Your driver will meet you at your address in Zagreb.
You’ll travel in comfort for 4 h 10 min.
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Split.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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 – unless a transfer is planned.
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 – ZAG to Brussels – BRU. After a lengthy stopover, you'll need to transfer from Brussels to Swiss Airlines and fly to Zurich – ZRH. Once in Zurich, Swiss Airlines will fly you to Split – SPU, but again, you'll encounter a stopover.
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.
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!
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 Bačvice 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, Bačvice 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.
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.
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.
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!
Rastoke is an idyllic Croatian village most known for its 18th century flour mills and traditional homes. Undiscovered Croatian village
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 wonder
Stop by Rocca, situated a few steps from the Adriatic coast, for some authentic locally-grown food! Great food along the coast
Overflowing with natural beauty, Croatia's seventh national park is also the only one where you can swim! Seven Stunning Scenes
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
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this little island is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. The Stone Beauty
“The car service was great and as promised. Adding the 2 hr stop at Plitvice Nat'l Park was perfect, just amazing scenery. And lunch at the restaurant near park entrance was a real treat for a traditional Croatian meal. We also thoroughly enjoyed our driver/guide Davor, he told us all about the history of the region and gave us great recommendations for places to go in Zagreb.... and he was right. We will definitely use the service again.”
Marmcc63
Oct 4, 2020“Our trip experience could not have been made better. Marijo was the perfect & most professional choice of driver. His commentaries with regard to local information and history all along the way from Zagreb to Split provided us with further insight into the area and made the journey more enjoyable. The two hour stop at Pitivice Lakes was a must and quite an experience. I would highly recommend your services and will use them again next time in Europe.”
Bob T
Sep 23, 2018“Can highly recommend this service. Its personalised and flexible to your needs. Our driver Darko was very helpful, friendly and informative.”
janalley
Aug 13, 2017“First time using Daytrip and this company did not disappoint. From our last minute booking until the end of the trip, we were well cared for. We booked a transfer from Split, Croatia to the capital city of Zagreb, with a visit to Plitvice National Park which was our main reason for booking with this company. Dario was a pleasure...friendly, humorous and patient, especially when our visit to Plitvice took longer than we expected. He recommended a super restaurant for us in Rastoke, and went out of his way to help us with our luggage when we arrived in Zagreb, as we had to park a distance away from our apartment. I would not hesitate to use this company again, and highly recommend them.”
Julie M
May 16, 2017All 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.
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.
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 are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
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).
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.
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
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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