Discover Croatia: Self-Launched Zagreb to Dubrovnik
8 days · Croatia
Exodus charges £3,020
No-markup version: ~£590 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Follow Croatia's greatest hits from Zagreb to Dubrovnik at a fraction of the group tour price. This self-launched version covers the same stunning route — Plitvice Lakes, Zadar, Krka National Park, Split, the Pelješac Peninsula and Dubrovnik — swapping private coaches and superior hotels for local buses, budget-friendly guesthouses and self-booked activities. Expect Roman ruins, turquoise waterfalls, fresh oysters and world-class wines, all on your own terms. All costs are approximate estimates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Zagreb
Zagreb
Arrive into Zagreb Airport and make your way into the city centre. Zagreb's compact Lower Town is easy to navigate independently. Drop your bags and take a stroll around Jelačić Square and Tkalčićeva Street — a pedestrian strip lined with cafés and bars perfect for a first-night drink. Pick up a Zagreb Card from the tourist office if you plan to use public transport and museums tomorrow.
🚌ZET airport bus to city centre (~£3 per person)
🛏Hostel Chic Zagreb or Funk Lounge Hostel (dorm ~£18/night, private room ~£45/night)
- →Arrive at Zagreb Airport — take the airport bus (ZET line 290) to the city centre for around £3
- →Self-guided evening wander around Ban Jelačić Square and Tkalčićeva Street
- →Optional: grab dinner at Dolac Market area or a local konoba (tavern)
Explore Zagreb • Plitvice Lakes • Zadar
Zagreb → Plitvice Lakes → Zadar
Start with a self-guided morning walk through Zagreb's Upper Town (Gornji Grad): visit St Mark's Church, the Lotrščak Tower and the Broken Relationships Museum. Then catch a morning bus from Zagreb bus station to Plitvice Lakes (around 2–2.5 hours, ~£10). Spend 3–4 hours hiking the famous wooden boardwalks past 16 terraced turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls — one of Europe's most spectacular national parks. In the late afternoon, take a direct bus to Zadar (around 2 hours, ~£9). The welcome dinner from the original tour is recreated by heading to the atmospheric old town for fresh seafood at a waterfront restaurant.
🚌Zagreb bus station to Plitvice Lakes (~£10); Plitvice to Zadar by bus (~£9)
🛏Hostel Forum Zadar or Art Hotel Kalelarga (dorm ~£18/night, budget double ~£50/night)
- →Self-guided walking tour of Zagreb Upper Town: St Mark's Church, Lotrščak Tower, Stone Gate
- →Plitvice Lakes National Park: buy tickets online in advance to avoid queues (adult entry ~£18 in shoulder season)
- →Walk Routes A or B (2–4 hours) along wooden boardwalks past waterfalls and turquoise lakes
- →Bus from Plitvice to Zadar (~2 hrs, ~£9)
- →Evening stroll in Zadar old town and dinner at a local restaurant
Tour Zadar • Krka National Park • Travel to Split
Zadar → Krka National Park → Split
Spend the morning exploring Zadar's remarkable old town: the 9th-century St Donatus' Church, the Roman Forum ruins and Alfred Hitchcock's favourite sunset spot. Don't miss the Sea Organ on the waterfront — an architectural installation that plays music using the waves. Then catch a bus or join a day-trip shuttle to Krka National Park (~1.5 hrs, ~£10). Spend around 2 hours walking the wooden walkways past spectacular travertine cascades and the Skradinski Buk waterfall. Note: swimming is no longer permitted at Krka. In the late afternoon, travel south to Split by bus (around 1.5–2 hrs, ~£8). Check in and explore the evening atmosphere around Diocletian's Palace.
🚌Zadar to Krka by bus or shared shuttle (~£10); Krka to Split by bus (~£8)
🛏Stari Grad Hostel Split or Goli + Bosi Design Hostel (dorm ~£20/night, private ~£55/night)
- →Self-guided walking tour of Zadar: St Donatus' Church, Roman Forum, Sea Organ, Greeting to the Sun installation
- →Krka National Park: entry ticket ~£12 (book online in advance); guided walk optional via GetYourGuide from ~£25
- →Walk the Skradinski Buk waterfall trail (~2 hours)
- →Bus from Krka/Šibenik area to Split (~£8)
Diocletian's Palace • Stella Croatica • Trogir
Split → Trogir → Split
Join a guided walking tour of Split's extraordinary old town, built inside the walls of Emperor Diocletian's 4th-century retirement palace — book via GetYourGuide or Klook for around £15–20. Afterwards, either replicate the Stella Croatica estate visit by booking directly on their website (olive oil and local produce tastings, ~£20) or visit a local delicatessen in Split's market for a DIY tasting of Croatian olive oils, wines and pršut. In the afternoon, take a local bus to Trogir (~30 mins, ~£2) and wander the UNESCO-listed island town's Venetian palaces, medieval alleys and Cathedral of St Lawrence. Return by bus to Split in the evening.
