grad. Book a day or two ahead in season.
thanks marko