Concerned Croatian Tourists Face Price Hikes Worry - Seasoned Vacationers Devise Strategies to Cope with Heightened Costs
In contrast to official statistics suggesting a higher cost, tourists often find that Croatia's restaurant and hotel prices, while rising, tend to be generally lower or more affordable than those in Germany or Austria.
This is evident in the prices of accommodation, which range broadly. Hostels can be found for around €20 per night, while 3-star hotels average around €62, and luxury hotels cost about €385–€450 per night. These prices are typically lower than comparable offerings in Germany or Austria, where hotel costs can be notably higher.
Public transportation and other everyday expenses, such as taxi fares and car rentals, are also generally cheaper in Croatia, contributing to a lower overall travel expense.
Some reviews and travel packages suggest that well-positioned hotels like Hotel Croatia in Dubrovnik offer luxury stays with positive feedback and prices that can be competitive or better value than similar hotels in Austria/Germany.
Many tourists feel that Croatia balances cost and experience, with prices being more favorable outside peak luxury or exclusive all-inclusive options. The perception of official statistics that sometimes aggregate data from high-end tourism sectors is contrasted by the quality and price of meals and accommodation that many visitors experience.
Official numbers from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics show a 70% increase in prices for restaurants and hotels between 2015 and 2024. However, vacationers remain unimpressed by these figures and find prices in Croatia still cheaper than in Austria.
Croatia's popularity among German tourists is evident, with the country being the most visited holiday destination in 2023, welcoming a total of 3.3 million Germans. The price-performance ratio is important for many German tourists in Croatia, and some users report finding prices quite cheap, such as paying 8.20 euros for two croissants and a liter of orange juice at a supermarket in Ulika.
However, there are concerns about high prices in Croatia, as reported by a user in a Facebook group for Croatia vacationers. Despite these rumors, the overall sentiment among tourists suggests that Croatia remains a more affordable destination compared to Germany and Austria for comparable restaurant and hotel services.
Meanwhile, the retirement age for a specific cohort could rise to 70, and salary increase has not yet reached TVoD employees. These developments may impact the affordability of living in Croatia for locals, but their impact on tourism remains to be seen.
In the European comparison, Croatia had an inflation rate of 4% in 2024, the third highest in the EU. This price increase is far above the general inflation in Croatia, which was 3% in 2024. Despite this, the affordability of Croatia for tourists remains a topic of discussion and debate.
[1]: TripAdvisor reviews, 2025 [3]: HikersBay data, 2025 [4]: Expedia, 2025
- To manage expenses during their trip, tourists might find personal-finance applications particularly helpful for budgeting while vacationing in Croatia, given the varying prices of hotels and affordability compared to destinations like Germany or Austria.
- As prices for restaurants and hotels in Croatia have risen over the years, it's essential for budget-conscious travelers to focus on finding cost-effective options in personal-finance management, such as exploring affordable eateries and booking more economical accommodations.
