Plitvice Lakes day tour from Split: self-guided with boat ride

Sixteen turquoise lakes, waterfalls, a boat ride and a train through Croatian wilderness

A self-guided day tour from Split to Plitvice Lakes National Park includes round-trip transportation by bus or van, entry tickets, a panoramic boat ride and an electric train ride through the park's upper and lower lakes. The 12-hour excursion departs in the morning and returns to Split by evening, with an English-speaking guide on the coach but the park itself explored independently along marked paths.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park

• Depart from Split in the morning
• Drive 3 hours through Croatian countryside
• Hear interesting facts and enjoy views
• Explore Plitvice Lakes on self-guided walk
• See highest waterfall in Plitvice Lakes
• Take train ride through woodland
• Enjoy panoramic boat ride on lakes
• Return to Split

The Experience

The drive from Split takes three hours through the Croatian countryside, and an English-speaking guide shares facts and points out views along the way. You arrive at Plitvice Lakes National Park with entry tickets already arranged, which means no queuing at the gate—a real advantage during the crowded summer months. The park itself is yours to navigate: 16 turquoise lakes cascade into each other through a series of waterfalls, and you follow paths that cross both the upper and lower sections.

The highest waterfall in Plitvice—and in all of Croatia—is part of what you'll see as you walk the marked routes. When your legs need a break, hop onto the electric train that runs through the woodland, or take the panoramic boat ride across one of the lakes. There's no fixed itinerary once you're inside the park, so you move at your own speed and linger where you want. Children from age 3 are welcome, and the paths suit all fitness levels.

The full day is 12 hours from pickup to return, which gives you several hours to explore the park itself before the drive back to Split in the late afternoon. Transportation, the boat ride and the train are all included; you just bring comfortable walking shoes and a camera.

What’s included

• Round-trip transportation by bus or van from Split.
• entry tickets to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
• panoramic boat ride across one of the lakes.
• electric train ride through the woodland.
• English-speaking guide on the coach.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Booker - travel agency

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see all 16 lakes and the highest waterfall without arranging transport or tickets yourself—the self-guided format lets you explore at your own speed, and the boat and train rides break up the walking whenever you need them.

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Top questions

How long is the drive from Split to Plitvice Lakes?

The scenic drive takes three hours each way through the Croatian countryside. Your guide travels with you on the coach and shares interesting facts about the region during the journey.

Do I need to buy entry tickets to Plitvice Lakes separately?

Entry tickets to the National Park are included in this tour, so you skip the queues at the gate—especially helpful during peak summer months when lines can be long.

What is the highest waterfall in Plitvice Lakes?

Plitvice Lakes is home to Croatia's highest waterfall, which you'll encounter as you explore the upper and lower lakes along the marked walking paths in the park.

Can I bring my young children on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 3 onward. The park's paths suit all fitness levels, and the electric train and boat ride offer rest options if little legs get tired.

What happens if I don't want to walk the whole time?

An electric train runs through the woodland and a panoramic boat ride crosses one of the lakes, so you can mix walking with these rides and set your own pace through the park.