Split

Private car transfer
from Plitvice Lakes National Park to Split

Door-to-door
in 2 h 50 min
From ...
per seat
Comfortable
car
One way
Cancel for free 24 hours before departure
Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice 2024
Excellent
trustpilot-stars

Trip Information

Pick-up

Your driver will meet you at your address in Plitvice Lakes National Park.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage

Trip

You’ll travel in comfort for 2 h 50 min.

  • Optional sight-seeing
  • Clean, comfortable car
  • Professional driver
  • Bottled water
  • Child seats
  • Prepared for handicapped
  • Smoke-free
  • Pet friendly

Drop-off

Your driver will drop you off at your address in Split.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage
In total
  • 261 km
  • 2 h 50 min

Overview: car trip from Plitvice Lakes to Split

Croatia is a diverse country with a variety of landscapes, like mountains, shorelines, waterfalls, and forests. It has a distinct boomerang shape with a long, thin coastline of 1,100 miles (1,777 km) and a mainland expansion that stretches inland about 250 miles (390 km). It is full of natural wonders and historic cities, the best of which you will see as you travel from Plitvice to Split.

The road trip back to Split will take you through the Croatian countryside, which is dotted with vineyards, farmhouses, and villages with homes made of local stone. As you journey south and back towards the coast, the landscape becomes more Mediterranean, with rocky soil and olive groves overlooking the sea.

You will recognize Split as it comes into view for its Brac stone buildings and coastal architectural style. Your driver will get you right to your front door, and even help with any bags you brought along for the trip. Let Daytrip handle the driving details so you can enjoy your Croatian vacation!

About Split

After your trip from Plitvice Lakes to Split, you will have arrived in one of the Mediterranean's oldest settlements. Split is Croatia’s second-largest city and the largest city on Croatia’s coastline. Split’s ideal location on the coast made it an important center for the trading of goods and cultural influence. It has been a part of many empires throughout its past, including the Roman, Byzantine, Dalmatian, Venetian, and Ottoman empires.

Split’s origins

Split is an incredibly old city, first mentioned in written records over 1,700 years ago. It was founded as the Greek colony of Aspalathos between the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC. In the 4th century BC, it became the location for the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s retirement palace. Diocletian’s Palace is considered the beginning of urban development in Split and is a major part of Split’s historic downtown.

Split today

Croatia has made a comeback since the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s and is now back to being the popular coastal destination it has been for centuries. Almost one million people visit Split annually for its Mediterranean atmosphere and warm, sunny shores.

Split is a major launching-off point for ferries traveling to the Croatian islands of Hvar, Brac, and Vis, as well as Italy. Its ancient buildings and gorgeous views of the sea make it an obvious choice for Hollywood location scouts, so Split has been the backdrop for movies and television shows like the Game of Thrones, Twilight: Breaking Dawn, and Winnetou. Come visit Split and see what all of the hype is about!

From Plitvice Lakes to Split: travel tips

Getting back from Plitvice Lakes National Park to Split requires a little bit of preparation, so keep these travel tips in mind!

Have cash on you- and the right kind of cash!

You may have visited Croatia before, but things have changed! Croatia recently accepted the euro as its official currency, so don’t expect to receive kunas at the ATM. Croatia has a very cash-based economy, especially in the small towns between Plitvice and Split, so have enough cash on hand for meals, tickets, and any souvenirs.

Keep your phone charged

Having your phone die halfway through a trip is the worst! Keep a fully charged battery pack and charging cable in your bag so you can stay connected and access your tickets and camera. Turn off Bluetooth and mobile data when not in use for added battery life.

How to get from Plitvice Lakes to Split

Croatia has limited train infrastructure, so this trip will have to be made by bus or private car. Good thing Daytrip has you covered!

Plitvice Lakes to Split with Daytrip’s private car service

After you’ve trekked all over Croatia’s largest national park, let someone else handle the driving! Getting from Plitvice back to Split is a breeze with a private driver from Daytrip.

Your driver, who speaks both English and Croatian, will pick you up from Plitvice Lakes and bring you safely and quickly back to Split. This trip takes just 2.5 by car, compared to 4,5 hours by bus. The best part? You won’t have to worry about parking or returning a rental car once you’re back in Split. Book your seat for €301.

