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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.
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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
Situated overlooking one of Croatia’s most scenic and historically-significant landscapes, this modern church offers a unique experience. Dedicated to History
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
Overflowing with natural beauty, Croatia's seventh national park is also the only one where you can swim! Seven Stunning Scenes
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
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this little island is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. The Stone Beauty
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
Verified reviews from 2,102 travelers who booked this route
Oct 13, 2025
"Nikola was very helpful with the luggages and regularly checked in with us throughout the trip if there's anything we needed help with. He has a great demeanor and provided a comfortable ride too. We would highly consider engaging him again if we visit again! Thank you Nikola~"
Li Ting S.
Singapore
Sep 27, 2025
"Due to an error from me, our trip was booked for the wrong day (13 Sept instead of 11 Sept). We cancelled that trip and made a last minute request for another as we were due in Split on the 11th.
After several emails back and forth with your customer support team, we were provided with a driver who picked us up at 2pm. We would have fully understood if no driver had been available, particularly as we were out at Plitvice Lakes, so the fact that you were able to find us a ride we consider to be excellent service and we highly recommend you."
John J.
Australia
Sep 27, 2025
"Jakov was a wonderful safe and courteous driver. He was friendly and shared lots of local knowledge and history on our drive from Plitvice to Split. It was a pleasure to ride with him. "
John B.
United States
Nov 18, 2024
"Tatjana S. was amazing driver! She always tried to make me comfortable, and tought me around the Split, the history, good restaurant and so on. It made my travel so enjoyable and unforgettable!!
Thank you so much for great time!!
"
MARINA T.
Canada
Oct 20, 2024
"We had a comfortable ride from Plitvice to Split with Robert. He gave very clear instructions for the drop off and pick up points of our sightseeing stops, as well as excellent tips on how to navigate the sightseeing stops for maximum enjoyment."
Lucille Y.
Singapore
Sep 20, 2024
"Great driver and everything worked as scheduled. Jacov was punctual and very polite. The car was comfortable. We were interested in local history/geography and he was very well informed. Would thoroughly recommend him for future daytrips."
Niall M.
Ireland
Sep 7, 2024
"Branimir was a super nice driver and very accommodating for our timing needs and good communication."
Tracy L.
United States
Aug 8, 2024
"Excellent, he kept in contact with us beforehand, collected us from the agreed spot . A comfortable ride. Great service.
"
Richard G.
United Kingdom
Jun 7, 2024
"We were very happy with the services of both of our drivers - Both drivers were very professional, pleasant and informative with very good driving skills."
Barbara S.
Australia
Jun 3, 2024
"The trip was excellent. Sime was right on time, polite and helpful. I'd recommend him. - Ken B.
"
Kenneth B.
United States
May 30, 2024
"Jakov was a gem! He drove safety and was very smart and had so much knowledge of Croatia!! He could be a tour guide easily. A most impressive and intelligent driver.
"
MERV H.
Australia
May 11, 2024
"We liked our driver, Ivo B. very much. He was a very good driver and nice guy. We enjoyed chatting with him. He offered some interesting details and tips about Split and the surrounding area.
"
Daren F.
United States
Oct 6, 2023
"Duje S.was a wonderful driver for our trip. He drove carefully and responsibly. We felt very safe in his care. He also went above and beyond to retrieve 2 items we accidentally left in the car and return them to us! My husband"s prescription glasses, one of the items, were a major item to have on our vacation."
T. W. J.
United States
Oct 5, 2023
"We liked the trip. Tomislav was very professional and went out of his way to help us. He is a safe driver and communicates well. "
Madhav M.
United States
Sep 20, 2023
"Mateo was very knowledgeable and provided helpful information. He was overall friendly and courteous and arrived timely at all junctures."
Linda S.
United States
Aug 19, 2023
"Everything about our transfer from plitivice to split was spot on. Ivan was on time, let us know 20 mins beforehand and was the perfect driver. Could not have asked for more. Communication using what's app was a great idea as we did not have phone but did have hotel wi fi. 10 out of 10"
Ben F.
Australia
Jul 29, 2023
"Stipo was punctual, professional, knowledgeable & obliging. I could not of been happier with this service.
Thank you "
Cecilia C.
Australia
Jul 26, 2023
"Goran was awesome! He was very professional and enjoyable to chat with! He gave us some great tips and recommendations for the area! He even helped us make a few dinner reservations and book a speedboat tour of some of the islands while we were in Split! We were very excited when we realized that Goran was also going to be driving us to Dubrovnik from Split a few days later!"
Audrey B.
United States
Jul 14, 2023
"Drivers were on time, extremely polite and helpful, and made the stress of travelling from city to city disappear.
"
Ben H.
United States
Jun 24, 2023
"Our trip was perfect and seamless. Igor is punctual. He is professional. We would definitely recommend him! We had to book this trip 12 hours before we needed to leave because our original driver from another company canceled at the last minute. We were fortunate enough to have a competent driver confirm the trip within a half an hour of booking. Thank you to My Day Trip and Igor!!"
