All transport fares and daily budgets benchmarked for 2026.
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Adriatic & Balkans • 10 Days
Prices verified: Aug 2026 • Source: Arriva Croatia Bus fare

10-Day Croatia Highlights: Zagreb, Plitvice, Zadar & Dubrovnik

Experience Croatia diverse inland and coastal landscapes on a backpacker budget. From Zagreb cafe culture, travel through the UNESCO cascading lakes of Plitvice, listen to the Sea Organ in Zadar, explore Split Roman ruins, and conclude in Dubrovnik.

Trip Duration 10 Days
Estimated Total €460
Daily Average ~€46/day
Travel Style backpacker
Itinerary route

Swipe to follow the full route.

  1. 1
    Zagreb 2 days
  2. 2
    Plitvice Lakes 1 day
  3. 3
    Zadar 1 day
  4. 4
    Split 2 days
  5. 5
    Korčula 1 day
  6. 6
    Dubrovnik 3 days

Intercity route legs

Zagreb → Plitvice Lakes bus • Approx 2h 15m 💡 Book via Arriva Croatia for lowest fares and verified schedules.
~€12.00
Plitvice Lakes → Zadar bus • Approx 1h 45m 💡 Book via Prijevoz Knežević for lowest fares and verified schedules.
~€11.00
Zadar → Split bus • Approx 2h 15m 💡 Book via Arriva Croatia for lowest fares and verified schedules.
~€12.00
Split → Korčula ferry • Approx 2h 15m 💡 Book via Kapetan Luka for lowest fares and verified schedules.
~€18.00
Korčula → Dubrovnik ferry • Approx 2h 00m 💡 Book via Kapetan Luka for lowest fares and verified schedules.
~€20.00

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

Zagreb Upper Town & Dolac Market

Zagreb

Explore the medieval Upper Town (Gornji Grad), Saint Mark Church, and fresh farmer produce at Dolac Market.

Estimated day spending: €38.00
Day 2

Museum of Broken Relationships & Park Maksimir

Zagreb

Visit the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships (€7) and take tram 11 to Maksimir Park for peaceful forest walks.

Estimated day spending: €42.00
Day 3

Bus to Plitvice Lakes & Lower Lakes

Plitvice Lakes

Morning bus to Plitvice Lakes (€12). Spend the afternoon walking trails A and B around the Lower Lakes and the 78-meter Great Waterfall.

Estimated day spending: €58.00
Day 4

Bus to Zadar & Sea Organ Sunset

Zadar

Take morning coach to Zadar (€11). Listen to the Sea Organ marble steps and watch the Greeting to the Sun light installation.

Estimated day spending: €44.00
Day 5

Coastal Coach to Split & Diocletian Cellars

Split

Bus from Zadar to Split (€12). Walk through the subterranean cellars of Diocletian Palace and relax on the Riva promenade.

Estimated day spending: €46.00
Day 6

Marjan Forest Park & Kasjuni Beach

Split

Rent a bicycle or hike through Marjan peninsula to swim in quiet pine-fringed pebble coves.

Estimated day spending: €40.00
Day 7

Catamaran to Korčula Island

Korčula

Take the Krilo catamaran to Korčula Town (€18). Walk through the fishbone stone street layout of Marco Polo hometown.

Estimated day spending: €52.00
Day 8

Catamaran to Dubrovnik & Stradun Stroll

Dubrovnik

Morning catamaran to Dubrovnik (€20). Explore the pedestrian alleys of the Old Town and grab cheap slices from local bakeries.

Estimated day spending: €50.00
Day 9

Dubrovnik Free Viewpoints & Buža Swim

Dubrovnik

Hike up the switchback trail to Mount Srđ for free aerial panoramas over the walled city. Swim off Danče beach.

Estimated day spending: €45.00
Day 10

Final Stroll & Departure

Dubrovnik

Morning coffee on Gundulić Square and bus to Dubrovnik Airport (€10).

Estimated day spending: €45.00

✂️ What I Would Cut If Short on Time

Skip the overnight in Zadar and take a direct morning bus from Plitvice Lakes to Split.

Make this trip cheaper

These options use the current typical minimum fare in our route records. They are not guaranteed quotes, and prices can change before booking.

Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes by Bus
Typical minimum €11.00, about €1.00 below this itinerary's stored leg estimate.
Fare source
Plitvice Lakes to Zadar by Bus
Typical minimum €10.00, about €1.00 below this itinerary's stored leg estimate.
Fare source
Zadar to Split by Bus
Typical minimum €11.00, about €1.00 below this itinerary's stored leg estimate.
Fare source
Split to Korčula by Ferry
Typical minimum €15.00, about €3.00 below this itinerary's stored leg estimate.
Fare source
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