There is a direct train from Zagreb to Split, but it is not the cheapest or most convenient way to travel. Unfortunately, if you choose to travel via the night train, which offers direct trips, you'll miss out on sightseeing stops and scenic views.
Can you fly from Zagreb to Split?
You can fly from Zagreb to Split with three airlines offering daily trips either directly to Split or via stopovers. However, these flights are incredibly expensive and can be time-consuming. Although the majority of flights offered are only six and a half hours long, there are outlying flights that can take over 14 hours to get you to Split.
How do you get from Zagreb to Split by car?
Getting from Zagreb to Split can be challenging if you're unfamiliar with the roads from one city to the next. However, the trip is pretty straightforward as you will travel along the A1 the entire way. However, making a few stops along the way is recommended since the trip can take longer than four hours. Luckily, if you travel with a private car service like Daytrip, you won't need to worry about navigating and can sit back and relax while a private driver gets you where you need to be.
How long does it take to get from Zagreb to Split?
How long it takes to get from Zagreb to Split depends on how you travel between these two cities. Traveling by car takes four to five hours, while traveling by bus can take just under five hours or as long as eight. In addition, traveling by train takes six to eight hours, and flights take six and a half to 14 and a half hours.
If you're planning a car trip from Zagreb to Split, you've likely experienced all the things to do in Zagreb.
Zagreb's beautiful parks, colorful architecture, bustling entertainment, and vibrant local life make it a popular travel destination. Yet what makes it even more attractive is its eclectic mix of old-world attractions, like galleries and museums, and modern attractions, like contemporary cafes and exciting street food festivals.
But Split in Croatia might be even better, and we don't say this lightly since we know how spectacular Zagreb is. This seaside city in Croatia has some of the best gastronomy, theater, film, music festivals, and exhibitions in the country. Like Zagreb, it also offers much entertainment, outdoor activities, and historical attractions that will have you thirsting for a second look. It will be hard to say goodbye once Split has its hooks in you.
Take a comfortable door-to-door car ride from Zagreb to Split with a private car service like Daytrip and you'll arrive ready to explore. Talk with your driver to get local insights on the best things to do when you get to Split. Along the way stop for sightseeing to further enrich your trip. Visit the UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes to marvel at its extraordinary interconnected lakes and waterfalls. Or immerse yourself in Adriatic culture at Sibenik, another UNESCO World Heritage Site that's the oldest Croatian-founded town in the country.
About Split
Split became a city 17 centuries ago after Roman Emperor Diocletian built himself a palace near Salona, an established Roman city at the time, on the peninsula. Although Solana is no more, the palace still stands. The city of Split formed around this lavish residence, with thousands of travelers flocking to the growing city then and now.
Like other European cities, Split has immense charm thanks to its rich tradition, magnificent natural beauty, evocative cultural heritage, and immersive history. If you plan on visiting Split, you'll find it on Croatia's Adriatic Coast on the Split peninsula. It's a city that's surrounded by the sea and bordered by remarkable mountains, with Mosar on the northeast and Kozjak on the northwest. Besides mountains, Split is also well known for Marjan Hill, which rises on the west side of the awe-inspiring peninsula, and numerous islands surround it, such as Hvar, Solta, Ciovo, and Brac.
Geography aside, Split is a history enthusiast's wonderland. This city was built layers upon layers of history since the Middle Ages. A simple walk through its streets will reveal ancient tales and inspire a traveler to learn more. You'll find Romanesque churches, Baroque facades, ancient buildings, Renaissance homes, bustling nightlife, and many eateries serving traditional cuisine.
As if that wasn't enough, Split's incredibly friendly and lively atmosphere is the cherry on top. No matter where you go in Split, you'll be met by friendly faces and many outdoor activities, wineries, festivals, concerts, and gourmet experiences.
From Zagreb to Split: Travel tips
It's no secret that Zagreb and Split are two of the most exciting places to visit in Europe if you're after a lively atmosphere and bustling nightlife. Follow these travel tips for your trip from Zagreb to Split to ensure a smooth experience.
Give yourself enough time
What's the point of traveling to Split if you don't have enough time to enjoy it fully? Technically, you could make a day trip to Split to see the city's highlights, but if you want to truly immerse yourself in the culture and local way of life, you'll need a minimum of two to three days.
And don't count your travel day. You'll want to take advantage of the amazing sightseeing opportunities on the way when you travel with Daytrip. If you don't set aside enough time, you might be disappointed.
Book with a private car service
Driving a rental is all fun and games until you get lost, struggle to navigate the roads, or misinterpret the road rules. So avoid the hassle and book a ride from Zagreb to Split with Daytrip.
Your English-speaking driver will expertly navigate the roads and get you to Split safely. And along the way you can talk to them to get local insights about what to do in Split and how to enjoy the sightseeing stops you have planned! Nice right?
Timing is important
The drive from Zagreb to Split can take four to five hours, depending on the route chosen, the time of year, the traffic, and any sightseeing stops. Leave early to avoid congestion and give yourself time to visit places you're excited to see while still enjoying a leisurely drive. With Daytrip, you can set your pick-up time to suit your needs, but we recommend leaving early enough in the day to accomplish everything you've set out to achieve.
How to get from Zagreb to Split
Deciding how to get from Zagreb and Split is an important part of your holiday planning. The distance between is about 254 miles (409 km), so the transportation option you choose will affect how quickly you get to Split and how many things you can see and do.
To help you decide, we're sharing the best ways to get from Zagreb to Split below.
From Zagreb to Split by train
There's only one direct train a day from Zagreb to Split. It departs Zagreb at 3:18 PM and arrives in Split at 9:53 PM. Because the train departs in the afternoon, you'll unfortunately miss out on much of the route's beauty after the sun sets. And since you arrive in Split late, you're essentially wasting a precious day.
