Zagreb to Split Private Transfer with Plitvice Lakes Stop

The cascading waterfalls and turquoise lakes sit halfway between Zagreb and Split.

A private transfer from Zagreb to Split that breaks the journey at Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver and stop for up to three hours at the park, where you can either explore at your own pace or take a guided tour to learn about the geology and wildlife. Entrance fees to the park are separate.

The experience

The route runs from Zagreb through two hours of driving, then into Plitvice Lakes for a three to four-hour stop, then another two and a half to three hours south to Split. You pick your departure time by contacting the operator. Eight in the morning is suggested. The driver handles navigation and traffic. You sit in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle and drink bottled water included with the booking. Hotel pickup and drop-off happen at your accommodation, or at the closest accessible point if your hotel sits in a pedestrian zone.

At Plitvice Lakes, the park entrance is not included in the transfer price (tickets range from 10 to 40 euros per person depending on the season), but the stop itself is built into the journey. You choose at booking whether you want free time to walk the park trails on your own, or a private guided tour led by a licensed guide who explains the cascading system of lakes, the geology beneath them, and the species that live there. Either way, you get up to three hours. Additional time beyond that costs extra and needs advance arrangement.

Each traveler can bring one suitcase and one carry-on bag. Oversized luggage like surfboards or bikes may not fit. Contact the operator before booking if you have more than the standard allowance. The journey works in both directions (you can also book from Split to Zagreb with the same Plitvice stop), and the price is quoted per person, with all taxes and tolls already included.

What’s included

• One-way private transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• pickup and drop-off at your hotel or the closest accessible point.
• English-speaking driver.
• bottled water for each traveler.
• up to three hours at Plitvice Lakes (either as free time to explore or as a guided tour with a licensed guide, depending on which option you book).

Options for this experience

4 options

Zagreb departure, free time at the parkGuide in English · 11 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 11:30Free time in the park: With this choice, you get a private transfer and three hours to explore the National Park at your own pace (no guide included). Zagreb to Split via Plitvice: private transfer from Zagreb to Split with a stop at Plitvice Lakes NP. Pickup is included.

Split departure, free time at the parkGuide in English · 09:30, 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00Explore the park independently: Pick this option if you'd like to discover Plitvice on your own, with up to three hours of free time. Split to Plitvice to Zagreb: book this option for a private transfer from Split to Zagreb with a stop at Plitvice Lakes NP. Pickup is included.

Zagreb departure, guide includedGuide in English · 11 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 11:30Licensed guide for the park: Tour the National Park with a local licensed guide, included with this option. Zagreb to Split via Plitvice: private transfer from Zagreb to Split with a sightseeing stop at Plitvice Lakes NP. Pickup is included.

Split departure, guide included at the parkGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 11:30With a guided tour of Plitvice: this option includes a private guided tour of Plitvice Lakes NP. Split to Zagreb via Plitvice: choose this option for a private transfer from Split to Zagreb with a stop at Plitvice Lakes NP. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day11 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 11:30

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 44 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 45

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Limitless Balkan

Is this one for you?Book the guided tour option if you want to understand the geology and ecology of the cascading lakes. Choose free time if you prefer to walk the trails at your own pace. Either way, the three-hour stop transforms a long drive into a day that includes one of Croatia's most visited natural sites.

Traveler reviews

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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. No refund if you cancel.

What is Plitvice Lakes National Park like when you get there?

Plitvice Lakes is a UNESCO World Heritage site built around a cascade of turquoise lakes connected by waterfalls and underground channels. The park has walking trails that wind through the system. A guided tour explains the geology and wildlife, while free time lets you set your own pace through the landscape.

Can I choose how much time to spend at Plitvice Lakes?

The stop includes up to three hours at the park. If you book the option with a guide, the guide leads a tour within that window. If you book free time, you explore the trails yourself. Additional hours beyond three can be arranged for an extra fee if you contact the operator in advance.

Do I need to buy entrance tickets to Plitvice Lakes before I arrive?

Entrance tickets are not included in the transfer price and must be purchased separately. You can buy them online through the national park website or at the gate. Prices range from 10 euros per person in winter to 40 euros in summer, depending on the season.

What happens if traffic delays the drive from Zagreb?

The drive times (two hours to Plitvice and two and a half to three hours onward to Split) are approximate and depend on the time of day and traffic. The operator will confirm your exact departure time when you book, and the driver adjusts the schedule as needed to keep the park stop intact.

Can I book this transfer from Split back to Zagreb instead?

Yes, the same service runs in reverse from Split to Zagreb with the same Plitvice Lakes stop. You choose the direction at booking and pick between a guided tour or free time at the park, just as you would on the Zagreb-to-Split route.