🚌Local bus Split–Trogir–Split (~£4 return)
🛏Stari Grad Hostel Split or Goli + Bosi Design Hostel (same as Day 3)
- →Guided walking tour of Diocletian's Palace via GetYourGuide (~£15–20 per person)
- →Diocletian's mausoleum (now Split Cathedral) and Peristyle Square
- →Stella Croatica estate visit and tasting (book direct, ~£20) or DIY Croatian produce tasting at Pazar market
- →Bus to Trogir (~30 min, ~£2): Cathedral of St Lawrence, Kamerlengo Fortress, Venetian old town
- →Return bus to Split (~£2)
Free Day in Split
Split
A free day to explore Split at your own pace — just like on the original tour. Stroll the Riva promenade along the seafront, hike up Marjan Hill for panoramic views across the harbour, or visit the Archaeological Museum and Gallery of Ivan Meštrović. For the optional boat trip to Brač or Hvar, ferries depart regularly from Split Ferry Port — a day return to Hvar costs around £8–12 with Jadrolinija. Hvar Town is famous for its Venetian architecture, lavender fields and lively bars. Alternatively, catch a catamaran to Brač and head to the famous Zlatni Rat beach.
🚌Jadrolinija ferry to Hvar or Brač if desired (~£8–12 return)
🛏Stari Grad Hostel Split or Goli + Bosi Design Hostel (same as Day 3)
- →Morning hike up Marjan Hill for harbour and island views (free)
- →Visit the Archaeological Museum Split (~£4) or Gallery of Ivan Meštrović (~£8)
- →Jadrolinija car ferry or catamaran to Hvar or Brač (~£8–12 return per person)
- →Explore Hvar Town: Fortica Fortress, St Stephen's Square, beach bars
- →Or: relax on the Riva and swim from the rocks near Bačvice beach
Dalmatian Coast Drive • Oysters & Wine on Pelješac • Dubrovnik
Split → Ston → Pelješac Peninsula → Dubrovnik
This is the scenic showstopper day. Take a morning FlixBus or Arriva Croatia bus south towards Dubrovnik, asking to be dropped or booking a stop at Ston (~2.5 hrs, ~£12). Ston's medieval salt walls are free to explore. Visit the Ston Saltworks and walk the extraordinary mile-long walls. Then join a self-booked oyster tasting boat experience on Mali Ston Bay (bookable on GetYourGuide, ~£30–40 per person). Continue to the Pelješac wine region — wineries like Miloš or Bartulović offer self-guided cellar tours and tastings of plavac mali wines for around £15–25. Catch an afternoon bus or prearranged transfer to Dubrovnik (~1 hr, ~£8).
🚌Bus Split to Ston (~£12); local bus/transfer Pelješac to Dubrovnik (~£8)
🛏Hostel Angelina Old Town Dubrovnik or Fresh Sheets Hostel (dorm ~£25/night, private ~£70/night)
- →Bus Split to Ston (~£12): explore medieval salt walls and Ston Saltworks (entry ~£6)
- →Oyster boat tasting experience on Mali Ston Bay via GetYourGuide (~£30–40 per person)
- →Pelješac Peninsula winery visit: Miloš, Bartulović or Saints Hills winery — cellar tour and plavac mali tasting (~£15–25)
- →Bus or shuttle Pelješac to Dubrovnik (~£8)
Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour • Afternoon at Leisure
Dubrovnik
Join a guided walking tour of Dubrovnik's UNESCO-listed Old Town — book via GetYourGuide for around £15–20 per person. See the Stradun (main promenade), Rector's Palace, baroque churches and the iconic city walls. Walk the full City Walls circuit (2km, ~45 min) for breathtaking views over the Adriatic — entry is around £28, but best visited early morning to avoid crowds. In the afternoon, take the cable car up Mount Srđ (~£13 return) for panoramic views over the rooftops and Elaphiti Islands. Or hop on a local boat to a nearby beach. The evening is yours — Dubrovnik's old town is magical after dark.
🚌Local Dubrovnik bus (buy day pass ~£4); cable car ~£13 return
🛏Hostel Angelina Old Town Dubrovnik or Fresh Sheets Hostel (same as Day 6)
- →Guided Old Town walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£15–20 per person)
- →Walk Dubrovnik's City Walls (2km circuit, entry ~£28 — book online to save queuing)
- →Visit Rector's Palace and Franciscan Monastery with oldest pharmacy in Europe (~£8 combined)
- →Cable car to Mount Srđ for panoramic views (~£13 return)
- →Optional: boat trip to Lokrum Island (~£8 return) or Banje Beach swim
Depart Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Your self-launched Croatian adventure ends here. Check out of your accommodation and make your way to Dubrovnik Airport. The airport is 18km from the old town — take the Atlas airport bus (around 30 minutes, ~£5) or a taxi (~£20–25). If you have time before your flight, grab one final coffee on the Stradun or revisit a favourite spot. Alternatively, extend your trip with a ferry to Montenegro's Bay of Kotor or a flight onward to Split or Zagreb.
🚌Atlas airport bus to Dubrovnik Airport (~£5)
- →Final morning coffee on Stradun or along the old harbour
- →Optional: last-minute visit to Dubrovnik's covered market for local produce and souvenirs
- →Atlas airport bus from Pile Gate to Dubrovnik Airport (~£5, ~30 min)
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£590 | £3,020 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,430 per person (80%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£590
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Discover Croatia: Self-Launched Zagreb to Dubrovnik cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £590 per person for 8 days in Croatia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £3,020 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £590 — a saving of roughly £2,430 (80%) per person.
How long is the Croatia trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Croatia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, backpacker, budget trip through Croatia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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