A ticket costs between $25 and $50, and the trip takes between six and a half and eight and a half hours. Croatian Railways and Slovenian Railways are the two train lines that make this trip.
From Zagreb to Split by bus
Surprisingly, the bus is cheaper and faster than the train, so it's a popular choice for those traveling from Zagreb to Split on a budget. Flixbus is the most popular coachline that completes the trip between these two cities. The ticket prices range between $21 and $27 per seat.
The time it takes to travel by bus differs, but a direct trip can take less than five hours or more than eight. You also have more departure options than the train. A bus leaves the Zagreb bus station for Split's bus station every two hours daily. If you don't want to travel with Flixbus, there is Nomago and Arriva Croatia. However, no matter who you choose, expect a crowded coach, WiFi that doesn't quite work, and no stops â unless a transfer is planned.
Flight from Zagreb to Split
Flying from Zagreb to Split can be challenging, time-consuming, and expensive. There are only a handful of direct flights, so tickets can get expensive or sell out. And while the actual flight only takes 45 minutes, you need to factor in getting to and from the airport as well as the 2 hours for check-in and security. After all this, it comes out to be about the same as taking a private car but with more hassle.
If the direct flight is sold out, your trip could take six and a half hours to more than 14 hours. For example, Croatia Airlines offers a flight from Zagreb â ZAG to Brussels â BRU. After a lengthy stopover, you'll need to transfer from Brussels to Swiss Airlines and fly to Zurich â ZRH. Once in Zurich, Swiss Airlines will fly you to Split â SPU, but again, you'll encounter a stopover.
From Zagreb to Split by private car transfer with Daytrip
A private car transfer with Daytrip is the fastest, easiest, most comfortable, and most convenient way to travel from Zagreb to Split.
The drive only takes 3.5 hours, and when you travel with Daytrip, you'll be picked up at your door in Zagreb and dropped off at your accommodation in Split. You won't even have to worry about handling your luggage as we'll do it for you.
And unlike other car service rental agencies, with Daytrip you'll ride with a friendly and knowledgeable English-speaking driver. Although this driver is not a tour guide and does not offer tours, they can provide expert insights into your trip.
In addition, you can stop and sightsee along the way and plan the route you want to take and when you want to leave. Best of all, a trip starts at only 97 Euros per seat.
Things to do when you get to Split
Split has some of the best beaches on the Adriatic coast alongside ancient architecture, premium quality restaurants, and numerous attractions, so it's unsurprising that it's a year-round destination. Here are the best things to do when you get to Split!
BaÄvice beach
You can't visit Split without setting foot on one of its beautiful beaches. If we have to recommend only one and you're strapped for time, you should visit BaÄvice beach. This beach is easily within walking distance of the ferry terminal and main bus station in Split, so it's easy to get to and won't take you very long to find.
Enjoy the lively, sun-soaked atmosphere and friendly faces of other beachgoers. Not to mention, BaÄvice beach offers some of the prettiest beachside views in Croatia. And if you get thirsty, pop into one of the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs that line this half-moon beach.
Split City Museum
Visit the Split City Museum for a dose of art and history. This museum can be found in the heart of the city. It houses a spectacular collection of weaponry and paintings in a 15th-century Gothic building with a striking facade.
Once you've seen the building, paintings, and weaponry, have a look at the old photographs, ancient maps, and documents found within the museum that will take you on a historical tour through the city's immersive past. Afterward, be sure to stop by a few of the permanent exhibitions.
Diocletian's palace
You will be hard-pressed to find another palace in Croatia as striking and grand as Diocletian's palace in Split. First built by Roman Emperor Diocletian, this extravagant palace is where Split began. Parts of the palace were repurposed and rebuilt in the centuries following the fall of the Roman Empire. The Cathedral of Saint Domnius, the oldest extant Catholic cathedral in the world, uses Diocletian's 4th-century mausoleum as its base, while its 12th-century bell tower soars above.
To make the palace even more attractive, most areas are free to roam. Just go through one of the four gates and begin your adventure.
When is the best time to visit Split?
Unlike many other European cities, Split experiences a mild climate all year long, which is good news for visitors. Summer is the high season, so generally, the best time to travel from Zagreb to Split to enjoy all the attractions, shopping, and activities Split offers is May to June and September to October.
These months provide the best sunny weather without scorching hot temperatures or rain storms. In addition, since these months are shoulder seasons, you'll get to enjoy cost savings on everything from transportation, museum and gallery tickets, and accommodation to food, festivals, and concerts. So what are you waiting for? It's time to visit!
Visitez ces sites en chemin
Rastoke
Rastoke is an idyllic Croatian village most known for its 18th century flour mills and traditional homes. Â Undiscovered Croatian villageÂ
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvicka Jezera, or Plitvice Lakes, is a UNESCO listed National Park consisting of 16 lakes interconnected by over 90 waterfalls. Its breathtaking beauty makes it one of the most magnificent natural sights in all of Europe. Croatia's most beautiful natural wonderÂ
Rocca restaurant
High on a hilltop above Bribir, this archaeological site offers an uninterrupted timeline of Dalmatian civilization across thousands of years. Croatia's Ancient TroyÂ
Krka National Park
Overflowing with natural beauty, Croatia's seventh national park is also the only one where you can swim! Seven Stunning ScenesÂ
Sibenik
Unlike cities like Trogir and Hvar, which were founded by outside conquerors, the UNESCO-listed town of Sibenik is the oldest Croatian-founded settlement. The Oldest Adriatic GemÂ
Trogir
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this little island is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. Â The Stone BeautyÂ
