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.

Questions & Answers about Traveling from Plitvice Lakes National Park to Split

The drive from Plitvice Lakes National Park to Split is 2.5 hours. This is the fastest way to travel. Traveling via bus takes twice as long, with trips averaging 4.5 hours (however, they do not require a transfer). Leave early in the morning to get ahead of road traffic.
Yes! The drive is only 2.5 hours, so it is just far enough to make a day trip from Plitvice Lakes National Park to Split. Leave early in the morning so you can make the most of the daylight during Croatia’s long days.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is closer to Zagreb! It is located about 80 miles (130 km) from Zagreb and 150 miles (240 km) from Split. However, it is possible to visit the national park from either city as a day trip.
No, there is no train station near Plitvice. The train networks in Croatia are quite limited due to its terrain and lack of funding. You will need to make the trip from Plitvice Lakes to Split by bus or by private vehicle.
The distance between Plitvice Lakes National Park and Split is 150 miles (or 240 km). The fastest way to travel is with a private vehicle, which will take you about 2.5 hours. For comparison, the bus trip takes about 4.5 hours.
You can travel from Plitvice Lakes to Split by private car or on a bus. A car is almost twice as fast as a bus, so you will definitely want to have a driver for this trip. Each way will take 2.5 hours by car, so a day trip is entirely possible.

Visit these sights on the way

Church of Croatian Martyrs at Udbina

Church of Croatian Martyrs at Udbina

Situated overlooking one of Croatia’s most scenic and historically-significant landscapes, this modern church offers a unique experience. Dedicated to History 

Zadar

Zadar

Inhabited for over two thousand years, Croatia's oldest city is one of the Mediterranean’s most historically interesting towns. Port of Plenty 

Krka National Park

Krka National Park

Overflowing with natural beauty, Croatia's seventh national park is also the only one where you can swim! Seven Stunning Scenes 

Sibenik

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 Gem 

Trogir

Trogir

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this little island is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe.  The Stone Beauty 

Klis Fortress

Klis Fortress

Although its television debut has made it well known, this ancient fortress is still a gem with plenty of space to wander. The City of Meereen from Game of Thrones 

Why travelers love this route

Tripadvisor logo
4,800+ reviews
  • 4 reviews for this route
  • 1,477 travelers took this route with us
Oct 16, 2021

Good transportation in Croatia / Bosnia & Herzogovina

We recently booked four trips with Daytrip, utilizing 3 different drivers and a variety of vehicles. Our trips were in Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina as follows: Split to Lake Plitvice (stop in Krka), Plitvice to Split, Split to Mostar (stop in Pocitelj ) and Mostar to Dubrovnik (stops in Blagaj tekija Monastery and Tvrdos Monastery for a wine tour). The drivers were all very good: on time, friendly, spoke english, gave us interesting information and were easy to communicate with via text and email for coordination. The vehicles were clean and in good condition. We investigated renting a car and found that we would not use it while in each town / island (Hvar, Split, Plitvice, Mostar, Dubrovnik). Parking was a challenge and expensive. There were less ferry options if we took the car (and more expensive).

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler brokerdt1
Review author image

brokerdt1

Oct 16, 2021
Nov 5, 2019

Day trip from Split, Croatia to Plitvice and Krka National Parks

This is the second time we've used Daytrip and I'm sure it won't be the last. We enjoyed our trip very much. Scheduling was easy and as we got closer to our date it was also easy to make small changes to our itinerary. Our driver Milivoj T., picked us up on time, and was very friendly and knowledgeable about the areas we were going to. Thanks Daytrip!

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler Jenblauw
Review author image

Jenblauw

Nov 5, 2019
Oct 5, 2019

Excellent six point to point trips in the Balkans

We were a party of 6 used Daytrip for six point to point trips ((Zagreb to Ljubljana, Ljubljana to Plitvice Lakes National Park, Plitvice Lakes National Park to Split, Split to Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik to Sarajevo, Sarajevo to Zagreb) in the Balkans over 2 weeks. All six drivers (Dario, Ziga, Damir, Mateo, Marko, and Tomislav) and vehicles were excellent in service and quality. A couple of the drivers went beyond their standard services and offered much guidance and knowledge on the local history, geography, culture, and places of interest during the road trips. Tomislav (Bugy) was rated the best driver. Highly recommend Daytrip where such service is available in other parts of the world.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler ajonestravel
Review author image

ajonestravel

Oct 5, 2019
Jun 17, 2017

Great way to travel!

A few weeks ago we travelled from Plitvice to Split in a private car with Slaven Dugec. It was a memorable trip through lovely scenery. He ensured that we were very comfortable in his Mercedes, which was immaculate. He drove well and answered all our questions about Croatia and its history. We stopped for coffee and photos at Skradin, and had lunch in Trogir. Would highly recommend this alternative to the bus.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler Wendy K
Review author image

Wendy K

Jun 17, 2017

Vehicle options for this trip

Most popular

sedan

Sedan

Comparable to aVolkswagen Passat
Passengers and luggage
  • 1-3
  • 3x
  • 3x
  • Clean
  • Comfortable
  • Air conditioned
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Child seats
  • Pet friendly
  • Smoke-free
From ... per seatSelect

Best reviews

luxury sedan

Luxury sedan

Comparable to aMercedes Benz E-class
Passengers and luggage
  • 1-2
  • 2x
  • 2x
  • All standard sedan features
  • Luxurious vehicle
  • Chauffeur-style service
  • Extra amenities
From ... per seatSelect

More options

mpv

Compact MPV

Comparable to aVolkswagen Touran
Passengers and luggage
  • 4
  • 4x
  • 4x
From ... per seatSelect
van

Van

Comparable to aMercedes Vito
Passengers and luggage
  • 5-7
  • 7x
  • 7x
From ... per seatSelect

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!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, here are the answers.

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