Wondering how to get to Plitvice Lakes?
Anyone who is visiting Croatia knows that Plitvice Lakes National Park must be on your bucket list. Here’s how to get there from some of Croatia’s most popular spots!
Plitvice Lakes NP is absolutely magical and in my opinion worth the visit no matter where you are in the country. Some places offer easier access than others, but read this blog post to find the best way to visit Plitvice from your chosen location!
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Where is Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in the central part of Croatia and it’s one of Croatia’s most magical natural wonders. The national park is about 130 km (81 miles) south of Zagreb, and about 120 km (75 miles) north of Zadar.
The park is famous for 16 gorgeous lakes, waterfalls that seem to flow forever, and forests that feel like something out of a fairytale. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Croatia’s most popular tourist destinations. Plitvice Lakes is one of the top three must-visit spots for most tourists in Croatia, and luckily, there are several ways to get there!
This blog post will help you learn how to get to Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, and Šibenik.
How to get to Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb
By Car
From the capital, the quickest and easiest way to reach Plitvice Lakes is by car. Plitvice Lakes National Park is about 130 km (80 miles) from Zagreb, and if you take the highways, you can reach it in around two hours.
The drive is comfortable, with half of it on the highway and the rest on scenic local roads. Just keep in mind there are tolls, but they’re not too pricey. Once you reach the park, you’ll find plenty of parking available, which is always a plus.
If you’re flying in and don’t have a car, you’ll need to rent one, but Zagreb has plenty of renting companies and they’re not overly expensive.
By Bus
If you don’t have a car and don’t want to rent one, you can check out the option of public transport. If you choose to go by bus, from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes it will take you around 2-2.5 hours, depending on the time of day and the operator.
The buses usually leave from Zagreb Bus Station (Autobusni Kolodvor), and there are multiple lines daily, so you can choose whichever works best for you. You can book your tickets online via FlixBus or Arriva. I would suggest checking out their timetables and schedules and deciding which operator fits best in your itinerary.
The tickets are usually from 10-15 euros one way, which is pretty affordable for a day trip to one of Croatia’s most stunning attractions. Keep in mind that, due to fixed schedules, your trip might last longer or shorter than you intended.
By Tour
There are plenty of tourist agencies and tour guides that have guided tours from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes. These tours usually include transportation, tickets, and a professional guide who will take you around the park and share fascinating facts about it. Some of them even include a visit to Rastoke. This might be a great option if you don’t have a car and don’t want to bother with public transportation. Here are a few well-reviewed tours which might interest you.
How to get to Plitvice Lakes from Split
By Car
If you’re visiting Plitvice Lakes from Split, keep in mind that it’s nearly twice as far as from Zagreb. The distance between Plitvice and Split is around 250 km (155 miles). That means that it will take you around 3–3.5 hours to reach Plitvice Lakes by car.
The car ride is easy and enjoyable, it includes the A1 highway toward Zagreb, and then some local roads toward Plitvice. You’ll have some tolls to pay, but they’re not that expensive. It’s a beautiful scenic drive, but if you’re planning a day trip, be prepared for a long haul—over 6 hours of driving!
By Bus
While public transportation can be a great option from Split if you have the time, using buses for a day trip might not be the best idea. If you choose to go by bus, the bus ride is around 4–5 hours one way. If you’re taking the bus, I’d recommend staying the night at the park to make the long journey a bit more manageable.
There are multiple buses leaving daily from Split Bus Station (Autobusni Kolodvor), especially in summer. You can book tickets online via FlixBus or at the bus station. The bus ticket is around €20-€30 one-way.
By Tour
Split is Croatia’s most visited coastal town, so there are plenty of agencies and tour guides organizing guided tours from Split to Plitvice Lakes. It might be better to book a tour than use public transportation, just for the comfort. When you book a tour, you get transportation, tickets, and a guide all in one package. Here are some great options to choose from!
