From Split: Self-Guided Plitvice Lakes Day Tour with Boat Ride
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 393 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is From Split: Self-Guided Plitvice Lakes Day Tour with Boat Ride worth booking?
From Split: Self-Guided Plitvice Lakes Day Tour with Boat Ride is a 12-hour experience in Split, Croatia, from $59 per person. It scores 85 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 393 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 85 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (393)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $59 per person
Join us on a day trip to Plitvice Lakes, one of the most spectacular tourist destinations in Croatia. Enjoy dramatic scenery and cascading waterfalls, which have been placed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. Avoi
What you get
About this experience
Join us on a day trip to Plitvice Lakes, one of the most spectacular tourist destinations in Croatia. Enjoy dramatic scenery and cascading waterfalls, which have been placed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. Avoid long entrance queues in the summer months. Depart from Split in the morning and enjoy a scenic 3-hour drive through the beautiful Croatian countryside to the Plitvice Lakes National Park. On your way, you will get to hear some interesting facts and enjoy fascinating views. Explore the beautiful green paradise on your own along a path crossing the upper and lower lakes. Experience the majesty of the highest waterfall in Plitvice Lakes, as well as in Croatia in general. Hop onto a train through the stunning woodland of this finest Croatian National Park.
What's included
Included
- Transportation by bus or van
- Panoramic boat ride
- Electric train ride
Not included
- Entry tickets to the National park (if option not selected)
- Guide
What you'll see and do
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Experience an amazing day full of beauty at the Plitvice National Park, a green oasis of untouched nature. This amazing trip takes you from Split to the unique park of natural beauty and serenity made of 16 turquoise-coloured lakes tumbling into each other through a series of majestic waterfalls and cascades. Enjoy a panoramic boat ride or panoramic views on a train ride.
240 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Split
Meet your guide at Marulićeva ul. 4. (Booker Travel Agency office). Please enter the office, where you will be checked in and greeted by your tour guide (it is necessary to arrive at the meeting point 15 min before the start of the tour).
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet your guide at Marulićeva ul. 4. (Booker Travel Agency office). Please enter the office, where you will be checked in and greeted by your tour guide (it is necessary to arrive at the meeting point 15 min before the start of the tour).
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Booker - travel agency
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 390 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
390 verified traveler reviews for From Split: Self-Guided Plitvice Lakes Day Tour with Boat Ride. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wonderful Day Trip!
Our guide, Lovro, was outstanding! Not only was he very funny, he was extremely knowledgeable too! We had a wonderful day and recommend everyone to take this tour and if you’re lucky- you might be with Lovro!
Response from the operator: Dear Ernim, We at the Booker travel agency always strive to provide our guests with the highest level of quality and satisfaction, and your review serves as a testament to our ongoing commitment. We greatly appreciate your recognition of our efforts. We are grateful for your kind words for our dear guide Lovre as well! Kind regards, Booker Team
via Tripadvisor
Joyful
I recommand, guide speaks a lot of langages, that helps !
Response from the operator: Dear Sir/Madam, Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful review with us! We are thrilled to hear about your positive experience. Your feedback truly means a lot to us and serves as a great motivation for our team. We are delighted to have met your expectations and look forward to seeing you again in the future. Best regards, Booker team
via Tripadvisor
Self-Guided Tour
Very convenient way to visit Plitvice Lakes for the day. I did the self-guided tour but from my experience in transit and at our various meeting points, Antonia was a fantastic guide. She was very attentive and knowledgeable!
Response from the operator: Dear Sir/Madam, We are glad that you had a great time on the tour and that our guide Antonia made it even better. Have a nice stay in Split! Kind regards, Booker team
via Tripadvisor
Beautiful Tour
Sanja was an amazing guide for our tour. She was very informative and the lakes themselves are gorgeous.
Response from the operator: Dear Sir/Madam, Thank you for your nice words about our tour, we appreciate it. We are happy to hear that you liked our dear guide Sanja and her guidance. We wish to see you again on one of our other tours! Kind regards, Booker team
via Tripadvisor
Stunning scenery well worth the wait, choose self guided!
