Zagreb to Split via Plitvice Lakes: Private tour with park entry

Sixteen lakes joined by waterfalls, crossed by electric boat and panoramic train

A private tour from Zagreb to Split that stops at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia's UNESCO-listed natural heritage site. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed local guide, spend free time exploring the park's 16 interconnected lakes and travertine waterfalls, then continue to Split. The route takes 8 to 10 hours total, with park admission included and no fixed schedule inside the park.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zagreb to Split via Plitvice Lakes

• Visit watermill village at Slunjcica river
• Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Travel to and drop off in Split

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Zagreb location and a 1.5-hour drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park. On arrival, you get admission to the park and time to move at your own pace: no rushing through stops. The park's defining feature is its 16 small lakes connected by waterfalls formed from travertine, a limestone that builds up over time. You'll cross the lakes on noiseless electric boats and ride panoramic electric trains through dense beech, fir and spruce forest. The park also holds caves, springs and meadows. Brown bears and other protected species live in the surrounding area.

After your time in the park, you rejoin your driver-guide for the drive to Split, where you can be dropped at any location in the city or nearby. The vehicle is air-conditioned and seats up to eight people, so families or small groups travel together without joining other bookings. Your guide speaks English and knows the route and the park well enough to answer questions during the drive and answer practical questions about what you're seeing.

What’s included

• Door-to-door pickup and drop-off between Zagreb and Split.
• admission to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
• electric boat rides and panoramic train rides inside the park.
• comfortable air-conditioned vehicle.
• licensed local English-speaking driver-guide throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Croatian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by IN travel International d.o.o.

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling as a small group or family and want the flexibility to explore the park without a fixed schedule. The private vehicle means no other travelers, and your guide handles all driving so you can focus on the lakes and forest rather than navigation.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Croatian.

How much time do I actually spend inside Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The itinerary does not fix a set duration for the park itself. You have free time to explore at your own pace. The full tour runs 8 to 10 hours from Zagreb to Split, which includes the drive there, your time in the park, and the drive onward to Split.

What are the 16 lakes and how do I see them?

Plitvice Lakes are a series of small lakes joined by waterfalls and connected by travertine barriers. You move through the park on two types of transport: noiseless electric boats that cross the lakes, and panoramic electric trains that run through the forest. Both are included with your park admission.

Is there a watermill village on this route?

Yes. A watermill village sits where the Slunjcica river flows into the Korana river. Most of the houses were built in the late 19th and early 20th century and are part of the scenery on the way to or from the park.

Can I do this tour in reverse, starting from Split?

Yes. The tour operates in both directions: Zagreb to Split via Plitvice Lakes, or Split to Plitvice Lakes and Zagreb. You choose the direction that fits your itinerary.

What wildlife might I see in the park?

Brown bears are the most notable protected species in Plitvice Lakes, along with many other animals. The park is surrounded by dense forest that provides habitat for these species, though sightings are not guaranteed.