Split to Zagreb: Plitvice Lakes Day Trip & Transfer

The 16 Lakes Between Two Cities

You get picked up in Split or Trogir, driven to Plitvice Lakes National Park where an English-speaking guide leads you through both the Upper and Lower Lakes, including a train ride, boat crossing, and the 78-meter Veliki Slap waterfall. Lunch is optional at a local restaurant. The day ends with a transfer to Zagreb, with luggage stored safely in the vehicle the entire time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Transfer and Plitvice Lakes tour

• Depart from Split or Trogir
• Guided walk through Plitvice Lakes
• Ride train and boat inside park
• Visit Upper and Lower Lakes
• See Veliki Slap waterfall
• Optional lunch at local restaurant
• Continue to Zagreb
• Drop off in Zagreb

The experience

You don't expect a national park to fit between a morning pickup and an evening arrival in another country, but Plitvice Lakes makes it work. The route runs from Split or Trogir straight through to Zagreb, but the real day happens in the middle: a guided walk through a UNESCO-protected park where 16 interconnected lakes drop into each other through waterfalls, some of them 78 meters tall. Your guide handles the pacing and the route, which means you're not deciding where to stop or how long to linger. You're just walking through it, taking pictures, and letting the landscape do what it does.

The tour starts at the Upper Lakes, where the water is clearer and the walking is gentler, then moves down to the Lower Lakes where things get steeper and the views open up. Somewhere in the middle you'll ride a small train through the park, and later a boat across one of the larger lakes. These aren't scenic extras, they're built into the route because the park is too spread out to walk all at once. The highlight is Veliki Slap, the Big Waterfall, which is exactly what the name says: a single drop of water so tall it takes a moment to process. Your guide, who speaks English and knows the park, will point out the rare plants and explain why the water changes color between lakes. The whole walking section covers about 5 kilometers on uneven surfaces, which is why the additional info mentions comfortable shoes, not because it's brutal, but because the terrain is real and you'll be on your feet for several hours.

After the park closes around you, there's an optional lunch at a local restaurant if you want to eat before the final drive to Zagreb. If you skip it, you'll arrive in Zagreb in the evening with the day behind you and a full day of travel done. The minivan or bus is air-conditioned, road tolls and parking are covered, and your luggage stays in the vehicle while you walk: one suitcase and one carry-on per person, which matters if you're moving between cities. The whole thing, from pickup to drop-off, takes around 10 hours.

What’s included

• Your day includes pickup from Split or Trogir in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan or bus, entry to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a guided walking tour led by an English-speaking guide, a train ride and boat crossing within the park, and a one-way transfer to Zagreb.
• Road tolls and parking are covered.
• Lunch at a local restaurant is optional and paid separately.
• Each traveler can bring one suitcase and one carry-on bag, stored safely in the vehicle during the park visit.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour from Split to ZagrebGuide in English · 07:00

Tour from Omiš to ZagrebGuide in English · 06:05The tour begins at 06:00. Starting point: Hotel Plaža, Trg kralja Tomislava 6, 21310, Omiš, Croatia

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:05 and 07:00Last departure this season: 15 Nov

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (3 to 14 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 53

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 127

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tours in Croatia

Is this one for you?Choose this if you're traveling between Split or Trogir and Zagreb anyway and want to see Plitvice Lakes without arranging separate transport, park tickets, or timing the stops yourself. The fixed itinerary handles all three, turning a long drive into a full day out.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 14 years); Infant (under 3).

How long is the walking part of the tour?

Approximately 5 kilometers on uneven surfaces, split between the Upper Lakes and Lower Lakes sections. The route includes a train ride and boat crossing to break up the walking.

What's included in the price?

Transportation from Split or Trogir to Zagreb, park entry, the guided tour, train and boat rides within the park, road tolls, parking, and an English-speaking guide. Lunch is optional and paid separately.

Can I bring luggage on this tour?

Yes. Each person can bring one suitcase and one piece of hand luggage. Everything stays in the vehicle while you walk through the park.

What should I wear?

Closed, comfortable walking shoes are essential because the surfaces are uneven. Bring sportswear, and depending on the season, a warm layer or rain jacket.

What if the weather is bad?

Some parts of the park may be restricted depending on weather conditions. Bring a raincoat or umbrella, and check with the operator before your tour date.

How long is the total tour?

Around 10 hours from pickup in Split or Trogir to drop-off in Zagreb, including the park visit, optional lunch, and transfer time.