How to get to Plitvice Lakes from Dubrovnik
By Car
Visiting Plitvice Lakes from Dubrovnik in a day isn’t really doable, so it’s best to plan a road trip with a few stops along the way. There’s over 400 km (250 miles) between Dubrovnik and Plitvice Lakes, and you’ll have to drive for at least 5 hours, maybe even longer to reach the NP.
The drive includes the highways and the local roads, and you’ll have to pay around 40-50 euros in tolls for a round trip. This trip is a great way to explore Croatia, driving from the south to central parts, with some amazing stops between Dubrovnik and Split. But to really enjoy the journey, you’ll need at least 3 days.
By Bus
Taking the bus from Dubrovnik to Plitvice Lakes isn’t the most comfortable option, so I’d recommend it as a last resort. The ride takes around 8 to 9 hours, so you’ll end up spending two full days just on travel.
If there’s no other option, there are some limited options from Dubrovnik Bus Station (Autobusni Kolodvor). If none of the options work for you, consider taking a bus from Dubrovnik to Split, and then another bus from Split to Plitvice Lakes. You can buy tickets on FlixBus or Arriva websites. The tickets are around 30-40 euros one-way.
By Tour
There aren’t many organized tours from Dubrovnik to Plitvice Lakes due to the huge distance between the two locations. However, you can surely organize a private tour once you arrive in Dubrovnik, or just book a private transfer in your hotel. That way, while the drive will be long, it won’t be you who will be driving. Keep in mind that this option is definitely going to be expensive, so it’s not for everyone’s budget. Here are a few available tours to book online!
How to get to Plitvice Lakes from Zadar
By Car
Zadar is not that far from Plitvice Lakes, so using a car to reach the NP is the best option. The distance between Zadar and Plitvice Lakes is around 120 km (75 miles) and it will take you around 1.5 to 2 hours to reach it. The route is quite simple, you take the A1 highway toward Zagreb, and then exit and continue on local roads to Plitvice. You can also just use the local D1 road for a more scenic (but slower) route. As I already mentioned, there’s plenty of parking near Plitvice Lakes, so parking won’t be an issue.
By Bus
Visiting Plitvice Lakes from Zadar by public transport is a great idea. The ride is not too long, only around 2 hours, and the tickets are reasonably priced at 10 to 15 euros per way. Buses leave from Zadar Bus Station several times a day. Make sure you book tickets well in advance if you’re visiting in the summer. During peak season, these tickets sell out quickly. You can buy your tickets on FlixBus or at the station.
By Tour
Since Zadar is fairly close to Plitvice, there are quite a few tours you can book if you don’t want to go by yourself. There are several you can book online, or if you want a private tour tailor-made for you, you can book it with your hotel or apartment host. They are usually a 9–10-hour tour with transportation, tickets, and certified guide. Here are some great ones!
How to get to Plitvice lakes from Šibenik
By Car
Šibenik is another town not too far from Plitvice. If you’re staying in Šibenik, Plitvice NP is a great day trip option. Šibenik is around 165 km (103 miles) away from Plitvice Lakes, and you can get there in under 2.5 hours. To get there as quick as possible, take the A1 highway toward Zagreb, then follow local roads to Plitvice. There are some tolls to pay, but they’re not too expensive.
By Bus
Going to Plitvice Lakes from Šibenik is going to be a longer ride, but it’s still worth it. The bus rides are usually around 5 hours. If you leave in the morning and come back late, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the park. These buses leave from Šibenik Bus Station a few times a day, and they’re very popular during summer. The tickets are available on FlixBus and they’re around 20-30 euros one way.
By Tour
There aren’t many available tours to Plitvice Lakes from Šibenik, but you can plan out your own with your hotel or accommodation host. However, if that’s not possible, you can easily grab a bus to Zadar and book a tour from there.
