Plitvice Lakes Private Tour from Zagreb to Split

Plitvice Lakes is one of Southeast Europe's oldest national parks, and you cross it on the way to the coast.

A private guided tour of Plitvice Lakes National Park departing from Zagreb with one-way transfer to Split, led by a professional English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned minivan for up to seven travelers. The route covers the largest national park in Croatia, where cascading lakes and forest trails fill the day before the drive south to the Dalmatian coast.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Plitvice Lakes and transfer to Split

• Travel from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes
• Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Transfer from Plitvice Lakes to Split

The experience

Plitvice Lakes National Park is the largest in Croatia and one of the oldest in Southeast Europe. The tour picks you up from your Zagreb hotel and drives you into the park, where a professional guide leads the group through the lakes and forest trails. The minivan holds up to seven people, so the group stays small enough to move at a steady pace without the crowds that fill the main boardwalks during peak hours. The guide speaks English and knows the park well enough to point out the best vantage points and explain what you're seeing as you walk.

After you finish at Plitvice, the same driver takes you south toward Split in the air-conditioned minivan. The transfer is one-way, so you arrive at your Split hotel at the end of the day rather than backtracking to Zagreb. This setup works for travelers who want to see the lakes without renting a car or booking two separate trips, and it keeps the logistics simple: one pickup, one drop-off, one vehicle for the whole day. The entire outing runs about ten hours from hotel to hotel.

You'll need to buy park entrance tickets in advance. Contact the operator when you book for details on how to arrange them. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to bring water and a packed lunch or eat at one of the park's cafés. Wear layers and sturdy shoes. The weather can shift, and the boardwalks and trails demand good footing.

What’s included

• One-way private transfer from Zagreb to Split.
• hotel pickup and drop-off at both ends.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• transport in an air-conditioned minivan with a driver.
• all ground logistics for the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 34 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Budget Transfer Croatia

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling from Zagreb to Split and want to see Plitvice Lakes without renting a car or arranging separate trips. The small group size and one-way transfer make it practical for anyone moving down the coast, and the private guide means you're not locked into a fixed schedule with a larger tour.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Plitvice Lakes National Park like to walk through?

Plitvice Lakes is a network of cascading lakes connected by boardwalks and forest trails, with the largest national park in Croatia spread across the landscape. The guide leads you through the park's main routes, showing you the lakes and explaining the geology and ecology as you go.

Do I need to buy entrance tickets separately?

Yes, park entrance tickets must be bought in advance. Contact the operator when you book for details on how to purchase them and what they cost.

How many people travel together on this tour?

The minivan holds a maximum of seven people per booking, so your group stays small and manageable throughout the day.

What happens after we leave Plitvice Lakes?

After the park, your driver takes you south to Split in the same minivan, dropping you at your hotel there. This one-way transfer is included, so you don't backtrack to Zagreb.

Is lunch included on this tour?

Food and drinks are not included. You can bring your own or eat at one of the cafés inside the park during the day.