Plitvice Lakes to Split by bus

Flixbus has three daily departures from the Plitvice Lakes National Park back to Split. The earliest departure is at 9:30 AM, and the latest departure is at 4:20 PM. All of the bus options take at least 4.5 hours, so bring snacks and water along for the ride. On the plus side, you can expect A/C and a bathroom on board. You also won’t need to transfer buses, since it is a direct route. Tickets start at around €22.

Things to do when you get to Split

You’ve seen the natural beauty of Croatia’s forests, waterfalls, and lakes on your drive from Plitvice to Split, but now it’s time to see what the coast brings. During your time in Split, make sure these activities are on your itinerary!

Explore the ‘set’ of Game of Thrones at Diocletian’s Palace

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, this is a must-see! The Diocletian’s Palace was the backdrop for several scenes of the popular HBO show and was also featured on the back of Croatia’s 500 Kuna banknote. For diehard Game of Thrones fans, have your Daytrip driver take you to Klis Fortress, another filming location, on your way back from Plitvice Lakes.

The 8th-century Cathedral of St. Domnius is also part of this UNESCO-listed historical complex. It is the oldest continually operating Catholic cathedral in the world.

Climb Marjan Hill

Getting the perfect family vacation photo is easy when the views are so beautiful! Hike or bike through the forests and parks in Marjan Hill to find hidden chapels and peaceful picnicking spots just a short distance from the crowded streets below. Marjan Hill is at the end of the Split Peninsula and juts out into the Adriatic Sea, so the panoramic views cannot be beat.

Take a ferry to the islands

Split is a major port for ferries that reach far and wide across the Adriatic Sea. Take a ferry for the day to see the nearby Croatian islands of Vis, Brac, and Hvar. These islands have their own rich history as major empires grappled for control of them, so tour their historic sites and walk their charming old towns.

Bring your snorkel, mask, and sturdy water shoes for this day trip. Croatia’s clear water is perfect for snorkeling, and the rocky shores have plenty of caves and holes for crabs, fish, and coral to live. You will want water shoes with straps so you can enter and exit the water on the island’s rocky and pebbled beaches without much difficulty.

Sip your coffee on the Riva Promenade

Split’s waterfront promenade is lined with palm trees, cafes, and restaurants overlooking the Adriatic. Croatia has a strong coffee culture, so pull up a chair, order a kava s mlijekom (coffee with milk), and watch the waves hit the shore.

When is the best time to visit Split

Split is a sunny city with a Mediterranean climate year-round, which means summers can be downright brutal. Expect highs of 90° F (32° C) during July and August without much shade. Many buildings and walkways in Split are made of glistening white limestone, and there are very few trees, so the urban heat island effect makes the city feel warmer than on the shore or on Plitvice Lakes.

Visit during March-June or September-November to avoid the worst of the summer heat and have some smaller crowds. Outdoor walking tours will also be easier to manage with cooler temperatures.

Visit these sights on the way

The Daytrip driver advantage

Daytrip driver
  • Local knowledge about the route from Plitvice Lakes National Park to Split
    Including available sights:
  • English speaking*

    All Daytrip drivers speak English* as well as their native language (and sometimes additional languages too!). They'll be happy to discuss local history and culture with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. And because they speak the language, they're able to provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with local culture. *Drivers for Lite service aren't required to speak English but must meet all other standards.

  • Safety first!

    We screen all our drivers for criminal and traffic records, and personally interview each one. We also inspect their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability. All cars must be less than ten years old, in excellent operating condition, and insured as required by local law. And because our drivers are locals, they're familiar with the rules and customs of the road.

World-class customer support

  • Available 24/7
  • Close relationship with drivers
  • Experts on the route from Plitvice Lakes National Park to Split

Flexible cancellation policy

  • Cancellations: 100% refund up to 24 hours before the trip!
  • Changes: Free up to 24 hours before the trip!

Good to know

Children

If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!

Pets

Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.

Tips

Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).

Luggage

  • Big luggage
  • 29x21x11 inches
  • 74x53x28 cm
  • Small luggage
  • 22x14x9 inches
  • 56x36x23 cm

Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.

Payment methods

Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!

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Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries they’re visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.

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