Tours to Plitvice Lakes
Tours are the best option when you want to be carefree and explore without any obligations. There are several great tours from many Croatian towns to Plitvice Lakes. Many of them I’ve already linked under each town, but here’s another short overview of options on Viator.
Plitvice Lakes FAQ
How much does it cost to go to Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice Lakes can be budget-friendly or extremely expensive, it all depends on the type of travel you prefer. Taking the bus or driving yourself will usually be cheaper than booking a private transfer to the park. But sometimes, a guided tour can actually cost less than driving and buying tickets on your own.
Visiting the national park is also much cheaper in spring or fall (23 euros per ticket) compared to summer, when tickets are 40 euros each. I would say it’s important to properly do your research, but with tickets and transport your trip to Plitvice can be anywhere from 40-100 euros per person.
What to wear to Plitvice Lakes
When visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park, you need to dress appropriately to be comfortable. Here’s a list of a few items you definitely need to have while visiting:
- Comfortable, non-slip hiking shoes or sneakers. Even during summer, the trails can be wet, and while many of them are flat, there are some trails which are uneven, so you need good support.
- Light but comfortable clothing during summer (T-shirt, shorts, leggings), as well as a hat & sunglasses for sun protection
- Rain jacket (wind & waterproof) and warm layers (thermal shirt, fleece, jacket) if you’re visiting in fall/winter.
- Small backpack (for water, snacks, and camera) and a reusable water bottle because there aren’t any shops in the park. There are a few restaurants which are quite crowded and pricey if you’re visiting in the summer, and they’re closed if you’re visiting off-season.
Where to stay at Plitvice Lakes
Since the park is quite big, people often choose to come for 2 days to Plitvice Lakes. Because of that, there are several options for staying near Plitvice Lakes National Park, ranging from luxury hotels to cozy guesthouses and camping. Here’s a quick list of some of the best rated stays in and around Plitvice Lakes:
- B&B Villa Dolina Plitvice
- 16 Lakes Guesthouse
- Lakeside Hotel Plitvice
- Plitvice Holiday Resort
- Zrinka House
- B&B Plitvice Queen
Plitvice Lakes NP in winter – is it worth visiting?
Plitvice Lakes NP is definitely worth visiting in winter. The park transforms into a snowy fairy tale, with frozen lakes and frosty waterfalls. The waterfalls look absolutely stunning encased in ice and it’s magical walking through the snow-covered wooden pathways.
This is actually an amazing time to visit if you don’t like crowds. Winter months (November to March) bring far fewer tourists, so you can enjoy the beauty of the park without the crowds. Just make sure to pack warm clothing, including a good waterproof winter jacket, gloves, and boots.
Plitvice Lakes entrance 1 or 2 – which is better?
There are 2 entrances to Plitvice Lakes NP, and each is special in its own way. Here’s a short overview of both of them, so choose whichever is better for your itinerary.
Entrance 1 (Lower Lakes) – Best for First-Time Visitors & Iconic Views
Entrance 1 is located near the Lower Lakes (Donja Jezera). That means that, if you choose this one, some of the first views and attractions will be Veliki Slap (the most famous and the highest waterfall in Croatia) and the famous panoramic viewpoint. Choose this entrance if you want to start with the best views of the park.
This entrance is great for first-time visitors, and especially those who are planning shorter visits, for example 2-3 hours, because you’ll get all the best views in only a few hours. Keep in mind that this is the more popular entrance so it can get crowded.
Entrance 2 (Upper Lakes) – Best for a More Relaxed Experience
This one is located near the Upper Lakes (Gornja Jezera). If you choose this one, you’ll start with the Upper Lakes and work your way to the Lower Lakes. That means you’ll have to do a longer route, and have at least 4-5 hours to explore the park.
This entrance is calmer and less crowded, but it’s also quite far from the most iconic views of the park. You’ll have easier access to electric boat rides across Kozjak Lake, but you’ll see the famous Veliki Slap and the viewpoint at the end of your journey!