Plitvice lakes boasts an incredibly beautiful experience: from stunning waterfalls to crystal clear idyllic lakes, this walk is well worth the trip! My partner and I took the self guided tour, and we were the only ones to do so from our group, a decision we were a bit nervous about at first but later were very happy we made… Positives + All of the staff at Booker are amazing, if you appreciate being led by a chatty, charismatic local guide, then the guided tour may suit you better. + As mentioned before the lakes are stunning, can’t fault them at all, a perfect setting for a day out with a partner, family, or friends. + Travel is well organised, clearly explained, well air-conditioned and fairly manageable even for those who don’t like travelling - the just under 3 hour journey there and back is split by a break in the middle, and the Croatian countryside views alone are gorgeous. + Even though we were the only ones of around 40 to take the self guided tour, we certainly did not feel left out and were taken care of every step of the way. If you are hesitant to take the self guided tour because you are afraid to get lost, or don’t want to have to navigate yourself, DONT BE! Your guide will explain everything very clearly, and the paths are very obvious when you’re there. Even if you were to get lost, your guide is only one call or text away to help you immediately. Negatives -The walk may be a little challenging for some… Half of the walk is an easy stroll through vibrant valleys of turquoise lakes, and the other half is walking up and down the hilly terrain - if you struggle with mobility, this walk may not be for you, but is very manageable for the average person. - Pretty unavoidable for a place as beautiful as this but the queues at certain areas can be a little frustrating, particularly at the boat and “train” rides. When we arrived, our first stop was the train ride up, and unfortunately we had to wait almost an hour there for it, which is particularly annoying after a 3 hour journey to get there in the first place! - This didn’t affect us as we went at our own pace, but we heard from a few, and read in other reviews that the tour can feel a little rushed. At the beginning of the journey when we were with the group, we also felt a little restricted as we just wanted to get going! If you are like us and just want to storm ahead to experience as much as possible at your own pace we would highly recommend self guided. Things to note ! Bring your own drinks, my partner and I brought a bottle of water each and even that wasn’t enough for the two of us: the stretches of walk between stops is quite lengthy, and there isn’t any fill up points along the way, so make sure to be well stocked and stay hydrated particularly if you are going in the heat. ! Not as important but the same goes for food, the cafe that you can access halfway into your walk doesn’t have to be greatest selection of food and the queues are a bit long. If you are guided, you won’t be stopping there for long so a wait in the queue and a toilet break will probably result in you throwing your food down you like there’s no tomorrow! Summary All in all, the plitvice lakes experience is incredible, and is definitely worth the time, money, and effort. Do not be discouraged to go on your own adventure, we found it far better this way, but if you like the company of a big group and the wisdom of a friendly guide then choose guided. A big thank you to all the booker staff, particularly George (our driver) and Larry (our tour guide) for providing us with an unforgettable experience!
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed and thoughtful review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you had an unforgettable experience at Plitvice Lakes and that you enjoyed the freedom of choosing the self-guided option. It’s wonderful to know that our team made you feel well looked after throughout the day, even though you were the only ones in your group who chose the self-guided option. We’re especially happy to hear that George and Larry helped make your experience a memorable one — we’ll definitely pass your kind words on to them! We also really appreciate your detailed tips for future travelers. Staying hydrated and bringing some snacks is definitely a great idea, especially during the warmer months. Regarding the queues and crowds, Plitvice Lakes is an extremely popular national park, particularly during peak season, so waiting times at certain points can unfortunately be unavoidable and are outside of our control. The same applies to the park’s facilities, visitor numbers and internal transportation. We’re also glad you mentioned both options. We always want our guests to choose the experience that suits them best — whether that means enjoying the knowledge and company of a guide or exploring independently at their own pace. Thank you once again for choosing Booker Travel and for recommending us so warmly. We hope to welcome you back to Croatia for another adventure in the future!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 138
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 85
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
From Split: Self-Guided Plitvice Lakes Day Tour with Boat Ride: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Split.
How much does From Split: Self-Guided Plitvice Lakes Day Tour with Boat Ride cost?
+
Prices start at $59 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Split usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does From Split: Self-Guided Plitvice Lakes Day Tour with Boat Ride take?
+
Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Split is not rushed.
Is From Split: Self-Guided Plitvice Lakes Day Tour with Boat Ride worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 85 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 393 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Split, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule From Split: Self-Guided Plitvice Lakes Day Tour with Boat Ride?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is From Split: Self-Guided Plitvice Lakes Day Tour with Boat Ride suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book From Split: Self-Guided Plitvice Lakes Day Tour with Boat Ride?
+
Around 138 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Split can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Split and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does From Split: Self-Guided Plitvice Lakes Day Tour with Boat Ride start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Split within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Split?
+
On Outty we rank every Split experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Split Small-Group Walking Tour with a Magister of History, Split Walking Tour with Professor of History, From Split: Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Split?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Split?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for From Split: Self-Guided Plitvice Lakes Day Tour with Boat Ride.
Pick your date
