Have you been dreaming about a trip to Croatia but wondering how much you need to budget? We spent 11 incredible weeks exploring this stunning country, and here’s a complete breakdown of what we spent—plus tips to help you make the most of your trip!
Intro: What You Can Expect
- Why Croatia Should Be On Your Bucket List
- Best Time Of Year To Go
- The Budget: Flights, getting around, accommodation, food and attractions
- The Grand Total
- More Travel Tips and Budget Guides
Why Croatia Should Be on Your Family’s Bucket List
Croatia is one of those destinations that truly has something for everyone. Here are just a few reasons why we fell in love with it:
- The crystal-clear, beautifully clean sea.
- Island-hopping adventures—mini holidays within a holiday!
- Stunning waterfalls and breathtaking national parks.
- Exploring charming towns and historic cities.
- Experiencing farm life in rural Croatia.
- Meeting the warm and friendly locals.
- Coastal hopping between different accommodations.
- Scenic coastal hikes with endless sea views.
- Trying delicious local food.
- And, according to our kids—the ice cream was unforgettable!
Best Time of Year to Go
Arriving in April, we found an incredible apartment for our first week at just €30 per night for a family of four. It had two bedrooms, a huge kitchen-dining area, a lounge, and was just a few minutes from the sea. However, we quickly learned that in April, many restaurants and attractions were still closed, and even the gorgeous onsite pool wasn’t open.
By May, Croatia started to come alive. The weather warmed up, businesses reopened, and prices were still low. This was our sweet spot—we found amazing deals on apartments and enjoyed the beauty of Croatia without the crowds.
June got significantly hotter and busier, and we realised how important it was to be near water. Accommodation prices, food, and taxis became more expensive, and by the end of June, our visa-free 12 weeks were almost up. Our friends visited in August and paid four times what we did for their trip! They still had an amazing time and felt it was worth it, but we were grateful we went earlier.
🛑 Budget Tip: Traveling in May offers the perfect mix of good weather, open attractions, and lower prices.
The Budget
Flights
We flew from the UK at the end of April and managed to fly a family of four for less than £100. We booked one-way flights as we planned to take a taxi to Montenegro after our Croatian stay. Friends and family who visited in May found flights for as little as £30 per person! We always use Skyscanner, setting dates as flexible to find the best deals. Of course, flight prices rise steadily until August, when they peak for summer holidays.
🛑 Flight Prices Tip: Book to fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday for the best prices. Prices climb quickly towards the peak summer months, especially in August.
Cost of Getting Around
We relied on public transport and taxis. Surprisingly, for four people, taxis were often comparable in price to buses. We got great deals by booking taxis in advance, especially when we found drivers willing to offer discounts for booking trips on their quieter days.
Public transport was around €2 per person per trip, but it could be crowded and hot. Our children prefer taxis for longer journeys. Hiring a car was another option—my parents rented one for around €30 a day when they visited. If you’re considering this, remember that car seat rentals cost extra, so bringing your own (which is free on flights) can save money.
One of the biggest highlights was travelling by boat. We caught ferries as often as possible, which felt more like an adventure than just transport. Our kids (aged 5 and 3 at the time) travelled for free on most trips, while adult foot passenger tickets ranged from €3 in the low season to €4 in the high season.
🛑 Pro Tip: Time your return trips for sunset—it was magical every time.
Cost of Accommodation
Accommodation can range from as little as €22 per night to well over €150, depending on the level of comfort you want.
- Our cheapest stay (€22 per night) was a basic but clean apartment with two bedrooms, a shared rooftop terrace, and a washing machine. The downside? Outdated bathroom, no real windows, and a desire to spend less time inside, which led to more meals out.
- Mid-range (€50-€60 per night) stays included pools, private terraces, BBQ pits, and play areas. These were perfect for balancing relaxation, cooking at home, and having space to work.
- Luxury stays (€100+ per night) were amazing but unnecessary for our long trip. We treated ourselves to a couple of hotel nights, which included extra bedrooms, 2 balconies, a private garden and a pool, but for an 11-week stay, it wasn’t required the whole time and felt like a treat when we did upgrade.
We moved between nine different accommodations during our stay. Our top 3 favourites were:
- A beautiful coastal apartment with a private terrace overlooking the sea.
- A farm stay inland, where the kids played with animals and we enjoyed homemade breakfasts.
- A boutique apartment in a charming old town, perfect for wandering narrow streets and discovering hidden cafes.
🛑 Budget vs. Comfort: If you’re travelling long-term, budget stays help stretch your funds. For a short holiday, go for comfort—it’s worth it!
Cost of Food and Drinks
Cooking in an apartment saves money and is sometimes more relaxing than eating out. Small supermarkets are everywhere, but bigger stores have better deals. We found grocery costs were about 75% of UK prices, and by planning meals, we avoided waste.
Eating out was very affordable:
- Huge meat platters: €30 (enough to feed all of us)
- Local beer: from €3
- Coffee: €1
- A full seafood meal with drinks: €50 with amazing views.
🛑 Money-Saving Tip: If you have an apartment, cooking meals at home saves a lot—especially with kids!
Cost of Attractions
3 Islands Tour from Trogir
One of our favourite experiences was a full-day boat tour. The kids got to steer the boat, we swam in hidden coves, and the trip included a delicious lunch. At just €20 per person (low-season deal), it was an absolute bargain. Even at the usual €35, it’s worth every cent. Plus the children were free.
Krka National Park
This place was pure magic. The boat ride in, the 17 stunning waterfalls, easy-to-follow hiking routes, a shower under the falls and the nature all around made for an unforgettable day. At €35 per person, it was worth every penny. Our daughter had a minor accident on the way back, and the kind crew offered first aid, drinks, and an ice lolly to cheer her up—another reminder of how wonderful the people are here.
Exploring Split & Sibenik
We spent a day wandering around Split, visiting the Game of Thrones Museum, fighting the Romans, visiting the biggest sweet shop that had barrels of pick n mix and dining by the harbour (€80 for four people total day out). Sibenik, reached by ferry, offered an aquarium, fortress, and incredible views (€90 for the day).
Other free/low-cost places we loved:
- Trogir – Medieval walls & charming old town
- Pakoštane – Beach, hiking trails & island ferries to my favourite island Vela Luka
- Vodice – Beaches, boat hire, and water sports
- Rural Croatia – Experience traditional Croatian farm life
- Hiking Trails – Stunning coastal and lake-side paths
- Beaches, Swimming and Watersports – everywhere
The Grand Total
For a family of four on a budget, visiting in May, including flights, accommodation, transport, food, and activities:
Expense | Cost (€) For family of 4 |
Flights (return) | From €175 |
| Accommodation | From €180 |
Transport (ferries, buses, taxis) | €50 per week |
| Food (mix of eating in & out) | €200 per week |
Activities (excursions & beach days) | €200 per week |
Total for 1 week | €805 (or €201pp / ~£168pp) |
We spent slightly less per week over 11 weeks and never felt like we missed out. This is mostly because you get cheaper accommodation if you book for longer stays and of course, flights are a one-off payment whether you go for the weekend or 3 months. Writing this makes me want to book our next trip already!
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